The EUโ€™s ticking debt bomb โ€” and why it matters for its next budget

Repayment of the EU’s โ‚ฌ300 billion joint borrowing hangs like a cloud over the European Commission’s budget brainstorm.

Riding out the Trump tiger until heโ€™s exhausted

How should one handle the 47th U.S. president? Kiss the ring, resist, offer deals and wait for exhaustion to set in.

Moldovaโ€™s Russia-backed breakaway region strikes deal to end energy crisis

Separatist leaders said they will take a Russian loan to pay for supplies despite an EU aid offer.

Romaniaโ€™s Klaus Iohannis announces heโ€™ll resign as president

Longtime leader heads for the exit amid political turmoil in Bucharest.

Kosovo faces political uncertainty as ruling party fails to secure election majority

PM Albin Kurti claims โ€˜victoryโ€™ and vows to form government but analysts warn of prolonged crisis and instabilityThe governing party of the prime minister, Albin Kurti, is on track to secure the most seats in Kosovoโ€™s parliament but will lack the numbe…

EU moves to replace Russian energy influence in Moldova

EU cash has ensured that gas and power flow in Moldova and its breakaway region of Transnistria, after Russia closed the taps โ€“ now Brussels wants a longer-term deal.

The real significance of Trumpโ€™s tariffs

It represents another major effort to expand presidential authority.

The Future of Temporary Protection in Tรผrkiye: Return of Syrians after the Fall of Assad

 

Dr. AyลŸe Dicle
Ergin, Assistant
Professor, Bilkent University Faculty of Law

 

Photo credit: Henry
Ridgwell, Voice of America news, via Wikimedia
Commons

 

As of today, the vast majority of
approximately 2.8
million Syrians in Tรผr…

Kosovo votes in parliamentary elections amid tensions with Serbia

Voters began casting ballots in Kosovo elections Sunday in a contest that pits combative incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s quest to stamp out Serbian influence against a fractured opposition’s vow to boost the economy. Condemned by the EU and the…

Nicolas Sarkozy fitted with electronic tag after losing corruption appeal

Former French president was found guilty of trying to bribe a judge in 2014 after he had left officeThe former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was fitted with an electronic tag on Friday after losing his appeal against his conviction for corruption an…

Trumpโ€™s foreign aid cuts could be โ€˜big strategic mistakeโ€™, says Lammy

Exclusive: Move allows China to further global influence, UK foreign secretary says on Ukraine visitDonald Trumpโ€™s plans to make dramatic cuts to the United Statesโ€™ international aid budget could be a โ€œbig strategic mistakeโ€ that allows China to step i…

Azerbaijan escalates rare standoff with Russia over downing of passenger plane

Baku reportedly preparing to appeal to โ€˜an international courtโ€™ unless Moscow takes responsibility for crash Europe live โ€“ latest updatesAzerbaijan is escalating its rare standoff with the Kremlin as the fallout from the downing of an Azerbaijani passe…

Germanyโ€™s likely next chancellor wants to tell Trump to rein in Musk

โ€œI do not approve of someone in Trumpโ€™s orbit attempting such direct interference in Germanyโ€™s elections,โ€ says Friedrich Merz.

How to be a UK Ambassador to the US

POLITICOโ€™s weekly podcast lifting the curtain on how Westminster really works. By PATRICK BAKER Send ideas here | View in your browser Peter Mandelson, the new British ambassador to the United States, has finally taken up the daunting challenge of being the U.K.โ€™s Trump whisperer. And itโ€™s clear the man dubbed the prince of darkness [โ€ฆ]

How Peter Mandelson can survive Trumpโ€™s Washington

Top tips for Britainโ€™s new ambassador from people whoโ€™ve done the job and lived to tell the tale.

Tony Blair picks his Labour rising stars

The former U.K. prime minister has quietly been meeting Labour’s new MPs โ€” and he’s not the only Blairite who’s at it.

Putinโ€™s disinformation networks flood social media in bid to skew German election

A Kremlin-backed campaign is trying to influence voters ahead of Feb. 23 poll, according to government report obtained by POLITICO.

Bank of England cuts interest rates and lowers growth forecast

Double blow for Reeves as BoE cuts growth forecasts but raises its estimates for inflation.

Britainโ€™s handover of the Chagos Islands is pleasing nobody

Labourโ€™s decision to grant the geopolitical archipelago to Mauritius has sparked criticism from all sides.

AI-driven Russian disinformation campaign targets German elections [Advocacy Lab Content]

Disinformation tactics similar to those used against the United States have been deployed, including using African media outlets for credibility and AI-generated testimonies in influence operations.

Fact-checking : la Commission europรฉenne a-t-elle vraiment payรฉ des ONG pour faire du lobbying pro-Pacte vert ?

