Politico Europe
May 2026
Malta’s prime minister declares historic victory in snap election
Abela called a snap election in April, four years into his five-year term, amid fears the war in Iran and the ensuing economic shock could erode support for his government
We’ve written history. This is a victory for all of Malta,
Hundreds arrested in Paris after football revelry turns ugly
Thousands of supporters flooded the streets, vandalizing businesses, letting off fireworks and flares and clashing with police officers who deployed tear gas
Only in France does a football club’s victory spark riots. Only in France does everyone feel compelled to lock themselves in their homes on the evening of a victory to avoid being confronted with violence,
Israel captures Crusader castle as war expands in southern Lebanon
This is a clear message to our enemies: Those who threaten the citizens of Israel will lose their strategic assets one by one,
AfD, Vox mingle with ex-US Border Patrol chief, white nationalist leader at ‘remigration summit’
Some 500 activists and influencers gathered south of Porto on Saturday to discuss the concept, once a fringe term only whispered in far-right circles
I am very happy to come over and lend some expertise to the Europeans” to tackle “illegal aliens destroying European culture,
I don’t consider myself a hateful person,
We have a very neurotic relationship to our own ethnicity, our own ethno-cultural identity and I think we need to overcome that,
The United States influences Europe more than the other way around,
If there is inspiration gained from the U.S. Border Patrol model and method, then fantastic,
When the word is acknowledged by the president of a major power … one can no longer say that it is marginal,
Attal highlights break with Macron in first rally in French presidential bid
Gabriel Attal on Saturday kicked off his presidential election campaign with a major rally in Paris, vowing to move beyond the Macron era and reform a system he said is no longer delivering for the French people
We must embrace the future … because the system is currently sacrificing it,
A country that no longer controls its borders no longer controls its destiny,
For decades, we have been trapped in a system that patches up the failures of the past instead of preparing for the future. By constantly chasing the past, this system is exhausting itself, and exhausting the country,
My first promise is that we will once again become Europe’s leading power within six years. That is our rank, our place, our destiny,
Beijing threatens retaliation over EU moves to curb China imports
China on Saturday warned the EU against imposing new trade restrictions, as Brussels prepares a broad crackdown on Beijing’s industrial overcapacity amid mounting fears for the future of European manufacturing
I think there is still a road to have a constructive dialogue with China, but we can’t let Europe be the victim of a predatory strategy that is destroying our industry. New tools, new measures, new political will are needed,
If the EU insists on unilaterally introducing new trade instruments and adopting discriminatory restrictions, China will take resolute countermeasures and effective steps to safeguard its own interests,
The current state of the trade and investment relationship is not sustainable,
Communication channels between China and the EU remain open. The two sides are exploring the establishment of a trade and investment consultation mechanism and will carry out related dialogues,
UK, US, Australia in undersea drone project to deepen AUKUS defense partnership
AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership established in 2021 by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States
The signature project will deliver a suite of highly adaptable multi-mission UUV payloads designed to support undersea operations and maintain our collective advantage in the maritime domain,
For too long in AUKUS, we talked too much and delivered too little,
This is the three countries putting real capability that we will put into the hands of the warfighter next year, and we are enormously pleased that we have been able to reach agreement,
We are accelerating delivery of advanced capabilities to our war fighters, and together today we are pleased to announce the first AUKUS ‘Pillar Two’ signature project focused on fielding advanced uncrewed undersea vehicles, or UUVs,
The United States, as we’ve said from the beginning, and we think the review we undertook only strengthened this partnership, remains committed to the AUKUS partnership and is moving as quickly as possible to enhance our combined submarine presence in the Pacific region,
Judge launches inquiry into Trump-IRS settlement that led to ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
A federal judge is demanding answers to allegations that President Donald Trump defrauded her court by filing a lawsuit against the IRS as a pretext to reach a settlement that resulted in a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund to make payouts to his political allies
A party’s decision to file a frivolous lawsuit for the sole purpose of forcing a settlement may qualify as such an improper purpose,
Germany pushes back on US attack over streaming law
It is agreed that no unjustified digital trade barriers will be erected. And we are adhering to that,
Berlin gives the OK for tougher trade action on China
Germany has signaled its willingness for the EU to take firmer action to stop a surge in Chinese goods, buoying a new push by the European Commission to strengthen the bloc’s trade defenses
China is a critical partner, and engagement and dialogue will continue while communication channels remain open.”
