Politics

Iceland gets new government under Social Democrat Frostadottir

The new government plans to put the question of EU membership to a referendum, which the governing parties said they hope will take place no later than 2027.

German far right brings political edge to Magdeburg attack site

Martin Sellner, an Austrian popular with Germany's far-right, posted on social media that the suspect "hated Islam, but he hated the Germans more".

Meloni’s Italy-Albania deal faces another judicial set-back

“If these [Italian court rulings] are upheld by the EU Court of Justice in their underlying philosophy,” Meloni warned, they could “compromise the repatriation policies of all member states.”

Italian deputy PM Salvini acquitted of migrant kidnapping charges

Salvini had tried to prevent the Spanish charity Open Arms from bringing 147 asylum seekers to Italy in the summer of 2019, when he was interior minister.

Saudi man kills at least two after ramming into crowd at German Christmas market

Police said the attacker was a 50-year-old male doctor from Saudi Arabia with permanent residency in Germany, where he had lived for almost two decades.

Berlin remains calm after Musk endorses AfD

Alice Weidel, AfD's chancellor hopeful, was quick to pick up on Musk's endorsement.

The Brief – What to lean on in 2025

Hungary grants asylum to Polish ex-official in corruption case

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski called Budapest's decision to grant asylum a "hostile act" in a post on X.

Dominique Pelicot jailed for 20 years in landmark French mass rape trial

Police believe 72 men had gone to the house to rape and abuse Gisèle, but they were not able to identify them all.

Polish government hits back at migration policy critics

The ministry said  Belarus’ smuggling of migrants aims to destabilise the EU.

Romania’s victorious PSD withdraws from government formation talks

The news simply adds to Romania's ongoing political instability.

Spanish socialists file irregular financing claim against Vox

Vox admitted to the loan and said it was repaid in full.

Salvini faces possible six-year sentence ahead of ‘Open Arms’ verdict

“I am not worried; I am confident and determined,” Salvini said.

Borissov no longer backs Ukraine security deal, expects incoming peace

Political commentators described Borissov’s attitude as “shameful”. 

Austria says it is reviewing the status of Syrian refugees

The caretaker government clarified that the initial focus will be on voluntary deportations.

Germany’s hawkish ‘chancellor-in-waiting’ is going soft on Ukraine support

Friedrich Merz is walking a campaign tightrope on Ukraine, equivocating as public backing for military aid falls.

Looking back at Europe’s defining moments of 2024

In this special year-end episode, host Giada Santana takes a step back to explore the moments that defined 2024 for Europe—a year shaped by seismic political shifts, environmental crossroads, and debates about Europe’s economic future, with publisher Rene Moerland, economics editor Anna Brunetti and energy, environment and transport editor Donagh Cagney.

ECR is an ‘active and honest broker,’ in the EP, says its future President Morawiecki

"Hopefully we [ECR] will be the center of gravity for the future,” former Polish PM said in an interview with Euractiv.

The Brief – Some presidencies are to remember

Take the first Polish Presidency in 2011: Warsaw was aiming high.

The EU’s A-Team for 2025

In the spirit of Christmas cheer, this week's EU Politics Decoded asks: who would it take for the EU to have a happy 2025?

Czech lawmakers approve controversial citizenship restrictions for Russians

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visiting Bulgaria to likely discuss the transit of Russian gas, Czech lawmakers approving citizenship restrictions for Russians, and so much more. 

Romania calls for fiscal, budget consolidation after Fitch downgrade

Political instability will make the situation worse, stakeholders say.

Orbán comes to Bulgaria for praise and Russian gas

Bulgaria helped Hungary, now Bulgaria is looking for help.