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Les géants de la tech mettent le paquet pour leur lobbying à Bruxelles
|
Les entreprises américaines de la tech renforcent sensiblement leur lobbying dans la capitale de l’UE avec de plus gros budgets et des équipes plus fournies, selon une étude menée par deux ONG. Synthèse vocale générée par l'IA This article is also available in: English BRUXELLES — Les entreprises de la tech dépensent plus que jamais pour faire du lobbying auprès de l’Union européenne, selon une nouvelle étude, à un moment où elles s’opposent toujours plus à la réglementation européenne en matière de numérique. Les 733 groupes du secteur du numérique enregistrés à Bruxelles dépensent désormais 151 millions d’euros annuels pour défendre leurs intérêts, contre 113 millions il y a deux ans, selon une étude réalisée par deux ONG à partir des informations communiquées au registre de transparence de l’UE. Cette hausse intervient alors que la filière s’attaque à des textes européens, tels que le règlement sur les marchés numériques (DMA) et celui sur les services numériques (DSA) — considérés par l’administration Trump comme discriminatoires envers les entreprises américaines —, et que la Commission européenne se prépare à un effort massif pour assouplir ses règles en matière de numérique. Les dépenses de lobbying sont concentrées entre les mains des géants de la tech, principalement américains, selon l’étude de Corporate Europe Observatory et LobbyControl, deux ONG spécialisées sur les actions d’influence des entreprises. Les 10 entreprises du numérique qui dépensent le plus — parmi lesquelles Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Qualcomm et Google — ont dépensé plus que les 10 premières entreprises des secteurs pharmaceutique, financier et automobile réunis. Amazon, Microsoft et Meta ont “nettement” augmenté leurs dépenses depuis 2023, de plus de 4 millions d’euros pour Amazon et de 2 millions pour Microsoft et Meta, selon l’étude. L’organisation professionnelle Digital Europe, basée à Bruxelles, qui compte parmi ses membres de nombreux géants américains de la tech, a augmenté de plus de 1 million d’euros son budget de lobbying. Meta, avec un budget de plus de 10 millions d’euros, est l’entreprise qui dépense le plus en lobbying dans l’UE. Il s’agit d’un “moment précaire”, a qualifié Bram Vranken, chercheur au Corporate Observatory Europe, estimant que des années de progrès dans la limitation des effets néfastes de la technologie et du pouvoir des grandes entreprises du secteur risquent d’être réduites à néant. Avec la poussée de déréglementation à Bruxelles et le fort soutien de Washington, “les Big Tech saisissent cette nouvelle réalité politique pour effacer une décennie de progrès dans la réglementation du secteur numérique”, a-t-il relevé. Les entreprises soutiennent que le lobbying ne consiste pas seulement à exercer une influence, mais aussi à veiller à ce que les parlementaires comprennent les réalités complexes du secteur afin d’éclairer leurs décisions sur les règles. “Amazon s’engage sur des questions qui sont importantes pour nos clients, nos vendeurs et les diverses entreprises que nous opérons”, a déclaré un porte-parole de la société américaine dans un communiqué. “Cela signifie que nous travaillons avec des organisations, telles que des organisations professionnelles et des think tanks, et que nous communiquons avec des responsables des institutions européennes.” Ce regain d’activité se traduit non seulement par une augmentation des dépenses, notamment pour les sociétés de conseil et d’expertise engagées pour influencer la politique numérique, mais aussi par une augmentation des effectifs inscrits au registre européen de la transparence. On estime aujourd’hui à 890 le nombre de lobbyistes — calculés en équivalents temps plein — qui travaillent à dessiner les contours de l’agenda politique sur le numérique, contre 699 en 2023. Parmi eux, 437 possèdent un badge leur permettant d’accéder librement au Parlement européen. L’accès à l’institution s’est durci ces dernières années en réaction à une série de scandales de corruption, dont les enquêtes sur Huawei qui ont vu l’entreprise être interdite d’accès au Parlement et de rencontres avec la Commission en mars. Au cours du premier semestre 2025, les représentants des entreprises de la tech ont déclaré 146 réunions avec le personnel de la Commission. L’intelligence artificielle était le principal sujet abordé, notamment le très contesté code de bonnes pratiques. Concernant les parlementaires, les lobbyistes de la tech ont déclaré 232 réunions. Les règles de transparence en matière de déclaration des réunions entre les lobbyistes et les responsables de la Commission et du Parlement se sont élargies ces dernières années, mais les défenseurs de la transparence estiment qu’elles ne sont pas assez fermes et contraignantes. Cet article a d’abord été publié par POLITICO en anglais, puis a été édité en français par Jean-Christophe Catalon. Les deux camps revendiquant chacun d’avoir obtenu gain de cause, Bruxelles devra peut-être faire preuve de prudence lorsqu’elle montrera ses muscles juridiques aux géants américains de la tech. Tous les lobbies associés au géant américain pourraient se voir interdire l’accès au Parlement, dont DigitalEurope, CCIA Europe et ITI. Trump est de retour, et avec lui, le risque que les Etats-Unis débranchent l’Europe du monde numérique. Le président américain veut cibler les cinéastes étrangers, ouvrant ainsi un nouveau front dans la guerre commerciale transatlantique.
|
Mathieu Pollet
|
Les entreprises américaines de la tech renforcent sensiblement leur lobbying dans la capitale de l’UE avec de plus gros budgets et des équipes plus fournies, selon une étude menée par deux ONG.
|
[
"actualité",
"lobbying",
"transparence",
"paris influence"
] |
Tech France
|
[
"Union européenne"
] |
2025-10-29T17:22:12Z
|
2025-10-29T17:22:12Z
|
2025-10-29T17:22:18Z
| 7,412,727
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/les-geants-tech-mettent-paquet-pour-leur-lobbying-bruxelles/
|
France moves to define all nonconsensual sex as rape after Pelicot trial
|
The trial of Gisèle Pélicot’s rapists accelerated the debate on consent in France. PARIS — French lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday that introduced the concept of consent in the legal definition of rape following the shocking Gisèle Pelicot trial last year. While advocates have been pushing for years for France to change the definition of rape and sexual assault to outlaw nonconsensual acts, Pelicot’s case, where 51 men were accused of raping her with the help of her now ex-husband, who had drugged her, gave new impetus and got the ball rolling. Until now, French law defined sexual assault — including rape — as acts performed through “violence, coercion, threat, or surprise.” Some of the lawyers in the trial had unsuccessfully centered their defense on the argument that the definition did not explicitly require seeking a partner’s consent, claiming their clients believed they were taking part in a sexual fetish shared by the couple. The newly-written law states that “any non-consensual sexual act … constitutes sexual assault.” Consent must be “free and informed,” given for one specific act prior to it taking place, and it must be “revocable,” it adds. Crucially, it is explicitly stated that consent cannot be “inferred solely from the victim’s silence or lack of reaction.” Véronique Riotton, a centrist lawmaker who coauthored the bill and wrote a report on the issue in 2023, told POLITICO that the bill’s passage was a “positive moment” proving that parliament could still move forward on major issues despite the political gridlock currently crippling France. Several lawmakers had tried to pass similar legislation in recent years, but the issue drew little attention until Pelicot’s case. In 2022, a European Commission proposal to require all member countries to classify any nonconsensual sex as rape was dropped from a wide-ranging draft law on violence against women due to opposition from several countries, including France. French President Emmanuel Macron later clarified that he supports the legal redefinition but does not see it as a European prerogative. The stolen jewels have not yet been found and at least two suspects remain at large. Tiphaine Auzière testified in a cyberbullying trial on Tuesday. A team of thieves accomplished in minutes what museum employees have been trying to do for years: expose the French icon’s fragility due to decades of underfunding. But the French president still thinks the retirement age will need to rise eventually.
|
Victor Goury-Laffont
|
The trial of Gisèle Pélicot’s rapists accelerated the debate on consent in France.
|
[
"french politics",
"gender equality",
"parliament",
"sexual assault"
] |
Politics
|
[
"France"
] |
2025-10-29T16:59:46Z
|
2025-10-29T16:59:46Z
|
2025-10-29T16:59:46Z
| 7,410,531
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-moves-define-all-nonconsensual-sex-rape-after-gisele-pelicot-trial/
|
2 alleged perpetrators in Louvre heist ‘partially’ admit involvement
|
The stolen jewels have not yet been found and at least two suspects remain at large. PARIS — The prosecutor investigating the spectacular heist at the Louvre Museum 10 days ago said Wednesday that two suspects already under arrest have “partially” admitted involvement in the crime. This developing story will be updated. Tiphaine Auzière testified in a cyberbullying trial on Tuesday. A team of thieves accomplished in minutes what museum employees have been trying to do for years: expose the French icon’s fragility due to decades of underfunding. But the French president still thinks the retirement age will need to rise eventually. MEP Marion Maréchal called France the “laughingstock of the world” after the robbery.
|
Victor Goury-Laffont
|
The stolen jewels have not yet been found and at least two suspects remain at large.
|
[
"politics"
] |
Foreign Affairs
|
[] |
2025-10-29T16:22:23Z
|
2025-10-29T16:22:23Z
|
2025-10-29T16:22:31Z
| 7,411,977
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/louvre-heist-suspects-admit-involvement/
|
EU als Hoffnung: Update mit Edi Rama und Vjosa Osmani
|
Listen on Während Kanzler Friedrich Merz in Ankara landet, richtet sich der Blick in dieser Sonderfolge des Berlin Playbook Updates nach Südosten: Auf den Westbalkan, wo Europa für viele kein vergangener Traum, sondern Zukunft bleibt. Gordon Repinski trifft die Präsidentin des Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, und den albanischen Premierminister Edi Rama – zwei Politiker, die zeigen, dass der europäische Gedanke lebt. Osmani spricht über Kosovos Wunsch nach NATO-Mitgliedschaft und wirft Serbien vor, sich politisch an Russland anzulehnen. Rama erklärt, wie Albanien mit künstlicher Intelligenz Korruption bekämpft – und warum seine digitale Ministerin „Diella“ Symbol einer neuen politischen Kultur ist. Zwei Länder, zwei Wege – vereint durch ein Ziel: Europa. Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es morgens um 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team bringen euch jeden Morgen auf den neuesten Stand in Sachen Politik — kompakt, europäisch, hintergründig. Und für alle Hauptstadt-Profis:Unser Berlin Playbook-Newsletter liefert jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. Hier gibt es alle Informationen und das kostenlose Playbook-Abo. Mehr von Berlin Playbook-Host und Executive Editor von POLITICO in Deutschland, Gordon Repinski, gibt es auch hier: Instagram: @gordon.repinski | X: @GordonRepinski.
|
Gordon Repinski
|
[
"der podcast",
"european politics",
"german politics",
"playbook",
"politics"
] |
Playbook
|
[
"Albanien",
"Kosovo"
] |
2025-10-29T16:12:23Z
|
2025-10-29T16:12:23Z
|
2025-10-29T16:12:30Z
| 7,413,309
|
https://www.politico.eu/podcast/berlin-playbook-podcast/eu-als-hoffnung-update-mit-edi-rama-und-vjosa-osmani/
|
|
EU condemns Belarus balloon incursions after Hungary delays statement
|
Budapest lobbied to remove language blaming the authoritarian government of Alexander Lukashenko. BRUSSELS — The European Union warned Belarus to put a stop to a wave of balloons entering its airspace, though stopped short of blaming the country’s authoritarian government after objections from Hungary. In a statement issued Wednesday by the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, on behalf of all 27 member countries, the EU said it “strongly condemns Belarus’ persistent and provocative actions” after the airborne objects forced Lithuania to close its airports and shut its border with the neighboring nation this week. Dozens of balloons carrying illegally transported cigarettes sparked fears for civil aviation and drew rebuke from Vilnius, which described the incursions as a "hybrid war" tactic against the West. “These balloons are not merely smuggling tools, but occur in the context of a broader targeted hybrid campaign, along with other actions that also include state-sponsored migrant smuggling,” the message reads. "Sanctions on the Belarusian regime have been imposed, and the EU is prepared to take further appropriate measures should such actions continue." The final statement was watered down from an earlier draft, circulated on Tuesday morning and obtained by POLITICO, which declared that the regime of Belarus’ strongman leader, Alexander Lukashenko, “is complicit directly or through deliberate inaction.” That assessment was removed to secure the support of Hungary — which has long resisted efforts to condemn Moscow and Minsk — diplomats and officials confirmed. Previous joint statements, including one condemning Russian strikes on Ukraine that damaged the EU’s representative in Kyiv, had to be issued without the support of Budapest. “Overall the statement is strong,” one EU diplomat said, granted anonymity to talk about the closed-door drafting process. “There was a will to compromise and to agree today.” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys told POLITICO in an interview earlier this week that the balloon incidents shine a light on the need for the EU to step up joint preparedness efforts and introduce new sanctions on Belarus. Budapest’s reluctance to point the finger has delayed the bloc’s response for days. Staffers who are most “at risk” are those on short-term contracts, said one official, as employee associations demand transparency. The idea of joint European borrowing is rejected by most of the bloc’s governments. That’s why the Commission is using it as leverage to get them to approve the use of Moscow’s assets for Ukraine. Restrictions imposed by Washington will force the company to end its exports to European countries.
|
Gabriel Gavin
|
Budapest lobbied to remove language blaming the authoritarian government of Alexander Lukashenko.
|
[
"airports",
"airspace",
"aviation",
"borders",
"sanctions",
"war",
"foreign affairs",
"defense"
] |
Politics
|
[
"Belarus",
"Hungary",
"Lithuania",
"Ukraine"
] |
2025-10-29T14:31:31Z
|
2025-10-29T14:31:31Z
|
2025-10-29T14:32:11Z
| 7,412,187
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-condemns-belarus-balloon-incursions-after-hungary-delays-statement/
|
Dutch election dark horse Rob Jetten wants the Netherlands to get closer to the EU
|
The underdog-turned-front-runner tells POLITICO the Netherlands must embrace a more central role in Europe. The Netherlands should veto fewer decisions in Brussels and boost European Union integration, Dutch prime minister hopeful Rob Jetten said. “We want to stop saying ‘no’ by default, and start saying ‘yes’ to doing more together,” he told POLITICO in an interview via messaging app after the final electoral debate Tuesday night. “I cannot stress enough how dire Europe’s situation will be if we do not integrate further,” he continued. “The Netherlands is one of the founding countries of the European Union,” Jetten pointed out ahead of election day, Wednesday. “We are proud of that history, and now we want to be a leading voice in shaping its future.” Jetten’s Democrats 66 has seen a doubling in popularity, from 11 seats projected at the end of September to reaching the same level as giants far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) and GreenLeft-Labor this past Tuesday night, at 23 seats each — and ahead of the Christian Democrats, who are trailing at 19 seats. The Netherlands has traditionally maintained a conservative stance on treaty reform and has opposed dropping unanimity among countries as a requirement for some key decisions, such as letting new members into the bloc. The Dutch, who are known to punch above their weight in shaping debates, have also been traditionally frugal, and generally oppose joint EU borrowing. Especially in the last year, when its government included a tinge of the Euroskeptic far right, the Netherlands has kept Brussels at arm’s length, including by asking for an opt-out on the bloc’s migration policy — though it has remained in sync on other topics, such as sanctions for Israel and military support to Ukraine. “I want a return of the Netherlands to the role of kingmaker in Europe,” Jetten said. “We used to play that role. And when we did, it was for the better,” he added. Europe must transform itself into a serious “democratic global power,” Jetten continued. “That means giving the EU the power and the resources to do what citizens all across Europe are asking it to do: defend our territory against Putin’s aggression, grow the economy, protect the climate.” Observers credit Jetten’s optimism in an otherwise gloomy campaign, focused on quarrels between the left and right, as key to his last-minute success. His participation in the popular Dutch TV contest “The Smartest Person,” where he managed to end up third, also helped make Jetten a more visible personality. If he succeeds, Jetten would be the Netherlands’ youngest and first openly gay prime minister — standing in stark contrast to Dick Schoof, the 68-year-old ex-civil servant appointed by Wilders to lead the previous (right-wing) government. But Jetten dismisses any focus on identity politics. “I’m not the gay candidate, nor the young candidate,” he said. “Much more relevant is that voters are rejecting a failed experiment with the far right. We lost time, our public finances worsened and nothing gets done.” “My party wants to infuse a renewed optimism into Dutch politics,” he confirmed. The Netherlands was long dominated by Mark Rutte’s People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) — the fiscally conservative force now led by Dilan Yeşilgöz. But if projections hold, D66 and Rob Jetten could overtake the VVD, claiming the mantle of the country’s leading liberal party. Asked about the possibility of becoming prime minister, Jetten responded: “I stand ready to lead if I’m given the chance. It would be a privilege to have the support and cooperation of other parties. It is our political tradition.” When it comes to potential coalition partners, Jetten brushed off traditional political labels. “The whole left-right discussion is outdated,” he said. He would seek to form a pro-European government that invests in education, builds homes for everyone and ramps up climate action. “We are ready to work with all those democratic forces who want to make that happen.” Despite his party’s positive trajectory, Dutch polls are known to be unpredictable, with many voters not deciding until the last minute. Gerardo Fortuna contributed reporting. Political group leaders voiced concern the move could set a precedent for restricting media in the European Parliament. The European Parliament’s center right weighs turning its back on historical mainstream alliances in its push to cut red tape. A draft of a letter seen by POLITICO being drawn up by all four mainstream political groups demands major changes to Commission plan. Whether it’s green deregulation or official EU languages, both leaders have their pet topics.
|
Max Griera
|
The underdog-turned-front-runner tells POLITICO the Netherlands must embrace a more central role in Europe.
|
[
"cooperation",
"dutch election 2025",
"dutch politics",
"education",
"far right",
"history",
"labels",
"migration",
"military",
"rights",
"sanctions"
] |
Politics
|
[
"Israel",
"The Netherlands",
"Ukraine"
] |
2025-10-29T14:01:24Z
|
2025-10-29T14:01:24Z
|
2025-10-29T14:01:48Z
| 7,411,617
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/dutch-election-rob-jetten-wants-the-netherlands-closer-to-the-eu/
|
6 in 10 unemployed in Belgium have non-Belgian background
|
Belgium’s government is moving to curb benefits for its unemployed. About six in 10 jobless people in Belgium have a non-Belgian background, new figures show, as the right-wing government moves to tighten rules for migrants and the unemployed. Employment Minister David Clarinval, who released the statistics Wednesday in response to a question from Socialist MP Sophie Thémont, called them “rather astonishing.” “We know … [migrants] have a much lower command of the national languages,” he said. “They may have difficulty understanding the institutional system. So, we clearly need to focus on these people and pay particular attention to them.” He added, “The main message is that everyone must work, including people of foreign origin.” The figures classify individuals as having a non-Belgian background if they were born with another nationality or if at least one parent holds another nationality, even if they now hold Belgian citizenship. About 41.5 percent of Belgium’s unemployed are Belgian, while nearly 13 percent have North African roots, followed by migrants from southern EU countries. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, a Flemish right-winger who took office in February, has called Belgium’s immigration policy the “source of all misery” and has introduced strict new rules, including mandating higher income requirements and longer waiting periods for family reunification visas. De Wever’s government is also moving forward with a plan to cut off unemployment benefits for those who have been jobless for more than 20 years starting next year. In the future, claimants will only be allowed to receive benefits for up to two years. The changes mean 180,000 Belgians are set to lose their unemployment benefits next year, saving the state just under €2 billion. Vilnius is just being “petty,” Belarusian leader says. “The battle is not over yet,” Hungarian prime minister says, teeing up a possible fight with the White House. A packed agenda promised a summit of fireworks. Nothing really took off. From the climate to critical minerals to Russia’s frozen assets, the agenda of Thursday’s European Council is jam-packed.
|
Seb Starcevic
|
Belgium’s government is moving to curb benefits for its unemployed.
