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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Tens of thousands of people marched through Brussels on Tuesday (12 May) as Belgium’s three main trade unions protested against federal government reforms under Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Organisers said between 40,000 and 70,000 demonstrators joined the national protest, which focused on pensions, purchasing power and automatic wage indexation. Trade unions criticised proposed pension…
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Following the local election results on Thursday (7 May 2026), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the outcome as “tough” and said he takes full responsibility, warning of “dangerous opponents” and potential national consequences if political direction is not corrected. He also criticised Nigel Farage, disputing Brexit-era claims on wealth, migration, and security. Starmer said…
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Labour leadership tensions have escalated after local election losses, with calls for a potential challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership. Labour MP Catherine West, a former Foreign Office minister, has indicated she may seek backing to trigger a contest if no alternative candidate is agreed. Senior figures including Lucy Powell and Sir Sadiq Khan have urged…
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Speaking after Russia’s annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes the conflict in Ukraine may be “coming to an end”, while criticising continued Western and NATO support for Kyiv. “I think that the matter is coming to an end,” he said, referring to the “special military operation” in Ukraine.…
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Peter Magyar has been sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister following the 2026 parliamentary election, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in office. The centre-right Tisza Party secured 141 of 199 parliamentary seats, giving Magyar a strong mandate as his government seeks to improve Hungary’s relations with the European Union and address economic pressures. A…
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Russia held its annual Victory Day parade in Moscow on Saturday (9 May), commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during the Second World War. The event in Red Square featured heightened security and a reduced military display, with President Vladimir Putin addressing troops and foreign units, including soldiers from North Korea. Heavy weapons…
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Poland signs €43.7 billion EU SAFE defence loan agreement, becoming first member to access programme
Poland has signed a €43.7 billion loan agreement under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence financing programme, becoming the first EU member state to access the initiative. The agreement comes as European governments increase defence spending in response to heightened regional security concerns linked to Russia and Belarus. Speaking at the signing…
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The Scottish National Party (SNP) has secured a fifth consecutive victory in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, winning 58 seats but falling short of the 65-seat majority required at Holyrood. Labour and Reform UK each won 17 seats, while the Scottish Greens achieved a record 15. The Conservatives fell to 12 in their worst-ever result,…
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Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner swap in what US President Donald Trump described as a potential step towards wider peace negotiations. The US president wrote on Truth Social on Friday (8 May) that the three-day “suspension of all kinetic activity” is set to run from 9–11 May,…
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is “not going to walk away” after early results from Thursday’s (7 May) UK local elections indicated significant setbacks for Labour in some of its traditional strongholds. With counting still ongoing in England, Scotland, and Wales, early results suggest growing support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, alongside…
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