How a fight over traffic rules is destabilizing Brussels politics
Dutch and French-speaking parties clash over plans to reduce car use ahead of Sunday’s local elections.
Greens
โExplosionโ sparks evacuation on train carrying MEPs
Official asks European Parliament staff to “stay calm.”
Leaked: Tense correspondence between EU commissioner hopefuls and Parliament
Still, the 23 nominees were cleared by the institution’s legal committee for hearings in early November.
Greens, Left walk out in protest as EU legal committee clears commissioner candidates
Some Green and far-left lawmakers said information given was not complete and the outcome ‘predetermined’.
Germany to ask Georgia to withdraw โforeign agent lawโ to resume EU accession
The resolution will increase pressure on Scholz ahead of next week’s EU leaders’ meeting.
Germanyโs economy goes from bad to worse
Economy Minister Robert Habeck confirms that GDP is set to contract for the second year in a row.
Key SPD leader resigns, citing health problems
The resignation of the party’s general secretary is the latest challenge for Germany’s ailing SPD.
Germanyโs far right is winning over the young
A dance track and online video game hyping mass deportations are some of the ways extreme-right groups are reaching the country’s youth.
23 EU commissioners face extra conflict of interest questions, 3 cleared
MEPs demand extra information from wannabe commissioners.
Defiant pro-refugee lawmakers seek ways to challenge German migration U-turnย
The coalition must decide how harsh is too harsh when it comes to refugee policies.
Weber crows as von der Leyen walks back EU deforestation drive
Ban on products from logged forests is delayed, raising green fears.
Jobs controversy causes first rift in von der Leyenโs majority
A fight over key positions in the European Parliamentโs research panel and working groups has sparked a major spat between influential lawmakers from the centre-right EPP and the Greens.
Austrian parties to begin talks on forming government after far-right win
Exit polls show Freedom partyโs election gains came thanks to strong support among younger votersEurope live โ latest updatesAustriaโs main parties are preparing to begin tense wrangling to form a government amid warnings about the countryโs democracy …
Orbรกn, Le Pen and Wilders are buzzing over Austriaโs far right winning election
Russia-friendly Austrian Freedom Party wins big in national vote triggering delight in conservative circles.
Far-right Freedom party to come first in Austrian election, first results suggest
Party projected to beat centre-right Peopleโs party by three points, surpassing expectationsPreliminary results from Austriaโs general election showed the far-right Freedom party (FPร) winning the most votes for the first time in the postwar period as …
Austriaโs far-right Freedom Party victorious in national election, say early projections
The Freedom Party of Austria, founded by former SS officers in the 1950s, is projected to have won 29.1% of the vote, beating the center-right People’s Party.
World leaders tout AMR declaration, while NGOs sigh
SNEAK PEEK โ Leaders have agreed to a political declaration on antimicrobial resistance. NGOs are disappointed, but is it really so bad? โ The World Health Organization has allied with TikTok to curb the spread of health misinformation. โ What will it take to be prepared for the next pandemic? Itโs not looking good, Gastein [โฆ]
Austriaโs Cosa Nostra
My quip on a TV show gave me an insider view of how the dominant People’s Party exerts its influence throughout the country.
Church sex abuse scandal threatens to overshadow Popeโs Belgium tour
โIt’s a very, very strange week,โ said a filmmaker who documented the clerical assaults.
European lawmakers condemn atrocities at French energy giantโs African fortress
Human rights organizations called for thorough independent investigation.
Germany clears the way for Europe to shoot more wolves
The German vote was key to secure the adoption of a proposal to make it easier to kill threatening wolves in Europe.
Leaders of Germanyโs Greens resign after state election defeats
Ricarda Lang and Omid Nouripour call for reset as party faces โdeepest crisis for a decadeโ after Brandenburg resultThe leaders of Germanyโs Greens, partners in the embattled central government of Olaf Scholz, have announced their resignation, saying t…
Austrian election offers far right a springboard back to power
A win for the Freedom Party Sunday would expand Central Europe’s Putin-friendly bloc.
German coalition: Green leaders resign for โfresh startโ ahead of election ย
Following a poor result inย Septemberโs regional elections, the leadership of the Greens, one of two junior partners in Germanyโs coalition government, resigned on Wednesday (25 September), citing the need for new faces ahead of next yearโs national ele…
Co-leaders of German Greens resign after election fiasco
Support for ruling coalition party collapses amid backlash against climate policies and its stance on asylum seekers
German Green leaders resign after dismal election results
The party is mired in “the deepest crisis” it has faced in a decade, one of its outgoing leaders said.