|
[
"citizenship",
"employment",
"immigration",
"rights"
] |
Politics
|
[
"Belgium"
] |
2025-10-29T13:12:27Z
|
2025-10-29T13:12:27Z
|
2025-10-29T13:23:34Z
| 7,411,734
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/six-10-unemployed-belgium-have-non-belgian-background/
|
PMQs: Badenoch ducks immigration chaos by tackling Starmer on sluggish economy
|
The Tory leader asked the PM to confirm income tax, national insurance and VAT wouldn’t be increased next month. He refused to answer. Prime minister’s questions: a shouty, jeery, very occasionally useful advert for British politics. Here’s what you need to know from the latest session in POLITICO’s weekly run-through. What they sparred about: The economy. Though it’s one of the most important issues in politics, Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch’s finance-focused grilling of Prime Minister Keir Starmer was a curious choice, considering that the Home Office is facing disaster after disaster. Nevertheless: Rachel Reeves’ budget is under a month away, so speculation about what the chancellor will pull out of her red box is at fever pitch. The Tory leader asked if the PM “stood by” his promises not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT? These, of course, were in Labour’s landslide election-winning manifesto just last year. Watch and wait: The PM, you won’t be surprised to read, skirted around the query, stressing the government would “lay out their plans” next month. “Well, well, well, what a fascinating answer,” Badenoch cried after leaping to her feet. She asked the same question in July and, back then, got a one-word answer in the affirmative. “What’s changed in the past four months?” Expectation management: Quite reasonably, Starmer said that “no prime minister or chancellor will ever set out their plans in advance.” But the PM laid the groundwork for Reeves’ pledge possibly being breached — and blaming the Tories. The economic figures, he said, “are now coming through and they confirm that the Tories did even more damage to the economy than we previously thought.” Expect this claim to be repeated. Lightbulb moment: Badenoch mentioned a number of the policies she announced at Conservative conference earlier this month. “We have some ideas for him,” she said about improving the economy, to cries of horror from Labour backbenchers, calling for the abolition of stamp duty. “Why didn’t they do it then in 14 years in office?,” Starmer shot back, briefly forgetting he was meant to be answering the questions. Broken record: When the economy’s the topic of the day, familiar lines come out to play. The PM condemned the Tories’ record on austerity, their “botched Brexit deal,” and, you’ve guessed it, Liz Truss’ mini-budget. “We’ll take no advice or lectures on the economy,” the PM cried. “They won’t be trusted on the economy for generations to come.” The originality here is exceptional. Cross-party consensus: Badenoch ensured she wasn’t left out, claiming the last government reduced inflation and improved growth. “The truth is they have no ideas,” the Tory leader crowed, as she called for the parties to work together on welfare spending. Starmer didn’t accept that definite request in good faith, stressing that the Tories broke the economy and “they have not changed a bit.” Helpful backbench intervention of the week: Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney MP Nick Smith slammed off-road bikers running riot under the Tories and asked the PM to praise Labour’s support for the police. Starmer did exactly that. The men and women in blue have never been so grateful. Totally unscientific scores on the doors: Starmer 7/10. Badenoch 6/10. The Tory leader’s economic focus in a week when a man deported to France returned across the English Channel and a sex offender due for deportation was mistakenly released from jail for 48 hours remains an odd decision. Despite the government’s numerous economic challenges, the carnage over the U.K.’s border presented an open goal for the Tories. Though the Tory leader forced Starmer not to repeat his previous economic pledges, she wasn’t able to capitalize on that weakness — meaning no clear winner emerged. Former British PM says Tory pledges to roll back climate reforms are an “extreme and unnecessary measure.” She will serve as Keir Starmer’s deputy from the backbenches — and could cause a headache for the embattled British prime minister. Counterterrorism official says there’s been a spike in ‘proxies’ being recruited by foreign intelligence services. Man claimed to be a victim of modern slavery from smugglers in northern France and wants to claim asylum in Britain.
|
Noah Keate
|
The Tory leader asked the PM to confirm income tax, national insurance and VAT wouldn’t be increased next month. He refused to answer.
|
[
"austerity",
"borders",
"brexit",
"british politics",
"budget",
"elections",
"finance",
"growth",
"inflation",
"insurance",
"roads",
"tax",
"welfare",
"westminster bubble"
] |
Politics
|
[
"France",
"United Kingdom"
] |
2025-10-29T13:07:56Z
|
2025-10-29T13:07:56Z
|
2025-10-29T13:08:07Z
| 7,406,610
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/pmqs-uk-kemi-badenoch-conservatives-ducks-immigration-chaos-tackle-pm-keir-starmer-economy/
|
European Parliament weighs banning Russian media from its networks
|
Political group leaders voiced concern the move could set a precedent for restricting media in the European Parliament. BRUSSELS — The European Parliament is considering whether to ban access to Russian websites such as Sputnik and RT from its IT infrastructure. Scores of websites hosting the broadcasters' content remain accessible despite the EU sanctioning Russian media across the bloc in 2022 after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists, whose Polish and Italian leaders publicly oppose Russia's war, asked during a political group leaders' meeting on Oct. 15 for “Russian propaganda websites under EU sanctions” to be made inaccessible on Parliament’s IT infrastructure. The request comes from Latvian MEP Rihards Kols, who said he wants the Parliament to block access to RT, Sputnik, VGTRK, ANO TV Novosti and others across all Parliament devices and networks. “This is a matter of information security, institutional coherence, and the credibility of the Parliament’s position against Russian disinformation,” he told POLITICO, adding that “the Latvian national media regulator has raised the issue directly with [Parliament] President [Roberta] Metsola.” If approved, the measure would mirror restrictions already imposed on the social media giant TikTok, whose parent company ByteDance is headquartered in Beijing, over network security concerns. The TikTok app was blocked on the Parliament’s Wi-Fi and devices in March 2023. Several political group leaders expressed concerns that the ban could set a precedent for websites being banned “for reasons other than security,” and cited the technical and legal challenges of enforcing such restrictions, according to the meeting notes. Metsola is “investigating” the possibility and studying which other measures are applied in other EU institutions, according to the notes. Kols said “a solution is expected to be proposed in the near future.” The Parliament’s press service said in a statement the matter will be discussed again in a future leaders’ meeting. “The European Parliament takes the protection of its users and their data seriously and implement measures to protect these and its infrastructures.” The European Parliament’s center right weighs turning its back on historical mainstream alliances in its push to cut red tape. A draft of a letter seen by POLITICO being drawn up by all four mainstream political groups demands major changes to Commission plan. Whether it’s green deregulation or official EU languages, both leaders have their pet topics. Roberta Metsola says the coalition that has traditionally controlled Brussels may no longer always be able to pass legislation.
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Max Griera
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Political group leaders voiced concern the move could set a precedent for restricting media in the European Parliament.
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[
"data",
"disinformation",
"media",
"network security",
"security",
"social media",
"war in ukraine",
"technology",
"cybersecurity and data protection"
] |
Politics
|
[
"Russia",
"Ukraine"
] |
2025-10-29T12:31:49Z
|
2025-10-29T12:31:49Z
|
2025-10-29T12:32:32Z
| 7,404,966
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-parliament-weighs-banning-russian-media-from-its-networks/
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Hungary stalls EU’s ‘hybrid war’ verdict against Belarus
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Budapest’s reluctance to point the finger has delayed the bloc’s response for days. BRUSSELS — Efforts by the EU to agree a joint stance against Belarus, from where a wave of balloons sent over the border to Lithuania grounded planes and triggered border closures, have remained stuck for days after Hungary's attempts to water down the language. The bloc has been pushing for a statement to be issued on behalf of all 27 member countries in the wake of the balloon incursions, which Lithuania has warned amount to a “hybrid war” tactic. Belarus’ authoritarian leadership is a close ally of Russia and has already been accused of weaponizing irregular migration to sow unrest in the EU, facing sanctions and international condemnation. However, according to a diplomat and two officials granted anonymity to speak to POLITICO about the closed-door talks, Hungary is lobbying for the bloc not to publish its assessment that the balloon flights amount to an effort to destabilize EU countries. While there is hope Budapest will back down on the issue, the row has left the draft statement languishing since it was circulated to member countries on Tuesday morning, when Lithuania first triggered air defense measures against the wave of incursions. Ostensibly used for smuggling cigarettes, the balloons are around the size of a large car and have sparked aviation safety fears, sending intelligence agencies scrambling to determine the motivations behind the sudden uptick. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys told POLITICO in an interview earlier this week that the incidents shine a light on the need for the EU to step up joint preparedness efforts and introduce new sanctions on Belarus. On Monday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė confirmed the country would indefinitely close its border with Belarus over the incursions. Belarus’ strongman leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has denied wrongdoing and called the response “petty.” Hungary’s populist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has repeatedly tried to hold up EU positions against Russia, fighting against new sanctions on the country’s energy exports and imposing a veto on Ukraine’s application to become a member of the bloc. In August, Hungary refused to sign a statement condemning Russian strikes on Ukraine — including one that damaged the EU’s representative office in Kyiv — meaning the missive had to be issued on behalf of the remaining 26 member countries instead. The permanent representations of Hungary and Lithuania to the EU did not respond to a request for comment. Staffers who are most “at risk” are those on short-term contracts, said one official, as employee associations demand transparency. The idea of joint European borrowing is rejected by most of the bloc’s governments. That’s why the Commission is using it as leverage to get them to approve the use of Moscow’s assets for Ukraine. Restrictions imposed by Washington will force the company to end its exports to European countries. Repeated incursions, some relating to “hybrid war,” should be met with trade restrictions, tariffs and air defense investments, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys tells POLITICO.
|
Gabriel Gavin
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Budapest’s reluctance to point the finger has delayed the bloc’s response for days.
|
[
"air defense",
"airspace",
"aviation",
"borders",
"defense",
"energy",
"exports",
"migration",
"sanctions",
"war",
"foreign affairs"
] |
Politics
|
[
"Belarus",
"Hungary",
"Lithuania",
"Russia",
"Ukraine"
] |
2025-10-29T11:48:25Z
|
2025-10-29T11:48:25Z
|
2025-10-29T11:49:24Z
| 7,410,612
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-holds-up-eu-hybrid-war-verdict-against-belarus-lithuania-balloon/
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US begins troop drawdown in Romania
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It’s the first official acknowledgment from a NATO ally that Washington is scaling back forces on the continent. The United States has begun downsizing its military presence in Europe, Romania’s defense ministry confirmed Wednesday. The Romanian ministry said in a statement that Bucharest and other allies “have been informed about the United States’ decision to downsize American troops in Europe,” describing it as part of a broader reassessment of U.S. global force posture. The Romanian statement said the decision affects elements of a U.S. brigade whose rotations across Europe will cease, including troops stationed at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, a key hub for NATO operations on the Black Sea. Roughly 1,000 American soldiers will remain in Romania, the ministry said, emphasizing that they will continue to “contribute to deterrence of any threats and represent a guarantee of the U.S. commitment to regional security.” This marks the first official acknowledgment from a NATO ally that Washington is scaling back forces on the continent. The move follows a shift in Washington’s strategic priorities announced in February by Donald Trump's administration, which has been reviewing deployments in Europe amid calls to redirect resources toward the Indo-Pacific. “Adjustments to force posture are not unusual. Even with this adjustment, the U.S. force posture in Europe remains larger than it has been for many years," said a U.S. official. "There are still many more U.S. forces on the continent than before 2022." The official added: "U.S. commitment to NATO is clear. President Trump and his administration have reiterated this time and again. NATO has robust defense plans in place and we are working to ensure we maintain the right forces and capabilities in place to deter and defend each other." The Mihail Kogălniceanu base has served as a key transit point for U.S. and allied troops reinforcing the alliance’s eastern defenses. At the height of the buildup, several thousand U.S. soldiers rotated through Romania and Poland as part of NATO’s deterrence mission. This article has been updated with U.S. comment. A new procurement blueprint seen by POLITICO shows Germany’s plan to become the backbone of the continent’s defense revival. The mishap has raised fresh questions about how Germany’s armed forces coordinate domestic training drills. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius intervened to halt a coalition deal that would have reintroduced limited military service by lottery. Paris is significantly weakened, and a trilateral meeting between France, Germany and Spain scheduled for October is now on hold.
|
Chris Lunday
|
It’s the first official acknowledgment from a NATO ally that Washington is scaling back forces on the continent.
|
[
"defense",
"eu-us military ties",
"military",
"missions",
"nato",
"pentagon",
"security",
"war in ukraine"
] |
Defense
|
[
"Poland",
"Romania",
"Russia",
"Ukraine",
"United States"
] |
2025-10-29T11:07:34Z
|
2025-10-29T11:07:34Z
|
2025-10-29T12:52:06Z
| 7,410,885
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/u-s-begins-troop-drawdown-in-europe-romania-confirms/
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Taiwan’s defense dilemma
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AI generated Text-to-speech Free through the end of 2025, this POLITICO Pro newsletter preview explores the people, policies, and power shifts shaping today’s international security landscape. By JOE GOULD with PHELIM KINE Send ideas here | @reporterjoe | View in your browser WELCOME TO GLOBAL SECURITY. We’re pulling back the curtain this week on Taipei’s defense strategy, what Australia’s prime minister told U.S. lawmakers in private and an Israeli firm’s big production ramp-up. Read more about our mission. We’ll publish daily for free during major industry events, and put our otherwise weekly newsletter behind the paywall for U.S. and EU Pro subscribers starting in 2026. What’s the biggest takeaway from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Asia trip? Email me at [email protected] with tips, pitches and feedback, and find me on X at @reporterjoe. New from POLITICO Canada: The Playbook Canada podcast — Our colleagues Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric — the plugged-in reporters behind Canada Playbook — are bringing their sharp political insight to a new weekly podcast. Each Thursday morning, they’ll unpack the stories driving the news in Ottawa and beyond — the characters, conflicts and conversations setting the national agenda — plus a fan-favorite feature: their 200-second interviews with the people shaping Canadian politics. The first episode drops Oct. 30. Listen to the trailer and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Taiwan wants to show it’s arming up as the world’s two biggest powers jockey around it.President Donald Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Wednesday, and the island is bracing for both Beijing’s diplomatic offensive and Washington’s mounting demands. Despite speculation that Trump could acquiesce to Xi’s territorial claim to the self-ruling island, Beijing’s push is likely to fall flat, our colleague Phelim Kine writes in. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Sunday that the administration isn’t contemplating “walking away from Taiwan.” Taipei’s more immediate concern is meeting U.S. demands that the island pay more — much more — to deter a potential Chinese invasion that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said may occur as soon as 2027. Money magnet: The administration wants Taiwan to “spend upwards of 10 percent” on defense, John Noh, the Pentagon’s deputy assistant secretary for East Asia, told a Senate panel this month. Taipei says such an increase — equivalent to about half of its annual government budget — is infeasible. Officials countered with a plan to raise its defense budget from around 2 percent to more than 3 percent of GDP in 2026 with an eventual goal — emulating the NATO model — of hitting 5 percent by 2030. That more modest target will still require the assent of Taiwan’s opposition KMT Party, which repeatedly defeated moves by President Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party to raise defense spending. Shopping list: Lai plans to place orders for billions of dollars in U.S. weapon systems to boost Taiwan’s deterrence to possible Chinese aggression and show the Trump administration its commitment to defending itself. “Taipei is preparing an arms purchase package of nine U.S. weapons systems valued at around $22 billion,” said Rupert Hammond-Chambers, the president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council who has regular contact with senior Taiwanese officials. It will include National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System air defenses, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, Javelin and Stinger shoulder-launched missiles and AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and will likely be announced sometime in December, Hammond-Chambers told Phelim. Those orders will likely add to the existing backlog of weapon deliveries to Taiwan and could trigger Beijing’s hostility. “Arming Taiwan is an extremely dangerous ‘gambling’ act and [the U.S.] will surely pay a heavy price for it,” Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s defense ministry, said in a statement earlier this month. The White House didn’t respond to a request for comment. Taiwan’s diplomatic outpost in Washington declined to comment on the planned buying spree. Spokesperson How-wei Tsao instead touted the virtues of Taiwan’s 2025 National Defense Report published this month. That strategy aims to create an asymmetric defense posture that will “integrate kill chains across all weapon systems” to create a “layered defense” aimed at shredding a Chinese invasion force before it reaches the island. The approach has won praise among U.S. military experts. “You can’t snap your fingers and have the Israeli military overnight, but Taiwan’s doing a good job,” Mark Montgomery, the former director of operations at U.S. Pacific Command, told Phelim. “They are doing the right thing — a mix of counter-intervention and air naval capability, including anti-armor, man-portable air defense, anti-ship missiles, anti-ship drones, land and sea mines. All those things are the basis of counter-intervention.” Trump talk: One of the centerpieces of Taiwan’s defense strategy is an island-spanning anti-missile defense system that Lai has christened the “T-Dome” system. But that proposal, which echoes Trump’s own “Golden Dome” platform, appears more of a political gambit than a serious defense initiative. “They’re speaking the Trump team’s language,” said Lauren Dickey, former acting director for Taiwan at the Pentagon. “It feels like they’re just testing the waters to see what branding Taiwan should use that most resonates with Trump and might get them a bit of a reprieve, whether it’s in tariffs or that 10 percent [defense spending] target.” But Taiwan likely lacks the time and resources to create an effective island-wide missile defense system that can counter Beijing’s overwhelming military superiority. “If Taiwan is trying to build, starting now in the year 2025, an air defense capability that gives them layers of resilience against inbound [People’s Liberation Army] missiles, it’s a numbers game,” Dickey said. “And the numbers are not in their favor.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, fresh from his White House meeting with Trump,quietly floated the idea last week of adding a third pillar to the AUKUS alliance in a closed-door meeting with U.S. senators — one centered on critical minerals cooperation. The room where it happened: U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, said Albanese raised the idea and that it deserves consideration. “He said, ‘Could this wind up being one of the pillars?’” Risch told Global Security. “You have two parties with the same objective, both working in good faith. No reason we can’t make this work.” Critical minerals are … critical: Trump has made securing critical minerals outside of China a means to strengthen his hand ahead of his meeting with Xi. The U.S. president, during his Asia swing this week, signed agreements with Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia outlining cooperation to process and export critical minerals. Albanese’s proposal follows Trump’s declaration that the three-way alliance with the UK and Australia will move “full steam ahead,” ending months of uncertainty over the Pentagon’s review of the pact. AUKUS rests on two pillars: nuclear-powered submarines and advanced-technology cooperation in areas such as AI, quantum computing and undersea systems. A third focused on minerals would fold in the industrial base that sustains those things. All three are an effort to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific. What’s the deal: Canberra has plunked down more than AUD $4 billion to expand mining and refining capacity and has pitched itself as a secure alternative to China, which dominates global processing of rare earths and battery minerals. Beijing recently tightened export controls on those substances — all crucial for defense and clean-energy manufacturing — sparking American fears it could weaponize its near-monopoly. U.S. negotiators, ahead of the Xi meeting, have sought a one-year reprieve from China’s critical-mineral restrictions. A new U.S.–Australia deal signed last week commits both countries to more than $3 billion in joint mining and processing projects over the next six months, covering resources valued at about $53 billion. Charles Edel, the Australia Chair at CSIS, said talk of a “Pillar 3” has also included space cooperation, but whether any of it folds into the pact depends on whether it enhances deterrence — “the core purpose of the AUKUS partnership.” Israel Aerospace Industries is betting it can move into new markets despite backlash from some Western governments over its role as a defense industry supplier in the Gaza war. “The future warfare was… done in Israel,” IAI CEO Boaz Levy told Global Security, referencing Israel’s experience with fending off Iran and its proxies. “The product that we built for that … and the lessons learned … is something that all of the countries, or any leaders in the world that want to protect their populations, should learn.” IAI, Israel’s largest state-owned defense firm, produces everything from drones to radars to ballistic missile defense systems, including the Arrow 3 interceptor co-developed with the U.S. Meeting demand: Germany’s nearly $4 billion deal for Arrow 3, the biggest defense export in Israel’s history, has opened a beachhead in Europe’s intensifying air defense market. And to meet surging demand at home and abroad, IAI took extraordinary steps to keep factories cranking while 20 percent of its workforce was called up during the war with Hamas. Trade show tensions: At recent expos, including this year’s Paris Air Show, IAI encountered political pushback — “noise,” as Levy put it — when organizers blocked its booth with black curtains over the war in Gaza. But Levy insisted the controversy hasn’t hurt business: “We are in the market. … The requirement is out there and our products are good.” Multiple markets: He said IAI is growing its European footprint, sometimes behind the scenes. Levy also confirmed IAI is not ruling out deeper ties with Gulf neighbors in the wake of the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations. “To problems that exist in the Arab markets and in other places in the world, we have the solutions,” he said. “Necessity is the mother of all inventions, and we have some good products … ready.” Levy is pitching IAI’s Arrow 3 for Trump’s proposed national missile defense shield, Golden Dome. He argues it’s ready now and partly made in the U.S. “This is the only solution that can be deployed in the United States in the time frame that President Trump dictates,” he said. The U.S. and Japan signed a rare earth and critical minerals deal during Trump’s visit, part of a broader investment push announced alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. “Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”
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Joe Gould
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[] |
Uncategorized
|
[] |
2025-10-29T10:30:00Z
|
2025-10-29T10:30:00Z
|
2025-10-29T10:30:00Z
| 7,409,418
|
https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/global-security/taiwans-defense-dilemma/
|
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Slovakia adopts speed limit for pedestrians
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Power walking will soon be illegal in Slovakia as law changes to prevent sidewalk accidents. You can only walk 6 kilometers per hour if you want to follow the law in Slovakia.The Slovak parliament Tuesday afternoon adopted an amendment to the traffic law that sets a maximum permitted speed on sidewalks in urban areas at 6 kph.The limit applies to pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, and scooter and e-scooter riders — all of who are allowed on sidewalks — and aims to avoid frequent collisions."The main goal is to increase safety on sidewalks in light of the increasing number of collisions with scooter riders," said the author of the amendment, Ľubomír Vážny of the leftist-populist Smer party of Prime Minister Robert Fico, which is part of the ruling coalition.The amendment will be useful in proving violations, the lawmaker said, "especially in cases where it’s necessary to objectively determine whether they were moving faster than what’s considered an appropriate speed in areas meant primarily for pedestrians.” Although the law will come into force Jan. 1, 2026, proponents haven't publicly spelled out how they plan to enforce it. The average walking speed typically ranges between 4 to 5 kph. However, the British Heart Foundation reports that a pace of 6.4 kilometers per hour is considered moderate for someone with excellent fitness.The opposition criticized the change, and even the Slovak Interior Ministry said it would be more appropriate to prohibit e-scooters from the sidewalks than impose a general speed limit.Martin Pekár of the opposition liberal party Progressive Slovakia said pedestrians face danger from cars, not cyclists or scooters, and that the amendment penalizes sustainable transport. "If we want fewer collisions, we need more safe bike lanes, not absurd limits that are physically impossible to follow," Pekár said. "At the mentioned speed, a cyclist can hardly keep their balance," he added.The amendment has sparked a wave of amusement on social media, with some wondering whether running to catch a bus could get them fined. Underfunding of the Belgian judicial system must be fixed to fight drug-fueled violence and corruption, Antwerp justice warns in blunt intervention. “We are sending a signal to Belarus that no hybrid attack will be tolerated, and we are taking the strictest measures to stop such attacks,” prime minister says. “Extensive mafia-like structures have taken root,” judge writes in anonymous letter laying out how criminality seeps into every part of Belgian society. “It was a question of time before this would happen,” president rails amid months-long anti-government protests.
