The dispute over the annulled presidential election continues in Romania. Călin Georgescu, the right-wing populist who came first in the cancelled first round, has been detained and questioned. Criminal proceedings launched against him include charges of election campaign irregularities, plans to attack the constitutional order and links to the Wagner Russian mercenary group.
On the second anniversary of the Tempi train crash, a general strike will take place across Greece on Friday. Trade unions, members of the opposition and relatives are demanding justice for the 57 victims and consequences for those responsible. Many see the causes of the accident and the inadequate investigation as a symptom of a corrupt state rendered dysfunctional by austerity measures and privatisation.
Governments across Europe are looking for ways to boost their defence and security spending. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed relaxing the EU's debt rules, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to increase his country's defence budget to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027. Europe's media question whether Europe's leaders are setting the right priorities for the long term.
The AfD, parts of which Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified as "definitely right-wing extremist", has emerged from the German federal election as the second strongest party, having secured 20.8 percent of the vote. In the states of the former East Germany it even came first. Europe's press analyses the results and seeks reasons for the weakening of the political centre.
On the third anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the US voted with Russia, China and other states to pass a resolution in the UN Security Council calling for a swift end to the war without naming Moscow as the aggressor. The European member states abstained, and in the UN General Assembly a majority condemned the attack. Press commentaries see a reversal in the US's stance.
Following the conservative CDU/CSU's victory in the Bundestag elections, its chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has announced that talks aimed at forming a governing coalition with the SPD will begin within the next few days. Europe's press discusses what to expect from the man who looks set to lead Germany.
After Sunday's elections to the German Bundestag, the leader of the CDU, Friedrich Merz, is widely expected to initiate coalition talks with the SPD. Together, the two parties hold a majority in the new parliament. Europe's media take a look at what this could mean for Germany's role on the continent.
Today is the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. To mark the anniversary, the highest EU representatives and several Western leaders are visiting Kyiv. Together with host Volodymyr Zelensky they will discuss how to respond to the turnaround in US foreign policy initiated by US President Donald Trump and how to support Ukraine against the advancing Russian troops.
Germany will elect a new government in a snap federal election this Sunday. The latest polls put the CDU/CSU in the lead at around 30 percent, followed by the right-wing populist AfD with 20 percent. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD and the Greens are trailing behind with 16 and 13 to 14 percent, respectively. The Left Party (6 to 8 percent), Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance and the FDP (both at 4 to 5 percent) all stand a fair chance of securing seats in the Bundestag. What's at stake for Germany and Europe here?
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Washington on Monday to talk about Ukraine with US President Donald Trump. In the run-up to the meeting Macron has said he wants to convince Trump to work more closely with Europe to achieve peace in Ukraine and to warn him not to be taken in by Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin. The European press takes a closer look.
US President Trump has slammed his Ukrainian counterpart and put him under immense pressure. As "a dictator without elections" Volodymyr Zelensky "better move fast or he is not going to have a country left", Trump warned. His attacks come after his call with kremlin boss Putin and the meeting between the US secretary of state and Russian foreign minister in Riyadh. Most commentators in Europe's press reject the accusations in style and content.