Les contrats confidentiels consultรฉs par POLITICO ne tendent pas ร  confirmer les accusations adressรฉes ร  lโ€™exรฉcutif bruxellois par des eurodรฉputรฉs.

Milei to pull Argentina out of WHO, mirroring Trump

The WHO, which promotes health worldwide, is already making cutbacks following the loss of U.S. funding.

Putin ally Schrรถder avoids Nord Stream 2 inquiry after burnout diagnosis

The former German chancellor is suffering from severe exhaustion, lack of energy, concentration and memory problems, his doctor says.

Trump wants to tax the world

The U.S. president sees tariffs not just as a way to reverse trade deficits, but also as a means of reducing domestic income tax. He may find neither are likely to work according to plan.

Ukraine freaks out as US and Russia push for elections

Ukrainian officials fear an alignment between Washington and Moscow could shut them out of the discussion about their country’s future.

Sweden says latest Baltic Sea cable cut was not sabotage

“Weather conditions and deficiencies in equipment and seamanship” were behind last month’s disruption, prosecutors say.

Macron turns to billionairesย to help pay for his legacy

After the rebuilding of the Notre-Dame cathedral, Macron has a new pet project: the Louvre.

The Mediterranean diet is a lie

Italy’s food is supposed to be the world’s healthiest. So why are so many of its kids obese?

UniCredit builds stake in Generali, further complicating fight for Italian financial sector

The Milan-based bank said its holding is โ€œa pure financial investmentโ€ and asserted that it has โ€œno strategic interest in Generali.โ€

German authorities โ€˜well preparedโ€™ for social media election interference

Social media companies including TikTok, Meta and X took part in an election stress test on Friday.

Panamaโ€™s president ahead of Rubioโ€™s visit: โ€˜I cannot negotiateโ€™ on the canal

The visit to Panama will be Rubioโ€™s first international trip as President Donald Trumpโ€™s secretary of State.

Can a bodybuilding YouTuber rejuvenate French conservatism?

Tibo InShape is wading into politics, and the establishment has taken note.

Chasing the Don: How EU politicians are jockeying for position with Trump

From Nigel Farage to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, EU politicians are competing for the privilege of being Europe’s Trump whisperer.

German lawmakers canโ€™t agree whether to seek ban on far-right AfD

Many mainstream leaders worry a pre-election debate over whether to ban Alternative for Germany will only boost the party ahead of a national election.

China-linked influence operation tried to overthrow Spainโ€™s government, report says

Fake accounts attempted to fan discontent as people raged against establishment figures following floods in the Valencia region that killed more than 200 people.

Ukraine and US diplomatic chiefs invited to next EU ministers meeting

Kyiv is anxious to discuss Washington’s plans to end its war with Russia.

Man convicted of drunk-driving a drone in Swedenโ€™s first case of its kind

Man fined for flying device under influence as court applies same punishment it would for drunk-driving a vehicleA man has been convicted for drunk-driving a drone in what is thought to be the first case of its kind in Sweden.The 55-year-old man was fo…

Kremlin refuses to comment on report Syria asked for Assad to be extradited

Moscow keeps quiet as Ahmed al-Sharaa starts to exert influence in Damascus and abroad.

The West is trying to interfere in our elections, Russia moans

Kremlin whacks the U.S. with claim about vote-meddling.

Trumpโ€™s beef with the World Health Organization is personal

Heโ€™s said the UN bodyโ€™s head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, treated China better than him during the pandemic.

Britainโ€™s Rachel Reeves needs a growth miracle

A major speech Wednesday promises a host of pro-growth policies to turn the UK economy around. But the hurdles in the chancellorโ€™s way are huge.

Trumpโ€™s secretary of state finally calls Europe back after skipped meeting

Brussels and Washington “are always stronger together,โ€ said Kaja Kallas after the conversation.

Europe : comment Vladimir Poutine a brisรฉ le front des pays frugaux

La nรฉcessitรฉ de contrer la Russie a fait changer de position certains pays du Nord, habituellement tenants de lโ€™orthodoxie budgรฉtaire.

Serbiaโ€™s PM Vuฤeviฤ‡ steps down over mega student-led protests

โ€œIn order not to further raise tensions in society, I made this decision,โ€ says departing leader as pressure grows on President Aleksandar Vuฤiฤ‡.

Can ErdoฤŸan forge a new bromance with Trump? His future may depend on it | Paul Taylor

If the Turkish strongman clashes with Israel over Syria he will be blamed for wrecking Trumpโ€™s plans to pacify and disengage from the regionRecep Tayyip ErdoฤŸan has trodden a fine line between the west, Russia and China for more than two decades. Turke…

How Vladimir Putin killed the EUโ€™s frugal coalition

The need to counter Russia is shifting the attitudes of rich northern countries on budget discipline.

