By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
EU gas shortfall risk of up to 15% if winter turns severe, report warns
The EU enters winter with gas storage at just 72%, down from 83% a year ago. A severe cold snap could trigger a 12-15% supply shortfall, acc
French student protests escalate as police clash with demonstrators in Paris
French students clashed with police in Paris as protests over education reform entered a fifth day. The UN has warned about the escalating v
Italy's Meloni secures electoral reform in confidence vote
Italy's lower house passed a contested electoral reform on Thursday, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. The vote, 227-164
Portugal's 2027 budget heads to parliament with Socialist abstention assured
The Portuguese government has submitted its 2027 budget to parliament, projecting 2% growth and a surplus of up to 0.2% of GDP. The Socialis
Portugal's 2027 budget: defence at 2.15% of GDP, youth housing guarantee kept
The Portuguese government submitted its 2027 budget draft to parliament, projecting 2% growth and a small surplus. Defence spending will rea
G7's 100-million-barrel oil pledge completes March emergency release
The G7's 100-million-barrel oil release pledge is part of the IEA's March emergency action, not a new commitment. An internal document revea
Seoul recalls envoy to Kyiv over prisoner disclosure row
South Korea has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine over Kyiv's public disclosure of the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war. S
Ukraine's frontline cities fight to survive another winter
As Ukraine braces for a fifth winter of war, frontline cities face a triple threat: energy attacks, economic collapse, and depopulation. Kha
Burnham and Merz to forge joint front against hybrid threats
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Thursday to discuss hybrid threats. The two lead
Excluding UK from 'Made in EU' would weaken Europe, minister warns
UK minister Hamish Falconer warns that excluding Britain from the EU's 'Made in Europe' industrial policy would fracture supply chains and w
EU return hubs: can they respect rights beyond the bloc?
EU ministers approved a new Return Regulation allowing return hubs in non-EU countries. Governments insist rights will be respected, but NGO
OECD forecasts real wage declines in four major EU economies, Germany bucks trend
The OECD expects real wages to decline in Italy, Spain, France and the UK between early 2026 and 2027, with Germany the only major European