|
Ketrin Jochecová
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Power walking will soon be illegal in Slovakia as law changes to prevent sidewalk accidents.
|
[
"cycling",
"e-scooters",
"public transport",
"slovak politics",
"sport",
"policy"
] |
Mobility
|
[
"Slovakia"
] |
2025-10-29T10:06:46Z
|
2025-10-29T10:06:46Z
|
2025-10-29T10:07:46Z
| 7,410,447
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-adopts-speed-limit-pedestrians/
|
French lawmakers progress tax on American Big Tech amid huge pushback
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AI generated Text-to-speech PARIS — French lawmakers are moving ahead with plans to double a tax on big tech firms — backing away from a more aggressive push amid fears of provoking U.S. trade retaliation. France’s National Assembly voted Tuesday night in favor of hiking a digital service tax on tech companies including Google, Apple, Meta and Amazon to 6 percent, up from 3 percent. The French government is against the move, with Economy Minister Roland Lescure warning that a “disproportionate” tax would lead to “disproportionate” retaliatory measures. Lawmakers had initially pushed to hike the levy to 15 percent to hit back at U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war, sparking strong reactions from across the Atlantic. Industries in France that fear trade retaliation have also called for caution. The amendment has yet to survive a final vote on the country’s 2026 budget law next week, after which it must pass the French Senate. As well as increasing the tax, the measure would raise the global revenue threshold from €750 million to €2 billion — a bid to shield smaller national players from the scope of the proposal. “The new proposal appears to exclusively target U.S. companies, which will likely spur retaliation impacting the broader French economy,” John Murphy, the senior vice president and head of international at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said last week. “Cooler heads must prevail.” “The objective of this tax was not to harm the United States in any way … I say this to the Americans who are listening to us, at least at the embassy,” lawmaker Charles Sitzenstuhl from Emmanuel Macron’s party said Tuesday. American tech companies have piled into EU capital with bigger budgets and beefed-up teams. President Donald Trump has warned he would retaliate against any move that targets U.S. companies. France and Germany are not yet on the same page to detox from Big Tech. Inclusion in 2026 Commission plan follows China’s move to limit export of rare-earth magnets.
|
Mathieu Pollet
|
[
"big tech",
"budget",
"companies",
"digital",
"tarrifs",
"tax",
"trade",
"trade war",
"financial services"
] |
Technology
|
[
"France",
"United States"
] |
2025-10-29T09:12:52Z
|
2025-10-29T09:12:52Z
|
2025-10-29T09:32:25Z
| 7,410,360
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/french-lawmakers-progress-tax-on-american-big-tech-amid-huge-pushback/
|
|
How Rachel Reeves might fill £30bn budget black hole
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Listen on The chancellor has been talking about “necessary choices” around next month’s budget in an article for The Guardian. Rachel Reeves says she needs to be “candid” and doesn’t want to “simply accept” forecasts – but to “defy them”. With four weeks to go, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ponder what she might be up to – and how she might fill a black hole coming in above £30bn. Will Labour manifesto pledges be breached? Elsewhere, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chooses a Labour veteran to lead the party’s election campaigns next year. Lord Spencer Livermore will take on the task.
|
Anne McElvoy
|
[
"british politics",
"budget",
"politics at sam and anne’s"
] |
Politics
|
[] |
2025-10-29T08:56:07Z
|
2025-10-29T08:56:07Z
|
2025-10-29T08:56:13Z
| 7,410,489
|
https://www.politico.eu/podcast/politics-at-sam-and-annes/how-rachel-reeves-might-fill-30bn-budget-black-hole/
|
|
The asylum news never stops
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AI generated Text-to-speech Presented by Intuit By DAN BLOOM with BETHANY DAWSON PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser Good Wednesday morning. This is Dan Bloom. SPIN THE WHEEL: Keir Starmer will face Kemi Badenoch at noon after a week that has served up an impressive conveyor belt of news. Guessing the Tory leader’s theme for PMQs is a dangerous game, and today’s mishmash of front pages shows no one story is gripping the narrative … but she’ll have no shortage of questions about the asylum system. You almost have to admire it: In the week since the pair clashed over the grooming gangs inquiry (which has stalled even further), we’ve had — deep breath — Labour U-turning and putting asylum-seekers in army barracks … the one in, one out migrant coming back in again … and that scathing committee report on asylum hotels. Breaking news: But at least the Epping sex offender who was accidentally released from jail is out of Starmer’s hair. He got deported overnight and landed in Ethiopia in the last couple of hours. Triumphant post from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood here. **A message from Intuit: Small and mid-sized businesses use of AI varies by sector. 46% of business-to-business service firms in sectors like finance, law, and marketing use AI, compared to just 26% of business-to-consumer firms and manufacturers. Explore these insights in new research from the British Chambers of Commerce in partnership with Intuit.** There is also no shortage … of questions about the economy, given all the Treasury’s pitch-rolling for a black hole at the budget. And Reform UK clearly agrees. The party will spend this morning laying out what it says is actual, costed policy on disability benefit cuts for critics to get their teeth into, ahead of Nigel Farage and MP Richard Tice’s economic speeches next week. More on that below. But first: Badenoch has a choice. Will she say that Labour’s pivot to putting asylum-seekers on military sites proves the Tories were right all along? Or will her own party’s record put paid to that? NEW DAY, NEW PROBLEM: Either way, Home Office aides are more jittery about an event outside the Commons — Tuesday’s fatal stabbing of a dog walker in west London. So concerned were officials last night about wild claims circulating on social media that they sent out biographical detail about the Afghan man being questioned by police. They say he snuck into Britain on a lorry in 2020, was granted asylum and then indefinite leave to remain, but was not living at Home Office accommodation. Needless to say: This feels like an incident that could trigger the sort of unrest on the right that we’ve seen pop up over the summer. The killing splashes the Mail and the perennially online Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson) has been posting about it to his 1.7 million followers. And here’s something Starmer will hate talking about even more: Channel 4 News’ hair-raising report that “several” migrants who were deported under his new “one in, one out” deal have already absconded from their French accommodation — and plan to cross the Channel again. Just imagine the headlines if last week’s single case turned into a pattern. HERE’S ONE I MADE EARLIER: At least Starmer has come with a carefully planned migration story at the top of his grid. Ministers will launch a six-week consultation today on extending right-to-work checks to gig economy firms and agency workers, including Uber, Deliveroo and dodgy car washes. The Home Office has also been trumpeting figures that show there were 8,232 arrests for illegal working in the year to September, up from 5,043 the year before. It gets a big write-up in the Sun. A Cabinet of curiosities: Playbook’s mischievous side wonders if there is a whiff of rivalry here between the new home secretary and the last one, Yvette Cooper. Mahmood told the BBC (again) last night that the department is “not yet fit for purpose” — and this week’s asylum hotels U-turn suggests she is deploying a shock-and-awe policy blitz to regain control of the narrative. So what does that say, implicitly, about her predecessor? Silver lining for Cooper: The surge in arrests was on her watch. Hell yes, she’s tough enough: Mahmood flexed her law-and-order muscles by taking the BBC’s Nick Eardley along to Streatham in south London, where police stopped delivery riders in the street to check their papers. There’s just one issue. “The BBC spent two hours with officers,” Eardley wrote. “In that time, nobody was arrested for working illegally, although one man was detained for other offences.” News lines: Mahmood told Eardley she was looking at “all options” for ending the use of asylum hotels — including breaking contracts with accommodation providers — and said she wants migrants in the two military sites by the end of the year. More fodder: Playbook has covered this issue in depth now but more details will drip out. For instance, it turns out one of the two military sites, Cameron Barracks in Inverness, was rejected by the Tories due to fears they would be dragged into a legal spat with Holyrood, one “former Home Office insider” told the i Paper’s Arj Singh. And here’s an obvious Q: Which pissed-off MPs might bob for a question/rant to Starmer about new asylum sites in their backyard? He’s also tough enough: Starmer told the Sun he “hopes” to strike deals with other countries soon for migrant “return hubs.” DON’T CRY FOR ME, STRASBOURG: Nigel Farage may not get a PMQ (as he wants the entire world to know), but today he will stand up in the Commons straight after Starmer. The Reform leader has a somewhat aspirational private member’s bill calling for Britain to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights by April 30. Wonder if he’ll give his oration from the gallery, like Evita? ‘KING HELL: Plenty of other issues could pop up at PMQs … not least the status of Prince Andrew (a Lib Dem favorite). Which might be awkward when Keir Starmer has his audience with King Charles later today. IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Starmer will surely be asked for his view on Israel’s strikes on Gaza last night — and whether he thinks they put the ceasefire in danger. But the PM and foreign secretary have been conspicuously quiet so far, with officials suggesting last night that they were waiting for the U.S. to respond. No such qualms for Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey, who used an LBC spot to brand Israel’s actions “deeply alarming and reckless.” Here’s that U.S. response you ordered: Donald Trump told reporters overnight that “nothing will jeopardize the ceasefire” — although he helpfully added that Hamas is “going to be terminated” if it doesn’t behave. Vice President JD Vance played it down too, saying “the ceasefire is holding” and insisting the strikes were sparked by an attack on an IDF soldier (without attributing blame). HURRICANE OF NEWS: Hurricane Melissa left Jamaica overnight and was due to make landfall on Cuba this morning. The extent of the damage isn’t yet clear, though British officials — including a rapid response team hunkering down in Miami — were hopeful that the hurricane’s pivot away from Kingston and downgrading to a Category 4 storm would mean they had avoided the worst. The U.K. has been asking British nationals to register their presence. PIPS SQUEAK: Reform UK will hold its third press conference in three days at 10 a.m. Head of policy Zia Yusuf and welfare spokesperson Lee Anderson will pledge £32 billion of cuts to disability benefit PIP over five years — and pick a fight with the two main parties while they’re at it. The proposal … is twofold. PIP would end for claimants with “non-major” anxiety (what this means isn’t spelt out, but officials reckon it’d wipe out 80 percent of anxiety claims) … and the vast majority of remote assessments, which are more generous than doing it face-to-face, would stop. There would be a £500 million program to fast-track people back into work. The Telegraph had a trail. Get your calculators: This is the second day this week that we’ve had some properly costed (or so they say) policy from Reform. Bookmark it all for 2029. Will Farage stick to it? Personal space invasion! It treads on sensitive territory for Labour, which has also promised to bring back more face-to-face assessments but shelved PIP cuts amid a backlash. Arguably, though, this plan parks tanks mostly on Conservative lawns. Reform has worked up this policy with help from the Centre for Social Justice, the same think tank where Badenoch outlined similar plans on welfare in July. And here’s where it gets interesting: For once Nigel Farage’s party is making a point of promising less than the Tories, who have pledged £23 billion a year in welfare reforms by 2029-30. It’s more fuel for the idea that Farage is trying to ride two horses on state spending, in pledging to end the two-child benefit cap and renationalize industry while slashing the civil service. But Reform aides also argue their plans are more realistic — and the Tories “got away scot-free” without proper scrutiny of their figures at conference. Fight! One Tory official responds: “They’re saying our stuff is unrealistic?!” A Labour official said Reform’s last welfare plan “fell apart before it was even announced.” For his part … Starmer told the Sun’s Jack Elsom he is “determined” to keep “bear[ing] down on” the welfare bill — though he refused to confirm welfare cuts would be in Rachel Reeves’ budget. FROM PLANET TORY: Yusuf may well be asked about Michael Helestine’s interview with the Times’ Alice Thomson. Hezza claims Reform is a “reincarnation of Oswald Mosley and his fascists in the Thirties when it was the Jews [who were the target], and of Enoch Powell with immigrants in the Sixties.” That’s … punchy. HAD ENOUGH OF EXPERTS: Back to Reeves, the chancellor is talking openly about the looming £21 billion downgrade to productivity — by vowing to “defy” it with some growth. She wrote in a Guardian op-ed overnight: “I am determined that we don’t simply accept the forecasts but we defy them, as we already have this year.” That’s the spirit! She’ll still have to balance the books on Nov. 26 though. More bad news: The Home Builders Federation has told the OBR it thinks Labour will miss its 1.5 million homes target, according to the Times’ Oliver Wright. New headache: The House of Lords also inflicted five defeats on Labour’s workers’ rights bill last night — including (as expected) voting down Day 1 protections against unfair dismissal for a second time. Sky News’ Jon Craig wrote it up. But the budget lobbying of the day goes to … the Sun, which has come out hard against any prospect of a gambling tax rise. The campaign makes the splash. The paper has its own table stakes in this matter, TBF. Is there even any point of all this? The IFS has a uniquely depressing note out today. “For two decades, official statistics have substantially overstated the size of the UK’s self-employed population and the share of national income flowing to those with the highest incomes.” Right. But anyway: Bank of England stats including the number of mortgage approvals in September are out at 9.30 a.m. OVER TO LABOUR LAND: The question of how to take on Reform continues to occupy brains. So congrats to Treasury Minister Spencer Livermore, who has been given the unenviable job of Labour’s national campaign coordinator (as first reported by the Times). Will he do better than he managed for Ed Miliband in 2015? One of Labour’s great hopes … it seems, is still digital ID, despite complaints in party circles over the way it was launched and communicated. No. 10 put out a surprisingly strongly worded readout of Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, in which Darren Jones — the PM’s right-hand man — said: “We have to build a new state and shut down the legacy state.” Meanwhile in the PLP: Starmer’s recent drive to hang out with his MPs is not satisfying them all. One told Playbook’s Bethany Dawson that some backbenchers want the PM to come to next week’s Parliamentary Labour Party meeting himself to answer concerns about the Caerphilly by-election. It’s not just Starmer: Playbook also hears Morgan McSweeney has been stepping up his own drinks with MPs since summer. The chief of staff had “informal” drinks with MPs last Tuesday and Wednesday in No. 10, where groups of five to six were invited to discuss “topics of the day and life in the constituency,” one MP with knowledge of it told Bethany. Tensionwatch: Tonight is the Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year awards, known for its acerbic and jokey speeches. Wes Streeting’s didn’t go down brilliantly with all his colleagues last year. But tonight’s best red-on-red dinner … is surely deputy PM David Lammy, who is hosting a meal at Lancaster House for the general secretary of Communist Vietnam. In between the visitor’s trip to see Karl Marx’s tomb in Highgate. AMBASSADOR, WE ARE SPOILING YOU: The Guardian has got hold of a 2018 letter in the row over the (stalled) Chinese Embassy near the Tower of London that might ruffle feathers. Eleni Courea reports that Boris Johnson approved the site for diplomatic use in exchange for “assurances” about the British Embassy redevelopment in Beijing. The Tories insisted they still fought the project on planning grounds … judge the wording yourself here. One for PMQs: Kemi Badenoch was “glad” to send a bunch of officials to China to “champion” Chinese-owned British Steel in government, according to 2023 docs seen by the Times’ Geri Scott. All great timing … for parliament’s National Security Strategy Committee to hold another hearing on the collapsed China spying case. Attorney General Richard Hermer and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Darren Jones are due up at 9.45 a.m. Fight! Starmer’s lawyer mate Hermer is particularly in Tories’ sights (as always), and can be expected to give some extremely lawyerly answers about why it wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to intervene in the case. TBF, much of the questioning has now moved from claims of interference/cover-up to who knew what and when — despite today’s Telegraph continuing valiantly. But it’ll still be interesting to see the government’s broader view. Eg does Jones, who heads up national security, see China as an active threat? GREEN PLAN INCOMING: Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will publish a revised plan today showing how the government hits targets on reducing emissions — after green campaigners took the Tory government to court and forced a rethink. The same groups are watching closely and could launch a third legal action, Energy Editor Russell Hargrave texts in. Watch closely … considering there has been a stream of murmurings (see recent Playbooks) about the government’s net zero plans. The Telegraph’s Matt Oliver reports that the government slashed forecasts this week for the amount of electricity it expects wind farms to generate … while CityAM’s Mauricio Alencar has details of a DESNZ-led survey that found 69 percent of people believed net zero policies would increase their living expenses in the next two years. Fuel for the defense: Energy Minister Michael Shanks will argue Labour is right not to take a “binary approach” of going full green or maxing out the North Sea, in a speech at today’s Just Transition Commission Summit in Edinburgh. The Scotsman’s Andrew Quinn has the story. CHANNELING 2020 KEIR STARMER: Most in Westminster won’t go anywhere near the issue, but Green Leader Zack Polanski reckons ending EU free movement has been a “disaster.” In his first intervention on Brexit policy, Polanski told my colleague Jon Stone that Starmer’s EU reset had been “a bit meh” and said the U.K. should really be rejoining the customs union. FRIDAY FUN SPONGE: Steve Reed has entered the four-day week wars. The communities secretary has written to South Cambridgeshire District Council expressing “deep disappointment” that it adopted a shorter working week — arguing services worsened during a trial. “Voters deserve the respect of a five-day week,” a departmental source told the Telegraph, which has been banging on about this for ages and splashes the story. CHECK’S IN THE POST: A compensation scheme for victims of the Post Office’s dodgy Capture computer system is set to launch, with a written ministerial statement today. HOLDING PATTERN: Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is due to dial in to a virtual meeting of ministers from the Weimar Plus group on Ukraine. NOT THEIR PARTY: Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s Your Party is preparing legal action against three of its founders after a deadline to cough up £800,000 in donations passed without payment, the Guardian’s Aletha Adu reports. Party figures have accused former Labour MP Beth Winter, anti-apartheid activist Andrew Feinstein and former North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll of holding supporters’ funds to ransom. Excuse of the year: The trio said the claims are inaccurate, adding: “We will make a full statement when we have time, but none of us are paid politicians with press officers.” IT’S BAD NEWS, I’M AFRAID: Hospices have been forced to cut back services and beds for people who are dying because of funding constraints, according to a National Audit Office report written up by PA. CHECK THE FINE PRINT: The UK Statistics Authority has written to Steve Reed saying comments he made as environment secretary about the differences in English and Scottish water quality “run the risk of misleading the public.” Read the letter here. HEALTH NEWS: The morning-after pill will be available free of charge on the NHS from today, which the NHS national clinical director for women’s health hailed as the “biggest change to sexual health services since the 1960s.” WHEELS COMING OFF: The number of concessionary bus journeys by elderly and disabled people is still far lower than before Covid-19 and the government can’t adequately explain why, according to a Public Accounts Committee report. REPORTS OUT TODAY: The government should use windfall profits to fund a “lasting energy debt relief scheme,” according to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee … and the FCDO’s unclear definition of value for money and cuts to aid “risk worse outcomes for the world’s most vulnerable people,” says the International Development Committee. HOUSE OF COMMONS: Sits from 11.30 a.m. with Wales questions … PMQs at noon … Reform Leader Nigel Farage’s 10-minute rule motion on withdrawal from the ECHR … and remaining stages of the Sentencing Bill. Labour MP Mary Glindon has the adjournment debate on government support for the offshore wind supply chain in Tyneside. WESTMINSTER HALL: Debates from 9.30 a.m. on topics including the potential merits of banning plastic in wet wipes (Labour MP Fleur Anderson) … government support for independent lifeboats (Conservative MP Paul Holmes) … and potential merits of a new standard for vehicle headlight glare (Labour MP Peter Lamb). On committee corridor: The National Security Strategy (Joint Committee) grills Attorney General Richard Hermer and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Darren Jones on espionage cases and the Official Secrets Acts (9.45 a.m.) … the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Committee hears evidence from Courts Minister Sarah Sackman (2.05 p.m.). HOUSE OF LORDS: Sits from 11 a.m. with report stage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill … oral questions on the U.K.