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2025 Polish presidential election,

The results mirrored the political divisions currently experienced by many European countries. Karol Nawrocki, the far-right opposition candidate backed by Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, won the election. Under Poland’s political system, the president has the power to veto legislation and influence domestic and foreign policy. Therefore, a direct challenge to the agenda of PM Donald Tusk is anticipated. Furthermore, Nawrocki's victory could undermine Poland's leading role in the international response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as it has been a key provider of humanitarian and military aid.

2025 Polish presidential election,
photo of a person's hand depositing their vote in a ballot box, with the flag of Romania in the background
Image by Freepick

Romania’s Electoral Crisis

Following the release of declassified intelligence documents accusing far-right candidate Călin Georgescu of alleged ties to Moscow, Romania's Constitutional Court has annulled the first round of its presidential election, declaring it so severely compromised that it must be repeated. The evidence indicated that Georgescu's campaign benefited from social media manipulation, including cyber-attacks, coordinated accounts, recommendation algorithms, and paid advertising.

Romania’s Electoral Crisis
A traffic light with red, yellow, and green signals against a background with a silhouette of a German eagle.
Better World Info | Ai generated by Pikaso

2025 German federal election.

Germany held federal elections on 23 February, nearly six months early after Chancellor Olaf Scholz ended the ruling coalition. The coalition parties suffered heavy losses: The SPD dropped nearly ten points to 16.4%, the Greens fell to 11.6%, and the FDP lost all its seats. Conceding defeat, Scholz cleared the way for Christian Democratic Union leader Friedrich Merz to become the likely next chancellor. The CDU emerged as the largest party, while the far-right AfD surged to 20.8%, more than doubling its 2021 result. The AfD is projected to secure 152 seats, marking the strongest showing by a far-right party in Germany since World War II.

2025 German federal election.
The Feench flag is held up high in a square with the words 'liberte, egalite, and fraternite' written on it
Flickr | Théo Paul

France Legislative Election 2024

France has been plunged into political turmoil after Macron dissolved parliament and called for a snap election triggered by a crushing defeat to Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party at the European Parliament elections. These elections will determine the composition of the French National Assembly and are crucial for establishing the governmental agenda. France has been marred with widespread protests since the start of Macrons presidency. His win only secured by the peoples will to keep the far-right from gaining power.

France Legislative Election 2024
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How bad is immigration into Greece?

Geographically positioned as the natural gateway from the Middle-East into Europe, it is estimated that 90% of illegal immigration into the EU is via Greece. Under mounting pressure, and facing its own economic problems, relations at the Turkish border are tense. How is Greece coping with the arrival of swaths of asylum seekers?

How bad is immigration into Greece?
Middle-aged white politician wearing a black suit smiles
Wikimedia | Roman Kubanskiy

Macron’s Pension reform

President Macron is facing strong opposition to his plan to push back the retirement age. Widespread protests and polls continue to show that French citizens strongly disapprove of the plan to push back by two years the age at which people can receive a full pension. France currently requires 62 years to qualify for a state pension, one of the lowest ages among major European economies.

Macron’s Pension reform
Image by lmaresz from Pixabay

Democracy in danger - Hungary

2019 saw the beginning of the dismantling of many democratic institutions. Changes in courts which will impact corruption and police conduct cases took effect. Education is now under state control, and strict asylum laws have caused huge problems in neighbouring Serbia. The media is also being tightly controlled, and critical journalists vilified. What is next for Hungary, and has democracy disappeared for good?

Democracy in danger - Hungary