Elections
‘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.
Pension reform helps Poland fill state coffers
Poland's government on Wednesday (6 November) approved a transfer of all state-guaranteed private pension funds to individual retirement accounts, in a move that will add 19.3 billion zloty (€4.5 billion) to state coffers strained by hefty social handouts.
UK fears stoked over data harvesting ahead of general election
UK political parties have been warned by the country's data protection watchdog that they must comply with relevant laws concerning the storing and safeguarding of data in the run up to the country's general election on December 12.
Spain’s election candidates clash over Catalonia in TV debate
The main candidates to become Spain's next prime minister clashed on Monday (4 November) over how to handle Catalonia's independence drive, in a tense TV debate ahead of a repeat election that opinion polls show could be as inconclusive as the one in April.
Romanian parliament OKs new interim minority government
Romania's parliament approved on Monday (4 November) a new transitional government led by National Liberal Party leader Ludovic Orban (EPP-affiliated), which will be in office until a parliamentary election next year.
Von der Leyen Commission hangs on Romania politicising
Romanian lawmakers will hold a vote of confidence on Monday (4 November) for the centrist minority cabinet of Prime Minister-designate Ludovic Orban, the outcome of which risks extending a policymaking vacuum in the European Union.
Italy’s plastic tax proposal angers ‘packaging valley’ before crucial regional vote
The government is open to rediscuss a proposed tax on single-use plastics, out of concern for the country's world-leading packaging sector based in Emilia-Romagna where regional elections are scheduled in January.
Trump says UK Labour leader Corbyn would be ‘so bad’ for Britain
US President Donald Trump waded into Britain's election campaign on Thursday (31 October), saying the leader of the left-wing opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, would be "so bad" for Britain if he wins.
Media-shy Czech mogul buys TV empire spanning five EU countries
The PPF investment group owned by Petr Kellner, who keeps a low profile despite being the Czech Republic's wealthiest man, said Monday (28 October) it had sealed a deal for the CME media group running 30 TV stations in five Central European states.
Slovak parliament bans opinion polls 50 days before elections
Slovakia's ruling leftist Smer party pushed a bill through parliament on Monday (28 October) extending a ban on opinion polls to 50 days before elections, one of the longest periods in the world.
The Brief, powered by BP – Resurrection
The much unloved grand coalition in Germany has succeeded in spite of itself what Emmanuel Macron achieved so masterfully in France in 2017: hammering the last nails into the coffins of the traditional parties.
Record numbers of young voters backed AfD in Thuringia state election
The state elections in Thuringia on Sunday (27 October) demonstrated how strong the AfD was among young people under 30, who voted in record numbers for the far-right party. Die Linke (the Left) came in second, while the Greens lagged far behind. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Johnson pushes for poll as EU prepares Brexit delay
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will make a fresh push on Monday (28 October) for an early election as EU leaders prepare to back yet another Brexit delay, just days before the departure deadline.
Italy’s Salvini set for victory in Umbria local vote
A right-wing coalition is set for victory in an election on Sunday (27 October) in the central Italian region of Umbria, according to an exit poll, giving a boost to Matteo Salvini's League party.