-EU youth mobility scheme, social cost of leaving England’s water companies in private ownership, and ensuring universities tackle antisemitism … and a statement on strengthening prisoner release checks (Prisons Minister James Timpson). FOR THE LOVE OF WONKS: Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar joins the IPPR Scotland conference at 12.30 p.m., after a senior Scottish government minister at 10.45 a.m. Schedule here. IN PARIS: Brigitte Macron’s youngest daughter told a Paris court Tuesday that the relentless spread of conspiracy theories about her mother online — including that she was assigned male at birth, is transgender or was born under her brother’s name — had made it “impossible” for the French first lady “to have a normal life.” Tiphaine Auzière testified on behalf of her mother in a two-day trial of 10 people charged with cyberbullying Macron by sharing messages on X. POLITICO has the story. ELECTION STATIONS: Voting has started in the Netherlands, where a nail-biting general election campaign has seen the country’s far right, center left and liberals poll neck-and-neck. The first exit poll is due at 8 p.m. U.K. time (according to Reuters), and POLITICO has a great explainer of the morass of parties, the backstory and what might happen next. ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE: Russian troops have gained a foothold in the strategic hub of Pokrovsk, a town in the east of Ukraine that Moscow has been trying to capture for two years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday. The BBC has a write-up. WINED AND DINED: Donald Trump arrived in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the APEC conference overnight, in the latest stop on his Asia tour. He’s having dinner with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung around 9.30 a.m. U.K. time. Start the countdown: Trump’s headline meeting with Xi Jinping is now only a day away. **A message from Intuit: In a survey of over 1,500 UK business leaders, nearly half – 46% – of business-to-business firms in sectors, such as finance, law, and marketing, say their organisation currently uses AI. This contrasts just 26% of business-to-consumer firms and manufacturers that report using AI. AI is helping small businesses boost productivity and resilience across sectors. Intuit will soon introduce agentic AI experiences to help small businesses and accountants using QuickBooks in the UK unlock next-level efficiency. These AI agents are built to handle everything from routine tasks to complex workflows, helping every business unlock efficiency, agility, and clarity. Learn more about how AI is transforming the small business landscape in a new report from the British Chambers of Commerce in partnership with Intuit.** Border Security Minister Alex Norris broadcast round: Times Radio (7.05 a.m.) … Sky News (7.15 a.m.) … BBC Breakfast (7.30 a.m.) … LBC (7.50 a.m.) … GMB (8.30 a.m.) … GB News (9.05 a.m.). Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullan broadcast round: Times Radio (7.45 a.m.) … GB News (8 a.m.) … Sky News (8.15 a.m.) … LBC News (8.45 a.m.) … Talk (9.05 a.m.). Also on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast: Former Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Northern Europe Jack Deverell (7.05 a.m.). Also on GB News PMQs (11.50 a.m.): Conservative MP Joe Robertson and Labour MP Oliver Ryan. Also on Times Radio Breakfast: Israeli Prime Minister’s spokesperson David Mencer (7.35 a.m.) … Chief Executive of the Construction Plant-hire Association Steve Mulholland (8.05 a.m.) … former Uber chief lobbyist Mark MacGann (8.20 a.m.) … former President of YouGov Peter Kellner (8.35 a.m.) … Labour MP and Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Chair Bill Esterson (9.40 a.m.). Also on LBC News: Bill Esterson (7.25 a.m.). 5Live MPs phone in (10 a.m.): Labour MP Natasha Irons … Conservative MP David Reed … Liberal Democrat MP Tom Morrison. Politics Live (BBC Two 11.15 p.m.): Labour MP Alex Ballinger … Deputy Lib Dem Leader Daisy Cooper … journalist and broadcaster Emily Sheffield … Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander … Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston. POLITICO UK: Ending EU free movement a ‘disaster’ for Britain, says Green Party’s Zack Polanski. Daily Express: OAPs must be given a ‘fair deal’ in budget. Daily Mail: Afghan held over murder of dog walker came to the UK in a lorry. Daily Mirror: Hell at 185mph. Daily Star: Lettuce… What lettuce? Financial Times: Microsoft tops $4tn valuation after OpenAI restructuring. Metro: Pure fury. The Daily Telegraph: Councils told to end four-day weeks. The Guardian: Reeves vows to defy gloom after £20bn budget blow. The Independent: Reeves must raise income tax to fill new gap in Budget. The i Paper: Storm of the century: 185mph hurricane bigger than Katrina. The Sun: Save our bets. The Times: Labour to miss 1.5m homes target, housebuilders warn. WESTMINSTER WEATHER: Drizzly and a bit miserable, to be honest. High 14C, low 7C. SPOTTED … at a Black History Month reception in the Foreign Office’s grand Locarno Suite: Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper … Justice Secretary David Lammy in conversation with BBC presenter Clive Myrie … Government Whip Taiwo Owatemi … Equalities Minister Seema Malhotra … Labour MPs Flo Eshalomi, Kate Osamor, Marsha de Cordova, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Janet Daby and David Burton-Sampson … Windrush Commissioner Clive Foster … Jamaican High Commissioner Alexander Williams … Ghanaian High Commissioner Sabah Zita Benson … Haitian Ambassador Anaïse Manuel … broadcasters Moira Stuart and Zeinab Badawi … Bank of England CFO Afua Kyei. EYES EMOJI: Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is expanding his private office and hiring an executive assistant. Playbook is always interested in job descriptions asking for a “discreet” member of staff. CONGRATULATIONS … to the 10 think tanks named as finalists for Smart Thinking’s Think Tank of the Year, including the IFS, Re:State, IPPR and More in Common. List here. NOW READ: The Guardian write-up of Tuesday’s committee hearing in which Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst told MPs that there is no “social ill with gambling.” Which is … one take. WRITING PLAYBOOK PM: Emilio Casalicchio. WRITING PLAYBOOK THURSDAY MORNING: Sam Blewett. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook … Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross … Lib Dem Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper … DUP peer Wallace Browne … Scottish Parliamentary Business and Veterans Minister Graeme Dey … New Yorker Editor David Remnick … Co-Op Party Head of Politics Caitlin Prowle. PLAYBOOK COULDN’T HAPPEN WITHOUT: My editors Zoya Sheftalovich and Alex Spence, diary reporter Bethany Dawson and producer Dean Southwell. SUBSCRIBE to the POLITICO newsletter family: Brussels Playbook | London Playbook | London Playbook PM | Playbook Paris | EU Election Playbook | Berlin Playbook | Global Playbook | POLITICO Confidential | Sunday Crunch | EU Influence | London Influence | Berlin Bulletin | Living Cities | D.C. Playbook | D.C. Influence | Canada Playbook | All our POLITICO Pro policy morning newsletters
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2025-10-29T07:00:41Z
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2025-10-29T07:01:07Z
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Dutch fizzlers and sizzlers
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AI generated Text-to-speech Presented by YouTube By GERARDO FORTUNA with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @gerardofortuna @NicholasVinocur | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser HOI THERE. It’s Gerardo Fortuna, trying out my very basic Dutch skills — and breaking the first unwritten law Italian diplomats learn on arriving in Brussels: “When in doubt, do the opposite of what the Dutch would do.” NECK AND NECK IN THE NETHERLANDS: Geert Wilders’ far-right PVV, Frans Timmermans’ GreenLeft-Labor party and the liberal D66 of Rob Jetten are within a few seats of each other in the final polls ahead of the Netherlands’ nail-biting election today. Here’s our guide to watching like a pro, and Playbook will take you through the runners and riders — plus we have an interview with Jetten below. WILDERS, THE FAR-RIGHT FIZZLER: Wilders led the polls for months, but the PVV leader’s edge has narrowed in the lead-up to election day. His final tally will depend heavily on turnout — and today’s forecasted rain is unlikely to help get people to the ballot boxes. BONTENBAL, THE STUMBLER: Former favorite Henri Bontenbal of the center-right CDA slipped in the polls amid controversy surrounding his comments about religious schools’ rejection of homosexual relationships. (He said freedom of education would sometimes clash with the ban on discrimination, but has since walked back on that remark.) **A message from YouTube: European teachers, teens and parents turn to YouTube for education. Find out more.** TIMMERMANS, THE BRUSSELS COMEBACK KID: One-time EU Green Deal architect Timmermans remains a strong contender. Heading the GreenLeft-Labor list, he’s warning voters on social media that the only way to secure a centrist coalition is to back him — arguing that D66 and the CDA could otherwise form a center-right government without his party. PASSING THE LIBERAL BATON? The Netherlands was long dominated by Mark Rutte’s VVD, the fiscally conservative, socially liberal force now led by Dilan Yeşilgöz. But if projections hold, D66 could overtake the VVD and claim the mantle of the country’s leading liberal party. Lesson for Manfred: For D66 MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, the Dutch election could mark the end of the “experiment” of conservatives flirting with the far right. “Polls indicate that voters didn’t like the outcomes of that experiment and are turning to parties that want to re-engage with Europe and the green agenda,” he told Playbook. JETTEN, THE LIBERAL WONDERKNAAP: Meanwhile, Jetten has had a sizzling rise in polling over the last week and is the first D66 leader with a real shot at the top job. Observers credit his optimism in an otherwise gloomy campaign, though critics say his party still feels too elitist and technocratic for many voters. POLITICO spoke to Jetten ahead of today’s vote to discuss his vision for Europe. “I want a return of the Netherlands to the role of kingmaker in Europe,” Jetten told Max Griera. “We used to play that role.” The D66 leader said he wants the Netherlands to be a leading voice in shaping Europe’s future: “We want to stop saying no by default, and start saying yes to doing more together.” In Putin’s shadow: Europe must transform itself into a serious “democratic global power,” Jetten said. “That means giving the EU the power and the resources to do what citizens all across Europe are asking it to do: defend our territory against Putin’s aggression, grow the economy, protect the climate.” Not the “young” or “gay” candidate: If he succeeds, Jetten would be the Netherlands’ first openly gay and youngest prime minister. (He is a stark contrast to Dick Schoof, the 68-year-old ex-top civil servant picked by Wilders to lead the last right-wing government.) But Jetten dismisses any focus on identity politics. “I’m not the gay candidate, nor the young candidate,” he said. “Much more relevant is that voters are rejecting a failed experiment with the far right … My party wants to infuse a renewed optimism into Dutch politics.” Beyond left and right: When it comes to potential coalition partners, Jetten brushed off traditional political labels. “The whole left-right discussion is outdated,” he said, adding that he wants to form a pro-European government that invests in education, builds homes for everyone and ramps up climate action. “We are ready to work with all those democratic forces who want to make that happen.” BOOKIES’ CORNER: For those who put stock in the betting odds, on Polymarket last night Jetten led the race for next prime minister, followed by Timmermans, then Bontenbal. VDL AT COP30: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is heading to Brazil next week for the COP30 U.N. climate summit in Belém, a Commission official told Playbook. (The confirmation of this trip comes after POLITICO revealed the Commission chief was planning to travel to Brazil to finally seal the Mercosur deal in December.) Costa joins the convoy: European Council President António Costa will also travel to Brazil for the global leaders’ summit that kicks off the COP30, his spokesperson told Zia Weise. An official schedule will follow later this week. Low turnout: So far, few European leaders beyond British PM Keir Starmer have confirmed they’ll be at this COP. Partly that’s because of Belém’s tricky logistics — it was chosen for its symbolic location near the Amazon rather than for convenience. It’s also why this year’s leaders’ gathering takes place before formal COP negotiations begin on Nov. 10. Since they’re in the neighborhood … The Brazil trip comes just ahead of another summit in Santa Marta, Colombia (more than 3,000 kilometers from Belém). A Commission official confirmed both von der Leyen and Costa will join the meeting bringing together EU27 leaders and the 33 nations of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S BUDGET REVOLT: My colleagues Max Griera and Gregorio Sorgi obtained a draft letter showing the Parliament’s four centrist groups are preparing to demand that Ursula von der Leyen rework her plan for the EU’s next seven-year budget, aka the MFF. Who’s behind it: The letter comes from the same coalition that props up von der Leyen — her own center-right European People’s Party (EPP), the center-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the liberal Renew Europe group and the Greens. Together, they form a majority in Parliament and von der Leyen needs them to approve the €1.8 trillion budget. This time they mean it: The groups plan to threaten to reject a key part of the 2028-2034 budget unless their conditions are met, including earmarking funds for rural development and all regions and overhauling the proposed cash-for-reforms model. MEPs are pushing back against the Commission’s idea of creating national plans — single funding pots for farmers and regions managed by national governments. That’s a big shift from the current system, in which regional authorities play a central role. Crunch time: Lawmakers have already added a debate on the MFF to Parliament’s plenary session on Nov. 12. REST OF THE HOUSE FEELING SIDELINED: On the MFF, von der Leyen’s majority is holding together (ironically, against her plan) — even as the omnibus file (see below) causes friction. But other groups aren’t thrilled about being left out. The European Conservatives and Reformists, Patriots for Europe, Europe of Sovereign Nations and even some Greens complain that the EPP, S&D and Renew quietly divided up key MFF-related files behind closed doors. What happened: In Parliament’s industry committee (ITRE), those three groups carved up important reports — including on Horizon Europe, Connecting Europe Facility, the new Competition Fund and Euratom’s research and training program — among their own rapporteurs. How it’s supposed to work: Normally, files are distributed through a coordinators’ meeting and a formal (very complicated) points system between groups. This time, smaller groups say they simply received an email announcing the “agreement.” A matter of principle. “This matter goes to the heart of the credibility and integrity of the ITRE Committee’s work,” ECR coordinator in ITRE Daniel Obajtek fumed in an email chain seen by Playbook. He’s calling for a formal vote at the next ITRE meeting on Nov. 5 — though insiders admit it’ll be mostly symbolic. MEPs REBUFF METSOLA: Parliament President Roberta Metsola’s “whatever it takes” call to push through the EU’s simplification drive hasn’t gone down well in her own house. All aboard the omnibus (or not): Speaking after last week’s EUCO, Metsola said she was asked by EU27 leaders to find the votes “where you find them” to pass the bloc’s omnibus simplification rules. She warned that if the centrist majority couldn’t do it, the Parliament would “deliver regardless,” opening the door to alternative majorities, including on the right. Stay in your lane: “It’s not up to the president of the [Parliament] to make majorities,” Greens Co-Chair Bas Eickhout told POLITICO. “She is not running the Parliament as a Commission president can run the Commission.” Parliament ≠ Council: Socialist MEP René Repasi struck a more conciliatory note, saying Metsola was right to apply pressure but stressing that Parliament “needs its time” to find a majority “in its own ways.” After all, the institution “is not accountable to the heads of state or government of the member states.” Doubling down: In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Metsola didn’t rule out passing the file with a right-wing majority. “I’m ready to work with everyone,” she said — drawing more fire from her colleagues. More raised eyebrows: “Roberta Metsola is the president of the European Parliament, not the chair of the EPP,” snapped the Left’s Co-Chair Martin Schirdewan in response to the FT interview. Eying a third term? Metsola’s remarks have fueled speculation that she’s courting the right to shore up support for a third mandate as Parliament president — while the Socialists say it’s their turn to chair the hemicycle in 2027. “It is never wise for an EP president to seek support from the extreme right,” Schirdewan warned. Striking back: Metsola’s spokesperson, Jüri Laas, said the president had made clear in her press conference after the EU summit that she respects the Parliament’s democratic independence and that “majorities are always strongest from the center out.” EPP’S FAR-RIGHT FLIRTATION FACES A MOMENT OF TRUTH: Meanwhile, the EPP has less than two weeks to decide whether to slow its deregulation push to keep centrist allies on board — or team up with the far right to ram the omnibus bill through. Marianne Gros and Max have the story. Red-tape politics: The bill is the first in a string of Commission proposals meant to cut red tape — and it’s dividing the Parliament, with the EPP, liberals and Socialists split over how far to go. Scene-setter: Last week, centrist forces failed to pass a bill cutting green reporting rules after some Socialist MEPs rebelled. Now, populist groups are calling on the EPP to dump its centrist partners and join them when the vote returns on Nov. 12. Bring back Venezuela: “A number of EPP members realized that they had made a mistake in allying themselves with the architects of the Green Deal,” said Patriots for Europe negotiator Pascale Piera. She urged the EPP to return to the so-called Venezuela majority, a loose alignment of political factions on the right to far right. COMMISSION-INDUSTRY CHATS UNDER THE LENS: The EU Ombudsman opened an inquiry into whether the European Commission acted secretively in its dealings with industry before launching a series of business-friendly initiatives. COMPLAINT FILED, BRUSSELS SHRUGS: The Irish Council for Civil Liberties filed a complaint on Tuesday — citing reporting from POLITICO — asking the EU to investigate a former tech lobbyist’s appointment to a key privacy role in Ireland. But the Commission said it “is not empowered to take action.” Ellen O’Regan has the full story. STAFF UNEASY OVER SHAKE-UP: Commission staffers are up in arms over a sweeping overhaul of the EU’s executive branch aimed at streamlining its administration, with many fearing junior officials will end up shouldering the burden. TECH LOBBYING UP: Tech firms are spending more than ever on lobbying the EU amid mounting opposition to the bloc’s digital rules, according to new analysis. RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE ON TRIAL: Four Bulgarians suspected of vandalizing a Paris Holocaust memorial go on trial today, with investigators strongly suspecting the incident was one of many attempts by Russia to destabilize France. My colleagues Marion Solletty and Laura Kayali explain why France in particular is being targeted. SOLIDARITY FRAYING: Politicians in Germany and Poland are expressing concern about a sharp increase in the number of young Ukrainian men entering their countries in recent weeks after Kyiv loosened exit rules. Details here. BRIDGING ITALY’S DIVIDES: Matteo Salvini’s pet project — a bridge connecting the Italian mainland to Sicily — faces a critical test today when the Court of Auditors decides whether it complies with Italian and EU law. Carlo Martuscelli and Ben Munster have the details. IT’S NOT EASY BEING BART: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is facing yet more pressure, with a top judge telling POLITICO that underfunding of the country’s justice system must be addressed to tackle drug-fueled violence and corruption. — EU ambassadors meet in Coreper II at 9 a.m. … Deputy EU ambassadors meet in Coreper I in Brussels at 10 a.m. — European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets Amazon and Microsoft representatives in Washington … addresses students at Georgetown University at 4 p.m. Brussels time. Watch. — A Socialists and Democrats delegation led by chair Iratxe García visits Greenland. They will meet with the prime minister and energy minister, as well as government officials, business representatives and students. — Startup Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz deliver speeches at the High-Tech Agenda Deutschland in Berlin. — The ECB Governing Council monetary policy meeting in Florence. WEATHER: High of 15C, chance of rain. BRUSSELS GOVERNMENT UPDATE: Bruxellois have been waiting more than 500 days for a regional government. In the latest twist in the saga, David Leisterh, the politician tasked with forming the government, stepped down from his formateur role. “I have given everything to try to form a government in Brussels,” the MR leader wrote on LinkedIn. “Our political system, as it works today, no longer allows us to respond to the Brussels emergency.” According to Bruzz, MR’s Georges-Louis Bouchez will take over. METRO CHAOS: The never-ending saga of metro Line 3, which is meant to connect Brussels South with the rest of the city, continues. The public prosecutor has now opened an investigation into possible criminal offenses in the project’s public tender. While residents in the south of Brussels keep waiting for their new line, commuters were briefly evacuated on Tuesday afternoon from Sainte-Catherine due to smoke — but service soon resumed. BIRTHDAYS: MEP César Luena; former MEPs Marco Zullo and Bettina Vollath; U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker; POLITICO’s Sebastian Starcevic; Belarusian opposition politician Hanna Kanapatskaya. THANKS TO: Max Griera, Hanne Cokelaere, Eva Hartog, Zia Weise, Gregorio Sorgi, Marianne Gros; Playbook editor Alex Spence, reporter Ferdinand Knapp and producer Dean Southwell. **A message from YouTube: New research shows that 74% of teens in seven European countries watch YouTube videos to learn something new for school — while 84% of teachers use YouTube content in their lessons or assignments. Find out why parents, teens and teachers are turning to YouTube to support learning.** SUBSCRIBE to the POLITICO newsletter family: Brussels Playbook | London Playbook | London Playbook PM | Playbook Paris | EU Election Playbook | Berlin Playbook | Global Playbook | POLITICO Confidential | Sunday Crunch | EU Influence | London Influence | Berlin Bulletin | Living Cities | D.C. Playbook | D.C. Influence | Canada Playbook | All our POLITICO Pro policy morning newsletters