Mission Impossible: Germanyโs bid to kill EU duties on Chinese EVs
Germany has one last chance to overturn the tariffs at a vote by member countries. But getting the required blocking majority looks to be out of reach โ and would be without precedent.
Germany joins Italy to call for earlier revision of CO2 targets for cars
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) joined calls on Monday (23 September) for a quicker revision of the EUโs CO2 standards for cars after the Italian government and industry had previously pushed for such a move.
The Guardian view on Olaf Scholzโs struggling coalition: running out of time | Editorial
A pyrrhic victory for social democrats in the latest state election offers scant consolation. The German far right continues to strengthenThe name of Germanyโs beleaguered chancellor, Olaf Scholz, was not on the ballot on Sunday, as his home state of B…
German coalition teeters in โautumn of decisionsโ
An election win for the chancellor’s Social Democrats is already being overshadowed by coalition infighting โย and questions over how long the government will last.
Germanyโs Scholz relieved after key state election as challenger suffers blowย
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his party, the SPD, see themselves strengthened after winning a crucial state election in Brandenburg against the far-right, as the party of his newly minted challenger Friedrich Merz suffered heavy losses.
German economy minister set to discuss getting car industry back on track
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) will have little time on Monday (23 September) to digest the results of the third round of local elections as he prepares for talks with car sector leaders on getting the countryโs largest industry back on…
Germanyโs Scholz risks Bidenโs fate
If the chancellor’s SPD party loses a crucial regional election to the far right on Sunday, it could lead to his ouster from the top spot.
What the EUโs new competition tsar thinks about Chinese EV tariffs
Also in this newsletter: How the Greens got their man into von der Leyenโs office
Chinese trade boss comes to Brussels on Donโt Tax My Car tour
Whistle-stop tour of European capitals by Wang Wentao could end in a tough gig when he meets EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis.
How Teresa Ribera became the second-most powerful person in Brussels
Spainโs climate expert is poised to become the EUโs competition chief, net-zero architect and economic transformer โ all in one.
Hard-right ECR group gets powerful EU Commission post, stirring Parliament
Socialists, Liberals and Greens oppose von der Leyen’s appointment of Italian hard-right Raffaele Fitto (ECR) as executive vice-president of the new European Commission.
5 takeaways on Ursula von der Leyenโs new Commission
As the dust settles after weeks of wrangling, here are the key things you need to know.
German conservative leader announces chancellor candidacy
Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, appears likely to become Germany’s next chancellor based on current polling.
EU socialists softened their stance on the Italian executive VP pick
Opposition to Rafaele Fitto’s bid to become vice-president of the executive in the next European Commission appears to be softening, with the socialist S&D group in the European Parliament, who had previously joined the Greens and Liberals in oppos…
Europeโs far-right parties are anti-worker โ the evidence clearly proves it | Cas Mudde and Gabriela Greilinger
We analysed the voting patterns of far-right groups on eight issues including pay and tax. Their rhetoric is hollowIn the US and Europe, the far right is often portrayed as the defender of the working class, the representative of โforgottenโ people or …
Von der Leyenโs Italian executive VP pick faces further opposition
Opposition to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plan to give Italy an executive vice-presidency is growing, with the Greens and Social Democrats joining the liberal Renew group in opposing the move.
Germany presents plans to detain asylum-seekers โclose to the borderโ ย
Germany will detain asylum-seekers “close to its border” and fast-track deportations if they are to be returned to other EU countries, the German government announced on Tuesday (10 September) as it seeks to crack down on irregular migration.ย
Germanyโs Scholz gets tough on border in bid to save political future
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s move to establish new border controls risks generating an EU rift.
EPP plots to limit Socialist Riberaโs economic powers
Spainโs green ‘socialist heavyweight,’ Teresa Ribera, is in talks about a role in EU industrial policy, disconcerting center-right politicians.
Thousands protest across France after Macron rejects leftโs demands
Demonstrations took place in Paris as well as other cities including Nantes, Nice, Marseille and Strasbourg.
โCharged upโ and โbusyโ atmosphere in Paris as thousands rally against Macron
The atmosphere in central Paris is โcharged upโ and โbusyโ as protesters gather to rally against President Macron and his recent nomination of Michel Barnier as prime minister, FRANCE 24โs Yinka Oyetade said, adding that police are expecting between f…
Far right is kingmaker in France following Michel Barnier nomination
The survival of France’s next government depends on Marine Le Pen’s indulgence.
