Socialists urge EU tech chief to deliver results in blockbuster US tech probes
European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen is facing growing pressure to wrap up investigations into TikTok, Meta and X.
Socialists and democrats
Polish delegation in EPP challenges Manfred Weber-led rightward shift
Schmoozing with the far right will get us nowhere, leading MEP tells peers.
EU aims ‘simplification’ sledgehammer at green energy laws
The EU is weighing reopening rules on renewables, energy efficiency and green renovations — despite warnings that it could be opening Pandora’s box.
EU exploring weaker 2040 climate goal
The European Commission wants to keep a 90 percent emissions-cutting target but to change how countries calculate their progress.
Pressure mounts on Metsola to sideline lawmakers linked to Huawei bribery probe
MEPs are demanding the Parliament president strengthen internal reporting mechanisms.
Give back the Statue of Liberty, French MEP tells US
French Socialist MEP says Washington’s embrace of dictators negates the values that led France to bestow the iconic statue some 140 years ago.
Revealed: How EU Socialists plan to counter far right
‘Confidential’ document details concerted plan to woo Manfred Weber’s EPP back to center ground.
Trump’s America is Putin’s ally now
Europe and Ukraine are learning how little the U.S. cares, as the new president aligns himself with their greatest enemy.
Parliament’s right-wing majority puts EU ethics body in the crosshairs
Lawmakers claim right-wing coalition is using procedural tricks to “obstruct” implementation.
How von der Leyen blindsided Brussels with her deregulation drive
The Commission president is pushing a sweeping, rapid and centralized agenda to “simplify” EU rules — and not everyone in Brussels is thrilled.
Court says European Parliament must release confidential harassment reports
New judgement sets a precedent for greater transparency in future cases
Looking at Trump, Europe’s far right vows to ‘reconquer’ the continent
“Our friend Trump, the Trump tornado, has changed the world in just a couple of weeks,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán tells far-right rally in Madrid.
Let’s kill the Green Deal together with the far right, ECR tells EPP
The Christian Democrats should abandon their leftist allies, argues Giorgia Meloni’s political family.
Former MEP Maria Arena charged in Qatargate scandal
Ex-S&D politician is charged with participating in a criminal organization, more than two years after the corruption scandal broke.
EU’s top diplomat demands answers from von der Leyen on embassy cuts plan
Kaja Kallas was asked by lawmakers about a plan first seen by POLITICO to cut staffing at EU embassies around the world.
MEPs reject smoking ban plan
The vote is symbolic but lawmakers still couldn’t come to an agreement.
5 things to know about Teresa Ribera’s hearing
Groans, moans, applause, scolding. It was more open-mic night than august debate.
Italy’s commissioner hearing: Raffaele Fitto on cohesion and reforms — live updates
Georgia Meloni’s man needs to reassure Brussels he’s the man to add conditionality to EU cash.
MEPs postpone decision on Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi
It means his appointment will be tied to the more high-profile commissioner hearings on Tuesday.
Hungary’s Várhelyi to face 2nd round of written questions
MEPs hold back the green light for the controversial Hungarian Commission nominee.
MEPs likely to balk at controversial Hungarian commissioner pick
Olivér Várhelyi has little chance of winning the two-thirds majority he needs for quick confirmation, say European Parliament officials.
How to watch the commissioner hearings like a pro
Your step-by-step guide to the European election’s season finale.
EPP’s flirtation with far right in Parliament sparks EU budget fiasco
It was a “mistake” to side with the far right in yet another migration quarrel, top EPP lawmaker said.
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.
5 takeaways on Ursula von der Leyen’s new Commission
As the dust settles after weeks of wrangling, here are the key things you need to know.
The job no one wants: EU health commissioner
Health policy is looking like the poor cousin and is likely to be downgraded this mandate.
Don’t endorse male-dominated EU Commission, leading MEP warns Parliament
MEP Lina Gálvez (Spain/Socialists and Democrats), the new chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), addressed the main challenges and priorities for the next two and a half years of legislative work.
