EU

French minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad expressed confidence that the electorate will reject extremism in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. His remarks follow a poll indicating far-right candidate Marine Le Pen could secure between 34% and 35.5% of the first-round votes, positioning her as a frontrunner.

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Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Kęstutis Budrys has warned that EU deterrence measures against Russia have failed, as exemplified by a recent drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport linked to Russian sabotage. He called for enhanced EU security capabilities and stricter visa restrictions for Russian nationals.

A jury in Malta has acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech of all charges in the 2017 car bomb killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The verdict, delivered in Valletta, concludes the prosecution of individuals linked to a case that highlighted Malta’s culture of impunity and raised significant concerns about political corruption.

A new US-led coalition aims to secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, complementing existing efforts by France and the UK, according to France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. This initiative, announced as “Maritime Freedom Construct,” reflects heightened concerns over maritime safety amid rising tensions in the region.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention to increase tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25% next week, citing non-compliance with a trade deal. The move exacerbates tensions amid ongoing negotiations regarding EU-US trade relations.

France and Germany have deployed firefighting units to the Netherlands to combat woodland blazes that began earlier this week. Dutch authorities, overwhelmed by the fires impacting military training grounds, requested assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, prompting this international response.

Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has defended appointing his brother-in-law, Márton Melléthei-Barna, as Minister of Justice amid opposition criticism. Magyar emphasised his administration’s commitment to restoring EU relations and unlocking critical funding while pledging to address past governance issues and improve public services.

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