Elections
Swedish lawmakers reject centre-right Kristersson’s attempt to form government
Swedish lawmakers rejected on Wednesday (14 November) the centre-right Moderate Party leader's attempt to form a minority government with the Christian Democrats, prolonging the political deadlock in place since the election in September. EURACTIV’s partner efe-epa reports.
Tusk lashes out at Trump stance on Europe
European Union chief Donald Tusk on Saturday (10 November) accused US President Donald Trump of being averse to a "strong and united" Europe and also warned against the emergence of a "brownshirt" nationalist front in EU elections next year.
Poland holds centenary parade alongside far-right march
Leaders of Poland's right-wing government marked the nation's centenary with a military parade Sunday (11 November), which took place at the same time and along the same route as an annual independence day march organised by marginal far-right groups.
Romanian Europe minister resigns on cusp of EU stint
Romania's Minister for foreign affairs Victor Negrescu has resigned just weeks before the country takes on the EU's six-month rotating presidency in January, media reported Saturday (10 November).
Bulgarian president sees democracy ‘under threat’
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev issued a stinging critique of the government's record on corruption and press freedom Friday (9 November), saying "the foundations of democracy are being threatened to a critical degree".
Tensions mount ahead of Poland’s centenary march
Poland's president and prime minister on Wednesday (7 November) called a march in Warsaw to mark the country's independence day centenary this weekend, hours after the capital's mayor banned one planned by far-right groups for the occasion.
Eurobarometer survey: Jourová rings ‘alarm bells’ ahead of EU Elections
EU Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová has delivered a stark message to member states ahead of the European elections in 2019, warning on Tuesday (6 November) that "the risk of interference and manipulation has never been so high."
Can Germany’s Grand Coalition survive Merkel’s withdrawal?
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be handing over the CDU chair, which will have an impact on the governing parties, the CDU, the CSU and the SPD. The coalition government is shaking. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Macron loses out in polls as Le Pen surges forward
France's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party has overtaken President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist LREM in the latest poll of voting intentions ahead of the 2019 European Elections.
Conte tells Italian rebel village he is unable to stop TAP pipeline
In an open letter of the to a rebel municipality where the TAP pipeline is expected to come on shore, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte explains at length why he cannot stop the project.
The four candidates to succeed Merkel
Merz, Kramp-Karrenbauer, Spahn and Laschet – portraits of the four candidates to succeed Angela Merkel as CDU chair. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Italy’s Di Maio warns against party divisions after TAP pipeline U-turn
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio called on Monday (29 October) for unity within his 5-Star Movement after the anti-establishment party was forced to renege on an electoral pledge to halt a major, international gas transport project.
Merkel’s move poses risk of paralysis for the EU, analysts say
As Europe's most powerful leader, Angela Merkel's decision to quit as German chancellor in 2021 spells uncertainty and possibly paralysis for the EU as populists rally, diplomats and analysts warn.
Elections in Hesse: Austria’s Conservatives see confirmation of their political course
Germany and Austria elected new parliaments a year ago. Since then, the governing parties in both countries have progressed very differently, as the regional elections in Hesse illustrated once again. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Publisher denounces pressure on few remaining free media in Bulgaria
The publisher of two Bulgarian newspapers, Ivo Prokopiev, has asked that an international prosecutor or international observers get involved in the recently launched investigations involving his businesses, Bulgarian media reported on Monday (29 October).
Following election losses, SPD leader questions German ruling coalition
In a fresh blow for Chancellor Angela Merkel, her CDU conservatives and the social-democrats from the SPD suffered major losses in the regional elections in Hesse on Sunday (29 October), prompting SPD party leader Andrea Nahles to question the future of the national ruling coalition.
Soros university says it being forced out of Hungary, mulls move to Vienna
Hungary's Central European University, a graduate school founded by US financier George Soros, said it was being forced out of the country by the nationalist government and would switch to enrolling new students in Vienna.
After Bavaria, Germany expects a second electoral quake in Hesse
Germany’s shaky ruling coalition faces yet another bloody nose in a regional election in Hesse on Sunday (28 October) as the latest polls suggest a replay of the Bavarian scenario, with the Greens registering strong gains and the far-right AfD entering the regional parliament.
UK government: No evidence of Russia influencing our voters
The UK government told the House of Commons that it has "not seen evidence of successful use of disinformation by foreign actors, including Russia, to influence UK democratic processes", which without any doubt includes the Brexit referendum.
Disappointed by socialist establishment, Romania’s Ponta starts new party
Romania’s Former Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who has left the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) and established his own ProRomania party, blamed EU socialist leaders (PES) for their "guilty silence" over the grave breaches of rule of law by the Romanian government.
Romania urged to heed rule of law before assuming EU presidency
The European Union on Tuesday warned Romania to respect EU democratic values before it assumes the bloc's rotating presidency in January, or risk undermining its bid to join Europe's passport-free zone.
Poland Supreme Court judges return to work after EU court ruling
Poland's Supreme Court chief justice asked 23 of the court's judges to return to work on Monday (22 October), days after the European Union's top court ordered Poland to "immediately suspend" their retirement under a disputed law.
Poland’s ruling PiS on top in regional polls, but losing urban vote
Poland's governing nationalists came out on top in regional elections Sunday (21 October), but were losing to opposition centrists in mayoral races in large cities including the capital Warsaw, exit polls showed.