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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Polling stations opened at 9am local time (09:00 GMT) on Sunday (8 February) for Portugal’s presidential run-off, the first in 40 years, with 11 million voters eligible. Voters face a choice between: • Antonio Jose Seguro, 63, Socialist Party leader, who won 31.1% in January’s first round. • Andre Ventura, nationalist Chega leader, who secured…
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Protests broke out in northern Italy following the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, as demonstrators raised concerns over environmental sustainability and rising living costs. Police used water cannon after a small group fired flares and threw stones, following an otherwise peaceful march. Authorities had increased security after earlier clashes in Turin left…
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Thousands of teachers and education staff protested in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday (5 February) over government austerity measures targeting the education sector. The coalition government led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan approved two reform packages aimed at reducing Romania’s budget deficit, including a 10% reduction to public institution salary funds. Teachers have warned of potential…
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Estonia has strengthened security in Narva, a strategic border town facing Russia across the Narva River, as the war in Ukraine continues to reshape Baltic regional security. The crossing between Estonia and Russia has been reinforced with defensive barriers, while vehicle traffic remains closed. Eerik Purgel, Estonia’s regional border chief, said the measures reflect growing…
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Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch on Thursday (5 February) accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to govern effectively, following the resignation of Peter Mandelson from the House of Lords over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson initially resigned from Labour to spare the party “further embarrassment”, but the controversy deepened after disclosures…
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Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Estonian President Alar Karis have called for a European Union special envoy to re-engage with Moscow, aiming to secure a seat at negotiations alongside Washington and Kyiv. Key points: • EU engagement should be coordinated with Ukraine and led by a credible, consensus European figure. • Siliņa cited leaders…
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed NATO’s long-term military, political and security support for Ukraine during an address to the Verkhovna Rada, as the Russia–Ukraine war enters its fifth year. Rutte said ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine represent progress but warned that continued Russian strikes undermine diplomatic efforts. He stated NATO and partner…
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Spain plans to ban social media access for users under 16 and introduce legislation holding platform executives personally liable for hate speech and illegal content, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Sánchez urged wider European coordination on digital regulation, citing risks to child development, online safety, and mental…
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France has approved its 2026 budget after two no-confidence motions failed, allowing the legislation to pass and offering short-term stability for the minority government led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The vote followed four months of political deadlock triggered by the 2024 snap election, which produced a hung parliament amid growing pressure to rein in…
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended his four-day visit to China, telling Parliament that engagement with the world’s second-largest economy is essential to safeguarding UK interests, jobs and national security. He argued Britain can “do two things at once”: protect itself while cooperating where interests align. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative…
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