euobserver — EU news that matters

euobserver.comSecrecy Tracker: Media groups urge von der Leyen to tackle EU secrecy as watchdog probes Gaza documentsPublishers and media organisations, including EUobserver, urge the European Commission to improve transparency as concerns grow over restricted access to EU documents, while secrecy surrounding Gaza funding has been picked up by the EU ombudsman.

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Publishers and media organisations, including EUobserver, urge the European Commission to improve transparency as concerns grow over restricted access to EU documents, while secrecy surrounding Gaza funding has been picked up by the EU ombudsman.

euobserver.comEurope’s centre parties are collapsing – and, for the first time, the far-right are collaborating, rather than fightingOpinion polling from the Pew Research Center found that 69 percent of the French population is dissatisfied with democracy, Italy 62 percent, Poland 47 percent and Spain 68 percent. All are facing upcoming elections.

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Europe’s centre parties are collapsing – and, for the first time, the far-right are collaborating, rather than fighting

euobserver.comFinnish president Stubb joins list of EU leaders seeking to tame Putin, in a 90-minute Kremlin phone call that caused a rift with DenmarkThe Finnish-Norwegian call was "not coordinated with any of us [allies]" in advance, said Denmark's Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday - directly contradicting Finland's Alexander Stubb and Norway's Jonas Gahr Støre. "I really don't understand what these two countries think can be achieved this way," she said.

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Finnish president Stubb joins list of EU leaders seeking to tame Putin, in a 90-minute Kremlin phone call that caused a rift with Denmark

euobserver.comTwo graphs and one map show that Russia is not currently winning the war (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,706)Analysts tracking satellite images, daily engagements and shifting frontlines say the war has frozen into a deadly stalemate.

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Two graphs and one map show that Russia is not currently winning the war (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,706)

euobserver.comEU plans massive investment in Australia’s critical minerals to cut dependence on ChinaAustralia has announced plans to overhaul its national critical minerals strategy, and the EU says it wants to invest 'massively' in refining and processing.

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EU plans massive investment in Australia’s critical minerals to cut dependence on China

euobserver.com[Interview] There are still more American soldiers than Western ones on Nato’s eastern border, says defence expert Robert PszczelDonald Trump’s 9 October diesel deal with Vladimir Putin left Europeans - including Ukraine - out in the cold, as US dollars will now become key aid in the financing of Russia's war.

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[Interview] There are still more American soldiers than Western ones on Nato’s eastern border, says defence expert Robert Pszczel

euobserver.comRevealed: New data shows Big Tech lobbying pushing EU towards sweeping data-protection rollbackNew report points to extensive industry access to European politicians, as governments back changes to data protection rules in the name of AI competitiveness.

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New report points to extensive industry access to European politicians, as governments back changes to data protection rules in the name of AI competitiveness.

euobserver.comEurope is in denial about war — and that’s how wars startEuropeans have not experienced war for so long that they don’t recognize it anymore, and don’t see it coming. That was also the case just before the outbreak of the First World War.

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Europe is in denial about war — and that’s how wars start

euobserver.comFarming ministers agree on more national control of EU funds as part of CAP reformsThe bulk of EU agriculture subsidies are set to distributed via a new system of national and regional plans, as governments seize control of the bloc's subsidy scheme.

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Farming ministers agree on more national control of EU funds as part of CAP reforms

euobserver.comPartial victory for disabled rights, as some carers may board flights for free from 2027Under newly-agreed rules expected to come into force in 2027, airlines will decide whether or not companions to disabled passengers are deemed necessary for safety reasons. Only if their presence is required will their ticket be free, while companions traveling with disabled passengers anyway will have to pay for a full-price fare.

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Partial victory for disabled rights, as some carers may board flights for free from 2027

euobserver.comListen: What should we expect from the Israeli elections?Israelis are heading to the polls today for legislative elections. It is the first national vote since 2022, and a decisive moment for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is running again.

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Listen: What should we expect from the Israeli elections?

euobserver.comEurope’s centre parties are collapsing – and, for the first time, the far-right are collaborating, rather than fightingOpinion polling from the Pew Research Center found that 69 percent of the French population is dissatisfied with democracy, Italy 62 percent, Poland 47 percent and Spain 68 percent. All are facing upcoming elections.