The Metsola exception: The European Parliament president and her lobbyist husband
The chamberโs new conflict-of-interest rules donโt apply to its most powerful member.
5 takeaways from Germanyโs eastern elections
The far-right Alternative of Germany just keeps rising despite efforts to stop it.
Meloni will continue play to the center โ for now
The Italian leader isnโt too eager to hang her hat with the Euroskeptic far right โ at least not just yet.
German far right set for first major electoral victory since World War II
The far-right Alternative for Germany appeared set to win an election in the eastern German state of Thuringia and is running a close second in Saxony, according to initial forecasts.
How to watch the eastern German elections like a pro
The far right and far left are expected to surge in Sunday’s state elections.
Putinโs next coup
Elections in three eastern German states are likely to usher in Russia-friendly parties, giving Vladimir Putin a foothold in the country’s politics.
Wednesday briefing: Why Emmanuel Macron doesnโt want Lucie Castets as Franceโs prime minister
In todayโs newsletter: The embattled president rejected the leftwing candidate for the role โ so what happens now?โข Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. Almost two months after a parliamentary election that left no one bloc…
Keir Starmer learns how not to lead from Olaf Scholz
On a visit to Berlin, the new U.K. prime minister may look at his German counterpart as a cautionary tale.
Sweden to raise fossil fuel reduction targets to level with EU climate goals
Sweden will increase the proportion of biofuels blended with fossil fuels to meet the EU’s 2030 climate targets, the government announced on Tuesday (27 August), reversing its previous policy.
As the far right gains ground, Germany deserves better from its mainstream politicians | John Kampfner
Itโs not just the AfD that poses a major threat in this weekendโs regional elections โ while traditional moderate parties are failing to inspire votersBritain is emerging, albeit grumpily, from eight years of Conservative mayhem. In France, voters club…
Von der Leyenโs second term from hell
Thought the pandemic and Ukraine were tough? The next five years could be worse.
Macron rejects leftโs PM candidate, keeping governance talks stalled
The French president reiterated his refusal to appoint a left-wing government following last month’s snap elections.
Migration smashes into German elections after deadly knife attack
The fierce debate following an attack the chancellor called “terrorism” may benefit the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Is Germanyโs rising superstar so far left sheโs far right?
Sahra Wagenknechtโs brand of โleft conservatismโ is upending German politics ahead of critical elections in the east.
German far right tries to seize on deadly knife attack ahead of crucial state elections
The AfD accuses the ruling coalition and the moderate center-right opposition of shortcomings on security.
โWe donโt want to sabotage herโ: Why green groups are going easy on Kamala Harris
Environmental groups that put Joe Bidenโs climate initiatives under a microscope arenโt giving the Democratic nomineeโs positions the same scrutiny.
French left looks to UK Labour as a model for booting out Mรฉlenchon
France’s centrist socialists are eyeing Britain’s experience of how to purge the hard left.
Nigel Farage could be the real winner if Labour lets teens vote
The Reform UK leader is wooing young people just as Labour wants to lower the voting age.
German chancellor says Ukraine aid will continue despite savings push
“We will be Ukraine’s biggest national supporter in Europe,” Scholz told reporters during a visit to the Moldovan capital.
French left splits again after Mรฉlenchon calls for Macronโs impeachment
Fresh spat in the left-wing New Popular Front alliance is good news for the Macron camp, which hopes to benefit from a fragmented opposition.
Germany to halt new Ukraine military aid: Report
The ban, which is already in place, will affect all new requests for assistance to Kyiv, Germany’s FAZ newspaper reported.
Macron to hold consultations next week to form new government
Possible new PMs include left-wing Lucie Castets, former socialist heavyweight Bernard Cazeneuve and conservative Xavier Bertrand.
Why Germanyโs coalition is back at war (with itself)
Germany’s pro-business liberals have spent the summer trolling their center-left coalition partners, further enervating the already-weak government.
Germanyโs Habeck signals heโll run for chancellor
In an interview with POLITICO, Robert Habeck, Germany’s economy minister and a Greens leader, gives the strongest sign yet that he’ll run for the top job.
French prime minister hopefuls line up for post-Olympics race
On your marks, get set, go: The Olympics respite is over and France now has to fix its political crisis.
German Greens urge von der Leyen to stop Germanyโs border checksย
German Green politicians have published an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for the EU to stop German border checks, which they see as a violation of the Schengen area.
Kyivโs offensive gets a greenish light from its allies
Germany and other Ukraine allies have been reluctant to allow Ukraine to hit Russia, but the latest offensive may be shifting policy.