โ€˜It will kill peopleโ€™: Chaos, confusion after Trump halts US foreign aid

The new directive puts some aid organizations at risk of bankruptcy.

Trump vs. Xi: Who Will Win the Trade War?

Donald Trump launched a two-year trade war against China during his first term in the White House, and heโ€™s poised to do it again. Even before being sworn in, Trump threatened China with 60 percent tariffs to cut its trade surplus, 10 percent tariffs if it didnโ€™t halt fentanyl shipments and 100 percent tariffs if [โ€ฆ]

Orbรกn, Le Pen to hold โ€˜Make Europe Great Againโ€™ rally in Madrid

Patriots party prepping up grand far-right lovefest.

Slovakia leads EU charge to rein in supermarket power

Slovakiaโ€™s right-wing government is spearheading a push to strengthen EU rules on unfair trading practices, saying the current reforms donโ€™t go far enough.

Ultranationalist Algerian influencers wage war on France

Several online activists have been arrested over the past few weeks for inciting violence. Some have TikTok accounts with more than 400,000 followers.

Ukraine war briefing: Moscow claims control of Velyka Novosilka but Ukrainians say fight continues

Warehouse strike in Russia โ€˜destroys 200 Shahed dronesโ€™; Ryazan oil refinery hit again, says Kyivโ€™s military. What we know on day 1,069Russia on Sunday claimed its troops had captured Velyka Novosilka, a strategically important town in the Donetsk regi…

How Trump silenced tech giants on his Paris withdrawal

Silicon Valley loudly criticized President Donald Trump when he quit the climate accord in his first term. This time? Crickets.

Baltic undersea cable likely damaged by โ€˜external influence,โ€™ Latvian broadcaster says

The Latvian Navy sent a patrol to inspect a vessel possibly involved in causing the damage and is contact with NATO allies.

Latvia investigating โ€˜significantโ€™ damage to undersea fibre optic cable

PM says damage is probably result of external influence and vessel suspected of involvement is under investigationAn undersea fibre optic cable between Latvia and Sweden was damaged on Sunday, probably as a result of external influence, Riga has said, …

Czechia backs deeper EU ties for Ukraine and Moldova

The document, seen exclusively by Euractiv Czechia, argues the measures will help the two countries “resist the malign influence of Russia”.
The post Czechia backs deeper EU ties for Ukraine and Moldova appeared first on Euractiv.

Anti-Fico protests build as Slovak PM mutters about foreign โ€˜coupโ€™

Political acrimony is rocking Bratislava.

Europe hasnโ€™t grasped the real economic threat from Trump

It’s not industrial policy that the bloc has to worry about, it’s the rise of national capitalism.

Micheรกl Martin elected Irish prime minister after chaotic opposition showdown

Parliamentary fight shows Martinโ€™s coalition could be vulnerable because of its dependence on independents. Sinn Fรฉin is taking aim.

Serbia detains, expels 14 foreign citizens attending NGO forum

Serbia’s highest state officials, without providing evidence, claim in their statements that student blockades and protests are under the influence of Western intelligence services.
The post Serbia detains, expels 14 foreign citizens attending NGO foru…

Keir Starmer accused of running a โ€˜boysโ€™ clubโ€™ as three men given key jobs

Departure of outgoing U.K. ambassador to the U.S. Karen Pierce has reignited criticism of the culture at the top of the British government.

UK ethics watchdog warns next big government scandal is coming

Outgoing Acoba boss Eric Pickles tells POLITICO that government departments are failing to get a grip on massive revolving door risks.

EU lawmakers left and right rush to secure line to Trumpโ€™s US

The far right has made the running so far but mainstream parties hope to increase contact.

Stop working for Russia, Britain tells its private spies

Security industry guns-for-hire are warned they could face jail time if they work for hostile states โ€” even accidentally.

Accord de Paris : ce que le retrait de Trump implique rรฉellement

Cette dรฉcision du prรฉsident amรฉricain a de nombreux effets et signale le dรฉbut dโ€™un programme agressif de dรฉtricotage de la politique climatique des Etats-Unis.

Elon Muskโ€™s โ€˜Naziโ€™ salute sparks fury from Europeโ€™s left wing

Lawmakers and media pour scorn on the key adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

What Britain desperately wants from Trump 2.0

PM Keir Starmer’s center-left government is holding its breath as Trump’s second term gets going.

What Trumpโ€™s exit from the climate deal really means

Quitting the Paris Agreement triggers a cascade of real-world impacts and signals the beginning of an aggressive agenda to undo U.S. climate policy.

