europe

July 08, 2024
July 08, 2024

France’s leftist New Popular Front wins a shock victory – but now the hard part begins

France's New Popular Front has won the largest number of seats in the final round of snap parliamentary elections, leaving behind the remnants of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist camp and the far-right National Rally trailing in third place. It’s a staggering result for a closely fought election that has left the country without a clear candidate for prime minister – and the hastily assembled broad leftist coalition without an absolute majority that would allow it to push through its ambitious programme.

July 02, 2024
July 02, 2024

Le Pen’s far right is on the cusp of power in France – what happens next?

The “clarification” President Emmanuel Macron invoked as he called France’s snap elections has clarified this much: that French voters no longer want him to govern alone – or indeed at all. Exactly who he should share power with remains an open question after an inconclusive first round that has handed Marine Le Pen’s far right a commanding win, but not yet a decisive one. 

June 26, 2024
June 26, 2024

NATO appoints Dutch PM Rutte as next secretary general

NATO tapped outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte Wednesday to become the bloc’s next secretary-general who will replace Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg from October 1. Stoltenberg led NATO for more than a decade during which his mandate was extended due to the war in Ukraine.

June 21, 2024
June 21, 2024

How Jordan Bardella became France’s far-right poster boy

With a charismatic blend of youthful vigour and strategic communication, far-right leader Jordan Bardella has captivated millions on social media, a sign of the "Bardella mania" that has swept through France’s younger demographic. At just 28, Bardella's ascent to the top of the National Rally party formerly led by Marine Le Pen and Macron's call for snap legislative elections may well pave the road to the prime minister's office. 

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