Sun, sand and strikes: Italyโs beach clubs shut down to protest EU law
Beach licenses in Italy are set to be awarded through a competitive bidding process, threatening decades-old family businesses.
Econ vice chair Boeselager: Plans for European champions akin to โgovernment captureโ
Damian Boeselager (Greens/EFA), co-founder of the pan-European Volt party, warned that EU officials’ focus on encouraging European firms to “scale up” risks pushing the bloc’s competition policy “in a completely wrong direction”.
German coalitionโs budget fight is back
The finance minister cast doubt on a draft budget agreement for 2025, renewing a conflict that threatens to subvert Chancellor Olaf Scholzโs government.
Orbรกn isnโt as isolated as you think
The Hungarian leader has been able to build a coalition of like-minded allies who share his strategic goal โ creating โa Europe of nation states.โ
Poised for victory, Germanyโs center right dithers
The country’s ascendant Christian Democratic Union remains utterly baffled as to how it might wield power.
Macron triggers tensions with Algeria in supporting Moroccoโs Western Sahara plan
The president said Paris’ support for plans for an autonomous region under Moroccan control is โclear and unwavering.”
Germanyโs Robert Habeck files 730 hate crime charges
Threats to lawmakers highlight raw political climate ahead of state races in September.
German court allows downsizing of massive parliament
The ruling makes around 100 fewer seats available in next yearโs national election.
European Parliamentโsย gender equalityย drive thwarted by the right-wing
There’s been a marked decline in women MEPs in the European Conservatives and Reformists group of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Olaf Scholz to run for German chancellor again in 2025
Weakened leader says he hopes to persuade voters through renewed activity ahead of September 2025 ballot.
The whoโs who of the Parliamentโs tech committees
Many familiar faces are returning to the European Parliament’s committees that deal with tech policies, but several key figures have also left the Parliament or the committees.
No to Orbรกn, yes to Meloni. European Parliament hands out top jobs but cuts out (parts of) the far right
Centrist majority managed to keep Patriots for Europe at bay but backed the European Conservatives and Reformists.
German parties reach deal to safeguard judiciary amid rise of far right
Poland and Hungary serve as cautionary tales, German justice minister says.
Germany to ringfence constitutional court against extremist takeover
Germanyโs government and the centre-right opposition have struck a deal to ringfence the Constitutional Court against blockades and hostile takeovers, amid fears that the far-right could try to undermine the rule of law if it continues to gain ground.ย
Greensโ top agriculture MEP trusts von der Leyenโs promises on sustainable farming
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen committed to making agriculture a part of the Green Deal while ensuring that farmers can make a living during negotiations with the Greens/EFA last week, the Greens’ coordinator for agriculture, Thomas…
Greenโs Cavazzini re-elected as IMCO chair
Greens MEP Anna Cavazzini (Germany) will be chairing the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) for another term, according to a press release by the Parliament on Tuesday (23 July).
US missiles are welcome in Germany, foreign minister says
Baerbock’s comments came in response to criticism from within the German government coalition.
Weโre good, Meloni says about von der Leyen
“We have cooperated so far and will continue to do so in the future,” Meloni tells Corriere della Serra.
Green votes secure Ursula von der Leyen re-election as president of the European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen was reappointed with 401 votes, managing to garner support from the European Greens (apart from French MEPs). But she had to contend with defections from her European People’s Party camp, notably from the French LR party.
Von der Leyen threads the climate needle to keep her job
It was a love fest today. The green fights begin tomorrow
Pro-Europeans hail von der Leyen win as rebuff to extremism
Greens emerge as kingmakers as von der Leyen vows to keep the centrist coalition strong.
Von der Leyen is in! Let the fighting over the next European Commission begin.ย
EU leaders will fight back against โtoo powerfulโ von der Leyen as she assembles her team.
Von der Leyen wins 401-strong parliamentary majority with tactical concessions, Greens support
Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as European Commission president on Thursday (18 July), after a long speech in the European Parliament where she reached out to the centrist and left-wing parties but excluded the far-right.ย
Ursula von der Leyen wins second term as European Commission president
Lawmakers give the current European Commission president green light for another five years.
Europe live: counting begins after vote to decide whether Ursula von der Leyen will remain EU chief
Secret ballot for MEPs to decide whether the European Commission president will serve another five-year termRenew Europeโs leader, Valรฉrie Hayer, has posted a photo with Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of the vote.The Greens group said it will back Ursula …