EDITOR’S CHOICE
Starmer’s premiership is dying. Nobody knows how to save it.
After one of the worst results in the U.K. Labour Party’s history in a by-election Thursday, it’s all unravelling for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Read the story.
The crisis corps running the EU
Exclusive: Come inside the bunker where EU ambassadors, increasingly powerful in deciding the bloc’s response to crisis after crisis, meet to try to reach agreement. Officially, decisions aren’t made here but everyone knows that’s not really how it works. Read the story.
Iceland looks to fast-track vote on joining EU
Exclusive: Reykjavík’s governing coalition had promised to hold a referendum on restarting EU accession talks by 2027 but U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats to Greenland is hurrying everyone along. Read the story.
**A message from Neste: The world needs to keep moving, but with reduced emissions. Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel are available today. Let’s fuel change. Learn more at neste.com/change.**
US senator apologizes for Lindsey Graham’s ‘appalling’ outburst at Danish PM
Exclusive: A top Democratic lawmaker has issued a formal apology to Mette Frederiksen after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham lashed out at the Danish prime minister in Munich earlier this month, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO. Read the story.
Forget Le Pen. French politics has a new archvillain.
French hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon is facing a torrent of criticism following the death of a far-right activist earlier this month in Lyon. Opponents have seized on the tragedy to frame Mélenchon as dangerous ahead of key municipal elections next month and the presidential race in 2027. Read the story.
Italy calls for suspension of carbon price in major attack on EU climate policy
The Italian government wants the European Union to hit pause on its flagship climate law, the 20-year-old Emissions Trading System, in the latest in a flurry of attacks on the bloc’s efforts to slow global warming. Read the story.
‘Made in Europe’ row brings back Brexit’s bitter memories
The French government is adamant the U.K. should not be able to enjoy the benefits of being a member of the bloc’s single market after leaving the union. The latest battleground is the EU’s plan for “Made in Europe” rules which would favor European companies over foreign ones in public tenders and state aid. French officials say British firms shouldn’t be able to benefit, despite a warming of relations between the U.K. and the EU. Read the story.
YOUR WEEKEND PLAYLIST
EU Confidential
Ambassadors are supposed to smooth tensions, not spark them. But in recent weeks some American envoys in Europe – from Belgium to Poland and France — have found themselves at the center of very public political clashes, accusing allies of antisemitism, cutting ties with senior lawmakers, and even losing their access to government ministers.
Is this simply a more combative tone? Or does it reflect something deeper — a shift in how Washington wants to engage with Europe in Donald Trump’s second term?
Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO’s senior correspondent Karl Mathiesen, who has been reporting on the growing diplomatic friction, and Ivo Daalder — a former U.S. ambassador to NATO under President Barack Obama.
Together they unpack whether this is about ideology, business interests, domestic political signaling — or a broader rethinking of America’s role in Europe.
Listen to the episode.
Westminster Insider
The Green Party have won their very first by-election. Westminster Insider Host Sascha O’Sullivan goes inside the Greens’ effort to win the seat, and finds out how the battle for this seat will inform the three-way fights between the Greens, Labour and Reform UK.
She speaks to Hannah Spencer on the election trail – and on the night itself.
And she speaks to the other candidates, Angeliki Stogia for Labour and Matt Goodwin for Reform to find out what worked – and what didn’t.
As Labour licks its wounds, director of the Labour Growth Group Mark McVitie talks Sascha through how the party machine have been thinking about the Greens and what needs to change.
Pollster and director of More in Common Luke Tryl examines what the curious combination of voters can tell us about the future fights Labour will shake out.
And deputy political editor of the Spectator James Heale explains why Reform’s Matt Goodwin didn’t win here in Gorton and Denton.
Listen to the episode.
DECLASSIFIED
Read this week’s Declassified column.
Caption competition
“Seems tasty, high-class and a little different from the norm, but can quickly lead to feelings of nausea or even downright illness … and some oysters.”
Can you do better? Email us at [email protected] or get in touch on X @POLITICOEurope.
Last week, we gave you this photo:
Thanks for all the entries. Here’s the best from our postbag — there’s no prize except for the gift of laughter, which I think we can all agree is far more valuable than cash or booze.
“No Emmanuel, it’s over now, I’m happier with Melania.”
by Kylian Vadet
**A message from Neste: Join us in redefining how the world moves. Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel are available today, with production capacity in Europe increasing for tomorrow. Let’s fuel change. Learn more at neste.com/change.**
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