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Opinion polling from the Pew Research Center found that 69 percent of the French population is dissatisfied with democracy, Italy 62 percent, Poland 47 percent and Spain 68 percent. All are facing upcoming elections.

euobserver.comTwo graphs and one map show that Russia is not currently winning the war (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,706)Analysts tracking satellite images, daily engagements and shifting frontlines say the war has frozen into a deadly stalemate.

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Analysts tracking satellite images, daily engagements and shifting frontlines say the war has frozen into a deadly stalemate.

euobserver.comEU plans massive investment in Australia’s critical minerals to cut dependence on ChinaAustralia has announced plans to overhaul its national critical minerals strategy, and the EU says it wants to invest 'massively' in refining and processing.

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Australia has announced plans to overhaul its national critical minerals strategy, and the EU says it wants to invest 'massively' in refining and processing.

euobserver.com[Interview] There are still more American soldiers than Western ones on Nato’s eastern border, says defence expert Robert PszczelDonald Trump’s 9 October diesel deal with Vladimir Putin left Europeans - including Ukraine - out in the cold, as US dollars will now become key aid in the financing of Russia's war.

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Donald Trump’s 9 October diesel deal with Vladimir Putin left Europeans - including Ukraine - out in the cold, as US dollars will now become key aid in the financing of Russia's war.

euobserver.comEurope is in denial about war — and that’s how wars startEuropeans have not experienced war for so long that they don’t recognize it anymore, and don’t see it coming. That was also the case just before the outbreak of the First World War.

20h

Europeans have not experienced war for so long that they don’t recognize it anymore, and don’t see it coming. That was also the case just before the outbreak of the First World War.

euobserver.comFarming ministers agree on more national control of EU funds as part of CAP reformsThe bulk of EU agriculture subsidies are set to distributed via a new system of national and regional plans, as governments seize control of the bloc's subsidy scheme.

20h

The bulk of EU agriculture subsidies are set to distributed via a new system of national and regional plans, as governments seize control of the bloc's subsidy scheme.

euobserver.comListen: What should we expect from the Israeli elections?Israelis are heading to the polls today for legislative elections. It is the first national vote since 2022, and a decisive moment for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is running again.

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Israelis are heading to the polls today for legislative elections. It is the first national vote since 2022, and a decisive moment for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is running again.

euobserver.comOne supply scare pushed China into renewables. Two real crises still haven’t woken Europe upThe mere threat of losing control of one maritime strait turned China into a clean tech powerhouse, while Europe, hit by two real energy shocks in a few years, is wasting time watering down its green rules.

One supply scare pushed China into renewables. Two real crises still haven’t woken Europe up

euobserver.comOne-in-three European voters now support an authoritarian or populist party, new research revealsA historically-high number of voters have chosen parties classified as authoritarian or populist, according to a new report analysing parliamentary election results for 260 parties in 31 countries since 1946, or since the year free elections were first held.

One-in-three European voters now support an authoritarian or populist party, new research reveals

euobserver.comBrazil’s Lula survives Bolsonaro scare, safeguarding EU democratic ally on climate and tradeBrazil's workers' party leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defied all odds to become the first president to win the second round of elections after losing in primaries. Though his adversary has failed to acknowledge defeat, EU leaders and pro-democracy groups expressed relief at the unexpected comeback.

Brazil’s Lula survives Bolsonaro scare, safeguarding EU democratic ally on climate and trade

euobserver.comEx-EU commissioner Reynders faces new Belgian and Polish scrutiny after EUobserver revelationsEUobserver revealed last week that a director in the Belgian intelligence service (VSSE), had exchanged WhatsApp messages with ex-EU commissioner Didier Reynders, which may have been part of a criminal conspiracy to block VSSE reports into Reynders alleged wrongdoing.

Ex-EU commissioner Reynders faces new Belgian and Polish scrutiny after EUobserver revelations

euobserver.comUkrainian offensive creeping forward in south-east, near Velyka Novosilka (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,705)This is where the borders of three regions meet: Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. It has received less attention in recent months because there have been more active areas of the front.

Ukrainian offensive creeping forward in south-east, near Velyka Novosilka (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,705)

euobserver.comSerbia’s student protestors win parliamentary majority – setting scene for showdown with Vučić for December’s presidential pollSerbia’s student movement has broken Aleksandar Vučić’s decade-long hold on parliament.