European Parliament’s gender equality 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.
The who’s who of the Parliament’s 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 Orbán, 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.
The green leftie lawmaker taking on Europe’s economy
Aurore Lalucq hasn’t always been a fan of financial services firms.
Von der Leyen is in! Let the fighting over the next European Commission begin.
EU leaders will fight back against “too powerful” von der Leyen as she assembles her team.
To do: 6 thorny issues lurking in MEPs’ inboxes
From creating an EU-wide money market to protecting kids online, POLITICO looks at what lies ahead for lawmakers.
The new politics of the Parliament
More right-wing, less green — and less Franco-German power.
The MEPs who actually matter
Here are 11 EU lawmakers to keep your eye on in the new term.
How to speak EP
Your guide to the jargon that’s everywhere in Brussels.
European Parliament rejects far-right proposal to debate Trump shooting
The proposal was rejected with 337 votes against, 119 in favor and 15 abstentions.
Putin, Xi and Trump would love to see Ursula von der Leyen go. That’s why the EU must keep her on | Paul Taylor
The European Commission president is up for re-election – and despite criticisms, she is best-placed to keep Europe secure in a time of crisisUrsula von der Leyen should get a second five-year term at the head of the European Commission despite the som…
Roberta Metsola reelected European Parliament president
MEPs pick incumbent for another 2.5 years at the helm.
EU Parliament centrists circle wagons to keep far right out of top jobs
Liberals are incensed over a backdoor deal between the EPP and ECR.
EU Socialists double down on social guarantees and public support in draft action plan
Europe’s Socialists and Democrats are set to double down on their calls for social guarantees and solid public support to tackle ongoing economic challenges, proposing in their draft action plan a batch of additional revenue streams for the bloc’s fund…
Von der Leyen and Co. are in: What happens next
After being picked for a second term at the Commission, von der Leyen faces an eye-of-the-needle vote in the European Parliament.
Macron is like Nero and Pontius Pilate for calling snap election, Glucksmann says
The sudden vote was a gamble by the French president “to limit the damage” to his own party, a leftist MEP has said.
What Meloni wants: Bringing home results
As negotiations among EU leaders kick off in Brussels, recent messaging from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her government’s sources threatened a rejection of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for a second term.
Poland’s Law and Justice ‘50/50’ about leaving Giorgia Meloni and joining forces with Viktor Orbán
Ex-Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki says his PiS party is exploring creating a Central Eastern European grouping in the European Parliament.
Don’t be ‘greedy’ in top jobs brawl, Xavier Bettel warns EU conservatives
Ursula von der Leyen could get burned, said former Luxembourg PM.
Von der Leyen feels the squeeze as EU liberals implode
The Commission president needs Renew group’s support for a new term — but the faction is shedding seats.
Rogue Austrian minister burns bridges to save EU nature law
Cue the lawsuits, potential fines, dueling allegations — and, for Leonore Gewessler, a great campaign ad.
Here comes Europe’s ‘foreigners out!’ 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?
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.
Time for Europe to deliver
Europe’s destiny must be to remain a beacon of peace, a thriving democracy where the rule of law is observed.
EU election: Not enough will change — and that’s the real problem
The Parliament election is one more shrill alarm bell that needs to be heeded seriously by Europe’s mainstream establishment, and one that should prompt considerable soul-searching.
How can Europe’s progressives fight back? A coalition of losers is now their best hope | Paul Taylor
Far-right gains have left liberals and Greens reeling – but despite differences, their interest lies in banding togetherFor Europe’s centre-left, it was the night from hell. Liberals and Greens took a beating in many countries and lost dozens of seats …
5 things to know about the EU election results
After 185 million votes in 27 countries, POLITICO brings you up to speed.
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán stumbles in EU election
In a new rival Peter Magyar, the prime minister’s Fidesz party ‘has a real challenger.’