Ukraine risks being โ€˜Trumpโ€™s Vietnam,โ€™ says Steve Bannon

Trump’s former chief strategist fears his old boss won’t make a clean break and stop military aid to Kyiv.

Putinโ€™s grip on Belarus sickens opponents of Lukashenko regime

Dissidents despair at the Russian presidentโ€™s influence ahead of this monthโ€™s rigged election.ย 

Leaked memo reveals alarming German warnings over Trump

Trump’s second term will bring a โ€œmaximum concentration of power with the president,โ€ Germany’s ambassador to the U.S. warns in confidential document obtained by Reuters.

TikTok goes dark in the US

โ€œWe are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,โ€ the company said in a notice on the app.

Musk, a pro-populist thorn in the EU’s side: Concerns grow over ‘foreign interference’

He has called the German chancellor an “incompetent idiot” and the countryโ€™s president an “anti-democratic tyrant”.ย Perhaps such invective would not matter if Elon Musk did not have the influence that he does. But Europe is a key market for the tech b…

Elon Muskโ€™s attempts to sway German and UK politics thought โ€˜unacceptableโ€™ โ€“ poll

Exclusive: Majority polled by YouGov viewed billionaire negatively โ€“ except among Reform UK and AfD votersMost people in the UK and Germany consider Elon Muskโ€™s efforts to influence their national politics unacceptable and believe the US tech magnate d…

โ€˜Everyoneโ€™s trying to kiss the ringโ€™: Trumpโ€™s inauguration devours corporate cash, smashing records

Donations are flying in from some of the worldโ€™s biggest companies โ€” and though many have contributed before, the checks this year are bigger.

Biden warns of rising democracy-threatening โ€˜oligarchyโ€™ in grim farewell speech

He didnโ€™t mention Donald Trump but said no president should be immune from crimes committed while in office.

โ€˜Thatโ€™s not how we do thingsโ€™: Union chief slams Muskโ€™s influence in the EU

Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, calls for Musk’s “extreme” anti-worker views to be “actively challenged”.
The post โ€˜Thatโ€™s not how we do thingsโ€™: Union chief slams Muskโ€™s influence in the EU appeared first on …

The West wants WW3, Romaniaโ€™s presidential front-runner tells conspiracist Alex Jones

Ultranationalist Cฤƒlin Georgescu lashes out at “globalist elite” in rambling interview with hard-right U.S. influencer.

Forget Elon Musk โ€” hereโ€™s whatโ€™s really terrifying the UK government

A return to austerity was not in Keir Starmer’s plans โ€” and it risks shredding Labour’s credibility while populists snap at its heels.

Serbia hit with double whammy on gas supply

New U.S. sanctions against Russia target Serbia’s main gas company, at the same time that Azerbaijan claims to not be able to deliver its supply.

How to trigger Trump: Britainโ€™s cozy China trip risks Americaโ€™s anger

“Weโ€™ve now got someone who’s incredibly hostile to China coming into the White House,โ€ said a bank lobbyist.

Musk praises AfD leader, reiterates support German far-right party

In his latest meddling in European politics, Elon Musk, a fervent ally of US President-Elect Donald Trump, wielded his influence to reaffirm his support of rising far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), backing on Thursday leader Alice Weidel o…

Italyโ€™s Meloni defends Musk and Trump in rare press conference โ€” 5 takeaways

PM says her relationship with U.S. president-elect is “very solid” and insists his recent incendiary remarks flow from a “peace-through-strength” approach.

Meloni channels Spiderman over top award: โ€˜With great power comes great responsibilityโ€™

โ€œI have certainly found interesting the path I’ve taken over the last three years in these POLITICO awards,โ€ Italian prime minister says.

Lโ€™obsession pas si folle de Trump pour le Groenland

La rรฉaction du prรฉsident รฉlu, et climatosceptique, ร  la fonte des glaces : plus dโ€™extraction des ressources, des routes commerciales plus rapides et de nouvelles bases militaires.

Donald Trump Jr.โ€™s visit was โ€˜staged,โ€™ says Greenland lawmaker

โ€œWe know how they treat the Inuit in Alaska. Make that great before trying to invade us,โ€ Pipaluk Lynge tells POLITICO.

Steve Bannon: Muskโ€™s money will help us make Europe a populist haven

“Thereโ€™s not a centrist left-wing government in Europe that will be able to withstand that onslaught,” the right-wing podcaster says.

French far rightโ€™s Zemmour to attend Trump inauguration, leaving Le Pen scrambling for a way

The pundit-turned-politician could be a potential ally for the president-elect and Elon Musk as the tech billionaire wades deeper into European politics.

Jean-Marie Le Pen remembered as a fascist, a visionary and several things in between

Responses to the 96-year-old’s death have become something of a political Rorschach test in France.