Deep inside a mountain, Britain prepares for Russian onslaught

BODร˜, Norway โ€” Half a mile inside a mountain in the north of Norway, the U.K. is preparing for war. The countryโ€™s military planners have travelled to Bodรธ, nestled between the sea and snow-capped peaks of the Arctic Circle, to rehearse what it would look like if Russia decided to unleash hostile activity on its [โ€ฆ]

Call to give UK cancer patients legal right to be treated within two months

Experts point to example of Denmark, where survival rates for some cancers are among the best in EuropeCancer patients should have the legal right to be treated within two months, even if that means the NHS has to pay for them to be treated privately o…

Romania calls on US to โ€˜overturnโ€™ troop drawdown

Sending home 800 soldiers is “not a good sign in our bilateral relationship,” Romania’s deputy defense minister warns.

Trump adviser to Germanyโ€™s AfD: โ€˜We are in this togetherโ€™

MAGA social media guru Alex Bruesewitz visited Berlin to make common cause with the far-right Alternative for Germany at a time when the party is seeking allies in the U.S.

Belgian PM Bart De Wever doesnโ€™t resign, sets new Christmas deadline for budget

Talks go on as Belgium struggles to seal a budget deal.

Czechia to slash military aid to Ukraine, says likely next FM

A pivot away from Kyiv would be a “Christmas gift” to Putin, outgoing government said in response to the comments.

Trumpโ€™s fossil fuel crusade confronts the climate faithful

Pulling out of the Paris climate agreement was not enough, an ex-aide to the U.S. president says on the eve of a summit in Brazil: “You have to potentially destroy it.”

Transforming global food systems demands collective actionย 

Food systems are not just central to our lives and health, but also to economic and environmental resilience. Strengthening supply chains strengthens our societies.

The US led the world to reach a huge climate deal. Then, it switched sides.

Ten years after nations adopted the Paris Agreement, its objectives are in jeopardy amid rising climate pollution and a political backlash against clean energy.

Promise lawmakers no promises

In todayโ€™s edition: Parliament pushes for a rewrite of the EUโ€™s โ‚ฌ2 trillion budget after talks over โ‚ฌ865 billion in national subsidy plans yield no breakthrough, the Commission prepares alternative funding options for Ukraine as its Russian asset loan …

Macron is Franceโ€™s โ€˜worstโ€™ president. Just ask his old mentor.

The French leader is a narcissist who is in denial of reality, argues Alain Minc.

Keir Starmer, climate leader (when the Treasury lets him)

The U.K. prime minister is heading to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil to show climate still matters Britain, even in the age of Trump. But back at home, Starmer blows hot and cold on all things green.

Supreme Court teases taking away Trumpโ€™s favorite foreign policy tool

The mood inside the Trump administration following the arguments Wednesday is โ€œgrim.”

Commission weighs appeasing Parliament on budget

“Legal changes” could be made on proposal, says Budget Commissioner Serafin.

From COVID-19 to digital well-being: Precaution in the internal market

Daan Bodson,
LL.M in European Union Law, Universitรฉ Panthรฉon-Assas (Paris 2)

Photo credit:
US Dept of Defense, via Wikimedia
Commons

 

Introduction

More than two
years after the WHO declared COVID-19 no longer a global emergency, its impact
is…

Europeโ€™s climate bubble bursts on the eve of crucial summit

The EU heads to the COP30 climate summit with watered-down goals and dwindling green consensus.

Rob Jetten scored a victory over populism in the Netherlands โ€“ but itโ€™s a fragile win

Lessons for liberals? A charismatic leader helped to oust far-right firebrand Geert Wilders. Just donโ€™t mistake this for Europeโ€™s progressive surgeDonโ€™t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereSo how do you beat the populist far right? …

EPP to lean on right-wing support to cut environmental red tape

BRUSSELS โ€” Europeโ€™s dominant center-right group will move ahead with a proposal to cut green rules that they are confident will get the support of right-wing and far-right groups in a crucial Parliament vote next week. If successful, it will mean EU green reporting rules will be significantly relaxed and apply to fewer companies. The [โ€ฆ]

The Marbles review โ€“ thoughtful outline of case for giving the Parthenon marbles back to Greece

David Wilkinsonโ€™s personal exploration of the issues open-mindedly examines both sides of a contentious political debateIn a very personal and thoughtful documentary, film-maker David Wilkinson revives the great question of the restitution of the Parth…

The US led the world to reach a huge climate deal. Then, it switched sides.

Ten years after nations worldwide adopted the Paris Agreement, its objectives are in jeopardy amid rising climate pollution and political backlash against clean energy.

EU Commission and Parliament face reckoning over โ‚ฌ1.8 trillion budget clash

The EU executive has still not offered a compromise, says European Parliament’s lead budget negotiator ahead of meeting.

