Europeโs next top diplomat is ready to be undiplomatic
Will Kaja Kallas be able to make her voice heard?
Slovenia
Virkkunen supports EU telecoms consolidation, gets mixed national responses
Representatives from Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands and Slovenia stated that they were not in favour of consolidation.
Countries back Brusselsโ plan to ban outdoor vaping
But Hungary’s minister reminded countries that the move was nonbinding, as Germany and Greece abstained.
Who were the biggest dunces? Final grades for von der Leyenโs first Commission
Whoโs at the top of the class and who flunked? Here are POLITICO’s grades for each 2019-2024 European commissioner.
Israel bans UNRWA: The world reacts
The U.K. is โgravely concerned,โ said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Slovenia caught in the German slowdown trap
With the recession in Germany spreading to the automotive supply chain, and the difficulty of making the transition to a service economy, the small Balkan state illustrates the slowdown in growth in countries that joined the European Union in 2004.
Slovenia cancels referendum on new nuclear plant
Lawmakers said there were valid doubts about whether voters could make an informed, autonomous and responsible decision on such an issue.
How one engineer beat the ban on home computers in socialist Yugoslavia
In Lewis Packwoodโs book Curious Video Game Machines, Voja Antoniฤ explains how he built a console and published instructions for anyone to make their ownVery few Yugoslavians had access to computers in the early 1980s: they were mostly the preserve of…
Washington and Berlin are slow-walking Ukraineโs bid for a NATO invitation
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy wants an immediate invitation to join the alliance, but key capitals are balking.
The EU wants to deport migrants. It needs the help of Syriaโs Assad.
Syria is the elephant in the room as EU leaders talk migration.
European Mediterranean states to meet in Cyprus over Middle East, migration
Leaders from nine Mediterranean nations, joined by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, will meet in Cyprus on Friday to discuss Middle East conflicts and migrant flows. France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, and Croatia will focus on …
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.
Leaked documents: Which EU commissioners have the most property, money and influence
POLITICO has reviewed the declarations of interest of every European Commission nominee.
I grew up in the shadow of the Slovenian Alps, but their serene beauty only calls to me now | Ana Schnabl
Hiking my first mountain as a broke student was a revelation, one that has often helped me face up to personal strugglesI live in northern Slovenia, in the medieval town of Kamnik. This town lends its name to one of the three Alpine ranges that overloo…
Slovenian prime minister backs Commission nominee after controversy
In interview with POLITICO, Robert Golob also says “chemistry” with von der Leyen helped Kos land the nomination
Balkan plot to dig up Yugoslav leader Titoโs remains hits a wallย
Belgrade mayor wants Titoโs remains moved back to his native Croatia, triggering a debate hotter than a Balkan summer.
Slovenia removes obstacle to EU confirmation of new commissioners
The Slovenian government finally submitted nomination papers for Marta Kos to become its European commissioner on Thursday (19 September), paving the way for the European Parliament to kick-off its confirmation procedures, Slovenian government and EU s…
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.
Sloveniaโs Commission holdup expected to end Wednesday
Slovenia’s national parliament is expected to end a procedural hold-up that’s been preventing the formal nomination of the country’s European Commission candidate on Wednesday (18 September).
The 5 commissioners most likely to get the chop
Once every five years the European Parliament gets to pick off a nominee or two โ and rarely fails to do so.
The winners and losers of the new European Commission
What the portfolios tell us about the EUโs power dynamics.
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.
Sloveniaโs Kos takes enlargement file as Ljubljana manoeuvres itself into portfolio upgrade
After a week of wrangling between Brussels and Ljubljana, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen designated Slovenia’s Marta Kos for the bloc’s coveted enlargement portfolio.
Meet the commissioners: Class of 2024
Everything you need to know about Ursula von der Leyen’s team for her second term.
Ursula von der Leyenโs new European Commission
Commission president hands out the top jobs in her new team.
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.
Despite holdups, von der Leyen expected to unveil Commission jobs Tuesday
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to press on with unveiling her plan to distribute jobs among her next cohort of commissioners on Tuesday (17 September), despite a hold-up preventing the formal nomination of one candidate.
Von der Leyen โhopesโ to announce top team on Tuesday
Commission refuses to comment on Thierry Bretonโs accusation of “questionable governance.”
French European Commissioner Thierry Breton resigns, attacks von der Leyen for โquestionable governanceโ
In a fiery letter, Breton accused the Commission chief of trying to get Emmanuel Macron to ditch him.
What was UDBA, the Yugoslav secret service casting a shadow over Slovenia’s new Commissioner?
What would Marta Kos’ Yugoslav secret service past imply, and what kind of a role did the socialist republic’s spy agency play in Europe’s past?
