100 days of Starmer: How Labourโs big win went off the rails
After just a few months in office, the new British government is finding life tough.
internal
The EU is helping Turkey forcibly deport migrants to Syria and Afghanistan
European taxpayers finance ill-treatment and forced expulsion, an investigation found.
Russian visa scandal: โWe lost controlโ over system, Polish foreign minister laments
Audit flags several irregularities, including granting visas to Russians “without any legal basis.”
Donald Trump vows to end โdouble taxationโ for Americans living abroad
The Republican candidate promised to end the contentious policy in a play for overseas voters.
Olaf Scholz fuels anti-EU resentments, EPP vice-chair says
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Poland and Czechia rejecting the idea of long-term checks at internal borders, the Portuguese parliament condemning Israel for declaring UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres ‘persona non grata’, …
Lithium quest sucks EU into internal Serbian tensions
The EU risks thwarting its own values as its recent partnership with Serbia on raw materials is not going as planned.
Rise of the robots: AI to shape UK defense review
Experts warn the use of artificial intelligence in Britain’s future military planning could prove a costly mistake.
PMQs: Keir Starmer wins despite all the drama
The PM was probed on his economic promises โ and managed to largely escape unscathed.
Brexit โchanged everythingโ in the EU, says Orbรกn
Orbรกn laments that the EU’s “natural balance” between pro- and anti-federalist countries was knocked out of kilter when the U.K. left the bloc.
Is this the end of footballโs transfer system? An immediate reaction to the Courtโs ruling in Diarra (C-650/22).
Stephen Weatherill, Somerville
College and Faculty of Law, Oxford University
Photo credit: Addesolen, via Wikimedia Commons
Introduction
โIs this the end of footballโs
transfer system?โ So shrieked the media in December 1995 wh…
Mega hack shuts down Putinโs online state media
Kremlin says specialists are working to figure out who attacked โcritical infrastructure facility.โ
Czechia plans to push for major changes to EUโs car emissions goals
Czechia plans to push for changes to EU car emission targets, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Transport Minister Martin Kupka (both ODS, ECR) announced on Friday, confirming that the focus will be on speeding up the review of the internal combustio…
How Sue Gray blew up Downing Street inside 100 days
The prime minister’s chief of staff was blamed for a disastrous start to Labour’s tenure in government.
Sue Gray resigns as Keir Starmerโs chief of staff
Gray had become a lightning rod for internal criticism since Labour’s election victory in the summer.
Inside the US intel dilemma on Gaza a year after Oct. 7
Current and former officials say the US has long struggled to collect intelligence on Hamas.
Trumpโs return to Butler marks a dramatically changed US race
โThereโs a message here, right? To come back to the scene,โ said one Republican.
European Commission maps out โpower grabโ over โฌ1.2 trillion money pot
The Commission floated merging 530 programs into one national cash pot.
EUโs top court scraps controversial truck return obligation
The rulings ends a very bitter dispute that split EU member countries.
How a law on truck movements divided the EU
The EU’s top court delivers a ruling on an exceptionally fierce legal fight this week.
The EUโs most pointless job
Josep Borrell loves to condemn things โ sometimes in the “strongest possible terms.” Does it ever have any impact?
BBC cancels primetime Boris Johnson interview after journalist gaffe
Corporation said the error made the program promoting Johnson’s book “untenable.”
Italy is all smoke and no roast on CO2 car emissions review
Rome claims to have the support of member countries for an earlier review of the policy, but EU diplomats tell a different story.
Brexit talks are back โ forever
Starmer came away from his first visit to Brussels as prime minister with an agreement to keep talking.
British government split over new-look Brexit deal
Keir Starmer travels to Brussels with the prospect of a new youth mobility scheme high on the agenda.
Waste scandal haunts Cyprusโ EU pick as he heads to Brussels
A decade-old environmental dispute in Limassol, Cyprus, is raising questions over Costas Kadis’ run for EU commissioner.
