Elections
May expected to announce date of her departure
British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected on Friday (24 May) to announce the date of her departure, triggering a contest that will bring a new leader to power who is likely to push for a more decisive Brexit divorce deal.
Political novice tipped as next Lithuanian President
Lithuanians choose a new president on Sunday (26 May) in a tight runoff between two centre-right rivals, an ex-finance minister and a political newcomer, in a race dominated by concerns over economic inequality in the Baltic eurozone state.
Romania’s anti-corruption referendum explained
Besides electing their new European Parliament members on Sunday (26 May), Romanians will be taking part in another vote: a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption. President Klaus Iohannis called the referendum over the...
Austria’s ‘video crisis’ exposes poor treatment of media – media expert
In an interview with EURACTIV, Reporters Without Borders Austria President and distinguished journalist Rubina Möhring spoke about the effects of the controversial 'Ibiza video' and why Austria is getting ever so close to the Hungarian media model.
Swiss vote to tighten gun laws and stay in Schengen
The Swiss voted Sunday (19 May) to toughen their gun laws and bring them in line with EU legislation, heeding warnings that rejecting the change could have threatened relations with the bloc.
Le Pen’s pro-Kremlin stance creates friction with Estonian populist hosts
Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's Rassemblement National (RN), arrives in Tallinn today (14 May) as part of a "European tour" to drum up support for the far-right in the upcoming EU elections.
Merkel’s preferred successor says won’t seek post before 2021
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's preferred successor, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, said Sunday (12 May) that she would not seek the top job before Merkel's term ends in 2021.
Ignoring critics, Trump to welcome Hungary’s Orban to White House
US President Donald Trump on Monday (13 May) will host Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán -- an anti-immigration firebrand and one of his few European admirers -- at the White House, despite criticism of the visit at home.
Lithuania presidential runoff pits novice against ex-minister as PM quits
An economist and political novice, Gitanas Nauseda, took the lead in the first round of Lithuania's presidential election on Sunday (12 May) and will face Ingrida Simonyte, a conservative ex-finance minister, in a 26 May runoff coinciding with the European elections.NewsPromoted content
Kazakh government kicks off campaign to encourage turnout in presidential election
The Kazakh government has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the June 9 presidential election and to encourage voter turnout.
Inequality tops agenda as Lithuania elects new president
For all its economic growth, income inequality and poverty are top election issues as Lithuanians vote on Sunday (12 May) for a new president in round one of a tight race in the Baltic eurozone state.
Spitzenkandidaten survives Sibiu, Tusk calls summit for 28 May
Europe’s leaders on Thursday (9 May) agreed to attend an emergency summit immediately after the EU elections on 28 May, as European Council President Donald Tusk said he wanted to have the distribution of the bloc’s top jobs decided in June.NewsPromoted content
Eight candidates seek the office of Kazakh president
The Kazakh Central Electoral Commission (CEC) closed nominations on 28 April for the presidential election due on 9 June. The field, which began with nine nominees, was reduced by one after a candidate withdrew. The candidates’ registration stage will continue until May 11.
EU heads adopt vague declaration on future of Europe
Heads of state and government from the EU-27 signed off on broad-brush 'ten commitments' for Europe in the next five years on Thursday (9 May), as they adopted a vague Sibiu Declaration during the opening stages of an informal summit dedicated to the bloc's future.
Juncker says ‘unacceptable’ to link Tusk to Hitler and Stalin in Poland
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday (7 May) it was “totally unacceptable” to link fellow top EU official, Donald Tusk, with tyrants Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler, as has been done by Polish state TV.
Spain’s top court says Catalonia’s Puigdemont can run for EU elections
Spain's Supreme Court on Sunday (5 May) said Catalonia's former president Carles Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium in 2017 after a secession attempt, could contest EU polls this month.
Voters punish May and Labour for Brexit impasse ahead of EU polls
Voters severely punished the two main UK parties in local council elections on Thursday (2 May), offering a preview of what is likely to happen in the European elections later this month.
Local polls offer May some Brexit respite
The UK's local elections on Thursday (2 May) will offer a test of the damage done to Theresa May’s Conservative party by her failure to deliver the country's exit from the European Union.
Catalonia’s ex-leader Puigdemont banned from EU polls
Spanish election authorities on Monday (29 April) banned Catalonia’s former president Carles Puigdemont, who fled the country in 2017 after a secession attempt, from running in upcoming EU polls. Puigdemont slammed the move in a tweet as a “legal scandal...
Striking fuel-tanker drivers put Portugal at risk of energy crisis
Fuel-tanker drivers in Portugal threatened a new strike within a week if a deal is not reached over their demands for better pay and conditions, their union said on Monday (29 April).
In Spain, Socialists pledge ‘pro-European government’ after election win
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks set to regain power after his Socialists overcame a historic challenge by right-wing nationalists in elections on Sunday (28 April), a result he portrayed as a morale booster for the European Union. The Socialists...
A socialist-led Spain can be at the heart of the sustainable revolution
Spain's socialist-led government can help re-start Europe by pushing its alternative to economic austerity and prioritising the fight against climate change, writes Udo Bullmann.
As election looms, Spaniards are hit by WhatsApp disinformation campaign
Spanish citizens have been subject to a series of disinformation campaigns ranging from fake news about Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez signing a Catalan independence deal, to conspiracies about migrants and propaganda against gay people, a new study has found.