Trump reverses course on attending Supreme Court arguments this week

The president previously said he had โ€œan obligation to goโ€ to oral arguments in the tariff case at the high court Wednesday.

Trump and Republicans admonish others for their Election Night losses

The president put himself at armโ€™s length from losing GOP candidates. Rank-and-file Republicans are left casting blame.

Trumpโ€™s tariff case forces the conservative justices to โ€˜confront a conflictโ€™ in their legal philosophy

The high courtโ€™s conservative majority largely blesses broad executive power, but some justices are also wary of it in the economic realm.

Britainโ€™s plan to raise NHS drug prices wonโ€™t bring back Lillyโ€™s investment

Comments from medicines firm Eli Lilly will be a blow to British officials, who are in advanced negotiations with the Trump administration to secure tariff relief.

Inside the UKโ€™s most controversial power plant

Politicians rely on the Drax biomass plant to meet U.K. energy supplies. Bosses want even more government backing to guarantee its future โ€• but Drax’s many critics have had enough.

EU tells skeptical Bulgarians the euro is their guardian angel in a dangerous world

European leaders want to dispel anti-euro sentiment in Bulgaria two months before it joins the single currency.

EUโ€™s green car push helps fuel political populists

Europe’s far-right parties are capitalizing on the public’s reluctance to change technologies.

Germanyโ€™s Merz wants Syrian refugees to go home

Under pressure from the far right, Germany’s chancellor says his country will begin repatriating Syrians. The reality is more complicated.

Europeโ€™s energy transition must power a stronger tomorrow

Europeโ€™s energy transition must balance climate ambition with competitiveness. The power sector, as a strategic enabler, is key to ensuring affordable, secure and sustainable growth across EU industries.

Trump turns crypto pariahs into power players

Trumpโ€™s embrace of crypto has extended to overseas digital assets giants once under the gun in Washington.

George W. Bush remembers Dick Cheney: โ€˜A calm and steady presenceโ€™

Cheneyโ€™s twilight in American politics was marked by his opposition to Trump, who has yet to weigh in on his death.

German center-right chief in European Parliament investigated for fraud

Angelika Niebler of the Christian Social Union says fraud allegations by the EU’s prosecutors are “unfounded.”

EU Parliament lawmakers vote to sue Commission over withdrawn patent bill

The patents are at the center of a battle between the companies that own them and those that use them.

UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson cleared of refusing to give phone PIN to police

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, a far-right figure known as Tommy Robinson, had refused to give his mobile phone PIN to counter-terrorism police in 2024, claiming that his phone contained videos related to his journalism work

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney dead at 84

He was one of the most influential and most polarizing figures ever to hold the office.

Tommy Robinson cleared of terror-related offense over refusing police access to phone

Robinson โ€” who has had backing from tech billionaire Elon Musk โ€” has branded the trial “absolute state persecution.”

Farageโ€™s deputy calls for fresh debate over Bank of England remit

Deputy leader of poll-leading populist party wants debate over the make-up and role of the Monetary Policy Committee.

Zack Polanski wants to be the British leftโ€™s Nigel Farage

The eco-populist aims to beat Reform UKโ€™s charismatic leader at his own game.

Inside lawmakersโ€™ plans to make the EU Parliament more fun

Political groups want to put controversial topics first, shake up the debate format โ€” and actually grill commissioners.

For Trump, the entire Western hemisphere is Americaโ€™sย 

The U.S. president’s “Donroe Doctrine” represents a deep break from modern national security thinking.

Reform UKโ€™s DOGE chief takes aim at โ€˜patheticโ€™ questions on council savings drive

Richard Tice advised POLITICO to โ€œgrow upโ€ when asked if he had given up on seeking a data-sharing agreement with Kent County Council

Dutch centrist Jetten set to be youngest-ever PM after narrow election win

Dutch centrist leader Rob Jetten on Monday clinched a razor-thin election win over far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders with a winning margin of 28,455 votes. The result puts the charismatic Jetten on track to become the countryโ€™s youngest and first openl…

Czech populist Babiลก sets sights on EU green rules

Government coalition program says EU Green Deal “is unsustainable in its current form.”

Czech billionaire Babiลก clinches coalition deal with the far right

The agriculture tycoon inches closer to becoming the new PM in Prague.

Dutch left-wing alliance elects successor to defeated Frans Timmermans

Former No. 2 Jesse Klaver steps up to take the top job.

Spanish conservatives take late, limited responsibility for deadly Valencia floods

Regional President Carlos Mazรณn announces his resignation, after a year during which the center right blamed PM Pedro Sรกnchez and even the national weather service for the disaster.

Sheinโ€™s childlike sex dolls trigger ban threat from French minister

“These horrible items are illegal,” Roland Lescure said.