โTidal waveโ: Europeโs populists push for migrant clampdown as Trump cranks up rhetoric
France and Germany have joined calls for a tougher EU migration policy following a series of far-right election wins.
European Parliament inches toward commissioner hearings in November
Chairs of the Parliament’s committees prefer a Nov. 4 start date.
US officials quietly backed Israelโs military push against Hezbollah
The officials urged caution and stressed the need for diplomacy. But the timing was right for such a military shift, they concluded.
Republicans are starting to raise alarms about Trumpโs ground game
โThey are out-matching us in money, in enthusiasm and in the ground game,โ one Michigan-based GOP strategist said.
UK scraps Brexitโs โNot for EUโ food labels โ for now
The eleventh-hour policy reversal follows a huge backlash from businesses.
Make it stop! The never-ending Tory beauty pageant
Fourteen-week leadership contest drags on, and Conservative members fear it’s leaving Labour unchallenged.
โDoing a Bidenโ is new international shorthand for ousting past-due leaders
Facing looming national elections, Japanโs Fumio Kishida, Canadaโs Justin Trudeau and Germanyโs Olaf Scholz have all faced calls to follow in the U.S. presidentโs footsteps.
Breton slams โempressโ von der Leyenโs power grab and Franceโs loss of influence in EU
Former French commissioner tells Le Monde that France has lost power in the new European Commission setup.
Why the UN isnโt capable of overseeing superheroes
Can the planet be saved from the main body charged with protecting it?
Biden told allies that Netanyahu doesnโt want to end fighting in Lebanon
After a week of back and forth with Israel that increasingly frustrated Biden, Israel launched a massive strike against Hezbollah targeting the groupโs leader.
Kyiv slams Georgian electoral ads depicting bombed-out Ukraine
Georgian people “need not to be afraid of a new war as long Ukraine resists Russian aggression,” Kyiv said.
Irish DPC fines Meta โฌ91 million over password management lapse
Meta had been storing millions of users’ passwords in plaintext, without cryptographic protection, in an internal database, the firm found in 2019.
Italy says enough EU countries ready to back call for early emissions review
In todayโs edition of the Capitals, find out more about the coalition of Prime Minister Robert Fico facing internal, parties in the Bulgarian parliament expressing satisfaction with Brussels’ decision to block North Macedonia’s EU accession, and so muc…
Internal rift in Ficoโs coalition as parties air grievances in public
The mounting rift between Slovakiaโs ruling parties, SNS and Hlas-SD (NI), shows no signs of abating as parties air their differences in the media, and Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD/NI) refuses to intervene publicly.
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.
Republicans have a message for Zelenskyy: Stay out of US politics
Trumpโs allies on the Hill and beyond are sensitive to any perceived slights against the former president.
Iranians indicted in connection with Trump campaign hack
The indictment could be unveiled as soon as Friday.
The uncertain future of the European Green Deal
The European right, along with Italy and Germany, is leading the offensive against two emblematic bills: one against deforestation and the other to ban the sell of internal combustion engine cars after 2035.
The EU far right wants to give Elon Musk a free speech award
If shortlisted, Musk will be invited to the European Parliament to defend his views on free speech.
โAll must be beheadedโ: Revelations of atrocities at French energy giantโs African stronghold
Mozambican soldiers operating out of TotalEnergies’ natural gas plant abducted, raped and killed dozens of civilians.
Biden: โAll-out war is possibleโ in the Middle East
The president reiterated support for a cease-fire deal.
Italy, Germany join carmakers in call to rethink internal combustion engine ban
Rome and Berlin are siding with the European automotive industry in calling for the EU to relax CO2 emissions standards for cars as the bloc aims to end the sale of new petrol and diesel models by 2035.
Show me the money, Gastein says
SNEAK PEEK โย Gastein day 1 kicks off with a plea to ramp up investment in health โ and ways to do it. โ Can tech help to close the gender health gap? Some think so, but only if its funded and reaches all in need. โ Is COP29 the breakthrough year for health and [โฆ]
Europeโs financial ambitions slam into German opposition
Olaf Scholz’s hostility to UniCredit’s swoop on Commerzbank is a sign that pan-European integration will remain elusive.
