By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
EU Repatriation Orders Hit Five-Year High as Germany, France Lead Expulsions
EU repatriation orders hit a five-year high in 2025, with nearly 500,000 issued. Germany carried out the most expulsions, followed by France
Italy and France Condemn Israel's Treatment of Gaza Flotilla Detainees
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Israel's treatment of Gaza flotilla activists 'unacceptable' after a video showed them bound an
Visegrád Group Eyes Revival as Hungary's New PM Seeks Reset with Neighbors
Hungary's new PM Péter Magyar is pushing to revive the Visegrád Four, with a summit planned in Budapest. The group, once a powerful bloc in
Von der Leyen Vows EU Response After Drone Incidents Rattle Baltic States
Vilnius briefly shut down on Wednesday after a suspected drone incursion, grounding flights and evacuating top officials. European Commissio
Putin and Xi Deepen Military Ties in Beijing, Dimming Hopes of Splitting Russia from China
Putin and Xi signed a joint statement in Beijing on Wednesday, agreeing to deepen military cooperation. The pact underscores their unyieldin
Von der Leyen Urges EU to Finish Single Market, Cut Red Tape for Competitiveness
Von der Leyen told MEPs the EU must tear down remaining internal market barriers to compete globally. She criticized 'gold plating' of EU ru
US to Reduce Military Capabilities Available to NATO Allies in Wartime
The US is set to announce a reduction in military capabilities available to NATO in the event of conflict, part of a pivot away from Europe.
Xi Urges Middle East Ceasefire but Avoids Pressuring Putin on Ukraine
Xi Jinping told Vladimir Putin it is 'imperative' to stop the conflict in the Middle East, but made no mention of Ukraine. The meeting in Be
Beyond the Guest List: What Russia and China Really Want from Each Other
Putin's delegation includes five deputy prime ministers and the head of Russia's central bank, signaling deep economic dependence on China.
EU Parliament Reaches Deal on US Trade Pact as Putin Meets Xi in Beijing
The European Parliament has struck a deal on the EU-US trade pact signed last July. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin meets Xi Jinping in Beijing, r
EU Moves to Implement US Trade Deal Amid Lingering Transatlantic Tensions
EU negotiators have agreed to implement the controversial Turnberry Agreement, eliminating duties on most US industrial goods. The deal rema
Merkel Warns Europe's Security Assumptions Are Outdated After Ukraine Invasion
Angela Merkel received the European Order of Merit on Tuesday. She cautioned that Europe cannot take peace for granted after Russia's war in