Von der Leyen pushes for Nov. 1 European Commission start date
Von der Leyen asks Parliament to schedule its hearings of commissioner candidates in October โย despite ongoing Slovenian political disruption.
Slovenia holdup threatens more EU Commission delays
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s unveiling of how she intends to distribute jobs to the next team of EU commissioners could be delayed yet again, due to political gridlock in Slovenia.
Will Slovenia’s political bickering at home delay the new European Commission? | Radio Schuman
Opposition efforts to delay formal adoption of Slovenia’s Marta Kos as Commission nominee could impede the timing on the formation of the next EU executive. But the head of the Slovene EPP delegation has told Euronews that she’s an unacceptable choice.
New Slovene EU commissioner pick unacceptable due to Yugoslav secret police links: EPP
Head of Slovenia’s European Peopleโs Party (EPP) delegation told Euronews that the choice of Marta Kos is totally unacceptable to the European People’s Party to which she belongs, citing experience and alleged links to the former Yugoslav secret police.
The alternative European Commission
A discarded napkin found outside EXKi reveals Ursula von der Leyen’s real thinking.
Doctor shortages, low pay and overtime: Europe’s hospitals are under the weather
Europe is suffering from a healthcare crisis, with chronic staff shortages, low pay and overtime prompting strikes in Germany, Slovenia, and Sweden. In France meanwhile, a controversial medicine education reform has students and doctors up in arms.
Political row in Slovenia heats up over PM Golob’s Commissioner switch
Ljubljana’s last-minute change of Commissioner nominees, which delayed President Ursula von der Leyen’s portfolio reveal, ignited a row between PM Robert Golob and the opposition, who he accuses of sabotage.
Slovenia’s political whirlwind threatens to delay Brussels plans by weeks
The selection of Marta Kos could create a headache for Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting the many different, sometimes controversial ways in which the EU’s 27 members make their Brussels pick.
ECB to cut interest rates, but keep cautious stance amid uncertainty
Inflation likely wonโt return to target until late next year, a new set of economic forecasts is expected to confirm Thursday.
The EU must soon open its doors to new members โ its survival depends on it | Nathalie Tocci
The days when Viktor Orbรกn could block negotiations on a whim should be over โ and the western Balkans should finally benefit Russiaโs invasion of Ukraine has revived EU expansion as an imperative. For years, โenlargementโ has been a low priority โ Cro…
Slovenia delay buys negotiating time for von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been given more time to negotiate commissioners’ portfolios with EU governments, after Slovenia said its parliament has to hold an advisory vote on newly-appointed candidate Marta Kos.
Von der Leyen delays unveiling of new European Commission until next week
Commission president was supposed to reveal the portfolios for nominees on Wednesday but that is now not happening.
โMiddle fingersโ from EU capitals. Von der Leyenโs last-minute struggles to put together her team.
European Commission presidentโs haggling over gender means sheโs pushing against her own deadline for unveiling the commissioners.
Slovenia proposes Marta Kos for the European Commission
Marta Kos, a Slovenian liberal politician and former diplomat, is the country’s new nominee for European Commissioner, government sources confirmed on Monday (9 September).
Slovenia nominates Marta Kos as EU Commissioner in response to call for more women
The Slovenian governmentโs first choice, Tomaลพ Vesel, dropped out of the race on Friday.
Slovenia chooses new commissioner nominee as von der Leyen pushes for more women
Nomination of ex-ambassador and former presidential candidate Marta Kos comes after Tomaลพ Vesel dropped out Friday.
Weather tracker: Francine looking likely to be next Atlantic hurricane
An area of low pressure in the Gulf of Mexico is moving landward, and is expected to bring intense rainfallFrancine could soon be the next to be ticked off the list of Atlantic hurricane storm names this week. On Friday, a broad area of low pressure em…
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.
Sloveniaโs EU Commissioner pick drops out amid pressure for more women: report
Tomaลพ Vesel apparently withdrew after Ursula von der Leyen lobbied for gender parity in her future team.
Sloveniaโs nominee for European Commissioner withdraws candidacy
Tomaลพ Vesel, Sloveniaโs nominee for European commissioner, has withdrawn his candidacy amid pressure from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Slovenian government sources confirmed on Friday (6 September).
Sloveniaโs male commissioner nominee drops out amid von der Leyenโs gender equality push
Tomaลพ Vesel is no longer Slovenia’s pick for the next European Commission.