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Gerardo Fortuna
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Uncategorized
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2025-10-29T06:00:12Z
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2025-10-29T06:00:12Z
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2025-10-29T06:00:51Z
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https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/dutch-fizzlers-and-sizzlers/
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Zuc’ machine arrière
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Synthèse vocale générée par l'IA Le briefing politique essentiel du matin, par Élisa Bertholomey, Anthony Lattier et Sarah Paillou. Par ELISA BERTHOLOMEY Avec SARAH PAILLOU Envoyez vos infos | Abonnez-vous gratuitement | Voir dans le navigateur ALLEZ HUE. Ne disant jamais non à des agapes, Playbook a assisté hier au ministère de la Justice à la remise de l’ordre national du Mérite à Mélusine Binder, ancienne de plusieurs cabinets ministériels reconvertie dans les affaires publiques. Une cérémonie idéale en cette période pré-présidentielle pour voir se renifler toutes les écuries du bloc central. Parmi les chev… pardon, les invités : le patron de Renaissance Gabriel Attal (qui ne cache plus se préparer pour 2027), la ministre Aurore Bergé (qui ne se ferme aucune porte), deux très proches conseillers d’Edouard Philippe, des fidèles d’Emmanuel Macron, quelques émissaires venus en amis de l’Elysée et même un ancien conseiller de Nicolas Sarkozy. Sans parler de Gérald Darmanin, hôte de cette soirée — mais qui, rappelons-le, ne fait “plus de politique” depuis qu’il a été reconduit Place Vendôme. Le socle vit bien. “Il n’y a dans cette pièce que des gens qui se détestent mais qui font semblant de s’apprécier”, ont raillé au moins deux convives auprès de votre infolettre qui, dans ce monde de douceur et d’amitié vous souhaite un bon réveil. Nous sommes mercredi 29 octobre 2025. LA FIÈVRE ET LA TORTUE. Ça va être dur, soyez forts, mais on se doit d’être honnête avec vous : le débat enfiévré à l’Assemblée nationale sur l’imposition des plus hauts patrimoines — et donc la taxe Zucman — ne sera pas pour aujourd’hui. A moins d’un miracle de vélocité des députés, il devrait plutôt se tenir vendredi, la journée de demain étant dévolue à l’étude des propositions de loi du Rassemblement national. Pas très Sages. Ce délai pourrait permettre au gouvernement de muscler ses arguments contre la taxe Zucman, surtout contre la version 2.0 de ce dispositif, qui se veut un compromis, proposée par le Parti socialiste (si besoin, vous pouvez vous rafraîchir la mémoire ici). Nouvelle flèche décochée hier à Bercy, où votre infolettre a laissé traîner ses oreilles : l’amendement du PS serait anticonstitutionnel. “Les socialistes font tourner le pays sur un truc qui ne marchera pas”, tranchait un ministre craignant, en cas de censure a posteriori du Conseil constitutionnel, “des manifs” rue de Montpensier et une nouvelle mise en cause des Sages. Ça tombe bien. La taxe Zucman, comme sa déclinaison aménagée, n’aurait de toute façon aucune chance d’arriver jusque-là, à en croire le même. Le Rassemblement national y est opposé et “le bloc central ne votera jamais un truc confiscatoire et anticonstitutionnel”, poursuivait-il, concluant qu’il était alors impossible qu’une majorité de députés soutiennent l’amendement. Répliques. “On sait très bien que la Macronie ne va pas devenir pro-taxe Zucman du jour au lendemain, mais il y a un compromis à faire et des recettes à trouver”, continuait-on de marteler dans l’après-midi au groupe socialiste, réclamant d’autres arguments que “les éléments de langage du patronat”. Et de brandir à nouveau la menace de la censure : “S’il n’y a pas d’avancées en matière de justice fiscale et notamment des recettes nouvelles pour épargner les gens, ça sert à rien de continuer” le débat budgétaire. Dans ce cas, autant renverser le gouvernement et provoquer une dissolution, menaçait notre interlocuteur qui faisait mine de s’interroger : “Est-ce que pour défendre une poignée de millionnaires, [les macronistes] acceptent de tout faire péter et d’aller à des élections anticipées ?” Décompte débat. Hier, malgré la consigne passée par Yaël Braun-Pivet pour rendre les débats plus efficaces, les députés n’avaient examiné que 365 amendements et il en reste encore 2 780 avant d’arriver à bout du texte. Ont tout de même été votés : une taxe de 26 milliards d’euros sur les multinationales (ce qui a évidemment provoqué une bronca sur les bancs du camp présidentiel) … Le doublement de la taxe Gafam visant les géants de la tech (nos collègues de Tech Matin y reviennent dès 7h30 pour nos abonnés PRO) … Une condition anti-délocalisation mise sur le crédit d’impôt recherche. Paris Influence fait ici (toujours pour les abonnés) les comptes de cette journée qui a rapporté gros. Cagouilles. Conséquence du rythme escargotesque auquel progresse l’examen du projet de loi de finances 2026 : le vote solennel sur la partie “recettes” du texte a de moins en moins de chances de se tenir mardi prochain, comme initialement prévu. Les députés reprendraient alors leurs discussions sur le PLF après celles sur le budget de la Sécurité sociale, donc après le 12 novembre. BRAS DE FER. Playbook vous parlait hier de la réunion d’Emmanuel Macron sur l’Algérie ; figurez-vous que le sujet nous est revenu aux oreilles par le biais d’un fin connaisseur du dossier qui s’inquiétait des prises de position de Laurent Nuñez en la matière. “Sur l’Algérie, c’est un rapport de forces. Si tu baisses la garde, ils t’attaquent”, résumait-il, craignant que le nouveau ministre de l’Intérieur se fasse “laminer”. Lui, c’est lui. De fait, depuis son retour à Beauvau (il y a été secrétaire d’Etat entre 2018 et 2020), Nuñez revendique une “rupture” par rapport à Bruno Retailleau. Le dossier algérien en est un exemple sur le fond. Le ministre assume vouloir qu’il y ait “un bougé” dans les relations avec Alger tandis que son prédécesseur défendait une stratégie de grande fermeté allant jusqu’à la rupture des relations diplomatiques. La nouvelle posture est bien plus alignée sur les positions présidentielles qu’auparavant, mais ça ne surprend pas ceux qui le connaissent, Nuñez étant considéré comme très proche d’Emmanuel Macron. Gardien de l’apaisement. Sur la forme, “c’est quelqu’un de très consensuel, un mec de dialogue, beaucoup moins abrupt que Retailleau”, poursuivait notre interlocuteur cité plus haut. Ses premières sorties médiatiques l’ont montré. Face aux journalistes, Nuñez dit qu’il n’aura “pas de mots blessants”, promet de ne “pas diviser la société” et rejette certains concepts utilisés par son prédécesseur comme celui “d’assimilation” préférant défendre la notion “d’intégration”. C’était mieux avant. Les retaillistes déplorent que le chef de l’Etat et le Premier ministre aient fait le choix d’un ministre de l’Intérieur “sans identité politique propre”, critiquait l’un d’eux hier. Dans leur esprit, ce constat : “la sécurité et l’immigration sont la faille du macronisme”, développait le même. En nommant Nuñez à Beauvau, il ne faut donc “pas s’attendre à ce qu’il y ait une inflexion”, concluait-il. Et ce, même si le ministre semble ne rien vouloir détricoter sur le fond, indiquant, la semaine dernière, son souhait de “poursuivre la politique de fermeté qui a été menée par Bruno Retailleau”. Changement de braquet. Est-ce parce qu’il a eu vent de ces critiques que Laurent Nuñez a un poil réajusté sa manière de communiquer ? Un conseiller ministériel se félicitait hier, auprès de votre infolettre, du ton plus martial employé par le ministre l’après-midi à l’Assemblée nationale. “Nous ne sommes pas mous, nous sommes très fermes” en matière de lutte contre l’immigration illégale, a-t-il défendu depuis l’hémicycle, se disant “fier d’être un ministre du président de la République”. LE PARI PYB. C’est fait ! Renaissance a officialisé hier son soutien à Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons) pour les municipales à Paris, la commission nationale d’investiture du parti validant ce soutien à l’unanimité moins deux voix dont celle d’Aurore Bergé. “Je vais bousculer le match” entre Emmanuel Grégoire et Rachida Dati s’est immédiatement félicité “PYB” dans Le Parisien tandis que ses nouveaux amis macronistes justifiaient leur choix dans une tribune parue dans L’Opinion. Conséquence de cette décision : le président de la fédé Renaissance de Paris, le député Sylvain Maillard, fervent soutien de Rachida Dati, a annoncé dans un courrier aux militants “se mettre en retrait de [ses] responsabilités” au sein de la fédération. L’élu déplore par ailleurs le choix de son parti, qualifié de “candidature partisane” qui ne permettra pas d’offrir “une réelle alternance”. BESOIN D’UN CONSEIL. Décidément, le sujet du recours aux cabinets de conseil reste épidermique en Macronie. La lecture d’un article du Figaro sur la hausse de 31% des dépenses en cabinets de conseil en 2024 (en réalité 8% d’après les calculs de mes collègues de Paris Influ) a mis les nerfs de Philippe Gustin, le directeur de cabinet de Sébastien Lecornu, en pelote. En réunion avec les autres dircab du gouvernement, il a “gueulé en disant que c’était inadmissible”, a tenu à nous faire savoir Matignon hier. Y aurait-il du resserrage de vis dans l’air ? Pas si sûr, puisque le haut fonctionnaire a pour l’instant seulement annoncé saisir la mission “Etat efficace” pour qu’elle “analyse cette hausse et fasse des préconisations”. L’INGÉRENCE RUSSE EN PROCÈS. L’affaire est inédite : quatre Bulgares soupçonnés d’avoir tagué le Mémorial de la Shoah de 35 mains rouges l’année dernière sont jugés à partir d’aujourd’hui au tribunal de Paris. L’opération est fortement soupçonnée de faire partie des multiples tentatives de déstabilisation orchestrées par la Russie et visant la France. Les enquêtes se poursuivent sur huit autres affaires présentant un mode opératoire similaire, dont le dépôt de têtes de cochon devant des mosquées franciliennes survenu le mois dernier. Mes collègues Marion Solletty et Laura Kayali vous racontent dans cette enquête (gratuite et en anglais), les détails de l’opération et pourquoi la France est particulièrement visée. Emmanuel Macron préside le Conseil des ministres à 10 heures à l’Elysée. Dans l’après-midi, il participe à la 8ème édition du Forum de Paris sur la paix. A 16h45, il prend part à la clôture de l’événement de haut niveau sur l’intégrité de l’information aux côtés de John Dramani Mahama, président du Ghana, Maia Sandu, présidente de la Moldavie et Nikol Pashinyan, Premier ministre arménien, au Palais Chaillot. A 18 heures, il participe à la clôture des tables rondes sur les dix ans de l’Accord de Paris. Enfin, à 18h30, il accueille les invités au dîner dans le cadre du Forum, à l’Elysée. Sébastien Lecornu est à 14 heures à l’Assemblée nationale pour la séance de questions au gouvernement, puis à 15 heures au Sénat, pour le même exercice. Monique Barbut prononce un discours, à l’occasion de l’ouverture des 10 ans de l’accord de Paris sur le climat, dans le cadre du 8ème Forum de Paris sur la paix 2025. Jean-Noël Barrot, Benjamin Haddad, Eléonore Caroit participent également au Forum. Roland Lescure est en déplacement à New York, dans le cadre du G7 Energie. Annie Genevard s’entretient successivement avec Dominique Chargé, président de la Coopération agricole, Jean-François Loiseau, président de l’Association nationale des industries alimentaires (ANIA) et Thierry Bussy, président de la Fédération nationale des Safer (FnSAFER). Anne Le Hénanff se rend à l’événement Numériques en commun(s) organisé par l’Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires (ANCT) à Strasbourg. Marina Ferrari a un petit-déjeuner de travail avec Pierre-Antoine Molina, délégué interministériel aux Jeux olympiques et paralympiques (DIJOP) et délégué interministériel aux grands événements sportifs (DIGES), et Damien Robert, directeur général exécutif de la Société de livraison des ouvrages olympiques (SOLIDEO) Alpes françaises 2030. Philippe Tabarot s’entretient avec Christophe Béchu, maire d’Angers. Il fait un discours de clôture, à l’occasion du 25ème anniversaire de l’Organisation des transporteurs routiers européens. Eléonore Caroit s’entretient avec Achille Mbembe, historien et politologue camerounais et Barbara Pompili, ambassadrice déléguée à l’environnement. Nicolas Forissier s’entretient avec Alain Di Crescenzo, président de CCI France. Michel Fournier reçoit Cécile Raquin, directrice générale des collectivités locales (DGCL). Yaël Braun-Pivet s’entretient successivement avec Ana Brnabić, son homologue serbe et Samdech Khuon Sudary, son homologue du Cambodge. Gérard Larcher s’entretient avec Ana Brnabić, présidente de l’Assemblée nationale de Serbie, puis avec Jean-Pierre Farandou. Assemblée nationale : A 14 heures, en séance publique, questions au Gouvernement, suite de la discussion du projet de loi de finances (PLF) 2026. A 14h30, en comité d’évaluation et de contrôle des politiques publiques, audition de Clément Beaune, haut-commissaire à la Stratégie et au Plan, sur les politiques de santé environnementale. A 21h30, deuxième séance publique, suite des discussions sur le PLF 2026. Sénat : A 15 heures, en séance publique, questions d’actualité au Gouvernement. A partir de 16h30, en séance publique, conclusions de la commission mixte paritaire (CMP) sur la proposition de loi (PPL) visant à modifier la définition pénale du viol et des agressions sexuelles. Examen de deux conventions internationales puis vote sur la PPL, adoptée à l’Assemblée, visant à renforcer la lutte contre la fraude bancaire. Conclusions de la CMP sur la PPL visant à reporter le renouvellement général des membres du congrès et des assemblées de province de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. Eventuellement, suite du PJL de lutte contre la vie chère dans les outre-mer. A 16h30, en commission des Affaires sociales, auditions de Stéphanie Rist et Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq sur le PLFSS 2026. A la même heure, en commission de la Culture, audition de Philippe Baptiste. Marc Fesneau tient une conférence de presse à 15h15 à l’Assemblée nationale, dédiée aux propositions du groupe dans le cadre du débat budgétaire (PLF et PLFSS 2026). Jordan Bardella publie son livre, Ce que veulent les Français (Fayard). Il fait une séance de dédicaces à Bruay-la-Buissière (Pas-de-Calais). Ségolène Royal publie Mais qui va garder les enfants ? (Fayard). 7h15. France 2 : Gaël Musquet, météorologue. 7h20. RFI : Bachir Ben Barka, fils de Mehdi Ben Barka, opposant au roi du Maroc et disparu à Paris en 1965. 7h30. Public Sénat : Max Brisson, sénateur LR des Pyrénées-Atlantiques. 7h40. TF1 : Carole Delga, présidente PS de la région Occitanie … RTL : Bruno Retailleau, président du parti LR … RMC : Gaël Musquet, météorologue, spécialiste des catastrophes naturelles. 7h45. Franceinfo : Antoine Léaument, député LFI de l’Essonne … Radio J : Patrice Duhamel, journaliste, auteur de La photo. Pétain – Mitterrand, l’histoire secrète du document qui aurait pu bousculer la Ve République. 7h50. France Inter : David Lisnard, maire LR de Cannes. 8h00. Public Sénat : Jean-Philippe Tanguy, député RN de la Somme. 8h10. Europe 1/CNEWS : Sylvain Maillard, député EPR de Paris … France 2 : Ségolène Royal, ancienne ministre, auteure de Mais qui va garder les enfants ?. 8h15. Radio Classique : Carlos Tavares, auteur de Un pilote dans la tempête … Sud Radio : Nicolas Dufourcq, directeur général de la BPI et auteur de La dette sociale de la France. 8h20. France Inter : André Corréa do Lago, président de la COP 30 au Brésil en novembre et Laurence Tubiana, ambassadrice de la France lors de la COP 15. 8h30. Franceinfo : Mathilde Panot, présidente du groupe LFI à l’Assemblée nationale … BFMTV/RMC : Gabriel Zucman, économiste et directeur de l’Observatoire européen de la fiscalité. DANS NOS NEWSLETTERS PRO CE MATIN : PARIS INFLUENCE : CMA, Gafam, CIR : un mardi qui fait recettes et la fête aux multinationales … Taxe désaffectée, dotations rabotées, TVA qui a la bougeotte : pourquoi l’industrie de la mode est en PLS face au PLF … Après le gel, les réserves du Parlement et de l’Elysée ont fondu. TECH MATIN : Info Tech Matin : Emmanuel Macron déjeune avec les représentants de la presse locale pour parler (encore) démocratie et réseaux sociaux … L’Arcep <3 son cadre de régulation … Parlement : les textes les plus attendus du numérique prennent encore du retard. ÉNERGIE & CLIMAT : L’argent ne fait pas le bonheur… mais le pollueur, selon le World Inequality Lab … La précarité énergétique galope mais le chèque énergie stagne … L’absence de PPE n’atomise pas la filière nucléaire. DANS LE JORF. Valentine Serino est nommée conseillère parlementaire de Laurent Panifous (Relations avec le Parlement). Guillaume Bailly (conseiller prévention des risques, processus d’autorisations, participation du public et simplification) et Tess Indycki (conseillère presse et communication) ont rejoint le cabinet de Mathieu Lefèvre. Monique Barbut s’attache les services de Julie Dubroux (conseillère affaires budgétaires et financières). Mathilda André (conseillère parlementaire) et Jean-Baptiste Rota (conseiller affaires pédagogiques) ont intégré le cabinet d’Edouard Geffray. MÉTÉO. Le ciel restera largement couvert toute la journée, avec un ressenti avoisinant les 11°C. ANNIVERSAIRES : Sandrine Nosbé, députée LFI de l’Isère … Laetitia Avia, ancienne députée LREM de Paris. PLAYLIST. One more night (de débats budgétaires), de Michael Kiwanuka. Un grand merci à : Marion Solletty, notre éditeur Matthieu Verrier, Kenza Pacenza pour la veille et Dean Southwell pour la mise en ligne. ABONNEZ-VOUS aux newsletters de POLITICO (en anglais): Brussels Playbook | London Playbook | London Playbook PM | Playbook Paris | Berlin Playbook | POLITICO Confidential | Sunday Crunch | EU Influence | London Influence | Berlin Bulletin | Living Cities | D.C. Playbook | D.C. Influence | POLITICO Pro newsletters
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Elisa Bertholomey
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2025-10-29T06:00:00Z
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2025-10-29T06:00:00Z
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2025-10-29T06:00:00Z
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https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/playbook-paris/zuc-machine-arriere/
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Merz’ heikle Reise zu Erdogan
