Elections
Slovak President asks court to quash Europe’s longest pre-election poll blackout
Slovakia's president asked the Constitutional Court on Thursday (5 December) to strike down a lengthy ban on publishing opinion polls ahead of elections in February, a restriction seen by most opposition parties as an attempt to sideline political newcomers.
Middleman tells Malta court of plot to kill Daphne Caruana
The self-confessed middleman in the murder of a journalist told a court on Wednesday (4 December) a wealthy Maltese businessman was the brains behind the killing but also implicated people tied to government in the growing scandal.
Press watchdogs call for EU to act over Hungary media curbs
Hungary has stifled its independent media and imposed a level of control over journalists that is unprecedented in an EU country, according to a joint report from six international press watchdogs that calls on EU leaders to take action.
Czech taxpayers should return EU subsidies due to PM’s business conflict
The European Commission has determined that the Czech Republic must return hundreds of millions of crowns in EU subsidies as Prime Minister Andrej Babiš did not sufficiently separate himself from holdings that received the funds, Czech news websites reported.
Caruana Galizia’s family wants Malta police to probe PM
The family of murdered investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia called Monday (2 December) for police to investigate Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, as a European Parliament delegation was set to arrive in Malta on a fact-finding mission.
Malta PM to resign amid journalist murder probe protests
Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, under fire over his handling of the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, said Sunday (1 December) he would step down after his replacement is chosen in January.
Merkel’s future in balance as SPD picks new leaders
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's political future hangs in the balance as her floundering coalition partners, the SPD, elect new leaders on Saturday.
Pro-European Iohannis re-elected as Romanian president
Incumbent Klaus Iohannis won re-election as Romanian president on Sunday (24 November), confirming the pro-European trajectory of the eastern EU member state.
Orban says Hungary to increase its EU influence with the enlargement portfolio
Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hailed Friday (22 November) the confirmation of Budapest's nominee as a key EU commissioner as the country's "biggest diplomatic success" in a decade.
MEPs shut out of Hungary Council hearing as rule of law situation worsens
MEPs are reeling after being shut out of a Council hearing under the Article 7 procedure against Hungary for systemic breaches to the rule of law, as the situation in the country further deteriorates.
Police investigating murder of Malta journalist arrest local businessman
Malta police arrested one of the country’s most prominent businessmen on Wednesday (20 November) as part of an investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Merkel’s conservatives brace for stormy party congress
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU braces for a tumultuous two-day party congress in Leipzig from Friday (22 November), with members smarting from recent local election drubbings and bickering over her successor.
Babis voices regret for Czech communist past at Velvet Revolution anniversary
The Czech Republic's billionaire prime minister expressed regret over his communist past on Sunday (17 November) while Slovakia's liberal president hailed the sacrifices communist-era dissidents made for democracy as their nations celebrated 30 years since the Velvet Revolution toppled communism in then-Czechoslovakia.
‘Suspicious’ cyber attacks hit UK Labour’s election campaign
The UK's opposition Labour Party have been subject to several "sophisticated and large-scale" cyber-attacks across its digital platforms emanating from an unknown source, the party have revealed. The news comes as UK political groups jockey for influence in the run-up to the general election on December 12.
Socialists and Podemos reach deal for a ‘progressive’ government in Spain
Spain's ruling Socialists and leftist Unidas Podemos have reached an agreement for a “progressive” government after Sunday's general elections, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the leader of Unidas Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, announced on Tuesday (12 November).
Catalan independence protesters block major Spain-France highway
Hundreds of Catalan pro-independence protesters blocked a border point on the AP-7 highway that connects Catalonia with France on Monday (11 November), stopping traffic in both directions the day after a parliamentary election in Spain.
Spain’s Socialists again seek to rule without majority as Ciudadanos collapses
The head of Spain's centre-right Ciudadanos party quit on Monday (11 November) after heavy election losses, potentially making his party more amenable to backing a government led by the Socialists.
Who will be the new president of Poland?
After European Council President Donald Tusk announced he will not run for the Polish presidency a week ago, more opposition candidates may consider a run. New names have already started to appear on the roster.
Spain’s far right doubles seats in hung parliament, difficult talks ahead
Spain's far-right Vox party more than doubled its number of lawmakers in the country's fourth national election in four years on Sunday (10 November), which delivered a deeply fragmented parliament, setting the stage for very difficult government negotiations.
Romania’s Iohannis on top in first-round presidential vote
Romania's pro-Europe President Klaus Iohannis has taken a big lead in the first round of the country's presidential election on Sunday (10 November), according to partial official results.
Tactical voting or conviction, what will drive the Spanish elections?
Spanish voters are heading back to the polls on Sunday (10 November) for the fourth general election in less than four years to see if they can finally put an end to the political deadlock. EURACTIV's partner Euroefe reports.
Bulgaria president rejects appointment of new chief prosecutor
Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev refused on Thursday (7 November) to approve the appointment of the sole candidate for the post chief prosecutor, whose nomination recently sparked a series of street protests.
A climate election? UK voters want parties to tackle crisis
With the climate emergency at the forefront of British voters’ minds as found by a recent poll, the Green Party made a dramatic campaign pledge on Wednesday to spend £100bn a year to tackle climate change.