- Politics
Germany’s Merz blasts ‘lost’ US leadership and says international order ‘no longer exists’
- Chris Lunday
- Feb 13, 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms discussions underway on a European nuclear deterrent, at speech in Munich.
Politics
Political news and government affairs
- Politics
Europe’s open-border dreams meet German politics
- Ekaterina Bodyagina, Ellen O'Regan
- Feb 13, 2026
Brussels is preparing to scrutinize Germany’s border practices as Friedrich Merz’s government weighs whether to extend internal Schengen checks.
- Politics
Putin should worry about the Trump-Xi relationship
- Mikhail Khodorkovsky
- Feb 13, 2026
For Russia, the implications of a U.S.-China rapprochement — even if based on convenience rather than conviction — are profound.
- Politics
Westminster Power Couples — 2026 edition
- Bethany Dawson
- Feb 13, 2026
It’s been another year of drama, gossip and heartbreak in British politics — but there’s still love in the air in Westminster. POLITICO is yet again c...
- Politics
The Traitors: EU version
- Paul Dallison
- Feb 13, 2026
A load of EU leaders locked up in a castle. What could possibly go wrong?
- Politics
The MAGA-friendly European think tanks Trump wants to fund
- Karl Mathiesen, Marion Solletty, Tim Ross, Mari Eccles, Nette Nöstlinger
- Feb 13, 2026
The Heritage Foundation identified European groups for U.S. backing.
- Politics
Crisis-hit Starmer seeks solace on the world stage
- Esther Webber, Sascha O'Sullivan
- Feb 13, 2026
The British leader’s allies believe his clout on the world stage can shore him up — but his own side will take some convincing.
- Politics
The EU moves to kill infinite scrolling
- Eliza Gkritsi
- Feb 12, 2026
Brussels is going head-to-head with social media platforms to change addictive design.
- 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
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...