By Pierre Lefevre
Paris-based political reporter. Bylines from Paris, Rome and Madrid. Closely follows elections and coalition politics.
Merz faces existential crisis after CDU's worst result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Germany's CDU recorded its worst-ever result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, failing to enter parliament. The AfD topped the poll there, w
Merz faces new setbacks as Ukraine launches record drone assault on Moscow
Germany's CDU under Friedrich Merz suffered significant losses in two state elections, boosting the far-right AfD. Meanwhile, Ukraine launch
France's public debt set to hit highest level since 1978
France's public debt is set to hit its highest level since 1978, reaching 119.3% of GDP in 2026. The government plans €54 billion in spendin
Macron and Carney pledge deeper France-Canada cooperation amid US tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to strengthen bilateral ties. The t
Meloni moves to ban full-face veils in Italian schools and cap foreign pupils
Giorgia Meloni has announced a school bill that would ban full-face veils in classrooms and cap the number of foreign students per class. Th
German state votes test Merz as far-right and far-left gain ground
Germans vote in two state elections on Sunday, with the far-right AfD and far-left Die Linke challenging the ruling parties. Results could i
Midday Europe Bulletin: September 20, 2026 – Key Updates
Our midday bulletin brings you the key stories shaping Europe on September 20, 2026. From political developments in Brussels to economic shi
Dutch police use water cannons as far-right rally turns violent in The Hague
Dutch riot police clashed with about 500 far-right demonstrators in The Hague on Saturday. Water cannons and police dogs were deployed after
Germany's top general Carsten Breuer to lead NATO Military Committee
General Carsten Breuer, Germany's chief of defence, will become the next chair of NATO's Military Committee in July 2027. He will serve as t
Ceuta's new migrant camp overflows, sending thousands back to beaches
More than 2,000 migrants in Ceuta had to return to the beaches after a new port facility filled beyond its 1,700-person capacity. The reloca
Macron to meet Carney in Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Emmanuel Macron will travel to Saint Pierre and Miquelon this weekend, the first French presidential visit since 2014. He will meet Canadian
Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill targeting energy revenues
The bill sanctions Russian officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of tankers. It also grants Trump authority to impose tariffs on major import