Elections
Italy’s constitutional court rejects League’s bid to change electoral law
Italy's Constitutional Court on Thursday (16 January) rejected a request by the hard-right League party to hold a referendum to introduce a first-past-the-post electoral system, triggering the ire of League chief Matteo Salvini and relief in government ranks.
New Malta PM reshuffles ministers, shuns controversial names
New Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday (15 January), sidelining some of the politicians who had faced fierce criticism from an anti-corruption journalist before her murder in 2017.
In blow to Eurogroup head, EU Commission criticises Portugal’s budget
The European Commission said on Wednesday (15 January) that Portugal's draft budget for 2020 was at risk of breaking European Union fiscal rules because of insufficient progress in reducing its structural deficit.
Could FPÖ’s new ‘modern’ strategy save Austria’s populist party?
Austria's right-wing populist party FPÖ has launched a rebranding exercise with the aim of becoming a "modern right-wing conservative party", EURACTIV Germany reports.
Guy Verhofstadt ready to chair citizen consultations on Europe’s future
From May onwards, hundreds of EU citizens will be invited to reflect on Europe's future at a conference that will debate European policy priorities in an attempt to introduce direct democracy in EU decision-making. EURACTIV France reports.
Contract killer tells court how he murdered Slovak journalist and his fiancee
A former soldier admitted in court on Monday (13 January) killing a Slovak journalist whose murder two years ago led to anti-corruption protests that brought down the government of long-time prime minister Robert Fico. Miroslav Marček told a court he...
Ireland’s PM sets stage for possible February election
Ireland's Prime Minster Leo Varadkar said on Sunday (12 January) he had made a decision on the timing of a general election, with many media outlets and politicians predicting a 7 February poll.
Malta’s new leader promises to keep strengthening rule of law
Malta's incoming leader Robert Abela promised to strengthen the rule of law and said the country would emerge stronger after recent events, in an address on Sunday (12 January) a day before he is due to succeed Joseph Muscat as prime minister.
Croatia president blames poll defeat on sexism, ‘fake news’
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović on Saturday (11 January) blamed sexism and "fake news" for her defeat in elections last week, as well as a rival who split the right-wing electorate she was counting on.
European Parliament strip jailed Catalan MEP of seat
The European Parliament declared Friday (10 January) that jailed Catalan separatist Oriol Junqueras is no longer an MEP, stripping him of the immunity his supporters hoped would see him freed.
Former Commission officials top new Spanish government
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appointed former European Commission spokesperson Arancha González as his new foreign affairs minister, while Nadia Calviño, who used to be a director-general in the EU executive, will become vice-president for economy, and former EU official Luis Planas will stay on as agriculture minister.
Polish centre-left taps gay MEP as presidential candidate
Poland's left-wing parties on Tuesday (7 January) approved Robert Biedron, an openly gay politician, as their candidate in the May presidential election.
Allied with far-left, Spain’s Sanchez stays on as PM
Spain's parliament on Tuesday (7 January) narrowly confirmed Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez as premier for another term, paving the way for the country's first-ever coalition government since its return to democracy in the 1970s.
Spain’s lawmakers likely to back Sanchez coalition in tight vote
Spanish lawmakers are expected to vote by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday (7 January) to confirm Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez as head of a left-wing coalition government.
Former leftist Prime Minister wins Croatia presidential poll
Leftist former prime minister Zoran Milanovic, who has pledged to make Croatia a tolerant country turning the page on its wartime past, won Sunday’s presidential run-off vote, defeating the incumbent conservative leader. Milanovic took 52.7% of the vote while President...
Austrian conservatives and Greens strike New Year’s coalition deal
Austrian conservative leader Sebastian Kurz struck a coalition deal on Wednesday (1 January) with the Greens to ensure his return to power and bring the left-wing party into government for the first time, three months after Kurz won a parliamentary election.
Croatian president to face centre-left ex-PM in run-off
Croatia's conservative president narrowly made it to a run-off election against a centre-left former premier on Sunday (22 December), after a nationalist folk singer won over a large chunk of her camp's far-right wing.
Croatia to pick a president in tight three-way race
A nationalist folk singer and a leftist former premier are challenging Croatia's conservative president in a close election race on Sunday (22 December) that could loosen her camp's grip on power.
Spain’s socialists and Catalan separatists inch closer to deal, despite tensions
An agreement between the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and caretaker socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is "within reach", paving the way for broader government coalition talks. EURACTIV’s partner EuroEFE reports.
Catalan president insists on ‘right to self-determination’ to unlock political stalemate
Quim Torra, the president of Catalonia, insisted on Tuesday (17 December) on the “right to self-determination” for the prosperous Spanish region, before giving his support – and that of Catalan separatist political forces - to the investiture of acting socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spanish media reported.
EU-mediated dialogue fails to persuade Serbian opposition to drop boycott plans
The participants of an inter-party dialogue mediated by EU lawmakers have agreed that there are no conditions for a fair and free election in Serbia. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Catalan separatists warn socialists that blackmailing ‘won’t work’
Marta Vilalta, spokesperson of the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) warned on Monday socialist PSOE party that it won’t allow to be blackmailed in order to facilitate the formation of a “progressive” government between the Spanish socialists and leftist Podemos.
Estonia apologises after far-right minister taunts Finnish PM as ‘sales girl’
Estonia apologised to Finland on Monday (16 December) after Estonia's interior minister mocked Finland's new prime minister -- the world's youngest-serving government leader -- as "a sales girl" and questioned her ability to run the Nordic country.