Author: staff

Eclectic supporters Despite years of speculation that he would go for the prime minister’s job, Radev only finally revealed his Progressive Bulgaria project in March.While Radev doesn’t formally lead Progressive Bulgaria, he is unmistakably its face. The movement features a motley assembly of politicians close to him or some who changed their allegiance, and also includes military figures, newcomers and former sports personalities. Only six women lead party lists across the country’s 31 electoral districts.“His face is everywhere, which is probably what matters, because nobody else is recognizable,” said Dimitar Bechev, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe.Progressive Bulgaria has attracted…

“Heads of state and government are right to invest significant time in the unexpected geopolitical crises that have occurred over the course of the last weeks,” said Siegfried Mureșan, the lead lawmaker on the budget from the center-right European People’s Party, from which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and most of the leaders also hail. “However, I believe that as a union we should not spend all of our political time on a single topic at a time and then ignore other subjects which are important but maybe not necessarily urgent.” Leaders have called on Brussels to help…

Published on 16/04/2026 – 7:51 GMT+2•Updated 8:01 On today’s show: Top story: Euronews’ Sándor Zsíros on Péter Magyar’s next steps as Hungary’s PM-elect. Euronews’ Sasha Vakulina on Zelenskyy’s European tour. Euronews correspondent Aadel Haleem live from Doha on António Costa’s visit to Qatar. Interview with Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Hana Jalloul Muro, MEP (S&D, Spain). Euronews’ Vincenzo Genovese on Meloni and Trump’s break up. When and where to watch Europe Today? You can join Euronews’ chief anchor Méabh Mc Mahon and our EU editor Maria Tadeo live on TV and Euronews’ website and digital…

At the start of 2026, currency markets were mapping a fairly conventional world: a US economy slowing enough for the Federal Reserve to cut rates twice, a cautious European Central Bank and most other central banks content to follow Washington’s lead. The conflict in Iran ended that script almost overnight. Energy prices surged, inflation expectations shifted, and central banks began talking about rate rises. The Fed, facing a combination of energy-driven inflation and mounting growth uncertainty, has stayed put. That divergence has opened the door for a broad range of currencies to gain ground against the US dollar. But each…

Viktor Orbán may be out — but his man in Brussels is not. Today on the pod, Ian and Sarah discuss how the Hungarian Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi is expected to stay on in the Berlaymont after his Fidesz party’s landslide election loss back home. They explain why neither the Commission nor the new Hungarian government are in a rush to get rid of the Orbán ally. Next, they talk about the frontrunner in Bulgaria’s upcoming vote — an ex-fighter jet pilot. It’s the eighth election in five years and voters are hoping for the country to regain political stability. Plus,…

Fast ein Jahr nach der Wahl driftet die schwarz-rote Regierung zunehmend in Paralleluniversen ab. Während Kanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) zur nationalen Anstrengung aufruft, herrscht untereinander politisches Misstrauen. In der Union brodelt es über den „teuren Tankrabatt“ für die SPD, während sich die Sozialdemokraten durch die Forderung nach Abschaffung des 1. Mai als Feiertag provoziert fühlen. Gordon Repinski analysiert, warum es derzeit weniger um Reformen und mehr um gegenseitiges Heimzahlen geht. Im 200-Sekunden-Interview bezieht SPD-Fraktionsgeschäftsführer Dirk Wiese Stellung zu den „Ruckeleien“ der letzten Woche und den Einsparplänen im Gesundheitswesen. Exklusive Informationen zeigen: Hinter verschlossenen Türen stimmen sich Deutschland und andere NATO-Staaten…

Armed with a strong parliamentary majority, Magyar — whose new administration is eyeing a reset of its relationship with Brussels — has promised to decimate the previous government’s cozy relationship with conservative think tanks, and clamp down on state funding to the network of right-wing groups that flourished under his predecessor. This includes MCC Brussels’ parent organization, Mathias Corvinus Collegium, the Budapest-based educational institution controlled by close political allies of Orbán. “The state is not going to finance CPAC [Conservative Political Action Conference] events, or Mathias Corvinus Collegium institutions … I think this was a criminal offense, party financing mixed up…

Peace talks in Islamabad led by Vice President JD Vance fell apart over the weekend. Vance told reporters that the Iranians would not pledge to no longer pursue the development of a nuclear weapon.“They have chosen not to accept our terms,” he said. “The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon.”Further talks between American and Iranian negotiators have not been publicly disclosed. But Trump told a New York Post reporter on…

There are many reasons Pakistan managed to snag the spot as mediator: It has close ties with Iran and China — which helped it be seen as a neutral party. And Gulf countries that might have stepped in to mediate were themselves under attack.But Pakistan’s courtship of President Donald Trump since he took office a little over a year ago has also played an important role. It’s been a wide-ranging campaign, and one that has shown a canny understanding of Trump’s ego.“Pakistan wouldn’t be convening these talks if it didn’t have that strong relationship with Washington and that personal trust…

Published on 15/04/2026 – 21:31 GMT+2 The United States is discussing holding a second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan and is optimistic about reaching a deal, the White House said on Wednesday. “Those discussions are being had” and “we feel good about the prospects of a deal,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that further talks “would very likely” be in Islamabad. Her comments come after President Donald Trump raised hopes on Tuesday that the war in Iran was nearing an end, saying it is “very close to over.” “I view it (the war) very close…