Europe·since 26 May·396 entries
European democracies and populism
Populist and anti-liberal political forces are gaining institutional ground within the European Union, testing and at times reshaping the boundaries of liberal democracy through electoral victories, legal challenges, and conflicts with EU frameworks.
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This week7 entries
State of playtoday 20:12
Poland's Tribunal
Poland's prosecutor general sent five immunity motions to the Constitutional Tribunal on 30 October, as its president and vice-president were ordered to pause their duties for a month. Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, the longest-serving judge, said she would take over management of the court.
Police also entered the Tribunal that evening, citing a judge's warning about threats to judges and staff. Protesters gathered outside, and Jarosław Kaczyński addressed them.
France Under Pressure
Marine Le Pen opened her 2027 presidential campaign on 25 October in Orléans. An Ipsos poll puts her at about 32% in the first round, ahead of Mélenchon at 17%, and shows her winning a runoff. Her conviction in the European Parliament funds case still clouds her candidacy.
EU Frame and Oversight
Kaczyński said on 28 October that nationalist-led countries could jointly negotiate EU withdrawal as leverage for treaty reform. The Patriots for Europe hold 85 MEPs while EPPO examines their staff offices and EPP consultant contracts. The test in Prague is the next readings of the Babiš coalition's public-media bill.
What comes next
- in 5 daysCommission to announce Poland's migrant solidarity exemption
- in 30 daysSpanish Senate election
Open questions
- Can AfD and BSW reach a deal to elect Siegmund in Saxony-Anhalt, or will government formation stay deadlocked?
- Will Le Pen's proposed constitutional referendum on "Islamist ideology" become a central issue in the 2027 French campaign?
Who is who8
Marine Le Pen National Rally leader
Formally launched her 2027 presidential campaign on 25 October in Orléans, pledging to restore the rule of law and calling a Bardella government 'pluralist'.
26 Oct
Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) German far-right party
Is playing down the publication of more than 421,000 of its emails after a cyberattack.
25 Oct
Patriots for Europe European Parliament far-right group
Third-largest group at 85 MEPs, now facing an EPPO search of staff offices over its predecessor's funds.
29 Oct
European People's Party Largest centre-right group in the European Parliament
Joined far-right groups to back a three-year methane rule delay and is under EPPO examination over consultant contracts.
25 Oct
Andrej Babiš Czech Prime Minister
His coalition, backed by the far-right SPD, won a first vote on public-media funding changes and faces protests in Prague.
29 Oct
Bogdan Święczkowski Constitutional Tribunal president
Ordered to pause his duties for a month on 30 October as police entered the Tribunal amid the dispute.
30 Oct
Karol Nawrocki Polish President
A presidential aide says he will likely veto the two abortion-loosening bills passed on 20 October.
21 Oct
Jarosław Kaczyński Law and Justice leader
Said on 28 October nationalist-led states could jointly negotiate EU withdrawal as leverage, and addressed protesters outside the Tribunal on 30 October.
30 Oct
Numbers
AUR poll share in Romania (%) (%)
40→40 %
10/10 → 22/10
Promises2
Marine Le Penopen
She would hold a constitutional referendum on a public veil ban and national preference.
10 Oct · due 31 Dec 2027 · lemonde.fr
Marine Le Penopen
A Le Pen government would cut France's EU contribution by more than €11 billion from 2027.
8 Oct · due 1 Jan 2027 · lemonde.fr
Chronicle396 entries since 26 May
26 October – 1 November5 entries
Poland's prosecutor general sent five immunity motions to the Constitutional Tribunal on 30 October, while its president and vice-president were ordered to pause their duties for a month. Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska said she would take over the court's management.
Police entered the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw on the evening of 30 October, citing a judge's warning about threats to judges and staff. Protesters gathered outside, and politicians including Jarosław Kaczyński addressed them.
Law and Justice leader Jarosław Kaczyński said on 28 October that nationalist-led countries could jointly negotiate withdrawal from the EU as a pressure tactic, while advocating greater national-parliamentary oversight of EU institutions.
