Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
Politics · page 13 of 14
Friedrich Merz won the chancellery on the second ballot after an unprecedented first-round failure, but the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition faces immediate tests on economic reform, defence spending and internal trust.
Germany's new chancellor needed two ballots to win confirmation, exposing deep fractures in the CDU-SPD coalition as France drifts and Ukraine presses for stronger European leadership.
National governments replace binding sector list with voluntary guidance, shifting burden to national authorities as Parliament prepares stricter position for May vote.
Friedrich Merz takes office leading a CDU-SPD coalition that has already torn up the debt brake, promising a €500bn off-budget fund for infrastructure and defence while pledging to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
From May 1, all accredited lobbyists must activate badges and declare the purpose of each visit to Parliament buildings, a measure agreed by leadership in March 2024.
Mark Carney's Liberal Party wins Canadian election as former central banker campaigns on standing up to Trump; EU and NATO allies signal deeper cooperation ahead of June summit in The Hague.
A former Fidesz insider has built a credible challenge to Viktor Orban's 15-year rule, polling eight points ahead with a platform that mirrors the prime minister's rhetoric while promising anti-corruption reform and EU integration.
The EU executive extends its contact ban to any organisation advancing the Chinese firm's interests, following Belgian charges against eight people including a senior Huawei executive.
Polling shows EU approval at record highs and migration sliding down voter priorities, but economists warn protectionism will deepen the labour shortages that make migration unavoidable.
Municipal and regional votes deliver a 12-point swing from the far right to the Social Democrats and Left Alliance, weakening the Orpo coalition a year after it took office.
The European Commission has listed Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco and Tunisia as safe countries of origin, aiming to speed up asylum decisions and deportations despite human rights warnings.
A Paris court banned the National Rally leader from office for five years with immediate effect, but a complex appeals process could yet allow her to stand in the next presidential election.
Friedrich Merz's CDU and the Social Democrats agree a fifth grand coalition with a 13-seat majority, pledging to reform debt rules, boost the Bundeswehr and tighten borders as Germany faces recession and AfD gains.
Far-right party signals it may withdraw support for minority government, raising prospect of fresh political crisis just four months after Barnier's fall
Paris court finds National Rally leader guilty of misappropriating €3 million in European Parliament funds, imposing immediate ban that blocks her 2027 presidential run.
EU foreign policy chief criticised for bypassing capitals on ammunition plan and inflaming Washington after Trump-Zelenskyy clash
CDU/CSU and SPD negotiators have agreed on detention expansion, family reunification freeze and safe-country list additions, while defence spending and military service remain unresolved.
Petr Fiala says the ANO leader's opposition to the Czech ammunition initiative and defence spending effectively helps Moscow, while STEM polling puts Babiš on 33 percent against the governing coalition's 17 percent.
Britain, France, Germany and Nordic states are holding structured talks on a managed transfer of defence responsibilities, aiming to present a framework at the June NATO summit in The Hague.
A scenario where Reform UK wins the most votes but Labour retains a Commons majority would expose first-past-the-post's distortions more starkly than 2024, campaigners argue.
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