Browsing: European News Briefing

(Friday 11 July 2025) – Ursula von der Leyen survived her no-confidence vote with ease, after MEPs sought to oust her. The political fallout could still be significant, with the motion reigniting concerns about her leadership style, lack of transparency and political positioning.


Much of the European news has been dominated by the ongoing heatwave sweeping the continent, with the UK set for a third heatwave this week. Plenty of European countries have issued health warnings, whilst other European nations are battling wildfires amid the extreme heat.

The Euro 2025 is in full swing, with this Sunday marking the final matches in the group stages. England’s Chelsea and France’s PSG face off for the Club World Cup final.

(Thursday, 3 July 2025) – Europe is reeling after the death of Liverpool and Portugal player Diogo Jota, who died, alongside his footballer brother, in a car crash in Spain. The Portuguese FA has asked UEFA for a minute’s silence across all games as the Women’s Euros begins and Portugal face Spain today.

Europe is still sweltering under record-breaking temperatures sweeping the continent, with several countries considering a work-from-home order. The heatwave is the biggest story for the region, with reports of deaths and rising illnesses.

It’s been announced that the European Commissioner is set to face a no-confidence vote next week, and the EU are pushing back on Hungary, which has vetoed Ukraine joining the bloc.
The week has seen protests across the region as well as Pride events taking place.

The EU has been focused on NATO’s defence spending, with members agreeing to up spending to 5% of GDP (except Spain). European leaders are preparing to deal with Donald Trump again at the NATO summit, after several EU members called for retaliatory tariffs on the USA.

The war in the Middle East and Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine have also made up a lot of this week’s European headlines. Kyiv has suffered another heavy bombing, and there have been reports that the EU is considering suspending its partnership with Israel over its genocide in Gaza.

The EU and Canada have strengthened their ties with a new partnership and talks of digital trade and deeper cooperation on AI. The EU-Canada summit comes just before NATO.

The G7 dominated the early European news this week with the EU wanting more pressure put on Russia – something Trump is reluctant to do. The EU also signed a defence deal with Australia and unveiled a plan to phase out Russian gas contracts by 2027.


Ukraine is calling for more help after the heaviest day of airstrikes since Russia’s war in Ukraine began, whilst there has been backlash to plans to raise the GDP defence target to 5%, with Spain calling it unreasonable.

Much of Europe’s focus has been on the latest from Iran-Israel, with many European nations worried they could be dragged into the war after the United States signalled it could soon be joining Israel.

We’re only halfway through the week but much has happened across the continent so far: Israel has continued to attack aid centres as Greta Thunberg – and other activists – have been deported. Over in Italy, the public took to the polls to vote on changes in labour laws and citizenship – barely anyone turned up! Meanwhile, Poland’s election count has stirred up drama, with officials now checking whether someone swapped numbers as well as ballots.

Brussels has proposed new sanctions targeting Russia, whilst the UK has announced sanctions on two Israeli ministers.

The Dutch have announced they will hold elections in October following Geert Wilders’ party walking out of the coalition.