The Warsaw Regional Court ruled on 28 October that activist Zbigniew Komosa may not publicly suggest Lech Kaczyński contributed to the 2010 Smolensk crash, and ordered an apology. The ruling is not final, and Komosa has announced an appeal.
The European Commission proposed expanding Frontex's powers and resources to support returns of irregular migrants, including cooperation with non-EU countries. Deutsche Welle reported on 27 October that critics say the plan answers populist and far-right pressure and could weaken a rights-based border approach.
19–25 October17 entries
Thousands of people demonstrated in Prague on 25 October against the Czech government's plan to restructure public-media funding, a day after the coalition led by Andrej Babiš won a first parliamentary vote on the changes, AP reported.
The Czech governing coalition led by Andrej Babiš and backed by the far-right SPD advanced changes to public-media funding through an initial parliamentary vote on 24 October, Reuters reported. Critics say the measures could weaken broadcaster independence.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating alleged misuse of EU funds in contracts involving two Greek consultants to the centre-right EPP, POLITICO reported on 23 October. The probe targets the largest mainstream group, after searches at the Patriots for Europe on 21 October.
Constitutional Tribunal president Bogdan Święczkowski referred judge Magdalena Bentkowska to the disciplinary spokesperson on 22 October after she led Krystian Markiewicz into the judges' section. The dispute over oaths before the president continues.
Romanian prosecutors sent AUR vice-president and lawmaker Dan Tănase to trial on 22 October over alleged incitement to hatred and discrimination against foreign workers, citing his August 2025 social-media remarks. AUR polls at about 40%, making it Romania's most popular party.
The European Parliament adopted a position on 22 October delaying the EU's methane regulations by three years. The European People's Party joined far-right groups to secure the majority, aligning Parliament with industry concerns about supply disruption.
Czech communist MEP Kateřina Konečná joined the Patriots for Europe on 21 October, lifting the group to 85 MEPs and past the European Conservatives and Reformists as the European Parliament's third-largest group.
Officials acting for the European Public Prosecutor's Office searched staff offices of the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament on 21 October, Reuters reported. The probe concerns alleged EU-funds mismanagement by predecessor Identity and Democracy, where Parliament found €4.3 million in irregular items.
More than 421,000 emails linked to Germany's AfD were published online after a cyberattack, according to reporting on 21 October. The party is playing down the leak, and its political impact is unclear.
A Lyon court convicted 18 people after Monday hearings, and Paris heard about 70 cases on 20 October, in the first fast-track sentencing after the riots. Police are preparing a massive deployment for a Yellow Vest protest called for 24 October.
Poland's parliament approved two bills on 20 October that would loosen strict abortion rules, including decriminalisation measures, Bloomberg reported. A presidential aide said a veto by President Karol Nawrocki is likely.
French authorities announced localized night curfews in central Paris, Lyon and other cities on 20 October after protests over living costs turned violent. AP reported at least 2,400 arrests, and Prime Minister Lecornu said a large security operation is planned for Saturday.
MEPs approved an emergency debate on recent violence in France, Italy and Belgium on 20 October, RTÉ reported, after competing far-right and far-left motions were rejected. The adopted motion was backed by the EPP and the ECR.
People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo confirmed on 20 October that his party is discussing coordination with Vox on Senate lists for the 29 November election, aiming to secure a majority and counter a Socialist-led left-wing agreement.
Romania's parliament approved Luca Niculescu as prime minister on 20 October after three failed attempts to form a government. The PNL-Social Democrat arrangement lasts six months, by which time a longer-term coalition deal is required, and was partly meant to avert snap elections.
Romania's National Liberals and Social Democrats agreed on 19 October to support independent prime minister-designate Luca Niculescu, POLITICO reported. The government is meant to last six months, with the PNL outside the cabinet, and aims to prevent an early election that could benefit AUR.
Macron refused the resignation offered by Interior Minister Laurent Nunez on 19 October, Reuters reported, asking him to stay to preserve police command and develop new measures against looting after protests over living costs turned violent.
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