Lukashenkoโs prisoners used as cheap labor by far-right German onion tycoon
Alternative for Germany is back in the spotlight over Saxony politician’s business dealings in Belarus.
Solid science in Europe: a farewell song?
Maintaining the highest standards is the only avenue to strengthen the EU health sector.
Europe launches its first space commissioner straight into a budget scrap
Despite not having much experience on space, Andrius Kubilius is tipped to be running EU rocket and satellite policy.
Keir Starmerโs victory party turns sour
Britain’s new prime minister has suffered a turbulent start to his premiership.
New data shows closer links to Republican candidate and porn, dating sites
Trump, who endorsed Robinson, has publicly remained silent about the embattled lieutenant governor.
California attorney general sues Exxon Mobil over plastics recycling deceptions
The filing caps a two-and-a-half-year investigation into the oil giant.
Von der Leyenโs first 100 days: What sheโs promised, what it means and what sheโll really deliver
The Commission president is promising to move quickly with far-reaching reforms. How credible is her plan?
Reenvisioning Europeโs digital sovereignty
Von der Leyen’s current dominant position presents an opportunity to turn the bloc into a global-facing innovation powerhouse.
Thierry Breton: โI had to do itโ
The former French European commissioner gives his first public comments since his surprise resignation last week.
Doctors โfight like hellโ against a second Trump term
Some see the politicking as a moral obligation, but others see a threat to the doctor-patient relationship.
US officials expect significant escalation between Israel and Hezbollah
Some U.S. officials say diplomacy may still work to de-escalate tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. Others arenโt so sure.
Nigel Farage is right: Britainโs Remainers are back
For the first time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, Britain’s pro-Europeans have the upper hand.
EU could strip Georgians of visa-free access over backsliding on democracy
The South Caucasus country’s government must live up to its obligations if it wants to keep its benefits, the Commission told POLITICO.
Inside Trumpโs electoral firewall
If the former president wins the East Coast trio of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, he will go back to the White House.
From queen to empress: Ursula von der Leyenโs power grab
After unveiling her new team, the European Commission president holds more power than ever.
Key US trade union declines to endorse either Harris or Trump
The powerful labor union is deeply connected to working class voters in the Midwest and other battleground states that could be crucial to the outcome of Novemberโs election.
What Europeโs new enlargement czar, Marta Kos, means for Ukraine
The left-leaning Slovene has made conciliatory comments toward Russia after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Liz Truss lettuce songs and jet ski stunts: Britainโs third party is living its best life
Jubilant Liberal Democrats are celebrating after years in the political wilderness โ but can it last?
France mourns its loss of influence in von der Leyenโs new Commission
After Thierry Breton’s resignation, French officials are bemoaning a loss of influence in Brussels.
The winners and losers of the new European Commission
What the portfolios tell us about the EUโs power dynamics.
Meet the commissioners: Class of 2024
Everything you need to know about Ursula von der Leyen’s team for her second term.
Conservative Merz confirms he will run against Scholz next yearย
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU/EPP) confirmed on Tuesday (17 September) that he will run against German chancellor Olaf Scholz in next yearโs national elections, as he secured the backing of his internal opponents.
Trump called for โunityโ after the first assassination attempt. Not this time.
The incident came up only briefly on a regularly scheduled call with surrogates and advisers.
Ursula von der Leyenโs new European Commission
Commission president hands out the top jobs in her new team.
Breton out, Sรฉjournรฉ in: What triggered the resignation?
Thierry Breton, the EU’s Internal Market Commissioner, announced his resignation from the European Commission on 16 September, citing tensions with President Ursula von der Leyen.
Ursula von der Leyen tightens grip before unveiling her team
Thierry Breton is out of the way, ridding the European Commission chief of her fiercest internal critic.
โAnyone but himโ: Inside Ursula von der Leyenโs long breakup with Thierry Breton
The split between the Commission president and her biggest internal critic had been brewing for years.