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KI generierte Text-to-Speech Präsentiert von YouTube Von HANS VON DER BURCHARD Mit RIXA FÜRSEN PRÄSENTIERT VON Schicken Sie uns Ihre Tipps hier, hier oder hier | X @GordonRepinski @vonderburchard @R_Buchsteiner | Das Playbook anhören oder online lesen Goedemorgen, hier schreibt Hans von der Burchard. Ich nehme Sie heute mit in meine Zweitheimat Niederlande, wo es zu einer politischen Sensation kommen könnte. Bei den Parlamentswahlen droht Rechtspopulist Geert Wilders ein Abstieg, während die sozial-liberale D66-Partei von Rob Jetten in letzten Umfragen überraschend aufgestiegen ist und sogar — das gab es noch nie! — stärkste Partei werden könnte. Direkt vergleichbar mit der FDP ist D66 zwar nicht, für Christian Dürr wäre es dennoch ein Hoffnungsschimmer. Heute Abend sehen wir uns vielleicht zur Wahlparty in der niederländischen Botschaft, wo ich auf Einladung von Botschafterin Hester Somsen mit Peter Altmaier, Otto Fricke sowie dem niederländischen Ex-Gesundheitsminister Ab Klink und der Korrespondentin Caroline de Gruyter die Wahl diskutiere und die Ergebnisse live verfolge. Zunächst schauen wir jedoch auf die Kanzlerreise nach Ankara, die durch jüngste Ereignisse in Gaza noch wichtiger wird. Zudem berichten wir über neuen Ärger für Friedrich Merz in Brüssel. Im Playbook-Podcast geht es mit Ines Schwerdtner um ihr Verhältnis zu Merz und im Podcast-Update spricht Tom Schmidtgen über die Kanzlerreise nach Sachsen. **(Anzeige) Eine Nachricht von YouTube: Aus einem YouTube-Kanal kann ein Unternehmen werden. Kreative erhalten die Chance, mit Inhalten Geld zu verdienen und Mitarbeitende einzustellen. So stärkt YouTube die Kreativwirtschaft. Eine neue Studie zeigt: Über 28.000 Arbeitsplätze (Vollzeitäquivalent) unterstützte YouTubes kreatives Ökosystem 2024 in Deutschland. Hier klicken und mehr über YouTubes Beitrag zur deutschen Wirtschaft erfahren.** ANKARA, ENDLICH? Zu Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wollte Merz schon länger. Im September letzten Jahres — damals noch als Oppositionsführer — war ein Besuch geplant, dann kam der Showdown gegen Markus Söder in der K-Frage dazwischen. Merz musste kurzfristig absagen. 13 Monate später fliegt er heute Nachmittag als Kanzler. Abgeordnete sind auf der Reise keine dabei: Alles dreht sich um das Treffen von Kanzler und türkischem Präsidenten morgen, bei dem es um Gaza-Friedenssicherung und -Wiederaufbau, Syrien, Eurofighter-Exporte sowie Migrations- und Wirtschaftsprobleme gehen soll. Herausfordernd ist dabei auch, dass im Fall der Türkei — anders als üblich — die Fachminister wie Alexander Dobrindt nur sehr begrenzt vorab Lösungen erarbeiten können, weil alles Essenzielle mit Erdogan selbst geklärt werden muss. Dementsprechend dick ist Merz’ Kanzlermappe mit der Gesprächsvorbereitung für das morgige Treffen. Hinzu kommt die prekäre demokratische Lage: Gegen den bereits inhaftierten Istanbuler Bürgermeister und Erdogan-Herausforderer Ekrem İmamoğlu wurde ein weiterer Haftbefehl erlassen, einer der letzten oppositionellen Fernsehsender dichtgemacht. Der Vorwurf in beiden Fällen: Angebliche Spionage. Das hat ein deutliches Geschmäckle. „Merz sollte eine Freilassung von İmamoğlu fordern“, sagt mir Serdar Yüksel, der Vorsitzende der deutsch-türkischen Parlamentariergruppe im Bundestag. „Eine fortgesetzte Inhaftierung ist nicht im Sinne der Türkei. Sie isoliert sich dadurch auch außenpolitisch.“ Das Rechtsstaats- und Demokratieproblem wirke sich auch negativ auf die ohnehin angeschlagene türkische Wirtschaft aus, warnt der SPD-Politiker: „Freie Märkte brauchen Verlässlichkeit.“ Seit über 10 Jahren verhandeln die EU und Türkei über eine Modernisierung ihrer Zoll-Union, doch die Gespräche machen kaum Fortschritte. Ankara könnte der EU jedoch auch helfen, die chinesischen Ausfuhrbeschränkungen für Mikrochips und Seltene Erden zu umgehen, weil Peking noch an Ankara liefert. Das Thema Migration ist ebenfalls schwierig: Einerseits ist Ankara essenziell bei der Begrenzung von Flüchtlingsströmen, andererseits sind türkische Bürger selbst an dritter Stelle der Asylantragssteller in Deutschland. „Wir müssen darüber reden, dass es nicht sein kann, dass aus einem EU-Beitrittskandidat und Nato-Partner so viele Flüchtlinge auf irregulärem Weg nach Deutschland kommen“, mahnt Yüksel. Aus Regierungskreisen heißt es, man „arbeite einer verbesserten Kooperation im Bereich der Rückführungen“. Hier müssten „weitere konkrete Schritte folgen“. Nächste Schelte: Merz dürfte Erdogan daran erinnern, dass der Druck auf Putin weiter erhöht werden muss und die großen türkischen Gas- und Öl-Einkäufe in Russland da nicht hilfreich sind. Erdogan will wiederum fordern, dass die zugesagten Eurofighter endlich kommen. Man unterstützte die Verhandlungen zur Lieferung, so Regierungskreise. Merz setzt sich zudem für eine türkische Teilnahme am EU-Aufrüstungsprogramm SAFE ein. Bei Drohnen und Drohnenabwehr kann Deutschland von der Türkei lernen (und einkaufen). CHEFTHEMA WIRD JEDOCH GAZA: Die Türkei hat lange die Hamas unterstützt; der Kanzler will Erdogan nun dazu bewegen, die notwendige Entwaffnung der Terrorgruppe durchzusetzen. Das könnte den Weg zu einer Friedenstruppe mit Uno-Mandat ebnen, an der sich die Türkei beteiligen will. Wie wichtig das wäre, verdeutlicht ein erneuter Zwischenfall in Rafah gestern, bei dem die Hamas auf israelische Soldaten schoss. Zudem beklagt Israel eine Verzögerung bei der Übergabe der Überreste von toten Geiseln. Als Reaktion wurden israelische Luftangriffe im Gazastreifen gemeldet. Beim Wiederaufbau Gazas dürfte Ankara ebenfalls wichtig werden: „Die Türkei hat wegen seiner Erdbeben viel Erfahrung in dem Bereich gesammelt“, sagt Yüksel. Das gelte auch für den Wiederaufbau Syriens, wo Deutschland Mittel zugesagt habe. VON MALLE ÜBER DRESDEN ZURÜCK NACH BERLIN: Nach einem geheimen Kurzurlaub im 17. Bundesland bis gestern früh und einem anschließenden Antrittsbesuch in Sachsen trifft Merz vor dem restlichen Tagesprogramm zunächst um 10 Uhr sein Kabinett. Der Herbstferien-Vibe prägt auch die Agenda: Auf der Tagesordnung steht nur ein Gesetz, bei dem eine Aussprache vorgesehen ist. Zahlreiche weitere werden ohne Aussprache verabschiedet, sind aber größtenteils Reaktionen auf Stellungnahmen des Bundesrats. Lediglich aus dem Justizministerium kommen neue Gesetze, wie eines zur Vaterschaftsanfechtung. Dann schnell weiter, denn um 13 Uhr muss der Kanzler gemeinsam mit Dorothee Bär, Karsten Wildberger und Nina Warken bereits bei der offiziellen Auftaktveranstaltung zur Hightech Agenda sein. Dort hält Merz um 13:25 Uhr die Eröffnungsrede. Mehr dazu lesen Sie heute im Pro Industrie und Handel. Von dort dürfte es dann direkt zum Flughafen gehen, Ziel: Ankara. Anzeige WIRD ROB JETTEN HEUTE WAHLSIEGER? Der gerade einmal 38 Jahre alte D66-Lijsttrekker (Spitzenkandidat) hat gute Aussichten, nächster niederländischer Premier zu werden. In Umfragen liegt seine sozial-liberale Partei eng hinter der PVV von Rechtspopulist Geert Wilders, mit der keine große Partei mehr koalieren will. Sollte sich der Trend heute an der Urne bestätigen, wäre es eine Überraschung: D66 war zwar schon an Regierungskoalitionen beteiligt, aber noch nie an der Spitze. Nach dem gescheiterten rechtspopulistischen Experiment — Wilders ließ die Regierung platzen, als es um ernste Reformen ging — scheint sie nun zunehmend attraktiv. Auch für Deutschland interessant: Einmal an der Macht können sich die Rechtspopulisten schnell entzaubern. Während Wilders’ PVV 2023 noch mit 37 Sitzen zur größten Fraktion in der Den Haager zweiten Kammer wurde, droht nun ein Absturz auf knapp über 20 Sitze. Mit der Wahl heute endet auch das Experiment des parteilosen Premiers Dick Schoof. Ebenfalls in den Umfragen vorne dabei: Das grün-linke Bündnis des ehemaligen EU-Kommissars Frans Timmermans. Der ist hierzulande vor allem durch den Green Deal und sein TV-Duell gegen Manfred Weber bei der Europawahl 2019 bekannt, wo er trotz Fremdsprache Deutsch besser abschnitt. Timmermans’ Problem: Gegenüber dem jungen, offen homosexuellen Jetten wirkt er nicht nur älter, sondern könnte durch seinen linken Kurs auch Probleme haben, ausreichend Koalitionspartner zu finden. Es wäre bitter für Timmermans, der sowohl auf EU-Ebene als auch in der niederländischen Politik bisher der ewige Zweite war. Der Merz-Verbündete Henri Bontenbal galt zwar lange Zeit als Favorit, in den letzten Umfragen ist seine unionsnahe CDA jedoch auf den vierten Platz abgerutscht. Allerdings: Bei der letzten Wahl erwiesen sich die Umfragen als nicht sehr präzise. Warum sich die Regierungsbildung noch bis nächstes Jahr hinziehen könnte und warum die Bundesregierung dringend auf ein Comeback einer verlässlichen niederländischen Regierung hofft, berichte ich im Playbook Podcast. EUROPAPARLAMENT FORDERT VON DER LEYEN HERAUS: Diesmal nicht mit einem weiteren aussichtslosen Misstrauensvotum, sondern einer folgenreicheren Forderung: Die vier großen Fraktionen EVP, Sozialdemokraten, Renew und Grüne verlangen wichtige Änderungen zum nächsten siebenjährigen EU-Haushalt — oder drohen mit einer Blockade. Die Parteien wehren sich gegen vorgeschlagene „nationale Pläne“, mit denen EU-Fördergelder für Landwirte und Regionen zusammengefasst (und voraussichtlich gekürzt) würden und Regionen gegenüber nationalen Regierungen an Macht verlieren würden. Die Kampfansage des Parlaments ist auch ein Ärgernis für Merz, der die Pläne der EU-Kommission unterstützt und schon letzte Woche seinen Frust über das Europaparlament zum Ausdruck brachte, als dieses das erste Bürokratieabbau-Paket im ersten Anlauf durchfallen ließ. BERLIN WIDERSPRICHT PEDRO SÁNCHEZ: Noch bevor die spanische Regierung durch einen Entzug der Unterstützung durch die katalanischen Separatisten in eine neue Krise stürzte, hatte der Premier behauptet, dass Deutschland die Aufnahme von Katalanisch, Baskisch, Galicisch und Valencianisch als offizielle EU-Sprachen prüfen wolle. Von der Bundesregierung kommt jedoch eine Abfuhr: „Mehrere Mitgliedstaaten, darunter auch Deutschland“ hätten in Brüssel Bedenken gegen das spanische Anliegen geäußert, sagte ein Regierungssprecher zu Anouk Schlung. Mehr dazu erfahren Sie in der aktuellen Ausgabe unseres Europa-Briefings Brussels Decoded, das Sie hier kostenlos zur Probe abonnieren können. LINKES GESPRÄCHSANGEBOT: Ines Schwerdtner zeigt sich offen für Gespräche mit der Union — unter klaren Bedingungen. „Wenn Friedrich Merz mit mir sprechen will, die Schuldenbremse zu reformieren, wenn er mit mir darüber sprechen will, die Kommunalfinanzen wieder besser auszustatten, dann ist die Linke da sicherlich dabei“, sagt sie im Playbook Podcast. „Aber irgendwelche Theaterstücke, wie zuletzt bei der Bundesverfassungsrichterwahl, werden wir nicht mit aufführen“, so die Parteichefin über mögliche Zustimmungen im Bundestag, wo die Linke für eine Zweidrittelmehrheit ohne AfD gebraucht wird. Aktuell lehnt sie eine Zusammenarbeit ab. „Wenn die CDU AfD-Politik macht — und das macht sie gerade mit der Migrationspolitik, die sie macht —, werden wir das nicht unterstützen.“ Die CDU müsse sich „langsam entscheiden, wo die Brandmauer eigentlich steht“. Zur Stadtbild-Debatte sagt Schwerdtner: „Ja, es gibt ein Problem im Stadtbild, aber das hat vor allem damit zu tun, dass zu viel Armut herrscht.“ ACH JA, DAS STADTBILD: Da war ja was. Nachdem über 50 „Töchter“ in einem Brief an den Kanzler mehr Sicherheit und Gleichberechtigung für Frauen gefordert hatten, ist das Urteil der CDU-Frauenchefin und Gesundheitsministerin Nina Warken gemischt. „Wir begrüßen es, wenn endlich nicht pauschal ‚dagegen‘ gerufen wird, wenn Friedrich Merz eine wichtige und richtige Debatte anstößt“, sagt Warken zu Rixa Fürsen. Doch der Brief sei „zu kurz gesprungen“: Es brauche eine „konsequente Kriminalitätsbekämpfung“, so Warken. Der Brief blende „andere Bereiche aus“, etwa elektronische Fußfesseln oder IP-Adressdatenspeicherung. Die CDU habe konkrete Vorschläge gemacht: „Wer sich hier anschließt, ist herzlich eingeladen.“ Migrationsprobleme kommen im Brief nicht vor. Für Warken steht fest: „Wer zu uns kommt, muss sich an unsere Regeln halten.“ Ricarda Lang hat die Initiative mitorganisiert, weil sie über Sicherheit für Frauen reden will — „aber nicht als Feigenblatt, sondern mit konkreten politischen Lösungen“, wie sie zu Rixa sagt. Sie fordert mehr Frauenhausplätze, bessere Beleuchtung und finanzielle Unabhängigkeit. Frauen gegen Frauen? Auch die Grüne Jugend startet eine Aktion: Die neue Vorsitzende Henriette Held hat den Aufruf „Schreib den CDU-Frauen und beschwer dich über Merz’ Töchter-Instrumentalisierung!“ gestartet — mit diesem Vordruck. DIE ENTSCHEIDENDE STIMME: In Dresden stimmt der Landtag heute über den Reformstaatsvertrag ab — und damit über die Zukunft von ARD, ZDF und Deutschlandradio. Weniger Sender, mehr Digitales, stabile Beiträge. Doch die Mehrheit wackelt: CDU, SPD und Grüne wollen das Paket durchbringen, AfD und BSW lehnen ab, die Linke enthält sich. Ohne Stimmen aus der Opposition droht das Aus. Kipppunkt: Aktuell gibt es nur eine haarscharfe Mehrheit für die Reform. Schon ein Ausfall könnte sie kippen. Sachsen wäre das zehnte Land, das zustimmt — fällt es, scheitert das ganze Projekt. ACHT IN ACHT WOCHEN: Am Rande seiner Reise nach Dresden kündigte Friedrich Merz an, noch in diesem Jahr den verbleibenden acht Bundesländern einen Antrittsbesuch abzustatten. „Das gibt mir einen Überblick in die Unterschiedlichkeit vieler Länder“, sagte der Kanzler bei einem Pressestatement. Tom Schmidgten war dabei — und berichtet im Update von Merz’ Besuch. Wann, bitte? Bis Weihnachten sind es noch knapp acht Wochen — davon fünf (!) Sitzungswochen. Zudem stehen mehrere Kanzlerreisen an. Sollten tatsächlich alle Besuche stattfinden, dürfte es eher bei Stippvisiten bleiben. TRUMP TRIFFT XI JINPING: Heute Nacht deutscher Zeit sollen sich die beiden Staatschefs im südkoreanischen Busan begegnen. Hauptstreitthema werden ohne Zweifel Zölle sein. Eng daran geknüpft: Fentanyl. Von einem möglichen Deal berichtet das Wall Street Journal: China könnte seine Exporte von Fentanyl-Vorprodukten reduzieren; im Gegenzug halbieren die USA ihre Zölle von 20 Prozent auf diese Lieferungen. „Ich gehe davon aus, dass wir das reduzieren werden, weil ich glaube, dass sie uns bei der Fentanyl-Problematik helfen können“, sagte Trump vor wenigen Stunden an Bord der Air Force 1 auf dem Weg nach Südkorea. Elefant im Raum: Peking pocht zudem auf eine Positionierung der USA unter Trump zur Unabhängigkeit Taiwans. „Taiwan ist Taiwan“, sagte Trump vielsagend in der AF1. „Ich weiß nicht, ob wir überhaupt über Taiwan sprechen werden.“ Worüber aber ziemlich sicher gesprochen wird beim großen Gipfel der Großmächte, lesen Sie heute Morgen in unserem US-Newsletter DC Decoded. ROHSTOFFE: Zu wenig Halbleiter, zu wenig Seltene Erden — die deutsche Industrie bekommt die geopolitischen Handelskonflikte aktuell stark zu spüren. Im Pro Industrie und Handel lesen Sie heute, welche alternativen Rohstoff-Partner auf dem Außenwirtschaftstag des BMWE diskutiert wurden und wie die neue Halbleiter-Fabrik in Sachsen der europäischen Industrie helfen kann. Hier können Sie sich kostenlos testweise für den Newsletter anmelden. HERBST DER VERSCHOBENEN REFORMEN: Die Bundesregierung hatte sich für die kalte Jahreszeit in der Energiepolitik viel vorgenommen. Bisher wird vor allem viel vertagt. So flogen diesmal die Umsetzung der Industrieemissionsrichtlinie und der Treibhausgasminderungsquote von der Tagesordnung des Kabinetts. Welche Hintergründe das hat, lesen Sie in der aktuellen Ausgabe von Energie und Klima. Hier können Sie ein kostenloses Testabo abschließen. HIGHCAT AGENDA? Auf Instagram erklärt das Future-Ministerium BMFTR mit Kätzchen, wie die Hightech Agenda Deutschland nach vorne bringen soll. Offenbar hat nun auch Dorothee Bär einen neuen Stil für sich entdeckt. Bislang ist ja eher Joe Wadephul durch kreative bis kuriose Videos aufgefallen. REALITY CHECK: Haben Sie schon die neue Staffel „The Diplomat“ geschaut — und sich gefragt, wie viel Wahrheit und wie viel Fiktion darin steckt? Wolfgang Ischinger liefert jetzt seine Antworten. NACHFOLGE GEREGELT: Das Wirtschaftsmagazin Brand Eins holt zum Juli 2026 Handelsblatt-Textchef Christian Rickens an Bord. Zunächst berät er die Chefredaktion, bevor er im Januar 2027 Gabriele Fischer als Chefredakteurin ablöst. Fischer und ihr Vize Jens Bergmann bleiben als Autoren und für journalistische Projekte erhalten. Rickens kennt das Magazin noch aus seinen Gründungstagen. 1 Uhr – Raketentest vor Trump-Ankunft: Nordkorea testet mehrere tieffliegende Marschflugkörper. Laut der staatlichen Nachrichtenagentur KCNA werden die Flugkörper erfolgreich über dem Gelben Meer westlich der koreanischen Halbinsel abgefeuert. Der Waffentest erfolgt kurz vor dem Südkorea-Besuch von US-Präsident Donald Trump. 1:30 Uhr – Kein Frieden am Hindukush: Die Friedensgespräche zwischen Pakistan und Afghanistan scheitern nach vier Verhandlungstagen. Pakistans Informationsminister Attaullah Tarar schreibt auf X, der Dialog habe „keine praktikable Lösung hervorgebracht“, obwohl Katar und die Türkei vermittelt hätten. — Die Regierungspressekonferenz findet um 13 Uhr statt. — In Schloss Bellevue tauscht sich Frank-Walter Steinmeier um 14 Uhr mit dem Hohen Repräsentanten für Bosnien und Herzegowina, Christian Schmidt, aus. — Israel-Reise: Noch heute ist Karin Prien in Tel Aviv, wo sie sich mit Angehörigen von Geiseln austauscht, und Außenminister Gideon Sa‘ar trifft. — Volles Programm: Um 14:15 Uhr trifft Alois Rainer den Geschäftsträger der US-Botschaft, Alan Meltzer. Um 16 Uhr steht ein Gespräch mit dem armenischen Wirtschaftsminister Gevorg Papoyan auf dem Plan — im Rahmen der armenisch-deutschen Regierungskonsultationen. Am Abend hält der Minister in Berlin ein Grußwort beim CERES Award 2025, der „Nacht der Landwirtschaft“ des Deutschen Landwirtschaftsverlags. KLEINES COMEBACK: Heute kommt immer mal wieder die Sonne raus, bei Temperaturen bis zu 14 °C. GRUSS AUS DER KÜCHE: — Mitarbeiterrestaurant JKH: Kartoffelauflauf mit Lauch, getrockneten Tomaten, Kürbiskernen und Eisbergsalat oder Gulasch vom Rind und Schwein mit Rotkohl und Kartoffelklößen — Lampenladen PLH: Ein halber frischer Blumenkohl mit Sauce hollandaise, dazu Salzkartoffeln mit Blattpetersilie oder Wirsingroulade an Schmorkohl-Speck-Soße, dazu Salzkartoffeln und Bohnensalat — Vegetarischer Pasta-Mittwoch in der Kantine RTG: Pasta mit Brokkomole, Ofentomaten und Parmesan oder Nudelauflauf mit Zucchini, Kürbis, Paprika und Gouda, beides mit Rucola GEBURTSTAGE: Agnes Conrad, Die Linke-MdB (28), Daniel Kölbl, CDU-MdB (33), Jörn König, AfD-MdB (58), Miguel Vicente, Migrationsbeauftragter in Rheinland-Pfalz (61) Regierungsviertel: Jasper Bennink, Rasmus Buchsteiner, Carlotta Diederich, Rixa Fürsen, Jürgen Klöckner, Franziska Nocke, Pauline von Pezold und Gordon Repinski Internationales Team: James Angelos, Chris Lunday und Nette Nöstlinger Industrie und Handel: Laura Hülsemann, Thorsten Mumme, Romanus Otte, Frida Preuß und Tom Schmidtgen Energie und Klima: Josh Groeneveld, Frederike Holewik, Joana Lehner und Johanna Sahlberg. Brussels Decoded: Oliver Noyan und Anouk Schlung DC Decoded: Julius Brinkmann, Maximilian Lembke, Franziska Nocke und Oliver Noyan Produktion: Dean Southwell Das war die 414. Ausgabe des Berlin Playbook! Schicken Sie mir Feedback hier. Wenn Sie es noch nicht abonniert haben, können Sie das hier kostenlos tun. Ich wünsche Ihnen einen anregenden Mittwoch. Herzlichst Hans von der Burchard **(Anzeige) Eine Nachricht von YouTube: Durch die Weitergabe von Werbeeinnahmen durchbrach YouTube ab 2007 die bisherigen Zugangsbarrieren der Medienwelt. Plötzlich konnte im Grunde jeder ein Unternehmen gründen und Mitarbeitende einstellen. Damit war die Creator-Branche geboren – und sie leistet heute einen wichtigen Beitrag zur deutschen Kreativwirtschaft. Die Einnahmen werden von den Kreativen häufig wieder in Inhalte und Teams reinvestiert. Dieser Kreislauf hilft dabei, Arbeitsplätze zu sichern. Laut einer Studie von Oxford Economics unterstützte das kreative Ökosystem von YouTube 2024 in Deutschland über 28.000 Arbeitsplätze (Vollzeitäquivalent). Den Bericht entdecken und mehr Details erfahren.** ABONNIEREN Sie die Newsletter von POLITICO: Brussels Playbook | London Playbook | London Playbook PM | Playbook Paris | EU Election Playbook | Berlin Playbook | Global Playbook | POLITICO Confidential | Sunday Crunch | EU Influence | London Influence | Berlin Bulletin | Living Cities | D.C. Playbook | D.C. Influence | Canada Playbook | POLITICO Pro
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Ending EU free movement a ‘disaster’ for Britain, says Green Party’s Zack Polanski
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The party’s new leader calls for the migration pact to be reinstated as he sets out his stall on Brexit. AI generated Text-to-speech LONDON — For Britain’s government, it’s a no-go. For the Greens’ new leader Zack Polanski, it’s a must. The end of free movement of people with the EU has been a “disaster” for the U.K. that should be urgently reversed, Polanski told POLITICO — in his first major intervention on EU policy. Elected leader of the left-wing environmentalist party last month, Polanski's brand of “eco populism” is already cutting through with some voters. POLITICO’s polling average shows his party steadily climbing to 13 percent — more than double the 6 percent they won in last year’s general election. One outlier even shows them drawing level with Labour. While Polanski — a relative outsider who sits in London’s regional assembly rather than Westminster — has so far cut through by focusing on domestic policy, inequality and the cost of living, he’s now setting out his stall on Europe. Though Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to reset relations with the EU, he’s done so within tight red lines designed to appeal to Brexit supporters: no re-entry to the single market, no rejoining the customs union, and absolutely no return to freedom of movement. Polanski has no such qualms, and he’s not impressed with the prime minister’s caution. “It all feels a little bit ‘meh,’ for want of a better description,” he told POLITICO of Starmer’s reset so far. “It doesn’t really feel like he has any kind of passionate vision of what the future looks like, or any real direction that he’s driving it in. He doesn’t really have a vision for this country. So how is he going to have a vision of what the future of Europe looks like?” In particular, the Green leader is unapologetic about a return to free movement of people — which ended in 2021. It’s an issue most politicians in Westminster won’t go anywhere near for fear of landing on the wrong side of voters annoyed about immigration. “The restriction on free movement has been a disaster,” he said, adding that it should be in the “first phase” of any rapprochement. “It’s interesting to see [Nigel Farage's party] Reform banging on about immigration, but we know immigration has risen since Brexit. “It’s just risen from countries outside of Europe. So even on its own terms, Reform and the Brexit Party’s own project was a disaster by their own criteria. And I think free movement is really important, both for our citizens and citizens around Europe.” Net migration to the U.K. was 431,000 in 2024 — significantly higher than rates in the 2010s when numbers were typically between 200,000 and 300,000. But despite welcoming more newcomers than ever, Brits have lost their right to move abroad within the EU. Polling commissioned by POLITICO shows voters aren’t impressed with the new system and are open to turning back the clock, if somewhat disinterested in the policy detail. Starmer’s EU reset, primed at a summit in May this year, involves negotiating a new agrifood deal with the EU to smooth trade in food, closer cooperation on energy, and a “youth experience” scheme that doesn’t restore free movement but would give a capped number of young people time-limited visas to live abroad. Polanski, however, thinks the government should go further on building ties with the EU in other areas. “I think rejoining the customs union is something we should be doing as soon as possible,” he said. “It’s just resulting in higher prices for people.” It’s a policy also backed by the opposition Liberal Democrats, with whom the Greens are bidding for disillusioned Labour voters. As for rejoining the bloc altogether? “Over longer term, absolutely we should be rejoining the European Union. But we’ve got to make sure that that conversation is a conversation all the public’s involved with. I think one of the reasons Brexit happened is because so many people feel like politics is done to them rather than with them,” he said. “I think Brexit was a catastrophic decision. I think it's also important that politicians listen to the fact that the public made that decision, and I believe they made that decision because of the lack of investment in their communities and need and want of something different. I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone, though, who thinks that was a right decision that has made our communities any wealthier.” The Green leader told POLITICO that “really grim” plans by the Tories and Reform to leave the European Convention on Human Rights show “the slow march towards fascism that this country is on.” But he said the rightward drift across Europe is a reason to get stuck in, not to hang back. “I think there’s some really worrying trends across Europe, particularly around the far right, and we’re seeing the beginnings of some of those trends in our own country. I think any political party has a decision to make, which is: Do you stay isolationist and out of Europe and say, ‘Well, you know, they’re going right wing, so we’re not going to get involved.’ “Or do you say actually: International and indeed, socialist solidarity looks like working with left-wing or progressive movements across Europe in ways that look to reform Europe; to make sure that the entire project is moving in a direction that ultimately protects people’s freedom, protects the poorest communities across Europe, and is the best thing for our country, too.” The idea under consideration is for the U.K. and EU to form a Western steel alliance — potentially including Washington — that would align tariff policies. The European Union’s pitch for youth mobility is asking Keir Starmer to break his manifesto pledges on migration. The idea was that leaving the bloc would give the U.K. back “control” of its borders and create a fairer system. But the widespread perception is it didn’t turn out that way. The EU is preparing to reduce foreign steel quotas by almost half as part of new measures set to be proposed next week.
