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In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about the EU’s lukewarm response to X owner Elon Musk and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, and so much more.
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The Spanish government is deeply concerned about the possible creation of a global far-right ‘axis’ led by Trump and Musk, with the support of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Fratelli d’Italia/ECR). [Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images]
Languages: Czech
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv.
In today’s news from The Capitals:
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has launched an international diplomatic offensive to try to mitigate the “ultra-right international” bloc forged by US President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire X owner Elon Musk with the support of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Read more.
WESTERN EUROPE
Austria’s interim chancellor tells Brussels not to worry. Austria’s caretaker Chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg, is expected to visit Brussels on Monday to reassure officials here that his country’s likely far-right turn is much ado about nothing. Read more.
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PARIS | BERLIN
US tech moguls slam EU digital rulebook. X owner Elon Musk and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg repeatedly intervened in European politics last week, overshadowing timid calls from EU politicians that US tech giants must comply with the EU’s digital rules. Read more.
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BERLIN
Scholz delivers his political eulogy. It was meant as an emotional rallying call to Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) as they lurch towards what polls predict will be their most brutal election day. As ever with Olaf Scholz, his cri de cœur sounded more like a whimper. Read more.
A divided AfD confirms Alice Weidel as its standard bearer. Alice Weidel’s election as the far-right Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) candidate for chancellor this weekend was hardly a surprise. However, it did expose the tensions in a party split between its leadership and base. Read more.
NORDICS & BALTICS
Greenlandic PM: We don’t want to be Danes, we don’t want to be Americans. The prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark addressed recent US threats to Nuuk and the development of their collaboration with Washington at a press conference in Copenhagen on Friday. Read more.
Why Trump’s Greenland gambit hurts the West’s case on Ukraine. With the countdown to US President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, Europeans have discussed for months how to avoid ending up on his menu. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
Italy denies US extradition request for Iranian after Sala’s release. Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has blocked the extradition of Iranian national Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi in a case closely linked to the recent release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from detention in Tehran. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
Polish presidential candidates discuss EU-wide restriction of X. Candidates in Poland’s presidential election are divided over whether Elon Musk’s X should be restricted in the EU. Read more.
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BRATISLAVA
Slovak MPs say Poland denied them passage on way to Moscow. A delegation of MPs from the Slovak ruling coalition parties Smer-SD and SNS who were on their way to Moscow were forced to take an alternative route after Poland allegedly denied their plane access. Read more.
Fico warns of snap elections over internal issues. After months of denying a coalition crisis, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD/NI) admitted coalition parties are not giving their support in parliament and warned of early elections or a government reshuffle. Read more.
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PRAGUE
Škoda suggests plug-in hybrids beyond 2035. Škoda Auto wants plug-in hybrids and alternative fuels to be allowed beyond the 2035 EU ban on internal combustion engine cars, arguing for a more flexible automotive transition. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
Pro-Russian socialists eye decisive role in Bulgarian government. The pro-Russia Socialist Party announced on Sunday that it would join the future governing coalition with the centre-right GERB party of former prime minister Boyko Borissov and the populist There Is Such a People. Read more.
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BUCHAREST
Romania’s far-right protests as no word over annulled vote. Romanian right-wing extremists and sovereigntists organised two protests over the weekend, with AUR leader George Simion vowing to continue demonstrations until President Klaus Iohannis resigns and a second round of presidential elections is held. Read more.
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BELGRADE
Serbia breaks ranks with EU by honouring Maduro’s inauguration. Serbia, an EU candidate country, was the only European country apart from Russia and Belarus to attend the inauguration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which was boycotted by the vast majority of the international community. Read more.
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BELGRADE | SOFIA
Azerbaijan halts gas deliveries to Serbia, Bulgaria. Gas flows from Azerbaijan to Serbia have been halted and it is unclear when they will resume, news agency Tanjug quoted Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić as saying on Saturday. Read more.
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ZAGREB
Croatia populist president re-elected in landslide. Croatia’s populist President Zoran Milanović was re-elected in a landslide, defeating his conservative rival in Sunday’s run-off, official results showed. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Parliament President Roberta Metsola receives Chancellor of Austria Alexander Schallenberg; Hosts NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte;
- High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas meets with Chancellor of Austria Alexander Schallenberg;
- Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen meets with U.S. Ambassador to EU Mark Gitenstein;
- Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen meets with European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño.
***
[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe, Sofia Mandilara]
Languages: Czech
Updated: 13-01-2025
In Riyadh, Kallas says EU foreign ministers to tackle Syria sanctions at end of month
Spanish PM attacks ‘global far-right’ axis, eyes Brazil’s support
Serbia breaks ranks with EU by honouring Maduro’s inauguration
Romania’s far-right protests as no word over annulled vote
Billion-pound lawsuit against Apple over App Store opens in UK
Pro-Russian socialists eye decisive role in Bulgarian government
Škoda suggests plug-in hybrids beyond 2035
Fico warns of snap elections over internal issues
Slovak MPs say Poland denied them passage on way to Moscow
Polish presidential candidates discuss EU-wide restriction of X
Serbia breaks ranks with EU by honouring Maduro’s inauguration
13/01/2025
2 min. read
Romania’s far-right protests as no word over annulled vote
13/01/2025
4 min. read
Pro-Russian socialists eye decisive role in Bulgarian government
13/01/2025
3 min. read
Poland grants Netanyahu safe passage to attend Auschwitz commemorations
10/01/2025
5 min. read
Czechia steps up fight against Russian espionage
09/01/2025
4 min. read
The Transnistria crisis explained
08/01/2025
4 min. read