Von der Leyen set to reward France with bigger EU top job after Bretonโs exit, French officials say
The new French commissioner-designate could oversee parts of trade, research and innovation, economy and financial services and capital markets union.
Harris to meet with key union for high-stakes endorsement interview
The massive union typically endorses Democrats โ but it has been Republican-curious this cycle.
Bretonโs resignation could mark a new chapter for EU digital policy
The resignation of now-former Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton, known as the key architect of the EUโs current digital agenda, is viewed by some as a chance to reshape what has often been criticised for being controversial.ย
Von der Leyen โhopesโ to announce top team on Tuesday
Commission refuses to comment on Thierry Bretonโs accusation of “questionable governance.”
France nominates foreign minister Stรฉphane Sรฉjournรฉ for EU Commission
French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister Stรฉphane Sรฉjournรฉ as a European Commissioner following the resignation of the EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton.
French Commissioner Thierry Breton resigns over row with Von der Leyen
Thierry Breton, Internal Market Commissioner also in charge of tech and defence announced his resignation from the European Commission, in a last move to question von der Leyenโs right to reign.
Volkswagen is the anti-Tesla and China is to blame
The German carmaker faces a triple threat from China, a lagging EV transition and labor worries.
Finnish horse enthusiast is an EU tech front-runner
Henna Virkkunen is well placed to nab a key European Commission post on tech or innovation.
Joe Biden preps to sell the economy โ to boost his legacy and help Harris
Biden is determined to convince a skeptical public that he strengthened the economy.
EU fears for its human rights credibility as Tunisia crushes dissent, leak shows
Document detailing โdeteriorationโ under Kais Saied will fuel concerns about blocโs migration deal with his countryThe EU fears its credibility is at stake as it seeks to weigh growing concerns about the crushing of dissent in Tunisia while preserving …
Fractured Consensus: Migration debate highlights EUโs internal struggles
The EU Migration Pact did not close the debate on Europe and its borders. This week, both in national and EU politics, it has been proven that migration remains as potent an issue as ever.
Slovakia loses fight against corruption
Prime Minister Robert Fico doesn’t care.
Donโt take Putinโs name in vain, Russia whines at Harris and Trump
Candidates traded jabs about the Russian president during U.S. presidential debate.
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.
Refreshing Europeโs Indo-Pacific strategy, an opportunity to solidify EU standing [Advocacy Lab Content]
The European Union intends to counter the trend of โmight makes rightโ in relation to the Indo-Pacific, but experts argue the bloc needs to refresh its strategy and address internal divisions when it comes to the region, say observers.
US asked UK in August what it would take to reconsider Israeli weapons suspension
Lammy told Blinken that the U.K. was not considering any other weapons suspensions in the short-term.
Polandโs Tusk slams Germanyโs border checks as โunacceptableโ
Berlin’s decision is a “de facto suspension of the Schengen Agreement on a large scale,” Polish PM says.
The brave four who think they can save Britainโs terminal Tory party
Meet the leadership hopefuls vying to bring the U.K’s Conservatives back from the brink.
Scandal, party infighting and more: US primary season comes to a dramatic close
New Hampshire, Delaware and Rhode Island are all holding primary contests on Tuesday.
Germany to extend temporary controls to all land borders in response to โirregular migrationโ โ Europe live
Interior minister Nancy Faeser says controls will be set up at borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark for six monthsNancy Faeser, the German interior minister, also said that the government has designed a scheme enabling …
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.
The great Commission puzzle: Who we think will get each portfolio
Ursula von der Leyen is about to hand out key jobs in her team. Hereโs POLITICOโs version of the next Commission.
โEveryoneโs madโ: Inside cryptoโs civil war over the US elections
Crypto industry players are at odds over how to influence races for the White House and Congress.
Why the Kremlin loves social media
This weekโs indictment of a social media content firm shows how itโs getting easier and easier for Russia to influence U.S. elections.