euractiv.de
euractiv.fr
euractiv.es
euractiv.it
euractiv.pl
euractiv.cz
euractiv.gr
euractiv.ro
euractiv.sk
Western Europe
France secures €1.6 bln cut in planned EU budget contribution
Est. 1minParis trims its EU bill after behind-the-scenes push, handing Bayrou a win, easing pressure on his austerity drive and spoiling Le Pen’s narrative.
Bayrou bets big on austerity with spending freeze and holiday cuts
Est. 5minBayrou’s no-spending pledge, healthcare cuts, and plan to axe public holidays set the stage for what may be his biggest political gamble yet
Alleged spy for Iran handed over to Germany after spying on Jewish targets
Est. 2minProsecutors allege that Ali S. in June gathered intelligence on three Jewish sites in Berlin, possibly in preparation for future attacks.
France claims victory on EU online child protection guidelines
Est. 3minParis also wasted no time in saying it will ban access to social media for children under 15, as other EU lawmakers and children's rights groups welcomed the Commission's approach.
Highest German court rejects Yemenis’ claim over US strikes
Est. 3minTwo Yemeni men had argued that Germany was partly responsible for a 2012 drone attack because the strike was aided by signals relayed via the Ramstein base in western Germany.
Berlin says EU must stick to 2035 diesel, petrol car ban
Est. 2minEurope's automotive superpower rejects calls to keep the internal combustion engine on life support.
400 days later: Brussels struggles to start talks on government deadlock
Est. 3minBrussels has been without a functioning government for 400 days. But a "creative solution" to fix the political deadlock is struggling to get off the ground.
France positions itself as ‘driving force’ behind Europe’s rearmament
Est. 3min“France and Germany will jointly contribute to strengthening Europe’s integration, capacity for action, and defence capability,” France’s strategic review states.
France walks a budget tightrope as Bayrou prepares 2026 austerity plan
Est. 5minFrance's Prime Minister will try to reduce the deficit from 5.4% of GDP this year to 4.6% next year. But without significant tax hikes, the move will necessarily entail a reduction in public spending.
Judge scandal shows impossibility of legalizing abortion in Germany
Est. 3minAbortion remains an explosive topic, even in a secular country like Germany. A forerunner to become a constitutional judge has been barred due to her pro-choice stance.
New Caledonia’s leaders reach ‘historic’ deal on French territory’s future
Est. 2minThe agreement follows deadly riots in 2024, triggered by France’s proposal to revise New Caledonia’s electoral roll.
New normal: Fight over controversial judge reflects new era in German politics
Est. 5minGermany's consensus-driven parliamentary system has entered a more rough-and-tumble period amid a rise of the political extremes.
German states unite against EU ‘superfund’ plan to absorb CAP
Est. 3minThe ministers are calling for simpler rules, more flexible funding, and stronger support for rural development in the next EU farm policy.
Franco-German fighter jet clash clouds future ahead of Macron-Merz talks
Est. 5minReported French demands for a greater share of work in the fighter jet programme have escalated long-standing tensions with Airbus, which leads the German side of the project.
Austria could soon be allowed to check suspects’ secure app messages
Est. 2min"An excessive, massively overreaching encroachment on our citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms," a lawmaker said about the bill that passed the Austrian lower house of parliament on Wednesday.
Merz acknowledges fresh tensions with France over FCAS fighter jet project
Est. 2minThe multibillion-euro joint European next-generation fighter jet project has repeatedly faced tensions between French and German aerospace firms.
French parliament passes controversial Duplomb law amid environmental backlash
Est. 3minThis bill comes at a time of crisis for French agriculture, a sector which has experienced a significant decline in 2024 including an 8.8% drop in production.
German economy minister opposes national digital tax
Est. 1minKatherina Reiche said Europe needs fewer, not more trade barriers with the US.
French far-right headquarters searched amid probe into campaign financing
Est. 2minThe Wednesday search of the Parisian headquarters of the National Rally is separate from the investigation the European Prosecutor's Office launched on Tuesday.
How Germany’s great conservative hope became Friedrich Merz’s greatest liability
Est. 6minJens Spahn, the powerful parliamentary leader of Merz's centre-right, faces a reckoning over Covid-era procurement calls that cost Germans billions.
Macron urges UK to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with EU in Westminster speech
Est. 4minThe French president echoed a speech in the same venue by Jacques Chirac, calling for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defence.
German court rules at-risk Afghan family must be given visas
Est. 2minThe ruling is a blow to Friedrich Merz, who pledged to end Germany's Afghan visa programme "as far as possible".
EXCLUSIVE: EU prosecutors open probe into far-right group linked to Le Pen
Est. 3minMedia reports allege €4.3 million in EU funds was misused by the far-right Identity and Democracy group from 2019-2024.
Germany moves towards drafting men for compulsory military service
Est. 2minWhile Merz's Christian Democrats are in favour of compulsory service, the SPD remains sceptical.