Clik here to view.
Ursula von der Leyen’s reelection campaign gets off to a bumpy start
BRUSSELS — Ursula von der Leyen hasn’t named a campaign director yet to lead her bid for a second term at the head of the EU executive — but campaign hostilities have already started. Only days after...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Giorgia Meloni’s plan to run Europe — and befriend Donald Trump
When Giorgia Meloni first rose to power in Italy in 2022, Western elites harbored doubts about a prime minister who’d once professed admiration for fascism. Fast-forward two years, though, and the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Belgian PM warns Israel against using hunger as ‘weapon of war’ in Gaza
AMMAN, Jordan — Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo warned Israel on Saturday against using hunger as a “weapon of war” in the Gaza Strip, urging the Israeli government to open more access points...
View ArticleClik here to view.
EU leaders ink €7.4B economic aid, migration deal with Egypt
CAIRO, Egypt — The EU on Sunday signed a major aid deal with Egypt geared at curbing irregular migration to Europe’s shores and boosting the North African country’s economy. European Commission...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Russian influence scandal rocks EU
A Russian political influence campaign is shaking up Europe, as top officials warned Moscow paid European Parliament members to interfere in the upcoming EU election. “This confirms what we have...
View ArticleClik here to view.
EU’s Russiagate hits German far right
Europe’s Russiagate scandal may be about to claim its first political victim. In a letter obtained by POLITICO, leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party pile pressure on a lawmaker...
View ArticleFrontex rattled by probe into contract with travel agency accused of fraud
Europe’s border agency, Frontex, awarded a contract to a Polish travel agency despite knowing it was under investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud agency — until its Executive Director Hans Leijtens...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Von der Leyen struggles to quell revolt over controversial business envoy pick
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hit back Tuesday at accusations of favoritism from her top team as a political tussle ratchets up ahead of the European election. The spat kicked off...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Don’t assume von der Leyen is coming back
A second coronation does not come guaranteed for Queen Ursula. Two months ahead of June’s Europe-wide election, Brussels is abuzz with European diplomats and officials warning that European Commission...
View ArticleUkraine backers blast ‘double standard’ after allies rush to Israel’s defense
If the United States and its allies can rush to Israel’s defense in the skies, shooting down dozens of drones and missiles fired by Iran, why can’t they do the same for Ukraine — which has suffered...
View ArticleClik here to view.
EU fiddles on Middle East as Ukraine burns
BRUSSELS — Two conflicts will compete for the attention of EU leaders meeting for a summit this week. There is one — Ukraine — where they can make a difference, and another — Iran-Israel — where they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Who could take on von der Leyen for Commission president?
It’s going to be Ursula von der Leyen again, right? The European Commission president is indeed still the clear front-runner to get a second term atop the EU executive, but she is no longer a shoo-in...
View ArticleVon der Leyen: ‘Completely unacceptable’ for Israel to attack Rafah
It would be “completely unacceptable” for Israel to attack Rafah, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Asked whether an Israeli attack on the southern Gazan city would constitute a...
View ArticleEU official triggers backlash after vowing ‘solidarity’ with Iran
The European commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarčič insisted he was not offering “political support” to the Iranian regime after ending a post confirming the provision of satellite...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ukraine and EU push to start membership talks in June
Brussels officials are pushing to begin formal negotiations over Ukraine joining the European Union as early as next month, according to people familiar with the matter. Behind the scenes, diplomats...
View ArticleFar-right ID group expels Alternative for Germany
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) has been expelled from its pan-European group Identity and Democracy in the European Parliament following a series of scandals that have damaged...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lame ducks Macron and Scholz will struggle to steer EU’s post-election agenda
Move over, Paris and Berlin. A new cast of European leaders is looking to step up as power brokers on the European stage, and your time in the driving seat may be coming to an end. With the European...
View ArticleChina takes aim at EU’s planes and farmers as trade war brews
BRUSSELS — Beijing is warning the European Union it will hit its aviation and agricultural sectors unless Brussels pulls back from an impending trade war. With the European Commission expected to slap...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Von der Leyen needs 361 votes to keep her job. Good luck with that.
BRUSSELS — In 2019, Ursula von der Leyen only secured her job as European Commission president by a razor-thin majority in the European Parliament: nine votes. This year, the numbers game required to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
An American’s guide to the EU election
Hello and welcome to Europe 101, your handy guide to politics across the Atlantic Ocean. We know you have a lot on your mind. A judge has found your former president guilty on 34 felony charges. Your...
View Article