Elections
No ‘immediate exit’ from NATO for Mélenchon, but a vote in Parliament
French parliament would vote on the country's membership in NATO if radical left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon wins the June legislative elections and is nominated prime minister, the France Insoumise chief suggested on Thursday (19 May). EURACTIV France reports.
Radical Left refuses to join Mélenchon’s left-wing bloc over EU stance
France's Radical Left Party will not take part in the new 'united left' group set up by Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise, the party's president, Guillaume Lacroix, said, citing concerns over the alliance's EU stance. EURACTIV France reports.
Scholz’s SPD suffers historic defeat in major state election
The German Social Democrats suffered a crushing defeat in Sunday’s state election in Germany’s most populous state and lost to the conservative CDU. The Greens were able to triple their vote and logged a historical result in the election.
Macron backs right-wing hopefuls ahead of June polls
French President Emmanuel Macron has chosen to back several right-wing Les Républicains (LR) candidates in the June legislative elections, continuing his takeover of the now ailing traditional right-wing bloc. EURACTIV France reports.
Le Pen makes her comeback by roasting Mélenchon
After the two weeks of silence that followed her defeat in the presidential election on April 24, Marine Le Pen returned to the political scene by attacking head-on the union of the left and the "fairy tales" of Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
French left-wing bloc divided over legislative nominees
France's new left-wing union has reached a compromise on sharing constituencies ahead of the legislative elections in June despite not everyone agreeing on the choice of nominees. EURACTIV France reports.
Sinn Fein calls for united Ireland debate after historic election win
Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), hailed its first victory in a Northern Ireland Assembly election as a "defining moment" for the British-controlled region and called for a debate on a united Ireland.
Macron stalls on prime minister nomination
French President Emmanuel Macron is not expected to name the next prime minister before the end of next week although he is already being officially sworn in for a second term on Saturday (7 May), as several prominent figures have reportedly already turned down the job.
UK voters head to polls with historic Northern Ireland result predicted
Polls open across the UK on Thursday (5 May) in local and regional elections that could prove historic in Northern Ireland and heap further pressure on embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
French Socialist Party in disarray after joining new Left alliance
France's Socialist Party has joined the New Popular Ecological and Social Union formed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise ahead of the legislative elections in June but the news has not been well-received by all. EURACTIV France reports.
Mélenchon’s alliance expands with communists, ‘few steps away’ with socialists
The French Communist Party concluded on Tuesday night (3 May) an electoral agreement with Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s radical left La France Insoumise party joining the left alliance with the Greens ahead of legislative elections. The deal allows the transition to a...
European Parliament agrees position on EU election law overhaul
On Tuesday (3 May), the European Parliament adopted its position on a major reform of EU electoral law that would introduce bloc-wide transnational lists, following a compromise between the largest EU parties in March.
French Greens defend pact with Mélenchon’s party ahead of legislatives
Ahead of France's upcoming June legislative elections, the Greens have found themselves defending their new partnership with Jean-Luc Mélenchon's party amid accusations that it is compromising when it comes to the EU. EURACTIV France reports.
European political parties: oversight nowhere in sight?
European institutions must strengthen oversight of the funding of European parties, writes Louis Drounau, who gives an example of potential maladministration.
Radical left and Greens agree ‘exceptional’ electoral pact in France
Europe Ecologie Les Verts (EELV) and Jean Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise have reached on Sunday an agreement setting up a joint programme and a sharing of electoral districts for the legislative elections.
The Brief – Time to unite the French left
Concerns about the fragmentation of the French left may look worrying, but it's nothing new. The signs have been there for quite some time.
Sinn Fein set to top polls in Northern Ireland elections
Sinn Fein, which supports a united Ireland, is set to top the poll at next Thursday’s (5 May) Northern Ireland Assembly elections, which would see it in line to take the First Minister post in the devolved government for the first time.
France’s traditional right in turmoil ahead of parliamentary vote
France's formerly dominant right-wing party, Les Républicains (LR), will seek "no alliance" with re-elected centrist President Emmanuel Macron before the legislative elections in June, the party decided during a strategic council meeting on Tuesday (26 April). There have been no public statements since then.
Left-wing majority at French parliament polls ‘highly unlikely’
Though negotiations continue on an alliance between France's leftist parties ahead of June's legislative elections, the prospect of a left-wing majority in June remains remote, both for experts and the leaders of the left.
French Left split over union centred around Mélenchon
Negotiations over uniting the French left ahead of the legislative elections in June are underway but senior officials of the parties involved are split over calls to rally behind radical-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. EURACTIV France reports.
Good chance transnational lists at EU polls ‘could fly’, says MEP
There is a 'good chance' that transnational lists at the European elections 'could fly', according to the EU lawmaker seeking to take the proposal into law.
Challenges already loom after Macron’s reelection
With the ongoing French EU Council presidency and the upcoming parliamentary elections, Emmanuel Macron will enjoy no grace period at the start of his second mandate. The opposition in France, both on the left and the right, is more determined than ever to strip the newly re-elected president of his majority in parliament.
Slovenia heading for progressive government after historic victory against conservatives
Slovenians massively voted for change, putting an end to the rule of the Janez Janša on Sunday and handing the country's destinies to Robert Golob, the leader the environmentalist Freedom Movement, who is expected to lead a progressive coalition.