Serbia’s student protestors win parliamentary majority – setting scene for showdown with Vučić for December’s presidential poll

euobserver.comCzech government approves first step to scrapping TV and radio licence fees in 4.36am vote, sparking protestsIf changes pass, citizens will no longer pay licence fees toward Czech Television and Czech Radio, and the government will instead fund public media operations from the state budget. Opposition MPs and experts have described these far-reaching changes as a dangerous attempt to weaken public service media, threatening their independence.

Czech government approves first step to scrapping TV and radio licence fees in 4.36am vote, sparking protests

euobserver.comI led Israel’s oldest peace group and advised the Knesset. Netanyahu may fall on Tuesday, but the West Bank annexation policies won’tIsrael's election on Tuesday could bring a new government without changing the country's course. Having worked as a parliamentary adviser in the Knesset and later as executive director of Peace Now, I know how that can happen, writes Shaqued Morag.

I led Israel’s oldest peace group and advised the Knesset. Netanyahu may fall on Tuesday, but the West Bank annexation policies won’t

euobserver.comListen: How close is the AfD to governing in Saxony-Anhalt?Production: By Europod, in co-production with Sphera Network. EUobserver is proud to have an editorial partnership with Europod to co-publish the podcast series “Briefed” hosted by Léa Marchal. The podcast is available on all major platforms. Find the full transcript below: In Germany, the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) won two state elections in September. Now, talks are […]

Listen: How close is the AfD to governing in Saxony-Anhalt?

euobserver.comUkraine blowback. How Russia is using the Global South to beat the WestThe Ukraine battlefield is the hottest part of Russia’s war on the West, but not the only one. The Kremlin is betting that sabotage, intimidation and other sub-threshold attacks will make Ukraine’s allies so distracted, scared and tired that they cut their support to Kyiv. Meanwhile Russia’s political warfare is reaping rewards in Africa, Asia and Latin America, writes Edward Lucas.

Ukraine blowback. How Russia is using the Global South to beat the West

euobserver.comOne supply scare pushed China into renewables. Two real crises still haven’t woken Europe upThe mere threat of losing control of one maritime strait turned China into a clean tech powerhouse, while Europe, hit by two real energy shocks in a few years, is wasting time watering down its green rules.

The mere threat of losing control of one maritime strait turned China into a clean tech powerhouse, while Europe, hit by two real energy shocks in a few years, is wasting time watering down its green rules.

euobserver.comOne-in-three European voters now support an authoritarian or populist party, new research revealsA historically-high number of voters have chosen parties classified as authoritarian or populist, according to a new report analysing parliamentary election results for 260 parties in 31 countries since 1946, or since the year free elections were first held.

A historically-high number of voters have chosen parties classified as authoritarian or populist, according to a new report analysing parliamentary election results for 260 parties in 31 countries since 1946, or since the year free elections were first held.

euobserver.com[Exclusive] Iran war and Israeli airstrikes derail thousands of EU deportation flightsWith European airlines warned off Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and low-altitude routes over Syria, Brussels’ promise to boost the return of migrants and failed asylum-sekkers is colliding with hard security risks, rising costs and a backlog of 5,500 failed deportation attempts.

[Exclusive] Iran war and Israeli airstrikes derail thousands of EU deportation flights

euobserver.comEx-EU commissioner Reynders faces new Belgian and Polish scrutiny after EUobserver revelationsEUobserver revealed last week that a director in the Belgian intelligence service (VSSE), had exchanged WhatsApp messages with ex-EU commissioner Didier Reynders, which may have been part of a criminal conspiracy to block VSSE reports into Reynders alleged wrongdoing.

EUobserver revealed last week that a director in the Belgian intelligence service (VSSE), had exchanged WhatsApp messages with ex-EU commissioner Didier Reynders, which may have been part of a criminal conspiracy to block VSSE reports into Reynders alleged wrongdoing.

euobserver.comTHIS WEEK: the EU’s new Canada offer, cash for farmers and Russia’s Lavrov returns to G20?EU and Canadian leaders will look to flesh out the terms of closer cooperation on energy, trade and defence at a summit in Montréal this week.

THIS WEEK: the EU’s new Canada offer, cash for farmers and Russia’s Lavrov returns to G20?

euobserver.comUkrainian offensive creeping forward in south-east, near Velyka Novosilka (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,705)This is where the borders of three regions meet: Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. It has received less attention in recent months because there have been more active areas of the front.