I didnโt know what to expect from the Youth Sports Games. But they blew me away | Adrian Chiles
To see the kids kicking balls around at the international tournament in Croatia is more than just a joy; itโs a miracleEven though I didnโt know Graham Norton, I ended up playing simultaneous chess alongside Nemanja Vidiฤ. I should explain. A couple of…
In Slovenia von der Leyen announces extra โฌ328 million to aid countryโs flood recovery
From Slovenia, at the end of her political tour of the Balkans, Ursula von der Leyen reiterated on Monday 2 September Europe’s commitment to responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Von der Leyen pressures EU countries to swap women in as commissioner picks
European Commission presidentโs drive for gender equality looks to fall short.
Closing the backdoor: The new TurkStream is here. Can the West stop it?
Martin Vladimirov is director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Center for the Study of Democracy. Announcing its plans for what could be called TurkStream 2 on Aug. 21, Turkey finally dropped all pretenses. According to the countryโs energy minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, the state-owned gas monopoly BOTAล would now be able export around [โฆ]
Polish deputy justice minister resigns after using public funds for personal expenses
Bartลomiej Ciฤ czyลski has resigned from his post as Polish deputy justice minister after it emerged that he used an official car for a private holiday in Slovenia and fuelled it with public money.
Von der Leyenโs new Commission: The names we know so far โ as Belgium misses deadline
Almost all the nominees have been put forward for the next top team of EU commissioners.
The European Commission hopefuls with one thing on their mind
EU governments are battling for their people to get roles linked to the economy.
Thermal spas, black pools and water slides: Cycling Sloveniaโs green wellness route
How I cycled Slovenia’s lesser-known towns, soaking in thermal spas along the way.
Israel expels 8 Norwegian diplomats over Palestine spatย
Norway’s foreign minister called the move “an extreme act.”
How even in death, Navalny helped Biden and Scholz get to a โyesโ on the prisoner swap
The leaders of the U.S. and Germany navigated competing goals and dicey politics as they discussed an exchange for the Russian opposition leader.
Russian spy parents pull back curtain on flight when they revealed identity to children
Anna Dultseva and Artyom Dultsev had been posing as an Argentinian couple in Slovenia.
Jake Sullivan on the Key Ingredient to the Prisoner Swap Deal
The national security adviser details how the U.S. convinced Germany to get on board with a sweeping deal to bring Americans home from Russia.
Jake Sullivan on the Key Ingredient to the Prisoner Swap Deal
The national security adviser details how the U.S. convinced Germany to get on board with a sweeping deal to bring Americans home from Russia.
FSB and sleeper agents among the Russians freed in prisoner swap
Members ofย Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, and sleeper agents living abroad were among those freed in a multinational prisoner swap on Thursday. The children of deep-cover agents posing as Argentinian expats in Slovenia were not even aware …
Kosovoโs president involved in Macedonian airport scuffle, sparking diplomatic row
The incident was โunprecedented,โ Vjosa Osmani’s spokesperson said.
Kosovoโs president involved in Macedonian airport scuffle, sparking diplomatic row
The incident was โunprecedented,โ Vjosa Osmani’s spokesperson said.
โThat had to be bittersweetโ โ how Biden managed a historic prisoner swap as his campaign was disintegrating
Just as President Biden was deciding to step off the ticket, he pulled off one of the biggest and most complex prisoner deals in U.S. history.
US-Russia prisoner swap frees Evan Gershkovich, more than a dozen others
Russia released more than a dozen prisoners โ including Americans, Germans, and Russian dissidents โ on Thursday in one of the biggest and most complex prisoner swaps in U.S. history. Three of the those freed were American citizens: journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, and former Marine Paul Whelan. Journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, a U.S. resident, [โฆ]
Prisoner movements in Russia fan speculation of impending swap
Putin may see the advantages of a historic exchange with Biden rather than Trump, who says he will give Moscow “nothing” in any deal.
Russian spies sentenced in Slovenia after pleading guilty
Pairโs conviction could pave way for inclusion in any future prisoner exchange between Russia and westTwo Russian deep-cover spies arrested in Slovenia have pleaded guilty in a swift court case that potentially paves the way for them to be included in …
Who will be the next European commissioners?
What we know so far about Ursula von der Leyenโs next top team.
Most Europeans say corruption is rife in their country
Over 95 percent of citizens in Greece, Portugal, Malta and Slovenia said they believe corruption was prevalent in their home countries.
Theatre can be a force for change โ I went looking for it on the Italy/Slovenia border | Arifa Akbar
In a city belonging to two nations, I hoped for art that could heal suspicion and bridge political divides. Instead I found timidity Gareth Southgate had a โgenuine desire to unite people around a particular project rather than divide people and cause …
Weather tracker: Summer storms end hot spell in Slovenia
Strong winds and heavy rain trigger 230 weather-related events across the country, while Tropical Storm Gaemi nears TaiwanSlovenia was hit by heavy rain and strong winds on Friday as a series of storms brought an abrupt end to a prolonged hot and dry s…
Torrential rain in northern Slovenia triggers landslides
Since Friday night, more than 230 weather-related incidents have been reported, mostly in northern regions.
