POLITICO Europe

In 2024, putting “rejoin the EU” in its manifesto would probably have cost U.K. Labour the election. But in 2029, it might actually hand the party a majority, our EU-U.K. Reporter Jon Stone tells @saschaosullivan.bsky.social on the Westminster Insider podcast. Give it a listen 👇 🔗 vist.ly/5pgj5

The European Central Bank faces a pivotal week with storm clouds gathering on two fronts: French market turmoil and uncertainty over the Frankfurt institution's top jobs.

The EU was split today over whether to offer “associate membership” status to Canada, with several countries refusing to sign off on a statement containing that phrase just 48 hours before a summit between the two sides in Montreal.

The EU's border agency, Frontex, will be able to monitor social media for information about migration flows.

European Parliament meetings with tobacco and nicotine lobbyists have ramped up this term as the EU seeks to overhaul several key pieces of tobacco and nicotine legislation. 🔗 vist.ly/5q6nc

The French government explored ways of blocking social networks during last Saturday's protests, two people familiar with the plan told POLITICO.

Lawmakers in the French National Assembly will vote on a Socialist Party proposal to grant amnesty to an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 unauthorized immigrants employed in France.

Europe is working on several plans to break the dominance of tech billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite communications service, Starlink. The moves come as the world's richest man expands his grip on space. 🔗 vist.ly/5q5zj

Major brands in China have dropped Kylian Mbappé over a clip in which the French football megastar appeared to mock Mao Zedong, China’s modern founding leader.

🚨BREAKING: Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre held a joint call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin today as part of international efforts to secure an end to the war in Ukraine. Full story: www.politico.eu/article/lead...

U.K. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted he is in agreement with PM Andy Burnham's drive for closer EU ties — a month after he warned that re-litigating Brexit battles would cause "uncertainty" for business.

Nigel Farage has said that candidates for his Reform UK party won’t be prevented from standing if they like social media posts by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Canada is an “easy partner” for defense with Europe. But there are limits to how far the two sides will risk antagonizing Donald Trump. 🔗 vist.ly/5q5nk

U.K. Chancellor John Healey is set to deliver an unexpected increase in defense spending at his first budget tomorrow, as Britain strains to reach its NATO commitment to spend 3.5% of GDP on defense by 2035.

Quebec’s new separatist government is treating this week’s EU-Canada summit in Montreal as the start of a wider diplomatic push to get the province in the room whenever Ottawa and Brussels strike deals that concern its powers.

A France-Germany car deal has helped break a stalemate in the European Parliament over two major industry measures. But the agreement will do little to address the acute problems facing Europe’s struggling automakers.

On budget eve, @samcoatessky.bsky.social and @annemcelvoy explore the trade-offs U.K. Chancellor John Healey must balance between the cost-of-living crisis and the government’s growth plan. 🎧 Listen now to the latest episode of #PASAA👇

European lawmakers have held four times as many meetings with tobacco and nicotine lobbyists in the past two years compared with the entire previous parliamentary term, according to data analyzed by us.

The EU is fighting Elon Musk's Starlink on at least five fronts. From blocking access and boosting rivals to drafting new rules aimed at undermining the tech mogul's growing dominance in the space business.

Canada and Europe both want an insurance policy against Donald Trump — and they are turning to defense partnerships to do so.

EU countries are split over whether to offer Canada “associate member” status in the bloc, days before leaders fly to Montréal for a summit to mark a new era in EU-Canada relations, four EU officials and diplomats told us. Brussels Playbook has more👇

As you read this, early-rising officials will be handling the many pages of U.K. Chancellor John Healey’s budget in full — after it was printed last night. The chancellor’s final preparation? A morning jog with a BBC reporter. More in London Playbook👇

Ursula von der Leyen’s plan to slim down and reorganize the European Commission has moved a step closer. 🎙️ @zoyashef.bsky.social and @nicholasvinocur.bsky.social break down what the reorganization could mean for powerful departments facing job cuts on #BrusselsPlaybookPod👇

The European Commission will unveil a sweeping overhaul of EU border agency Frontex on Oct. 27, turning it into a fully-fledged “European return agency,” according to two EU officials familiar with the proposal.

