- Politics
Merz calls on Germans to work more — and draws a withering backlash
- James Angelos
- Feb 12, 2026
The chancellor is pushing market-oriented policies he believes will boost competitiveness at home and across the EU.
Politics
Political news and government affairs
- Politics
Fortress Europe? EU leaders (once again) head to a castle for high-stakes talks.
- Gerardo Fortuna
- Feb 12, 2026
From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Brexit to 9/11, EU leaders have often used tough moments as a reason to head into the countryside.
- Politics
Keir Starmer’s new heir apparent is haunted by a tax scandal
- Dan Bloom
- Feb 12, 2026
Labour's Angela Rayner is back to dealmaking in Westminster as the "soft left" looks for an alternative to the embattled prime minister.
- Politics
Personal data is the new battleground for democracy
- Frank H. McCourt Jr.
- Feb 12, 2026
As the world’s leaders gather in Munich, I call on them to help build a better foundation for AI that embeds Western values and protects future genera...
- Politics
NATO deploys to Greenland to keep Trump onside
- Victor Jack
- Feb 12, 2026
The alliance's Arctic Sentry is mostly a rebranding exercise aimed at appeasing the U.S. president — in response to a largely exaggerated threat.
- Politics
Von der Leyen flips the blame for crippling EU economy back onto national leaders
- Gabriel Gavin, Zia Weise, Aude van den Hove
- Feb 11, 2026
European Commission president insists EU capitals have no right to scapegoat Brussels for excessive red tape and single market failures.
- Politics
Von der Leyen and Merz clash over future of EU’s core climate law
- Zia Weise
- Feb 11, 2026
German chancellor joined industry in attacking the EU carbon market as the Commission president defended its "clear benefits."
- Politics
5 things holding up the EU’s trade deal with Australia
- Koen Verhelst
- Feb 11, 2026
Can the EU and Australia get over their differences to seal a no-brainer deal?
- Politics
“EU industry can still lead in renewable fuels if we’re bold”
- POLITICO Studio
- Feb 11, 2026
A Q&A with Jenni Männistö of renewable fuels producer Neste, which is investing €2.5B in additional production capacity in Europe.
- Politics
Europe’s autonomy push exposes old fault lines
- Nicholas Vinocur, Gabriel Gavin
- Feb 11, 2026
The renewed drive to reduce reliance on Washington is bringing up familiar disagreements ahead of an EU leaders’ summit on Thursday.
- Politics
France’s 2027 presidential election race is already in full swing
- Clea Caulcutt
- Feb 11, 2026
The contest to succeed Emmanuel Macron is more than a year away, but politicians are already in campaign mode.
- Politics
5 reasons Keir Starmer is clinging to power … for now
- Andrew McDonald, Noah Keate
- Feb 11, 2026
Britain's prime minister is in a perilous position, but his opponents haven't ousted him yet.