Battle against flames ongoing in North Macedonia with international support
Firefighting crews from neighbouring Serbia, as well as Croatia and Slovenia, have joined to put out the blazes in an EU-coordinated effort after requests by North Macedonia.
Zelenskyy urges partners to show โbraveryโ in helping Ukraine
Ukraine president warns Russian leader Vladimir Putin will work to break up the pro-Ukraine alliance.
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.
Hungaryโs gatherings get cold shoulder after Putin visit
At least four countries sent lower-ranking officials in protest to a Tuesday meeting in Budapest, a day after the EU executive told its commissioners to stay home.
The Habsburg empire strikes back
Viktor Orbรกnโs new hard-right group, Patriots for Europe, is a Habsburg coalition that gives the Hungarian leader the European platform he craves.
Ukraine war briefing: day of mourning in Kyiv after missile strike on childrenโs hospital
Mayor says flags will fly at half-mast after devastating attacks on capital and other cities kill dozens. What we know on day 867See all our Ukraine war coverageA day of mourning has been declared in Kyiv by mayor Vitali Klitschko after a daylight Russ…
Redemption for tearful Ronaldo at ‘last Euros’
Cristiano Ronaldo went from tears to triumph as Portugal beat Slovenia in a dramatic shootout win.
Redemption for tearful Ronaldo at ‘last Euros’
Cristiano Ronaldo went from tears to triumph as Portugal beat Slovenia in a dramatic shootout win.
Biniam Girmay becomes the first Black African to win a stage of Tour de France
The Eritrean Biniam Girmay won the third stage of the Tour de France in a sprint finish on Monday as the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz took the leader’s yellow jersey from Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar.ย
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is working on ‘comprehensive plan’ for peace in Ukraine
Zelenskyy met Slovenia’s President Nataลกa Pirc Musar in Kyiv where the two leaders honoured the memory of fallen Ukrainian soldiers by laying wreaths at the Remembrance Wall in the heart of Ukraineโs capital.
Euro 2024: England top group but disappoint again in Slovenia stalemate
England manager Gareth Southgate was met with boos and thrown beer cups by his own fans despite topping Group C as Slovenia also progressed to the knockout stages thanks to a 0-0 draw in Cologne.
Balkan tensions burst onto the pitch at Euro 2024
‘Kill the Serb!’ ‘F**k Macedonia!’ Violent chants and regional rivalries tarnish Europe’s summer football tournament.
I could work with a far-right French government: Slovenian finance minister
Klemen Boลกtjanฤiฤ happy to work with National Rally and says U.S. election is “not that important” compared with what’s happening in Europe.
Balkan drama sizzles as Serbia threatens to quit Euro 2024
Punish Croatia and Albania or we’re leaving, Serbian football chief told UEFA.
Brussels admonishes France over deficit as election nears โ Europe live
Country is among seven that could face fines as it heads for high-stakes vote this monthManfred Weber, a German politician and influential political figure in Brussels, has been re-elected as leader of the European parliamentโs biggest group, the centr…
Estonia sentences Russian professor to six years in prison over espionage
Vyacheslav Morozovย is accused of using his position as a researcher to collect intelligence for Russia.
Record 23 countries hit 2 percent defense spending target, NATO says
“European allies and Canada are really stepping up,” Jens Stoltenberg tells U.S. President Biden.
Rogue Austrian minister burns bridges to save EU nature law
Cue the lawsuits, potential fines, dueling allegations โย and, for Leonore Gewessler, a great campaign ad.
Pongo Calling review โ Roma lorry driver turns viral activist after political persecution
Film-maker Tomรกลก Kratochvรญl follows the story of Czech-Mancunian trucker turned activist ล tefan PongoCentring on an ordinary man with extraordinary determination, Tomรกลก Kratochvรญlโs documentary shows how one simple video can ignite a revolutionary move…
Here comes Europeโs โforeigners out!โ generation: Why the young vote far right
Their grandparents ushered in the sexual revolution. Today’s youth want to turn back the clock to 1950. Why?
Europeโs at risk of losing the global tech race
As this competition is ultimately a race for progress, wealth and geostrategic influence, its importance for the Continentโs future cannot be overvalued.
Momentum grows for quick von der Leyen deal ahead of Monday summit
EU leaders meet on Monday to discuss top Brussels jobs in the wake of the European election.
EU election: Not enough will change โ and thatโs the real problem
The Parliament election is one more shrill alarm bell that needs to be heeded seriously by Europeโs mainstream establishment, and one that should prompt considerable soul-searching.
Who won, who lost and who cocked up in the EU election
The far right had a good night. Others not so much.