By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Brussels seeks new powers to force electricity cuts in EU crises
The European Commission is drafting rules to declare EU-wide electricity alarms and mandate demand reductions. The plan also covers gas-fire
Zelenskyy Urges EU to Keep Usmanov and Fridman Sanctioned as Deadline Nears
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly urged EU member states to keep Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman on the bloc's sanctions list. A compromi
Macron Urges EU to Loosen Fuel Rules as Hormuz Closure Bites
Emmanuel Macron has written to Ursula von der Leyen warning that Europe's energy buffers are eroding fast. He wants temporary relaxations of
Burnham to press von der Leyen on UK access to EU procurement plan
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New York to discuss the EU's 'Made in Europe'
Macron reports constructive talks with Trump on Red Sea and Ukraine
Macron called his talks with Trump 'very constructive', focusing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilising the Red Sea. He also pres
Greece Urges EU Budget to Bankroll Offshore Migrant Return Hubs
Greece's deputy foreign minister says the EU's next long-term budget must cover the cost of offshore migrant return hubs. Greece, Austria, D
Latvia blocks EU deal to drop Usmanov from sanctions list
Latvia has blocked a French-backed deal to remove Alisher Usmanov from EU sanctions. The move threatens the renewal of the entire sanctions
Trump and Zelenskyy to Meet at UN as EU Sanctions Deadline Slips
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. EU ambassadors in Brussels failed to agree
Burnham and Trump set for first face-to-face at UN General Assembly
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet US President Donald Trump for the first time at the UN General Assembly in New York. Talks are expe
Pope Leo XIV's first official visit to France draws massive crowds in Paris
Pope Leo XIV arrives in Paris for his first official visit to France, with up to 250,000 people expected to line the streets. He will meet P
Room sharing in Spain rises as flat rents push tenants out
A new Fotocasa report finds 3.2% of Spaniards have rented or looked for a room, up from 2.8% a year ago. High prices and limited supply are
Putin's United Russia secures record Duma supermajority as EU threatens sanctions
United Russia secured 355 of 450 Duma seats, a record supermajority, in elections that excluded all opposition to the Kremlin. The EU condem