Category: Europe
Coverage of geopolitics, international relations, and current affairs from across Europe, including EU policies, NATO strategies, elections, and Europe’s influence on global politics.
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The House of Lords has voted to support a ban on social media for under-16s, intensifying pressure on the government to follow Australia’s lead on online child safety. The amendment, tabled by former schools minister Lord Nash, was added to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill despite ministers urging caution. Key developments • Peers backed…
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EU lawmakers have voted to seek a legal opinion from the EU Court of Justice on whether the bloc’s newly signed trade agreement with Mercosur can be applied before full ratification, a move that could delay the pact by up to two years. The agreement, concluded after 25 years of talks, covers Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay…
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Norway’s armed forces will issue around 13,500 preparatory requisition notices, informing civilians that homes, vehicles, boats, and machinery could be requisitioned in the event of war. The military said the notices are designed to ensure access to critical civilian resources during a conflict. They carry no practical effect in peacetime and are valid for one…
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The UK has approved China’s application to build a new embassy in London that would become China’s largest diplomatic mission in Europe, despite political opposition and security concerns. The decision, taken on Tuesday (20 January), follows advice from UK security agencies that mitigation measures are in place. The embassy will be located at Royal Mint…
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Rumen Radev said on Monday (19 January) he will resign as President of Bulgaria ahead of expected snap parliamentary elections, signalling a bid to enter the legislative race. In a televised address, Radev said Tuesday would be his final day in office. While he did not explicitly confirm he would run, he accused the political…
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on allies over Greenland is “completely wrong”, warning that “a trade war is in no one’s interest.” Delivering remarks on Monday (19 January), Starmer responded after Trump threatened to hit the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland…
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Portugal is heading for a rare presidential runoff after a fragmented first round underscored shifting voter dynamics With all votes counted, António José Seguro led the first round with 31.1%, followed by André Ventura on 23.5%. The two will face each other in a 8 February runoff, only the second such contest since Portugal’s return…
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French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the EU to activate its strongest trade defence after Donald Trump threatened new tariffs on European allies amid tensions linked to Greenland. Trump said the US would impose an additional 10% levy from 1 February, rising to 25% in June if no agreement is reached. The move has…
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Latvia’s central bank governor Mārtiņš Kazāks has warned European policymakers against complacency, arguing Europe is already engaged in a non-kinetic conflict with Russia. Speaking to the Financial Times, the European Central Bank Governing Council member said: “It’s naive to think that we are not at war [with Russia].” He cited persistent cyber attacks, Baltic Sea…
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Portugal votes on Sunday (18 January) in the first round of its 2026 presidential election, with no clear favourite and a run-off increasingly likely. Polls suggest André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, could place first in the opening round, though he is forecast to lose any second-round contest. A run-off would be the first…
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