|
Jon Stone
|
The party’s new leader calls for the migration pact to be reinstated as he sets out his stall on Brexit.
|
[
"brexit",
"buildings",
"cooperation",
"cost of living",
"customs union",
"elections",
"energy",
"human rights",
"immigration",
"inequality",
"investment",
"migration",
"populism",
"rights",
"single market",
"trade",
"visas",
"youth",
"politics"
] |
Trade UK
|
[
"United Kingdom"
] |
2025-10-29T03:20:00Z
|
2025-10-29T03:20:00Z
|
2025-10-29T03:21:54Z
| 7,372,428
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/end-eu-free-movement-disaster-uk-green-party-zack-polanski/
|
Italy’s Matteo Salvini has a bridge to sell you
|
Once a northern separatist, the League leader is betting his legacy on uniting Italy. The leader of what was once Italy’s largest separatist party may end up being the politician who unites the boot from top to bottom. Hemorrhaging support and risking control of the far-right party that he heads, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini is gambling his political future on a pharaonic bridge project that will connect the Italian mainland to the island of Sicily. The project faces a critical test on Wednesday when Italy’s Court of Auditors is expected to decide whether it complies with Italian and European Union law. A negative ruling by the court, which is a sort of public financial watchdog, would not necessarily prevent the project from going ahead. But it could prove politically costly for a project already under fire from Salvini’s political opponents. Salvini, who is infrastructure minister as well as leader of the far-right League party, has called the project “the most important public work in the world,” and said construction could start in November. If built, the 3.7-kilometer suspension bridge spanning the strait of Messina would be the longest of its kind, connecting the toe of the Italian peninsula to the northeastern tip of Sicily. It would provide the island’s 4.8 million inhabitants, who have until now relied on ferries and planes for access to the outside world, with road and rail lines to the rest of Europe. The firebrand politician is an unlikely champion for the project. His party was founded more than three decades ago in the hinterlands of Italy’s industrial north with a goal of breaking the region away from the rest of the country. The League's founder, Umberto Bossi, made stopping “Roma Ladrona” (thieving Rome) his rallying cry, pledging to put an end to the redistribution of northern tax revenue to the more impoverished south. He vocally opposed projects like the redevelopment of the former steelworks in Naples' Bagnoli district, which he saw as a northern-funded giveaway likely to end up lining the pockets of southern politicians. Now Salvini, who vocally opposed the bridge as recently as 2016, has become the foremost proponent of the massive public work, estimated to cost €13.5 billion. That would make it among the most expensive infrastructure projects ever built in Italy — and in the country's southernmost regions to boot, known for the mafia and corruption. “Everybody in Lombardy and in Veneto is angry at Matteo [Salvini] and his obsession with the bridge,” said one senior League official who was granted anonymity to speak candidly, referring to the League's two heartland regions. “Some think it won't happen, and some think it will. But almost everyone in the party in the north thinks it's a waste of money.” The idea of a bridge connecting the Mediterranean's biggest island to the Italian peninsula has a long history. Already in antiquity, the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote of plans to span the strait with a series of interconnected boats. In 1866, five years after the unification of Italy, the future Prime Minister Giuseppe Zanardelli proclaimed: “Whether above the current or under it, let Sicily be united to the continent!” (His favored solution was an underground tunnel.) The idea of a bridge was revived in the 1970s and 1980s after scientific studies judged it was technically feasible. But it was only in 2009, under the premiership of Silvio Berlusconi, that workers symbolically broke ground on the Messina bridge. Technocrat Mario Monti, who replaced Berlusconi during the financial crisis, shelved the endeavor, citing the need to cut costs. In 2016 center-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi briefly made his own push, which also ended up going nowhere. Salvini — who built his political career on bold and divisive stunts, and who propelled his party into government after a Damascene conversion from regionalism to far-right nationalism — may be the politician who has come closest to seeing the millennia-old ambition realized. When Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took power in 2022, Salvini was hoping to land the position of minister of the interior, a natural fit for a politician who came to prominence campaigning against immigration. But Meloni’s landslide victory left the League with little leverage in the coalition government, and Salvini found himself shunted into the less prestigious role of infrastructure minister. The bridge is his attempt to turn that relegation into a leading role. “Salvini is something of a political animal. He lives for the hot button issue of the day,” said Nicoletta Pirozzi, who heads the EU affairs program for the pro-European Istituto Affari Internazionali think tank. “This idea of a major public work serves as his way to make his mark … to give himself a bit more centrality in the public debate.” A spokesperson for Salvini declined to comment. Judging by the polls, Salvini’s gambit has yet to pay off. At 9 percent, the League is polling far behind its senior coalition partner, Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, which has the support of nearly a third of the electorate. The Messina bridge has divided public opinion: Supporters point to the economic benefits, while detractors cite everything from the risk of earthquakes to environmental impacts and graft in a part of the country famous for corruption. “At the moment, Salvini is caught between regional governors who need to answer to their constituents, the SMEs that are the backbone of Italian capitalism, and a populism that I wouldn't even define as conservative, but actually far-right,” said Teresa Coratella, deputy head of the Rome office at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Meanwhile, Salvini’s party has suffered a steady exodus of members, many from the north. Old-guard stalwarts like former Budget Minister Giancarlo Pagliarini have expressed skepticism: “It's a bit of a mysterious object. That's why whenever I hear about it, I say 'Oh Lord.'” Coratella said that Salvini has so far benefited from a lack of challengers within his party. But his luck may be taking a turn for the worse. Roberto Vannacci — a former general and a member of the European Parliament who like Salvini built his reputation on colorful outbursts — has galvanized parts of the electorate uneasy with Meloni's moderate foreign policy. Vannacci’s rising star risks eclipsing Salvini, beating him at the outrage game he pioneered. So far, however, Salvini has managed to keep his party backing the bridge, despite a previous warning from Italy’s Court of Auditors in September that raised doubts as to whether the project will be as economically advantageous as the government claims. Meanwhile, WeBuild, the company heading the consortium that is building the bridge, has started hiring the thousands of workers that will be needed for construction. “There are the outcasts of the League who still use the argument, 'This is a waste of money,’” said League senator Claudio Borghi. “But most of the party understands this is something that's been beneficial for the north.” Borghi added that even the more old-school regionalist governors were “starting to understand” the purpose of the project. Construction was meant to start this summer, but has been delayed. “I think it will benefit the country as a whole,” said Marco Dolfin, a League councilor in the Veneto region. He was quick to point out, however, that the project itself originated with Berlusconi, not Salvini. “We don't go on the streets or to rallies with a flag that says ‘Long live the bridge,’” Dolfin said. The move comes after U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil — oil and gas account for around a fifth of Russia’s GDP. Two big U.S. bankruptcies have revived memories of the last time the financial sector went bad. Paris’ benchmark 10-year borrowing costs have risen above Rome’s due to concerns about its ability to put public finances back on a solid footing. ‘The political leaders should sit down with the companies that are investing money,’ says ASML executive.
|
Carlo Martuscelli
|
Once a northern separatist, the League leader is betting his legacy on uniting Italy.
|
[
"bridges",
"infrastructure",
"transport",
"economics"
] |
Mobility
|
[
"Italy"
] |
2025-10-29T03:20:00Z
|
2025-10-29T03:20:00Z
|
2025-10-29T03:21:34Z
| 7,264,557
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-matteo-salvini-bridge-pitch-sicily-mainland/
|
Red hands and pig heads: Russia’s plan to destabilize France goes on trial
|
Paris has emerged as a top target of Moscow’s hybrid war. AI generated Text-to-speech PARIS — The banks of the Seine were still cloaked in early morning darkness when a security guard at the Paris Holocaust Museum, seated just a stone’s throw from the Notre Dame Cathedral, noticed a suspicious scene. Two men in dark clothes were spraying red paint across the Wall of the Righteous — a stone monument inscribed with the names of those who saved Jews in France during World War II. As the guard gave chase, a third man emerged from the shadows of a nearby building to film the night’s work: 35 red-painted handprints, splashed across the 25-meter wall. The attack, which took place in May of last year, was not an isolated act of hate. Police quickly identified and arrested three Bulgarian suspects whose trial begins in Paris on Wednesday — a case that investigators and intelligence officials say offers a rare window into Russia’s escalating campaign to destabilize France through covert influence and psychological operations. The vandalism of the Holocaust memorial was one of several symbolic assaults to shake the country over the past two years — featuring pig heads dropped at mosques, Stars of David sprayed on buildings, coffins left next to the Eiffel Tower— each seemingly designed to inflame tensions between France’s Jewish and Muslim communities or to erode French support for Ukraine ahead of a pivotal 2027 presidential election. They point to how France has become a hot spot in Russia’s hybrid war against Europe, as Moscow seeks to undermine one of Kyiv’s most powerful backers by aggravating its political and social tensions. Analysts and officials say France presents both a prime target and a weak flank — a nation with global weight but domestic vulnerabilities that make it especially susceptible to manipulation. "This reflects a geopolitical reality: Russia considers France to be a serious adversary, it's the only nuclear power in the EU, and the president of the Republic is quite vocal on support for Ukraine, considering scenarios such as the deployment of French soldiers to Odesa,” said Kevin Limonier, a professor and deputy director at the GEODE geopolitical research center in Paris, where his team has mapped out Russia’s hybrid war operations in Europe. “In France, we are a little further away from the eastern flank and we don't have the same level of prevention as the countries from the former Soviet Union,” said Natalia Pouzyreff, a lawmaker from President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party who co-authored a report on foreign interference earlier this year. “The population is more receptive to this kind of rhetoric.” French authorities have accused four men of orchestrating the defacement of the Holocaust memorial. The three allegedly on the scene, Mircho Angelov, Georgi Filipov and Kiril Milushev, fled Paris that same morning by bus to Brussels, then boarded a flight to Sofia. Filipov and Milushev were later arrested by Bulgarian authorities and extradited to France. A fourth man, Nikolay Ivanov, suspected of financing the operation, was arrested in Croatia. Angelov remains at large. The men stand accused of conspiring to deface the monument, with the aggravating circumstance of acting on antisemitic motives. French investigators also suspect they may have acted, knowingly or not, as Russian agents. The operation could “correspond to an attempt to destabilize France orchestrated by the Russian intelligence services,” according to an assessment by the domestic intelligence agency DGSI cited in a note from the prosecutor’s office. The same assessment links the act to “a broader strategy” aimed at “dividing French public opinion or fueling internal tensions by using ‘proxies’, meaning individuals who are not working for those services but are paid by them for ad hoc tasks via intermediaries.” During preliminary hearings, Filipov and Milushev did not deny being present but pointed to Angelov as the main orchestrator. The Paris raid wasn’t the first time members of the group had met: Angelov, Ivanov and Milushev are all from Blagoevgrad, a town in southwestern Bulgaria close to the border with North Macedonia. Contacted by POLITICO, Milushev’s lawyer Camille Di Tella said her client, a longtime casual acquaintance of Angelov, had only filmed the tagging without actively participating in the vandalism and “was not aware of what he was really meant to do” when he agreed on the trip. Martin Vettes, a lawyer for Filipov, declined to comment on the case ahead of the trial. Vladimir Ivanov, a lawyer for Nikolay Ivanov, said his client only paid for hotel nights and bus tickets as a service to Angelov. He strongly denied his client had antisemitic motives or was aware of any Russian connection. POLITICO was unable to reach Angelov for comment. The DGSI declined to comment for this story. Angelov’s Facebook feed, identified by POLITICO, includes selfies from around Europe, from Greek beaches to the Swiss Alps. Pictures of him show large tattoos covering his chest, upper arms and legs, featuring neo-Nazi symbols including the numbers 14 and 88 and a black Totenkopf, the emblem of a prominent SS division. On May 12, two days before the attack on the memorial, Angelov posted a picture of himself in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral wearing a blue T-shirt and ripped jeans that partly concealed his tattoos. During his brief stop in Brussels he shared another picture taken in front of a glass building, followed by a winking emoji. The red handprints painted on the memorial are a symbol used by some pro-Palestinian activists to denounce the war in Gaza. But they are also seen by Jewish groups and scholars as a reference to the killing of two Israeli soldiers during the second Intifada in the 2000s, and a call for antisemitic violence. The attack coincided with the anniversary of the first mass arrest of Jews in France under the Nazi occupation, drawing condemnation across France’s political spectrum. That evening, museum staff and local organizations held an impromptu vigil outside the site. “In a climate of rising antisemitism, we are shocked by this cowardly and heinous act,” Jacques Fredj, the memorial director, posted on social media. Privately, museum employees were hesitant to attribute the attack to pro-Palestinian groups. “We didn’t see the logic of it coming from activists,” said one of them, who declined to speak on the record given the sensitivity of the subject. The Intifada reference felt old and out of touch, the museum employee said. The attacks also felt similar to a 2023 incident in which Stars of David were tagged across the French capital in an operation French prosecutors described as possible foreign interference. The Paris prosecutor’s office also cited a report by Viginum, France’s national agency monitoring online disinformation, that found news stories about the red handprints were amplified by “thousands of fake accounts on Twitter” linked to the Russian Recent Reliable News/Doppelgänger network — a group already implicated in spreading reports about the Stars of David. The trial opening Wednesday is just one of nine cases involving attacks on religious communities or high-profile French monuments under investigation by the Paris prosecutor’s office since late 2023. The most recent is from Sept. 9, when Najat Benali, rector of the Javel mosque in southeastern Paris, was woken by a call from worshippers attending the early morning prayer. They had been shocked to find a pig head drenched in blood at the mosque’s entrance. Benali rushed to the scene. “It was still dark, I got scared,” she said. She alerted local officials and learned that eight other mosques had been targeted. Prosecutors quickly traced the act to a group of Serbian nationals after a Normandy pig farmer flagged a suspicious bulk purchase. The pig heads were dropped “by foreign nationals who immediately left [French] soil, in a manifest attempt to cause unrest within the nation,” said a note from the Paris prosecutor’s office dated mid-September. Later that month, Serbia announced the arrest of 11 of its citizens related to the incident. Serbian authorities said the group is also suspected of throwing green paint on Paris synagogues and a well-known Paris falafel restaurant situated in the capital’s old Jewish neighborhood. Allegations of foreign interference do little to alleviate the distress felt by the Muslim community, said Bassirou Camara, head of Addam, a nonprofit organization keeping track of anti-Muslim attacks. “It doesn’t diminish the feeling of fear and disgust,” Camara said. “Because we know they are exploiting a crack that already exists.” France’s deep social, economic, cultural, religious and political divisions offer fertile ground for the Kremlin’s interference, several policymakers, academics and military officers told POLITICO. Unlike Russia’s neighbors such as Estonia or Lithuania, France is also unused to being the subject of Russian propaganda. Even though it’s a NATO member, the country historically saw itself as an independent ally of the U.S. and before the invasion of Ukraine kept open channels with the Kremlin. “Before, the Russians didn't want to upset France because it had a kind of non-aligned role,” said a high-ranking French military officer, who was granted anonymity to talk candidly about a sensitive topic. “Now, they think they need to fracture our society and show the French that Emmanuel Macron is leading them down the wrong path.” Large segments of the French political spectrum are also historically friendly to Russia. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, long accused of cozying up to Vladimir Putin, has sought to distance herself from the Russian president since he launched Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, leftist firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon is a fierce critic of NATO. “There is an ambiguous ground in France, with a primitive anti-Americanism that sometimes swings into pro-Russian sentiment as a mirror effect,” the military officer explained. “We are paying for our historical position on Russia; we have always allowed a certain amount of doubt to linger, and the French have been fed on that.” Stoking tensions in France requires little effort in a society already on edge. “The Russian intelligence sphere understands the cleavages in society,” said Kristine Berzina, a senior fellow and security expert at the German Marshall Fund think tank. It has “this very particular awareness and desire to instrumentalize highly painful domestic political issues and opportunism to tap those pain points at the right moment of political salience.” One major flashpoint is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. France is home to the EU’s largest Muslim and Jewish populations — roughly 5 million and 450,000 people, respectively. “French society, with its Jewish and Muslim minorities, is the perfect breeding ground for provocation,” said a Paris-based European diplomat. On the day the pig heads were dropped, local leaders denounced a rise in violence against Muslims. “These clearly coordinated acts mark a new and sad step up in the rise of anti-Muslim hatred, and aim to divide our national community,” Chems-eddine Hafiz, rector of Paris Great Mosque, said in a statement. Figures from the left were quick to blame “a toxic climate ... fueled by the stigmatizing rhetoric of certain politicians,” pointing their fingers at the country’s far-right leaders. Several experts said they expect Russia to ramp up operations ahead of the 2027 French election, when Le Pen’s National Rally — a party far less sympathetic to Ukraine's plight than Macron — may have its best shot yet at taking the presidency. In the meantime, French officials have taken note of the spate of attacks. In May the government announced a new policy regarding Russian cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, promising to call out foreign governments in an effort to raise awareness. The country has also beefed up its legal arsenal. Last year, lawmakers toughened penalties for violence “committed at the behest of a foreign power.” French authorities are reaching out to countries such as Estonia, Poland, Finland and Sweden to better understand the Russian psyche, several French officials told POLITICO. France has valuable lessons to learn from frontline nations, many of which spent decades under Soviet control, the officials said. These include fostering media literacy and raising awareness of the threat of disinformation instead of focusing on countering fake news and spreading counternarratives. The new approach may already be starting to bear fruit. The French public is becoming more savvy at spotting foreign interference, said Pouzyreff, the Renaissance party lawmaker, referring to the pig heads episode. "After having reported one, two, three attempts at interference, by the fourth the public was waiting for more information and [the controversy] deflated much more quickly," she said. Eric Lombard also tells POLITICO’s competitiveness summit in France that the era of free trade is “dead.” If the far right gains control of parliament in the EU’s second-largest country, Europe will fundamentally change. The far-right National Rally is pushing for new elections. The far-right leader spoke as new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is launching critical talks on the 2026 budget.