In Poland, Donald Tusk’s anti-populist ‘revolution’ fails

Two years after coming to power, the democratic coalition led by the prime minister is at a standstill. The specter of a return to power by the nationalist Law and Justice party, supported by an even more extreme right, has never before loomed so large.

Trump reverses course on attending Supreme Court tariff arguments this week

The president previously said he had โ€œan obligation to goโ€ to oral arguments in the tariff case at the high court Wednesday.

Europeโ€™s left flocks to New York to take notes on Mamdaniโ€™s meteoric rise

Several European left-wing officials said they had been in contact with members of Zohran Mamdaniโ€™s campaign in New York in the hope of emulating his success in future local elections.

As the Netherlands moves to the center, Brussels is watching

It seems the Euroskepticism that once dominated the political mood has given way to a quiet mandate for cooperation and reform.

Will Nigel Farage slay British politicsโ€™ most sacred cow?

The Reform UK leader will try to convince voters Monday that he can be responsible and radical with the economy. Touching the pensions triple lock could make him both โ€” but it’s laced with danger.

Brussels still dim on football Super League despite UEFA court loss

The breakaway league โ€œwas a bad idea from the start,โ€ Culture and Sport Commissioner Glenn Micallef tells POLITICO.

The Guardian view on the Dutch election: an uplifting victory for the politics of hope not hate | Editorial

Targeting the negativity of the far right, the big winner of last weekโ€™s poll was able to cut through with votersOne of the tightest elections in Dutch history produced an outcome so close that first steps in negotiating a new coalition government have…

Dutch voters have been seduced by positivity โ€“ liberals elsewhere, take note | Simon van Teutem

By selling hope alongside progressive patriotism, the centrist D66 party widened its appeal and beat the far rightProgressives often treat patriotism as radioactive. Flags and anthems are left to the populist right. But the centrist D66 party, which al…

Nearly 42 million Americans lose their food stamp benefits

The lapse in benefits could be temporary if the Trump administration complies with a recent court order requiring them to use emergency money to fund SNAP.

Carney says he apologized to Trump over anti-tariff ad

The controversial ad featuring Ronald Reagan angered Trump and brought U.S.-Canada trade talks to a halt.

Centrist D66 party ousts far right to win Netherlands election, local media reports

The Netherlands’ centrist D66 party has won the country’s elections, ousting far-right leader Geert Wilders, a local news agency reported on Friday. While postal votes are still being counted, the likely narrow victory for D66 would mean its leaderย Ro…

Centrist D66 wins Dutch election, national press agency announces

Rob Jetten is in pole position to become the new prime minister.

Santa Claus will be here before a new Dutch government, caretaker PM warns

The Netherlands faces “complicated” coalition talks after a tense election, says Dick Schoof, as the centrists and the far right fight for first place.

Getting STR rules right: A smarter path for Europeโ€™s tourism

Housing is a challenge for Europe. However, restricting short-term rentals is not the answer, and could harm communities who depend on it in the long run.

D66 has shown the world populists can be beaten, says Jetten, as party is projected to win Dutch election โ€“ Europe live

D66 leader celebrates โ€˜historic resultโ€™ after Netherlands news agency analysis suggests party has most votes and Geert Wildersโ€™ far-right PVV can no longer win The ANP news agency offered a bit more colour on how they reached their conclusion, via De T…

Rachel Reeves wants Brits investing โ€” just as the City fears an AI bubble

Experts warn AI stocks are entering bubble territory, but Britain’s finance minister is hoping to get more Brits investing in equities.

The week that AI deepfakes hit Europeโ€™s elections

Dutch and Irish elections show voters now have to worry if the political content they consume is real.

Giorgia Meloni and the strongman who came to dinner

The adult in the room among Europeโ€™s populists, the Italian prime had her work cut out for her with Orbรกn in town.

Merzโ€™s fragile coalition buckles under pressure to reform Germany

From the army to pensions to the fate of the car, every major reform in Berlin has become a political battlefield.

How to lose a Dutch election โ€” and still ย win oneย  ย 

Is it enough to come first in an election? In the Netherlands, you hear that centrist Rob Jetten won big and Geert Wildersโ€™ far right lost a lot โ€” even though either one could still turn out to be No. 1 when all the votes are counted. Eva Hartog breaks down the results of the [โ€ฆ]

Latviaโ€™s parliament votes to quit global treaty protecting women

Lawmakers voted to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention just a year after it came into force, with the move awaiting approval from Latvia’s president.

Netherlands nailbiter as far-right, centrists in election dead-heat

The Dutch election climaxed in an unprecedented cliffhanger Thursday, with only a few thousand votes separating the far-right party of firebrand Geert Wilders and a pro-European centrist party. Speaking on FRANCE 24, Nicholas Startin, Associate Profes…

How Frans Timmermansโ€™ EU job destroyed his Dutch political career

Europe’s Social Democrats mourn the loss of their biggest hope for a comeback.