This is where the borders of three regions meet: Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. It has received less attention in recent months because there have been more active areas of the front.

euobserver.comSerbia’s student protestors win parliamentary majority – setting scene for showdown with Vučić for December’s presidential pollSerbia’s student movement has broken Aleksandar Vučić’s decade-long hold on parliament.

Serbia’s student movement has broken Aleksandar Vučić’s decade-long hold on parliament.

euobserver.comI led Israel’s oldest peace group and advised the Knesset. Netanyahu may fall on Tuesday, but the West Bank annexation policies won’tIsrael's election on Tuesday could bring a new government without changing the country's course. Having worked as a parliamentary adviser in the Knesset and later as executive director of Peace Now, I know how that can happen, writes Shaqued Morag.

Israel's election on Tuesday could bring a new government without changing the country's course. Having worked as a parliamentary adviser in the Knesset and later as executive director of Peace Now, I know how that can happen, writes Shaqued Morag.

euobserver.comPeaceful demise of Vučić in Serbia stands in contrast to second weekend of riots in French citiesVučić acknowledged defeat shortly after 9.30PM on Sunday, when exit polls put his SNS party on 105 seats in parliament, behind the reformist Student List movement, led by cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic, on 135 to 140.

Peaceful demise of Vučić in Serbia stands in contrast to second weekend of riots in French cities

euobserver.com[Exclusive] Iran war and Israeli airstrikes derail thousands of EU deportation flightsWith European airlines warned off Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and low-altitude routes over Syria, Brussels’ promise to boost the return of migrants and failed asylum-sekkers is colliding with hard security risks, rising costs and a backlog of 5,500 failed deportation attempts.

With European airlines warned off Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and low-altitude routes over Syria, Brussels’ promise to boost the return of migrants and failed asylum-sekkers is colliding with hard security risks, rising costs and a backlog of 5,500 failed deportation attempts.

euobserver.comTHIS WEEK: the EU’s new Canada offer, cash for farmers and Russia’s Lavrov returns to G20?EU and Canadian leaders will look to flesh out the terms of closer cooperation on energy, trade and defence at a summit in Montréal this week.

EU and Canadian leaders will look to flesh out the terms of closer cooperation on energy, trade and defence at a summit in Montréal this week.

euobserver.comPeaceful demise of Vučić in Serbia stands in contrast to second weekend of riots in French citiesVučić acknowledged defeat shortly after 9.30PM on Sunday, when exit polls put his SNS party on 105 seats in parliament, behind the reformist Student List movement, led by cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic, on 135 to 140.

Vučić acknowledged defeat shortly after 9.30PM on Sunday, when exit polls put his SNS party on 105 seats in parliament, behind the reformist Student List movement, led by cardiologist Ilija Srdanovic, on 135 to 140.

euobserver.comIsrael’s election may disappoint everyone, as Brussels and Washington face a hard reckoning with a more ‘centrist’ leaderIt’s comforting to imagine an Israeli government formed by anyone left of Benjamin Netanyahu will steer instinctively towards international expectations. But a more centrist Israeli government, like any elected government anywhere, will operate within the political space created by the policy priorities and the empathetic capacity of its voters. There isn’t much room for Palestinians.

Israel’s election may disappoint everyone, as Brussels and Washington face a hard reckoning with a more ‘centrist’ leader

euobserver.comCalls mount for UN World Food Programme, which feeds over a million people in Gaza, to quit contract with PalantirThe UN food agency helping Palestinians and others in need across the world has come under scrutiny for its contract with Palantir – the controversial US tech and AI company used by various international border police and militaries to sort data and better identify targets.

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Calls mount for UN World Food Programme, which feeds over a million people in Gaza, to quit contract with Palantir

euobserver.com[Interview] Bulgaria’s presidential election becomes a test of Rumen Radev’s grip on powerBulgaria holds its presidential election on Sunday. A moment to decide whether to consolidate power around the current prime minister - prioritising stability over institutional balance.

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[Interview] Bulgaria’s presidential election becomes a test of Rumen Radev’s grip on power

euobserver.comCalls mount for UN World Food Programme, which feeds over a million people in Gaza, to quit contract with PalantirThe UN food agency helping Palestinians and others in need across the world has come under scrutiny for its contract with Palantir – the controversial US tech and AI company used by various international border police and militaries to sort data and better identify targets.

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The UN food agency helping Palestinians and others in need across the world has come under scrutiny for its contract with Palantir – the controversial US tech and AI company used by various international border police and militaries to sort data and better identify targets.