Elections
Slovenia’s PM resigns, early elections loom
Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Šarec stepped down on Monday (27 January) and suggested calling early elections, saying his minority five-party government was unable to pass important legislation through a parliament it did not control.
Emilia Romagna voters upset Salvini’s plan to trigger early elections
Italy's populist leader Matteo Salvini appeared to have failed in his bid to win a key regional election and topple the country's fragile coalition government, according to exit polls late Sunday (26 January).
Polish parliament approves judge ‘muzzle law’, Commission ‘very concerned’
Poland's parliament on Thursday (23 January) approved a controversial draft law aimed at disciplining judges who question government judicial reforms that the European Union says are out of step with the rule of law.
Irish PM willing to enter grand coalition with main rival
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said for the first time on Wednesday (22 January) that he would consider entering an unprecedented coalition government with the country's second-largest party and historic rival Fianna Fáil (affiliated to Renew Europe) after next month's election.
Italy’s Di Maio quits as 5-Star leader in blow to government
Luigi Di Maio stepped down on Wednesday (22 January) as leader of Italy's co-governing 5-Star movement, as it seeks to stem a wave of defections that threatens the government's parliamentary majority.
Top Hungarian lawyer accuses PM Orban of harming rule of law
Hungary's top defence lawyer accused Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Tuesday (21 January) of undermining the rule of law through his refusal to accept two court decisions that require payouts of state funds.
Why are Germany’s Greens rejecting the Austrian coalition model?
Many have seen Austria's new conservative-Green coalition as a model for Europe, and especially for Germany. But the German Greens quickly distanced themselves, motivated by strategic calculation, election tactics and a concern that their more idealistic electorate would not approve it. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Italian Sardines square off against Salvini ahead of crucial vote
The "Sardines" grassroots movement protesting against the populism of far-right Italian leader Matteo Salvini staged a mass rally in the northern city of Bologna on Sunday (19 January) ahead of a regional vote that could shake up national politics.
Italy’s constitutional court rejects League’s bid to change electoral law
Italy's Constitutional Court on Thursday (16 January) rejected a request by the hard-right League party to hold a referendum to introduce a first-past-the-post electoral system, triggering the ire of League chief Matteo Salvini and relief in government ranks.
New Malta PM reshuffles ministers, shuns controversial names
New Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday (15 January), sidelining some of the politicians who had faced fierce criticism from an anti-corruption journalist before her murder in 2017.
In blow to Eurogroup head, EU Commission criticises Portugal’s budget
The European Commission said on Wednesday (15 January) that Portugal's draft budget for 2020 was at risk of breaking European Union fiscal rules because of insufficient progress in reducing its structural deficit.
Could FPÖ’s new ‘modern’ strategy save Austria’s populist party?
Austria's right-wing populist party FPÖ has launched a rebranding exercise with the aim of becoming a "modern right-wing conservative party", EURACTIV Germany reports.
Guy Verhofstadt ready to chair citizen consultations on Europe’s future
From May onwards, hundreds of EU citizens will be invited to reflect on Europe's future at a conference that will debate European policy priorities in an attempt to introduce direct democracy in EU decision-making. EURACTIV France reports.
Contract killer tells court how he murdered Slovak journalist and his fiancee
A former soldier admitted in court on Monday (13 January) killing a Slovak journalist whose murder two years ago led to anti-corruption protests that brought down the government of long-time prime minister Robert Fico. Miroslav Marček told a court he...
Ireland’s PM sets stage for possible February election
Ireland's Prime Minster Leo Varadkar said on Sunday (12 January) he had made a decision on the timing of a general election, with many media outlets and politicians predicting a 7 February poll.
Malta’s new leader promises to keep strengthening rule of law
Malta's incoming leader Robert Abela promised to strengthen the rule of law and said the country would emerge stronger after recent events, in an address on Sunday (12 January) a day before he is due to succeed Joseph Muscat as prime minister.
Croatia president blames poll defeat on sexism, ‘fake news’
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović on Saturday (11 January) blamed sexism and "fake news" for her defeat in elections last week, as well as a rival who split the right-wing electorate she was counting on.
European Parliament strip jailed Catalan MEP of seat
The European Parliament declared Friday (10 January) that jailed Catalan separatist Oriol Junqueras is no longer an MEP, stripping him of the immunity his supporters hoped would see him freed.
Former Commission officials top new Spanish government
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appointed former European Commission spokesperson Arancha González as his new foreign affairs minister, while Nadia Calviño, who used to be a director-general in the EU executive, will become vice-president for economy, and former EU official Luis Planas will stay on as agriculture minister.
‘We wanted to stop the right-wing authoritarian trend,’ says Green Austrian MP
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Green Austrian MP Lukas Hammer spoke about his party's negotiations with the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) while drafting the coalition agreement and why his party took the risk of accepting tough migration policies in exchange for increased climate protection.
Polish centre-left taps gay MEP as presidential candidate
Poland's left-wing parties on Tuesday (7 January) approved Robert Biedron, an openly gay politician, as their candidate in the May presidential election.
Allied with far-left, Spain’s Sanchez stays on as PM
Spain's parliament on Tuesday (7 January) narrowly confirmed Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez as premier for another term, paving the way for the country's first-ever coalition government since its return to democracy in the 1970s.
Spain’s lawmakers likely to back Sanchez coalition in tight vote
Spanish lawmakers are expected to vote by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday (7 January) to confirm Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez as head of a left-wing coalition government.