Who is Rob Jetten, tipped to become the next Dutch prime minister?

The race between anti-immigration Geert Wilders’ far right Party for Freedom and the centrist D66 is still neck and neck. However given all major parties have ruled out forming a coalition Wilders, it is likely the energetic Rob Jetten of D66 will bec…

Pro-European liberal Rob Jetten could become youngest and first openly gay Dutch prime minister

The Dutch election has ended in an unprecedented cliffhanger – with only a few thousand votes separating the far-right Freedom Party of Geert Wilders and the pro-European liberals of Rob Jetten. With nearly all ballots counted, both are projected to w…

Meloniโ€™s bid to overhaul Italyโ€™s justice system wins backing from lawmakers

Italian PM describes Senate vote as a โ€œhistoric milestone,โ€ but opposition parties lash out.

The Populist Left Is Weaponizing AI Anxiety

As automation anxiety once fueled right-wing populism, fears of AI displacement may now power a new, left-leaning revolt among white-collar workers.

Tough coalition talks ahead as Dutch centre left and far right tie in election

The centre-left party D66 and the far-right Party for Freedom are neck-and-neck in the Dutch snap election, but regardless of the winner there will have to be talks to build a coalition. Yet it is likely that the next prime minister will be D66 leader…

Americans oppose Trumpโ€™s White House ballroom by 2-to-1 ratio, new poll finds

More than half of Americans said they oppose the $300 million construction project.

For first time ever, French parliament backs text pushed by Le Penโ€™s far right

The National Assembly approved by one vote a nonbinding resolution urging the repeal of a 1968 agreement with Algeria.

Geert Wilders faces shutout as centrists hail huge gains in knife-edge Dutch election

Liberal Rob Jetten edges ahead of rightwing populist in race to form next government with 2% of votes still to count Geert Wilders is almost certain to be shut out of the next Dutch government after a knife-edge general election in which support for h…

Macronโ€™s approval rating drops to historic low

The French president now shares an unwelcome record with the man who gave him his start in politics.

Dutch centrist D66 party wins big in election as far right loses support

In the Netherlands, the centrist D66 party looks on course to beat the far right in the national election. Exit polls have predicted Rob Jetten’s party will claim victory, which could lead him to become the country’s youngest ever prime minister. Dutc…

Dutch centrists D66 back in lead in election vote count, edging past far-right PVV โ€“ as it happened

Rob Jettenโ€™s party now leading by 15,122 votes, putting it back in the pole position to lead the talks on forming the next governmentIn terms of managing our expectations as to when the new Dutch government could be formed, Joost Eerdmans of the right-…

5 more suspects arrested in connection with Louvre heist

One person detained is suspected of having participated in the robbery, prosecutor says.

France needs its own No Kings day to protect its most valuable treasure | Patrick Boucheron and Pierre Singaravรฉlou

We have no crown jewels: the Louvre panic is a distraction from the real threat the far right poses to our democracyAccording to some international commentators โ€“ and Franceโ€™s perpetually doomsaying conservatives โ€“ the break-in at the Louvre was much m…

Dutch election 2025: The winners and losers

Liberal boss Rob Jetten had a big night, lefty leader Frans Timmermans had a disaster โ€” and what about far-right figurehead Geert Wilders?

Germanyโ€™s far right is at war over its own defense policy

The AfDโ€™s internal fights over defense policy show just how far it is from acting like a governing force.

Rob Jetten and D66 were the Dutch electionโ€™s big surprise. Who are they?

Meet the progressive liberals who raced past other mainstream parties in the Netherlands.

Dutch election favorite Rob Jetten is the EUโ€™s dream

But Geert Wilders isnโ€™t finished yet.

Centrist D66 poised to defeat far right in Dutch election, exit polls show

Exit polls suggested on Wednesday that the centrist D66 party is set to win the most votes in the Dutch national election, opening the door for its leader, Rob Jetten, to become the youngest prime minister in the countryโ€™s history. The result, if conf…

Centrist D66 party set to win most seats in Dutch election, exit poll suggests

Result would pave the way for the Netherlandsโ€™ first out gay prime minister and end far-right populist Geert Wildersโ€™ time in powerThe liberal-progressive D66 party was on track to become the largest in the Dutch parliament, according to an exit poll, …

Exit poll suggests centrists led by Rob Jetten win Dutch vote, beating far right

Dutch voters appeared to have shunned far-right leader Geert Wilders in favour of a centrist party, exit polls suggested Wednesday, after a snap election closely watched in Europe where extremists are gaining ground. FRANCE 24’s Fernande Van Tets repo…