Europe

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated a possible government reshuffle following the resignation of CDU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn. Merz aims to announce Spahn’s successor by month-end, amid growing pressure from key state elections. Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei is a leading candidate for the role.

Two significant wildfires are currently active in Spain, notably in Guadalajara and Zaragoza provinces, with emergency services combating a blaze near La Mierla that has scorched nearly 9,900 hectares. Evacuations have affected 16 villages as authorities report extreme conditions exacerbated by strong winds.

Belgian Justice Minister Vincent van Quickenborne said on Friday he has decided to step down, following pressure over how Belgium had handled the case of a Tunisian gunman who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State and killed two people in Brussels this week.

In this edition we focus on Poland, where opposition parties have won enough seats in the parliamentary election to oust the ruling conservative Law and Justice party after eight years in power. To analyse this major shift and what it means for Poland’s place in the EU, we speak to Danuta Hübner, a member of the main opposition Civic Platform party. She’s a former Europe minister for Poland and a former European commissioner who’s now an MEP in the European Parliament. 

From our sponsors
Advertisement
Advertisement