|
Marion Solletty
|
Paris has emerged as a top target of Moscow’s hybrid war.
|
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Politics
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[
"Bulgaria",
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"Serbia",
"Ukraine"
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2025-10-29T03:18:00Z
|
2025-10-29T03:18:00Z
|
2025-10-29T03:20:27Z
| 7,407,138
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/red-hands-and-pig-heads-russias-plan-to-destabilize-france-goes-on-trial/
|
EU’s conservatives hurtle toward reckoning over far-right taboo
|
The European Parliament’s center right weighs turning its back on historical mainstream alliances in its push to cut red tape. AI generated Text-to-speech BRUSSELS — Europe’s center right has two weeks to decide on the strategy that will define its next four years in the European Parliament: Dilute its ambition and stick with traditional mainstream allies — or work with the far right to get the job done. While governments in EU capitals grapple with the rise of populists, and centrist parties struggle to hold their ground, pan-European groups in the Parliament are confronting similar challenges. Last week's failure to pass a landmark law aimed at cutting red tape underlined how little room for maneuver the center still has. The center-right European People's Party "still has the choice between working with the far right that wants to demolish Europe, or a stable pro-European coalition," Bas Eickhout, co-chair of the Greens, considered one of the EPP's centrist allies, told POLITICO. After the EPP's failed attempt last week to pass a bill cutting green reporting obligations for companies ― because some center-left MEPs rebelled against their party line ― the far-right Patriots for Europe group called on the EPP to abandon its old allies from the center-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the liberal Renew Europe group and the Greens. The Patriots want the EPP to make a deal with them instead, in order to pass the bill when lawmakers vote again on Nov. 12. "I think that a number of EPP members realized that they had made a mistake in allying themselves with the architects of the Green Deal," said Pascale Piera, the Patriots lawmaker leading work on this file. EU leaders are pressuring the Parliament to move the file forward within the next month so Brussels can prove it’s capable of cutting red tape for businesses and boost its ailing economy. The debate over the law is forcing a reckoning for the EPP, which must decide whether to uphold the so-called cordon sanitaire — the unwritten rule dictating that groups in the center don't work with the far right — or declare the centrist coalition is failing and throw in their lot with the other side of the aisle. That could cause a seismic rupture in the way politics has always been done in Brussels. Political groups in the Parliament are extremely divided over how to implement the new Brussels simplification agenda. While groups to the right of the hemicycle call for a major rollback of EU rules — particularly environmental laws, which they see as the culprit for stagnating growth — those on the left are fighting to preserve the rules they helped craft in the previous mandate. The European Commission put forward its omnibus simplification bill because it wants to reduce reporting obligations for companies under the bloc’s corporate sustainability disclosure and supply chain transparency rules, core parts of the European Green Deal. It’s the first in a series of proposals aimed at cutting red tape to boost European competitiveness in the second term of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a leading member of the EPP. For weeks leading up to the failed vote in Strasbourg, the EPP had flirted with right-wing and far-right groups. It negotiated with the Patriots, the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) and the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) groups to get them to back the legislation, only to then use that agreement to persuade the liberals and Socialists to scale back their demands and agree to major cuts to the laws. Although the latter groups agreed, some of the Socialists refused to vote in favor, causing the proposal to be rejected. Lead EPP negotiator Jörgen Warborn called the result “disappointing” and said it was up to the Socialists to clarify their position. Even though the centrist coalition failed to pass the bill, the liberals and Social Democrats hope the EPP will keep faith with the center by making enough concessions to get Socialist lawmakers to vote in favor. “There has to be a text put to a vote that can have a majority in the plenary, and the more reliable majority is EPP with S&D, Renew and the Greens,” Socialists negotiator René Repasi told POLITICO. "That's what the final text has to reflect." But that's not the direction the right-wing groups hope things will go. For the Patriots' Piera, the law in its initial form, negotiated with the far right, has enough backing to pass. She said she was "surprised" the EPP abandoned that version. "The EPP will not be able to move further to the left than it has done so far, as the discussions will be public and their core electorate are people who are very attentive to the health of the economic sector," she said. A Parliament official from the ESN also told POLITICO that the group "will strive for a solution that resembles [the first proposal]." Yet critics fear the precedent that this would set. Lara Wolters, the former Socialist negotiator who quit because of the deal, blamed the "EPP's refusal to make a fundamental political choice on whether to cooperate as a matter of principle with the groups to the EPP's right, or those to EPP's left." Leaning on the far right to get the bill through "would show a strategic direction for the EPP," Andreas Rasche, professor of business in society at the Copenhagen Business School told POLITICO, adding this would set a "dangerous precedent" for legislative work going forward. While the right-wing bloc may be able to strike a deal in the Parliament, the S&D's Repasi warned that the text could change following negotiations with EU countries. Last time the EPP tried to gut an anti-deforestation bill to cut red tape with the support of the far right, EU countries rebuffed the maximalist proposal and the Parliament had to backtrack. “The rapporteur should keep in mind he still needs a majority for the trilogue results as well,” Repasi said, referring to the final vote to take place in the Parliament following final negotiations with the Commission and EU governments. Roberta Metsola says the coalition that has traditionally controlled Brussels may no longer always be able to pass legislation. Move sets up a clash with the European Commission and EU leaders, who are on a drive to roll back legislation quickly. Ursula von der Leyen is selling simplification like a Kinder Egg — sweet on the outside for European business, with a surprise inside for the U.S. president. PARIS — Some signatories of a joint appeal by French and German business bosses to loosen merger rules and scrap environmental laws to promote European industrial “champions” …
|
Marianne Gros
|
The European Parliament’s center right weighs turning its back on historical mainstream alliances in its push to cut red tape.
|
[
"companies",
"competitiveness",
"european green deal",
"far right",
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"water",
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"competition and industrial policy",
"trade",
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] |
Sustainability
|
[] |
2025-10-29T03:01:00Z
|
2025-10-29T03:01:00Z
|
2025-10-29T11:44:49Z
| 7,403,850
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/european-peoples-party-far-right-european-parliament/
|
Big Tech ups lobbying firepower, €€ in Brussels
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American tech companies have piled into EU capital with bigger budgets and beefed-up teams. AI generated Text-to-speech BRUSSELS — Tech firms are spending more than ever on lobbying the EU amid mounting opposition to the bloc’s digital rules, according to new analysis. The 733 digital industry groups registered in Brussels now spend €151 million a year pushing their interests, up from €113 million two years ago, per an analysis of disclosures to the EU’s transparency register by two campaign groups. The uptick comes amid attacks from industry against EU laws like the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act — which the Trump administration says discriminate against U.S. companies — and as the European Commission prepares a massive effort to dial back its digital rulebooks. Lobbying spending is concentrated in the hands of tech giants, mainly from the U.S., according to the analysis by Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl, two non-profit campaign groups focused on corporate influence. The ten largest technology spenders — which include Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Qualcomm and Google — outspent the top ten firms in pharmaceuticals, finance and the automotive industries combined. Amazon, Microsoft and Meta have “noticeably” ramped up their expenditure since 2023, by more than €4 million for Amazon and €2 million for Microsoft and Meta, the analysis said. The Brussels-based lobby group Digital Europe, which includes many U.S.-based tech giants among its members, added more than €1 million to its lobbying budget. Meta, with a budget of more than €10 million, is the overall largest lobby spender in the EU. This is a “precarious moment,” said Bram Vranken, a researcher at Corporate Observatory Europe, arguing that years of progress in limiting the harmful effects of technology and the power of Big Tech risks being reversed. With the deregulation push in Brussels and strong industry support in Washington, “Big Tech is seizing this new political reality to erase a decade of progress to regulate the digital sector,” he said. Tech firms would argue that lobbying is not only about exerting influence but also about ensuring that lawmakers understand the complex realities of the industry to inform their decisions on the rules. “Amazon engages on issues that are important to our customers, sellers, and the diverse range of businesses we operate,” a spokesperson for the U.S. firm said in a statement. “This means we work with organisations like trade associations and think tanks, and communicate with officials at the European Institutions.” The boost in activity is seen not only in higher spending, including on consulting and advisory firms hired to influence digital policy, but also in a rising headcount of registered tech lobbyists. There are now an estimated 890 lobbyists — calculated as full-time equivalents — working to shape the tech agenda, up from 699 in 2023. Of these, 437 have badges allowing them to access the European Parliament freely. Access to the institution has become tougher in recent years in reaction to a series of corruption scandals — including investigations into Huawei that saw the company banned from accessing the Parliament and meeting with the Commission in March. In the first half of 2025, representatives of tech companies declared 146 meetings with Commission staff. Artificial intelligence, including a highly disputed industry code of practice, was the main topic on the agenda. As for lawmakers in Parliament, tech lobbyists declared 232 meetings. Transparency rules for declaring meetings between lobbyists and Commission and Parliament officials have expanded in recent years, but transparency campaigners say they still lack teeth and accountability. PARIS — French lawmakers are moving ahead with plans to double a tax on big tech firms — backing away from a more aggressive push amid fears … President Donald Trump has warned he would retaliate against any move that targets U.S. companies. France and Germany are not yet on the same page to detox from Big Tech. Inclusion in 2026 Commission plan follows China’s move to limit export of rare-earth magnets.
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Mathieu Pollet
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American tech companies have piled into EU capital with bigger budgets and beefed-up teams.
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Technology
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"United States"
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2025-10-29T03:01:00Z
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2025-10-29T03:01:00Z
|
2025-10-29T03:28:16Z
| 7,397,529
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/big-tech-lobbying-brussels-digital-markets-act-digital-services-act/
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South Korea is less interested in its European allies
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As Seoul concentrates on greeting relations with the U.S. on surer footing, it seems it has little time for the bloc or NATO. AI generated Text-to-speech Anchal Vohra is a Brussels-based international affairs commentator. Last month, the South Korean Ambassador to the EU took a gentle bow and launched a Korean movie weekend at an independent theater in Brussels. The opening film was inspired by the true story of the abduction of 23 Korean missionaries by the Taliban in 2007 — a reminder of the risks South Korea has taken to prove its worth to its most important strategic partner, the United States. Currently, however, Seoul’s ties with Washington are under stress. And as South Korea concentrates its energies on greeting its relations with the U.S. on surer footing, the country has little time for its allies in Europe. Since returning to office, U.S. President Donald Trump has adopted a mercantilist approach to trade, leaving Seoul increasingly trapped between the U.S. and China. He has demanded that Seoul pay $550 billion in investments “upfront” if it wants tariff relief, and that it substantially increase its defense expenditure if it wants to keep the U.S. forces (USFK) deployed as a bulwark against North Korea. America’s European allies are battling identical dilemmas, being forced to up their defense spending, accept tariffs and promise more than $600 billion in investment from EU in the U.S. Yet, it seems they’re unable to keep their key Asian ally interested in the bloc or NATO in the process. “The current government is very occupied” with sorting out economic issues at home, and is busy with “the Trump situation,” said Wooyeal Paik, a professor of political science and international studies at Yonsei University. “NATO-AP4,” he said, in reference to NATO’s four partners in the Indo-Pacific, “is not on the table.” This is surprising given that over the last three years, Seoul’s ties with NATO had advanced exponentially. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol wanted Seoul to be a global player, and had deemed further cooperation necessary to confront common security threats: “South Korea should no longer be confined to the Korean Peninsula but rise to the challenge of being what I have described as a ‘global pivotal state,’ one that advances freedom, peace, and prosperity through liberal democratic values and substantial cooperation,” he wrote. Under his leadership, South Korea shared intelligence with NATO on Moscow’s deployment of North Korean soldiers against Ukraine, enhanced cooperation on seemingly benign but increasingly charged files like hybrid warfare, and indirectly supplied much-needed ammunition to Ukraine when Europe fell short. There was even talk of an Asian NATO. This pro-NATO policy was in part intended to limit Moscow’s revanchism and to discourage China from invading Taiwan. But more importantly, from Seoul’s perspective, it was meant to curtail Moscow’s growing ties with Pyongyang. Seoul has long been worried about Russia supplying military technology to Pyongyang and employing North Korean soldiers and laborers who send money back home, thus aiding the cash-strapped regime. However, in a dramatic turn of events earlier this year, Yoon tried to impose martial law and was impeached soon after. Subsequent elections then paved the way for Lee Jae-myung — a leader with a rather different worldview, seemingly more open to rapprochement with Moscow and downgrading ties with NATO. So far, Lee has said he’ll pursue a “pragmatic” foreign policy centered on national interests, a part of which is maintaining ties with China — the country’s biggest trading partner. And to the surprise of NATO’s European members, Lee didn’t attend their high-stakes summit at The Hague this year. It appears the South Korean leader has prioritized the national economy rather Europe’s security concerns, and he appears reluctant to see security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific theaters as linked. Plus, there were already murmurs of dissatisfaction in Seoul with a foreign policy that sanctioned Moscow during Yoon’s tenure, with Lee himself reportedly warning against taking a side in the Russia-Ukraine war. He also described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “novice politician,” asking: “Why should we get involved in someone else’s war?” Lee sees Russia as a neighbor it must, somehow, reconcile with, not as an enemy. Along these lines, Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev had already predicted better ties between Moscow and Seoul once Yoon was impeached, and he was right: South Korea invited Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, for this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. But this doesn’t necessarily mean Lee intends to stop defense cooperation with Europe. South Korea will continue to sell weapons that free up European supplies for Ukraine. And Seoul’s supplies of ammunition to the U.S., which freed up American ammunition to be sent to Ukraine, were also critical to Ukraine’s war effort. “South Korea wants to preserve the option of reopening relations with Russia in the future when conditions allow. This is why assistance was deliberately channeled indirectly, mainly through European partners and industrial contracts, rather than by direct lethal deliveries to Ukraine,” observed Arnaud Leveau, president of the civil society research institute Asia Centre. “Going forward, indirect support will remain the most realistic scenario. Contracts with Poland and the Czech Republic will continue, and these [will] allow Europe to free up stock for Ukraine,” he added. There is a sense, however, that the policies of South Korea’s new president are still taking shape. That even if domestic compulsions, and the fact that Trump has often expressed warmth toward his Russian counterpart, might have influenced Lee’s calculus, all is not lost. “For NATO and the EU, the way to keep Seoul engaged is through practical, low-visibility cooperation,” explained Leveau, listing cybersecurity, resilience, and industrial partnerships and discreet intelligence dialogues on maritime Southeast Asia as possible areas for collaboration. “These concrete areas matter more than big political slogans,” he said. And they may be the key to keeping one of Europe’s most crucial partners in Asia on-side. As the continent tilts to the right and its politicians find it hard to explain an influx of refugees from war-torn countries, India is actively trying to present itself as a reasonable partner. The country aims to curry favor and keep the U.S. president committed to transatlantic defense by being the first to catch the mood in Washington. Neither the alliance’s expansion into Asia nor an Asian NATO is really in the cards. But that’s not to say further cooperation isn’t imminent or that deterrence is impossible. Activists fear EU governments will come under pressure from the populist right and mull third country repatriation.
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Anchal Vohra
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As Seoul concentrates on greeting relations with the U.S. on surer footing, it seems it has little time for the bloc or NATO.
|
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Commentary
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"China",
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"Russia",
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"United States"
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2025-10-29T03:00:00Z
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2025-10-29T03:00:00Z
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2025-10-29T03:00:00Z
| 7,405,860
|
https://www.politico.eu/article/south-korea-less-interested-european-allies/
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