Poland’s president snubs Zelenskyy over historical slight
During the 1940s, the UPA fought against Soviet forces, and many Ukrainians today honor it as a symbol of resistance to Russian domination
In the European family, bandits and murderers who killed women and children, who killed Poles … cannot be glorified, and UPA cannot be glorified,
Unfortunately, President Zelenskyy has proven that Ukraine, given its mentality of glorifying the bandits and murderers of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, is not ready to be part of the European family,
You cannot talk about partnership with Poland and reconciliation one day, and then glorify the groups responsible for the massacre of thousands of Poles the next,
Hungary’s Magyar has ‘unlocked’ €16B in EU cash. Getting it is another story.
We haven’t agreed to disburse the funds,
There is a political understanding on the landing zone,
That funding cannot be recovered,
Based on today’s meeting, €16.4 billion euros have been unlocked,
Romania asks for NATO support after Russian drone crash
We have summoned the Russian ambassador … to inform them that we will close down the general consulate in Constanța” and the Russian consul general will be expelled
This is an unacceptable and blatant violation of our airspace,
Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another line.”
They are evolving with the threats, and we are evolving defense, but not fast enough,
Budapest Pride allowed to take place in 2026
We are very happy with this. It’s a hopeful signal for democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary after years of attacks on the LGBTQI+ community.”
The Budapest Metropolitan Police has approved the 2026 Budapest Pride Parade and also has issued restrictive orders in relation to three counter-demonstrations,
This is the right decision. It demonstrates that, despite the suffocating political climate of the past decade and a half, the culture of freedom in Hungary has endured,
It shows that there are still people with the courage to stand firm. It shows that what is plainly true cannot be obscured by dishonest rhetoric,
EU’s big 6 pitch a rival to Wall Street
The finance ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland emerged victorious on Thursday from a mini summit in Berlin, green-lighting the contours of a deal that aims to turn the EU into an investment powerhouse that can rival Wall Street and the City of London
I don’t think a separate structure is feasible, because it would conflict with the prevailing perception in all member states today that fragmentation must stop,
We have striven to find a balanced compromise that reflects our stance and may serveas a contribution for further discussions in the Council,
Japan sending troops to train with NATO’s Ukraine mission
The Japanese personnel will be stationed at NATO’s Ukraine mission in Wiesbaden, Germany
The deployment marks a further deepening of cooperation between Japan and NATO,
Kenyan court halts US plans for Ebola quarantine facility for Americans
The 50-bed facility, located about 125 miles north of the capital, Nairobi, would have started operating on Friday
The secretive, unilateral establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility raises grave constitutional concerns regarding the rights to life, health, fair administrative action, public participation, and parliamentary oversight,
Austrian sentenced to 15 years for planning attack on Taylor Swift concert
He also admitted to having been a supporter of Islamic State
Reform knew of Makerfield candidate’s deleted accounts before selecting him
Rob declared his accounts during the vetting process as everyone is expected to. The party has fully backed him as our candidate for Makerfield.”
Bardella: European countries should buy French warplanes to join nuclear club
Before asking France to extend its nuclear umbrella, our European partners must stop buying [American-made] F-35s and start buying Rafales instead,
Why the Conservatives are so cheery: inside the Tory reboot
EU leaders condemn Russia for drone crash in Romania
Russia’s escalation on EU territory is reckless and irresponsible. I condemn in the strongest terms this violation of Romania’s national airspace and of international law.”
Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all,
Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders. Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity.”
China: the ‘abusive’ partner the EU just can’t quit?
Russian drone hits apartment block in Romania, defense ministry says
The Tories think they’re onto a winning plan — even as they keep losing
It’s a good plan, but it still doesn’t deal with your fundamental problem that you’ve ceased talking to large parts of the country,
The Conservatives are in a very difficult position tactically. When they criticize Labour — they spent a lot of time working on the Mandelson story — who did it benefit? It benefited Reform.”
We’ve come up with robust, properly thought through savings and we’ve recognized we need to stay paying down the deficit and ultimately the debt. Some people may say that’s all a bit dull and boring, but actually coming up with good plans is increasingly important.”
Elections are still won in the middle ground. We need to sit back and let Labour implode and then put our plan into action.... But things like immigration policy are really hard for us. Reform is out there promising truly undeliverable things but with our record it’s hard to convince people we will be the party to get immigration down.”
Coming close would be good. Winning would be amazing. If the Tories start to gain seats in by-elections, then anything is possible”.
Kemi’s been up there quite a lot,