By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Vienna Court Clears Former Austrian Diplomat in Case Involving Novichok Document
A Vienna criminal court acquitted former senior diplomat Johannes Peterlik of charges related to leaking a classified OPCW document containi
Sanna Marin Urges EU to Integrate Ukraine's Battlefield Lessons into Defence Strategy
Sanna Marin argues the EU is as dependent on Ukraine's military expertise as Kyiv is on Western aid. She warns that without applying Ukraine
Moldovan Court Sentences Oligarch Plahotniuc to 19 Years for $1 Billion Bank Fraud
A Moldovan court has sentenced oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison for fraud and leading a criminal organisation linked to th
Athens Mayor Proposes Hotel Permit Freeze to Avoid 'Barcelona-Style' Overtourism
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas has raised the possibility of halting new hotel permits in the Greek capital's most saturated areas. The city has
Germany, Poland, and Czechia Lead EU in Hosting Ukrainian Refugees After Four Years of War
Germany, Poland, and Czechia host the largest numbers of Ukrainians granted temporary protection in the EU, with over 4.4 million people und
EU Nations Enact Social Media Bans as Brussels Prepares Age Verification Tool
Multiple EU member states are implementing bans on social media for children under various age limits, citing mental health concerns. The Eu
Spain's Push to Suspend EU-Israel Deal Faces Overwhelming Opposition
Spain's proposal to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement lacks the necessary consensus among member states. Key countries like German
Starmer Concedes Error in Mandelson Appointment Amid Epstein Scandal Fallout
Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Parliament he was wrong to appoint Peter Mandelson as UK envoy to Washington. The appointment proceeded des
Europol Hackathon Identifies 45 Deported Ukrainian Children Using Open-Source Intelligence
A two-day investigative hackathon at Europol's headquarters in The Hague has successfully traced 45 Ukrainian children forcibly deported to
Péter Magyar's Victory in Hungary Reshapes Budapest's Stance Towards Brussels
Péter Magyar's conservative Tisza party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year premiership. The new lead
Bulgaria Activates EU Digital Shield Ahead of Snap Election Amid Disinformation Surge
Bulgaria has activated the EU's Digital Services Act rapid response system ahead of its 19 April snap election to combat foreign interferenc
Péter Magyar's Hungarian Victory Prompts EU Reform Debate in Brussels
Péter Magyar's decisive win in Hungary's parliamentary elections has generated optimism in Brussels, potentially easing tensions over Ukrain