European politics news covering EU institutions, national governments, elections, far-right and populist movements, and major policy debates across Europe.
An estimated 20,000 people marched in Geneva on Sunday against the G7 summit in France. Clashes erupted as stone-throwing youths faced police tear gas and water cannons. A car was set ablaze and a bank's windows smashed. The demonstration was otherwise peaceful, organized after weeks of negotiations.
This commentary argues that Viktor Orbán's defeat in Hungary offers a playbook for pro-democracy forces globally. It contends that center-right parties' tolerance of authoritarians facilitates their rise, and that the European People's Party's eventual break with Orbán was crucial to his downfall, providing lessons for deterring would-be autocrats.
Former Italian army general Roberto Vannacci launched a new far-right party called 'Futuro Nazionale' in Rome, positioning himself as an outsider and criticizing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's moderate, pro-European stance. The party is gaining rapid support and could destabilize Meloni's coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.
President Nicusor Dan nominated Adrian Vestea, a National Liberal Party member and former mayor, to form a new government after Eugen Tomac resigned on June 14. Vestea, 52, is county council president of Brasov and served as development minister. He has 10 days to form a government and seek parliamentary approval amid high inflation and fiscal deficit.
Jordan Bardella, leader of France's National Rally, rejected Donald Trump's endorsement, criticizing the former US president as 'erratic' and 'unsteady'. Bardella, 30, is the favorite to replace Marine Le Pen if she is barred from the 2027 election. His comments came in a POLITICO interview.
This commentary argues that the rise of Roberto Vannacci's far-right party Futuro Nazionale poses a significant challenge to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, potentially destabilizing her coalition and forcing her to adopt harder-line positions. It contends that Vannacci's appeal to anti-immigrant and nationalist sentiments threatens Meloni's more moderate, pro-European approach.
This commentary argues that the corruption probe into former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero threatens Spain's political elite by exposing alleged money laundering and influence peddling linked to Venezuelan oil and a bailout of Plus Ultra airline. It contends that the scandal reveals a high degree of political impunity in Spain.
This commentary argues that criticism of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas reflects deeper structural flaws in EU foreign policy, including institutional complexity and the unanimity requirement. It contends that while Kallas's confrontational style has alienated some member states, the real issue lies in the outdated institutional framework that hampers effective decision-making.
The commentary argues that European tech sovereignty is a worthwhile investment despite being a doubtful goal. It suggests that the pursuit of sovereignty, while uncertain, can still yield positive returns, framing the effort as strategically beneficial even if full autonomy is not achieved.