Mark Carney’s pursuit of a global alliance of middle powers has a Europe problem. 🔗 vist.ly/5q3nq

Top European defense ministers and EU representatives said Ukraine faces challenging months ahead, insisting they must keep supporting Kyiv despite the U.S. bid for talks with Russia.

The French government failed today to convince students to end their protests.

Liz Truss claims the U.K. would have managed successful missions to Mars within years — if only her 49-day premiership hadn’t been cut short. 🔗 vist.ly/5q3dp

As climate risks mount, the European Central Bank faces a test of its commitment to green finance. 🔗 vist.ly/5q34x

In tonight’s London Playbook PM: ⏪ The back-and-forth about reversing Brexit is heating up. 💷 Nigel Farage announces his big budget gambit. 🔍 Alex Chalk, former U.K. Justice Secretary, will lead a review into the Henry Nowak murder. Dig in👇 vist.ly/5q33k

Canada’s PM wants a new world order to counterbalance the U.S. and China. But Ursula von der Leyen has a different vision: expanding the EU’s economic and geopolitical influence — starting with Canada. 🔗 vist.ly/5p2qd

Europe is living through an “era of darkness” as multiple wars and competition between the U.S. and China trample the rules-based global order, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said today.

Brazil President Lula Inácio da Silva’s surprise reelection has thrilled progressives worldwide — including Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez, who sees it as proof he can defy polls predicting his defeat in upcoming elections. Brussels Playbook Capitals has more👇

A proposed deal between Airbus, Leonardo and Thales aims to strengthen Europe’s satellite industry as Elon Musk’s Starlink sets the pace in low Earth orbit. It could also leave the EU with fewer suppliers for its own secure communications network. 🔗 vist.ly/5p2bq

France has long been seen as the EU’s “spoiled child,” said former Italian PM Mario Monti. Now, the bloc’s second-biggest economy is being dragged into a vicious cycle of twin fiscal and social crises that are fueling each other. 🔗 vist.ly/5pzxc

People in Belgium will be able to smoke at restaurant terraces for a little while longer after the government announced it would be delaying its outdoor ban planned for early 2027.

Ursula von der Leyen’s push for a sweeping overhaul of the European Commission has moved closer to fruition today, as a group of external advisers handed over a report that will help shape the institution’s biggest administrative shake-up in two decades.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk today scoffed at a report that the Trump administration views former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a candidate to be U.N. secretary-general.

German politicians have sharply criticized Audi CEO Gernot Döllner's appearance alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally on Saturday.

Liz Truss claims the U.K. would have managed successful missions to Mars within years — if only her 49-day premiership hadn’t been cut short.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated Monday his desire for the U.K. to rejoin the EU within his lifetime — but ruled out a move to reverse Brexit in the current parliament.

🎙️ Will this week's budget be a John Healey or an Andy Burnham budget – and will it deliver any real breathing space? With the biggest fiscal event of the year looming, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine what's going on behind the scenes. 👇

🎙️ Canada and the EU want a much closer relationship — but there are still questions over what that relationship actually is. On today's Brussels Playbook Podcast, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur look to this week’s EU-Canada summit for answers. 👇

Donald Trump on Sunday night said Norway “sucks,” as he fulminated about being repeatedly overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is losing ground to far-left challenger Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the French presidential race, according to polling conducted exclusively for POLITICO.

Andy Burnham pledged to bring back hope when he entered Downing Street. Labour MPs are feeling it. For now.

Christine Lagarde looks set to depart her role as president of the European Central Bank ahead of time. Frankfurt's green money focus risks going with her.

The EU faces a strategic dilemma over a proposed space merger that has been hailed as a potential European “champion” by Ursula von der Leyen.

Mark Carney’s pursuit of a global alliance of middle powers has a Europe problem.