By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Hungary's Magyar Targets EU Funds Deal in Brussels Next Week
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar expects to sign a political agreement with the European Commission next week to release €10.4bn in fro
Putin Heads to Beijing Days After Trump, Testing China's Diplomatic Balance
Putin arrives in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with Xi Jinping, just days after Trump's underwhelming visit. The Kremlin denies a link, but t
Brussels and Washington at Odds Over Trade Deal as Trump's Deadline Nears
The European Parliament is debating a trade deal with the US that includes defensive measures against American tariffs. A 4 July deadline lo
Europe Faces a Hostile Economic Order as G7 Tensions and Energy Crisis Mount
G7 finance ministers meet in Paris amid economic volatility and US-Iran tensions. Italy's Meloni threatens to withdraw from EU defence loan
NATO Military Chiefs Convene as Iran War Strains Alliance Munitions
NATO military chiefs gather in Brussels to confront the rapid depletion of high-grade munitions due to the US-led Iran war. The conflict has
Lebanon's President Vows 'Impossible' to End War with Israel as Strikes Persist
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says he will 'do the impossible' to stop the war with Israel. Despite a ceasefire announced in April, Israeli
Iran Establishes Strait of Hormuz Authority to Levy Transit Fees on Ships
Iran has launched the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to manage and charge ships for transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The move, which for
EU's New Order of Merit for Merkel Signals Stability Amid Transatlantic Strains
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel receives the inaugural European Order of Merit this week. The award revives debate over her legacy, b
Hungary Signals Shift on Ukraine EU Accession Talks After Orbán Era
Hungary's new government signals openness to Ukraine's EU accession talks, initiating technical discussions on Hungarian minority rights in
Russia Unleashes Massive Drone and Missile Barrage on Eight Ukrainian Regions
Russia fired 524 drones and 22 missiles at eight Ukrainian regions overnight, wounding 26 people including children. President Zelenskyy cal
Meloni Presses EU to Treat Energy Crisis Like Defence Emergency, Seek Fiscal Flexibility
Giorgia Meloni has called on the European Commission to extend the same fiscal flexibility granted for defence to energy security. In a lett
EU-US Trade Deal Faces Final Hurdle in Strasbourg as Trump's Tariff Deadline Looms
EU lawmakers and diplomats gather in Strasbourg for make-or-break talks on the EU-US trade deal. Disagreements over the sunrise clause and s