Germany may hold election sooner than planned, Scholz says – POLITICO

Germany may hold election sooner than planned, Scholz says – POLITICO

He also said his Social Democratic Party (SPD) has a “good chance” of winning a new election. The SPD currently trails the CDU by 17 points in the polls, according to BILD. To force Scholz from office, rather than waiting for the chancellor to seal his own fate with a confidence vote he would likely … Read more

Parliament won’t shoot down von der Leyen’s Commission picks  – POLITICO

Parliament won’t shoot down von der Leyen’s Commission picks  – POLITICO

The Socialists have signaled it is imperative to secure the safe passage of their clutch of commissioners, above all Spain’s pick, Teresa Ribera, who will be in charge of climate and competition policy.  That makes it less likely that they will pick a fight with the center-right EPP, which has claimed the lion’s share of … Read more

How do we close Europe’s innovation gap? Start with advanced connectivity and a strong intellectual property rights framework  – POLITICO

How do we close Europe’s innovation gap? Start with advanced connectivity and a strong intellectual property rights framework  – POLITICO

Getting the IPR framework right now to unleash long-term innovation EU policies adopted in the next five years will be foundational for Europe’s innovative ecosystem to thrive in the long term, improving conditions for the next wave of intellectual property lifecycles that can take over a decade to bear fruit. A smart and strategic policy … Read more

Europe needs concrete action on connectivity policy – POLITICO

Europe needs concrete action on connectivity policy – POLITICO

Governments doing the right thing Signs are starting to emerge of policymakers moving in the right direction. Over the past year, there has been growing acceptance of the need to address the challenges facing the sector. Enrico Letta, former Italian prime minister, has called for the completion of the single market for telecoms, and asked … Read more

Macron rejects left’s PM candidate, keeping governance talks stalled – POLITICO

Macron rejects left’s PM candidate, keeping governance talks stalled – POLITICO

The snap legislative election was called by the Macron after his centrist party was trounced in June’s European Union election by the far-right National Rally. While the far right party was tipped sweep the board, the hastily assembled New Popular Front electoral coalition, composed of the main left-wing forces in France, secured a surprise victory. … Read more

Right-wing ECR group becomes EU Parliament’s third-largest force – POLITICO

Right-wing ECR group becomes EU Parliament’s third-largest force – POLITICO

Those on the left of the political spectrum will be watching the ECR’s increase in size with apprehension. For months, socialists, Greens and liberals have been warning the EPP not to formally engage with the ECR when it comes to finding a coalition in the new Parliament. But the size of their group will make … Read more

Momentum grows for quick von der Leyen deal ahead of Monday summit – POLITICO

Momentum grows for quick von der Leyen deal ahead of Monday summit – POLITICO

They are expected to reach an informal decision on Monday, before sealing the deal during the next European Council summit on June 27-28. According to Scholz, “everyone agrees that we will quickly decide all these issues in one go.” Earlier this week, Macron had also said he believed EU talks could deliver a decision on Brussels’ … Read more

Europe’s rapidly rising right – POLITICO

Europe’s rapidly rising right – POLITICO

Meanwhile, hard-right parties are dominating the polls across much of Europe. In France, far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is cruising at over 30 percent, far ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, according to POLITICO’s Poll of Polls. Across the Rhine, Alternative for Germany, a party under police surveillance for its extremist views, … Read more

Salvini’s last hope rests on building a bridge to Sicily – POLITICO

Salvini’s last hope rests on building a bridge to Sicily – POLITICO

Salvini is pushing to launch the project by June, when European elections will be held that could make or break his leadership of the League.  The timing will be critical. As electoral support for the League shrinks, Salvini’s party colleagues are running out of patience. All 15 members of one local party association in Lombardy, … Read more

Kate Middleton cancer: UK reels as princess joins King Charles in sharing health diagnosis

Kate Middleton cancer: UK reels as princess joins King Charles in sharing health diagnosis

LONDON — Kate Middleton’s shocking announcement that she is undergoing treatment for cancer comes as the U.K. is already mired in a period of turbulence. After weeks of speculation about her health, the Princess of Wales, whose husband Prince William is heir to the throne, issued a video statement Friday saying tests following the “major” … Read more