Portuguese elections: Far-right skyrockets, instability prevails

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In today’s news from The Capitals:

LISBON

The Portuguese electorate did not respond to calls for a “useful vote” in Sunday’s legislative elections, resulting in the “most fragmented parliament ever” and with far-right Chega being the “big winner”, according to political experts who spoke to Euractiv’s partner Lusa. Read more.

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BERLIN

Combustion engine ban least popular climate policy in Germany, France, Poland, survey shows. The EU’s 2035 ban on new cars with internal combustion engines is the least popular climate protection measure in Germany, France, and Poland, even among voters of centre-left parties, a new survey conducted in the three countries showed. Read more.

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PARIS

Macron’s party kicks off EU election campaign. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Renaissance’s EU list leader Valérie Hayer launched the party’s European election campaign in front of around 3,000 supporters and government members in Lille on Saturday. Read more.

Macron postpones trip to Ukraine for third time. A visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Ukraine should take place in the coming weeks, the French Presidency said on Sunday, the third time a planned trip to the country has been postponed since February. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

MADRID

Spain commemorates 20th anniversary of 2004 terror attacks. Spain will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2004 terrorist attacks on four commuter trains, which killed 193 people and injured nearly 2,000 and sparked a bitter political row over who was responsible for the massacre. Read more.

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NICOSIA

Gaza aid ship waiting to sail from Cyprus as charity builds jetty. A ship carrying tonnes of food for Gaza remained docked in a Cyprus port on Sunday as preparations were underway to launch a yet untested maritime aid route to the enclave, where the United Nations estimates a quarter of the population faces starvation. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

PRAGUE

NATO support in Ukraine not against international rules, says Czech president. NATO troops could carry out support activities directly on Ukrainian territory as this would not violate any international rules, Czech President Petr Pavel said in an interview for Czech Television. Read more.

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WARSAW

Poland’s Recovery Funds at risk as EU Commission delays payments. The recovery money for Poland under the Recovery and Resilience Plan – an estimated €35 billion to €49 billion –  may be endangered due to delays in launching payments by the European Commission, according to estimations by the CRIDO business consulting company. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovakia faces increasing isolation as allies exclude it from Ukraine meeting. France organised a follow-up teleconference bringing together foreign and defence ministries to discuss the war in Ukraine. However, they ‘learned their lesson’ and did not invite Slovakia because of its pro-Russian stance. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria’s pro-European parties lead polls ahead of EU elections. Bulgaria’s two main pro-European political formations are comfortably ahead in the polls ahead of the European elections in June, according to an opinion poll by the Market Links polling agency. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romania’s top politicians in hot water after country wins gold mining arbitration case. Romania has won a case brought by Gabriel Resources Ltd and Gabriel Resources (Jersey) seeking €4 billion after Romania announced it was withdrawing funds for a gold and silver mining project – an announcement that caused outrage towards several politicians, including the prime minister, who had previously indicated that Romania was likely to lose the case. Read more.

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ZAGREB

Croatian parliament to be dissolved on 14 March, elections to be held in April, May. The Croatian parliament, the Sabor, will be dissolved on 14 March, and parliamentary elections will be held in April or May, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced on Friday. Read more.

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BELGRADE

Serbia announces Belgrade re-vote, government formation as favourite for PM pictured with wanted criminal. President Aleksandar Vučić announced Belgrade elections and called for the government to be formed by April 1st, as the favourite for prime minister Marko Djuric was pictured in a restaurant with the man wanted in connection with the EU-dubbed ‘terrorist attack’ in north Kosovo. Read more.

AGENDA:

• EU: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in its employment and social policy composition convenes to discuss platform work, social investments – reforms, and more;
• Eurogroup expected to focus on macroeconomic developments and fiscal policy in the euro area in 2025, preparation of the March Euro Summit, and more;
• Commission Vice President Vĕra Jourová meets with media sector and civil society representatives, in Vienna, Austria; Speaks at Fundamental Rights Forum 2024;
• Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson participates in Parliament’s plenary session on energy performance of buildings;
• Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides holds exchange of views with Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on the EU4Health programme;
• Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton hosts European Investment Bank (EIB) President Nadia Calviño;
• Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson gives speech at New Economic Forum, in Madrid, Spain;
• Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli joins 68th Commission on Status on Women (UN CSW); Delivers statement of Group of Friends on Violence Against Women and Girls; Joins EU ministerial breakfast chaired by Belgian Presidency on the topic “What key challenges and good practices in combatting gender-related poverty from intersectional perspective can you share?”, in New York, United States;
• Belgium: Flag raising ceremony for Sweden’s accession to NATO;
• United Kingdom: Global Fraud conference;
• Italy: Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani hosts chiefs of UN food agencies, IFRC;
• Spain: 20th anniversary of deadly train bombings that killed 192;

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara]

Read more with Euractiv

Serbia announces Belgrade re-vote, government formation as favourite for PM pictured with wanted criminal

President Aleksandar Vučić announced Belgrade elections and called for the government to be formed by April 1st, as the favourite for prime minister Marko Djuric was pictured in a restaurant with the man wanted in connection with the EU-dubbed 'terrorist attack' in north Kosovo.