European politics
5 things to know about France’s messy election
What happens now? Did Macron’s snap election work? Is Le Pen finished? POLITICO walks you through the rubble.
NATO is losing patience with one of its own members — and it’s not who you think
Orbán alliance gains enough support to be EU Parliament group
Hungary cancels Baerbock visit after Scholz slams Orbán-Putin meeting
Slovakia’s Fico laments not visiting Putin with Orbán
With Brussels fuming, Putin welcomes Orbán as EU leader
Orbán shakes hands with Putin in Moscow amid EU uproar
Europe’s leaders welcome Starmer after ‘historic’ UK election
European Council President Charles Michel hails a “new cycle for the U.K.”
Panic mode: Biden and Le Pen imperil mainstream politics
Just days before the final round of France’s snap parliamentary elections, we discuss possible scenarios for what could emerge from the messy political situation in Paris: shiny …
Surging Le Pen threatens Macron’s European defense dreams
The far-right National Rally remains Euroskeptic and suspicious of NATO despite recent toned-down rhetoric.
Juncker: Beware Trump’s ‘incomplete mind and flawed reasoning’
“One must not take Trump at his word,” says Juncker, who was European Commission president for much of Trump’s term in office.
Rivals unite against Le Pen’s far right for French election
Hundreds of candidates from Macron’s camp and the left-wing alliance withdraw in an effort to keep the National Rally out.
French election: What happens next?
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is in a strong position after the first round of voting, but the next 24 hours will be crucial as rivals plot to stop the far right.
Portugal’s Chega party to join Orbán’s new far-right alliance
Chega’s president says he is confident more right-wing parties would soon join the Patriots of Europe alliance.
Macron is already over. Can anyone stop Le Pen?
The president must decide if his candidates should drop out and back the left to stop the far right winning power in France.
Orbán’s Fidesz forming new far-right alliance with Austrian, Czech parties
The alliance with Austria’s FPÖ and the Czech ANO Movement hopes to become a new group in the European Parliament.
Nigel Farage boycotts BBC over Question Time blow-up
Reform UK leader calls the Question Time audience “rigged” and “dishonest.”
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy reportedly summoned for possible indictment in 2007 campaign probe
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces charges that part of his 2007 campaign was illegally financed by Libya.
EU top jobs deal — French election, round 1
Straight from the European Council summit, we bring you the latest news and analysis on a range of tough issues on the leaders’ agenda. Host Sarah Wheaton …
Delivering digital sovereignty to EU governments
Hungary: The EU’s two-faced defense champion
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has railed against Western aid to Ukraine while spending big on defense at home.
France’s National Rally wants a say in pick for EU commissioner
The selection of a French commissioner could become a contest between President Emmanuel Macron and a possible future far-right government.
Germany’s Scholz ‘concerned’ over prospect of far-right win in France
“I hope that parties that are not Le Pen — to put it that way — are successful in the election,” Scholz told public broadcaster ARD.
Slovakia files criminal complaint against ex-PM for giving Ukraine fighter jets
Slovakia’s former Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď are facing possible criminal charges for helping Ukraine.
MEGA shift in the EU’s balance of power
Almost two weeks after the EU election, there is still a lot of political manoeuvring going on — both in Brussels and in national capitals. First, POLITICO’s …
Le Pen says she won’t seek Macron’s resignation if far right wins snap election
“I’m respectful of institutions; I do not call for institutional chaos,” Le Pen tells Le Figaro.
Are France’s senior civil servants ready to serve the National Rally?
Senior state officials are wondering what attitude they should adopt if they had to work for a far-right government.
Wilders U-turns on deputy PM nominee reportedly suspected of Mossad ties
The erstwhile nominee, Gidi Markuszower, complains he is being given fewer rights than the “average terrorist.”
Join forces already, Orbán tells Meloni and Le Pen
Hungarian leader’s comments come after the French far-right leader pitched a united front to Italy’s prime minister.