Elections
Germany’s far-right AfD firms up election strategy with EU exit and anti-lockdown campaign
Germany’s far-right AfD party vowed to campaign for an end to COVID-19 restrictions, a tougher line on migration and an exit from the EU as it finalised its manifesto for the September elections on Sunday (11 April), with the radical...
German Greens mull top candidate for landmark post-Merkel election
The German Greens will decide later this month which of their two co-leaders to put forward as their candidate to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel in September’s landmark election, the party said on Wednesday (7 April).
Bye Frexit, hello ecology: Why Le Pen’s party programme has a new agenda
With France's regional and presidential elections already looming on the horizon, Marine Le Pen's right-wing Rassemblement national (RN) seems to want to rework its roadmap. On the agenda: more ecology, but no more return to the franc.
Borissov suggests expert cabinet after election rout
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's centre-right party came first in the weekend's parliamentary elections, partial results showed Monday (5 April), but with protest parties surging it has no clear partner to form a governing coalition.
Bulgarians vote for change, send three new parties to Parliament
Bulgaria's election on Sunday (4 April) saw three new parties, largely representing the anti-corruption protests of last summer, enter parliament. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's ruling conservative GERB remained the strongest single party but with slim chances of forming a government and staying in power.
On his last day with the Commission, Barnier says Brexit reality starts hitting
The European Union's former Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said on Wednesday (31 March) the reality of Britain's decision to leave the bloc was only now being felt, years after the British 2016 referendum on membership.
Spain’s centre-right Popular Party predicted to win Madrid snap poll
Spain's centre-right Popular Party (Partido Popular, PP) looks set to comfortably win a snap regional election scheduled for 4 May in Madrid, according to a recent poll. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
US, Europe press Turkey to rethink ditching of Istanbul Convention
US and European leaders denounced what they called Turkey's baffling and concerning decision to pull out of an international accord designed to protect women from violence, and urged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reconsider.
Left-wing alliance in northern France: a taster for the 2022 presidential election?
After the announcement that France’s left-wing and Green parties will present a common list for the regional elections in the North of France, EURACTIV.fr looks into whether such a strategy could also be adopted for the upcoming 2022 presidential election.
Pro-Europe Dutch politician Kaag books gains in election
Former diplomat Sigrid Kaag, who heads the largest left-leaning party in the Netherlands, booked major gains at a national election after campaigning on a cosmopolitan pro-Europe platform that stands in contrast with Prime Minister Mark Rutte's euroscepticism.
Five things to know about virus-dominated Dutch vote
Dutch voters go to the polls on Wednesday (17 March) for the last day of a three-day parliamentary election, in which Prime Minister Mark Rutte is aiming for a fourth term in office.
Spanish deputy PM quits to stand in Madrid election
Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias triggered a political earthquake earlier this week when he announced his resignation from the post to unite regional forces against the far-right in regional elections in Madrid. EURACTIV's partner EuroEFE reports.
Council of Europe voices concern on Polish media laws
Europe's top human rights body on Tuesday (16 March) voiced concern over two draft media laws in Poland and warned about the possible "suffocation of independent media outlets".
Eyeing EU stimulus, Bulgarian parties pledge green transformation
Bulgarian political parties are showing an uncharacteristic interest in green policies ahead of elections on April 4, not least because the country is one of the largest per capita beneficiaries of EU funds and is now required to invest in climate and environmental issues.
Merkel’s CDU suffers record defeats in regional elections
Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU) suffered record defeats in two regional elections on Sunday (14 March) amid voter anger over a sluggish coronavirus vaccine roll-out and a party corruption scandal that has left Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party reeling as it decides...
Ex-PM Letta volunteers to lead Italy’s Democratic Party
Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta on Friday (12 March) announced his candidacy as leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), the second biggest party in Mario Draghi's new national unity government.
Watchdog warns of ‘dire press situation’ ahead of Bulgarian elections
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Wednesday (10 March) published 10 recommendations to address what they called “the dire press freedom situation in Bulgaria”, ahead of elections early next month.
EU Parliament strips Puigdemont, two other Catalans of immunity
The European Parliament has voted to waive the immunity of Catalonia’s former regional head of government and two other separatist lawmakers, taking them a step closer to extradition to Spain, where they are charged with sedition.
Bike-riding Dutch PM pedals towards new term
Regularly seen riding his bike to work, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is hoping voters add to his 10 years in the saddle next week.
Doctors jump to the top of Bulgaria’s election lists
Bulgarian doctors who gained media prominence during the COVID-19 health crisis are sought after by political parties ahead of the 4 April general elections, and the names of many medical professionals appear on the slates of different political forces.
Hungary PM wants to create new European right-wing ‘force’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday (5 March) called for the creation of a new European right-wing force for "our type of people" who want to protect their families and homeland.
Italy postpones mayoral and regional votes due to COVID-19
Italian municipal and regional elections originally planned for late spring will be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government said on Thursday (4 March), amid signs of a surge in cases due to new variants.
Bulgaria to open restaurants from March, nightclubs from April
Bulgaria will reopen restaurants from March and lift a ban on nightclubs from April, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Wednesday (24 February), betting on a vaccination programme and a solid number of recoveries from COVID-19.