EU vote humiliates Scholz’s German coalition
European Parliament election rout renews questions about whether Berlin government will survive.
Macron dissolves parliament after EU defeat, calls election
French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved parliament on Sunday, following his party’s crushing defeat at the hands of the far-right National Rally in the European election. The first round of the election will take place on June 30. The second will be on July 7. “France needs a clear majority in serenity and harmony. To be […]
Europe swings to the right — led by France
Center-right and far-right parties are leading the way in the EU election.
Europe’s fate is in your hands! Design your own EU Parliament
Can’t wait for the election results? Then form your own parliamentary coalition now!
Spain’s ECR member VOX will not back von der Leyen
The far-right VOX party will not support a second term for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU/EPP), Jorge Buxadé, the lead candidate of the Spanish ‘ultra’ party, told Spanish public media RNE on Monday, adding her group in the Eur…
An American’s guide to the EU election
The EU is complicated, so let’s break it down for our cousins across the Atlantic.
Von der Leyen’s potential partners in the Parliament
Commission president needs 361 MEPs to back them. That’ll be tricky.
Von der Leyen needs 361 votes to keep her job. Good luck with that.
We do the math on whether the European Commission president can get a second term. It will go down to the wire.
Europe’s democratic charade
Prepare for postelection negotiations changing the European Parliament just as much as voter choices.
Meloni predicts ‘different ruling majority’ in EU Parliament
With the far right expected to do well in the upcoming European elections, Italian Prime Minister and Fratelli d’Italia leader Giorgia Meloni said she expected the long-standing coalition between the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and the S…
Von der Leyen faces Socialist revolt over her far-right flirtation with Meloni
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Social Democratic Party are warning they could torpedo a second von der Leyen term.
Le Pen to Meloni: Let’s team up and form EU Parliament’s No. 2 group
The far right is projected to perform well in next week’s EU election, but is politically fragmented.
Nicolas Schmit: Socialists and Democrats won’t do deals with far right after European elections
The S&D’s lead candidate in the European elections outlined his views on revising the Migration Pact and opposing the far right to Global Conversation’s Isabel da Silva Marques.
Von der Leyen opens the door to Europe’s hard right
In POLITICO election debate, Commission president gambles on an offer for Giorgia Meloni’s allies.
What would a Europe without Sanchez look like?
In this episode of our daily podcast ‘Today in the EU, we are talking about Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who will announce today whether he will step down from office or continue to lead the country.
Sánchez on the edge: Will Spain’s prime minister resign?
His ultimate decision could result in very different scenarios for Spain, and could impact negotiations over the new leaders of the EU’s institutions.
Will he stay or will he go? 6 things to know about Pedro Sánchez’s threat to resign
Spain’s prime minister has announced that he’s thinking of giving up running the country.
MEPs to watch in the next EU Parliament (if they get elected)
POLITICO’s guide to key European lawmakers to pay attention to in the run-up to EU election June 6-9.
Greens challenge socialists on commitment to climate action
With European elections looming from 6 to 9 June, the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the Greens have two main goals: win votes from the right and be clearly distinguishable from their traditional allies.
Chatterbox
Iratxe García Pérez
Wingman
Olivier Chastel
Macron is all talk, no action on Ukraine, says left-wing rival Glucksmann
Social-democratic lead candidate Raphaël Glucksmann doubled down on his hawkish stance on Ukraine as polls show him closing in on the pro-Macron list ahead of the EU election.
Nature Restoration Law [Promoted content]
The Green Deal is a comprehensive plan that sets ambitious targets to transform economies towards sustainability, yet there is a long way to go to achieve these goals. Time is running out as the impact of climate change continues to worsen, and urgent …
Our achievements [Promoted content]
The S&D Group has been unwavering in its efforts throughout the 2019-2024 mandate, a five-year span marked by pivotal decisions and significant milestones that reverberated across the European political landscape.
As one of the largest political…