Weekly news

Climate

Spain: Storm Adam-related flooding leaves at least three dead

Torrential rain has caused flooding in eastern Spain, particularly in the regions of Valencia and Alicante. Reuters reports at least three deaths, more than 2,000 evacuations, and rescue operations for residents trapped in their homes.

More than 632 mm of rain was recorded in Pego over 36 hours. Authorities temporarily urged hundreds of thousands of people to stay indoors.

Source : Reuters, TF1 Info

Housing

European Union: Council adopts recommendation to tackle poor housing conditions and homelessness

The Council of the European Union has adopted a recommendation calling on member states to do more to prevent homelessness and housing exclusion.

It calls, among other measures, for people at risk to be identified earlier, better access to social services, and the development of more affordable and social housing.

The Council notes that homelessness affects more than one million people across the EU and that nominal house prices rose by more than 60% between 2013 and 2024.

Source : Council of the EU

Health

Svalbard: drinking water contamination highlights Arctic vulnerability

In Longyearbyen, in the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, residents are being advised not to drink tap water because concentrations of certain substances, including nickel and sulphates, are too high.

However, the restriction is not new: the local council has already been advising against drinking the water since 2025. The issue is therefore the persistence of the problem and the risks that could affect other Arctic communities.

Source : The Guardian, Longyearbyen Local Council

Health

European Union: new rules to protect workers from hazardous substances

The Council of the EU has formally adopted a revision of the rules protecting workers exposed to carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances.

The legislation introduces occupational exposure limits for cobalt, its compounds and other harmful substances. According to the estimates cited, the reform could prevent around 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other illnesses over 40 years.

Source : Council of the EU

Digital policy

European Union: Hungary proposes new agency to oversee the most powerful AI systems

The European Commission was asked about a Hungarian proposal to establish a new agency tasked with overseeing the most advanced artificial intelligence models.

The Hungarian document discussed the previous week envisages that the agency would report to the European AI Office. The Commission noted that the Office already plays a central role in managing the risks associated with these models.

No decision to establish a new agency has been announced.

Source : European Commission

European integration

Andorra and San Marino: Association Agreement signed with the EU

Andorra and San Marino have signed an Association Agreement with the European Union aimed at bringing the two microstates closer to the EU single market on the basis of common rules.

The signing opens the ratification phase; it does not mean that the agreement has already entered into force. In Andorra, a public consultation is planned following the European Parliament’s stage in the process.

Source : Government of Andorra, European Commission, Council of the EU

Society

Europe: Social discontent spills onto the streets

From the housing crisis and difficulties in the education system to the cost of living, corruption and the war in Gaza, protests across Europe are putting governments under pressure.

France

From student protests to a nationwide social movement

The protests began in schools, where students denounced teacher shortages, deteriorating school conditions and difficulties with educational guidance. On 17 October, the movement broadened to include concerns over the cost of living and public services.

However, the day was also marked by serious damage: looted shops, smashed windows, torched vehicles and a fire at Limoges town hall. The violence shifted the debate towards security and the authorities’ responsibility.

On 19 October, Emmanuel Macron rejected the interior minister’s resignation and called for a review of security arrangements.

Source : Le Monde, Reuters

France

Massive protests, a substantial number of arrests

Violence on the fringes of demonstrations shifted the debate towards security and failings on the part of the authorities.

Source : AP, French Interior Ministry, Le Monde, Reuters

Belgium

Austerity and access to higher education fuel protests

Young protesters are denouncing the cost of education and reforms that could restrict access to higher education. Clashes broke out in Brussels on 17 October: a car was overturned, and police used tear gas and water cannon.

In Liège, an initially peaceful march was followed by barricades, mortar fire and property damage. Authorities have condemned the violence, while education and austerity remain central to the movement’s demands.

Source : Reuters, The Brussels Times/Belga

Belgium

Liège: 45 arrests, including 12 minors

Oct 19
Morning T1.2: Afternoon T1.3: Evening :
Après-midi :
Soir :

Source : Reuters, The Brussels Times/Belga

Portugal

The housing crisis continues to spill onto the streets

Protests over the cost of living and the housing crisis have led to encampments in Lisbon and Porto. On the morning of 19 October, campaigners remained mobilised despite police requests to remove the tents.

In Porto, around 80 people had spent the night at the site in approximately 50 tents. The movement intends to continue its protest, while a police operation at an encampment on 15 October had prompted organisers to report 37 injuries.

The dispute now concerns both access to housing and the right to occupy public spaces peacefully.

Source : RTP, Diário de Notícias

Portugal

House prices are rising faster than the EU average

Note: these figures measure house prices, not rents.

Source : Eurostat

Albania

Protests now directly target Edi Rama

Student protests have evolved into a broader political challenge centred on corruption, unemployment and educational conditions. Protesters are calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down and are also criticising a controversial tourism project on the Albanian coast linked to Jared Kushner’s investment firm.

Protesters attacked buildings and threw projectiles at police, who used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. Rama has refused to resign, arguing that the unrest threatens Albania’s goal of joining the EU by 2030.

Source : Reuters, Euronews

Albania

Heavy toll on police after several days of unrest

Note: these figures cover several days and should not be interpreted as the toll from a single demonstration.

Source : Reuters, Associated Press

Italy

Clashes and blockades over the cost of living

The demonstration against the rising cost of living and wars was followed by looting and fires around Piazza del Duomo in Milan.

A separate movement is affecting the south of the country, where transport operators are protesting against fuel prices. Blockades are disrupting traffic and fuel supplies.

Source : ANSA, Euronews, AP

Italy

Protests over Gaza become a legal issue

Oct 10
More than 50 cities mobilised : Pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place across Italy, with an estimated 5,000 people taking part in Milan.
Oct 16
13 additional officials : In Rome, an investigation into alleged mistreatment of activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla was expanded to include Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and 12 other senior officials, following the earlier naming of Itamar Ben-Gvir.
50 citoyens
The complaint : The proceedings are based on complaints from Italian citizens who took part in flotilla missions to Gaza and allege that they were mistreated while in detention.

Source : Sky TG24, Reuters

FIVE COUNTRIES, DIFFERENT CRISES, ONE SHARED POLITICAL CHALLENGE

Europe’s protests do not constitute a single, coordinated movement.

In France, demands concerning schools have broadened into wider social discontent. In Belgium, access to higher education and austerity are fuelling tensions. In Portugal, housing has become a symbol of the cost-of-living crisis. In Albania, protesters are directly challenging the government. In Italy, concerns over the cost of living coincide with demonstrations over Gaza.

The challenge for governments is to address the causes of discontent while ensuring public safety and protecting the right to protest.

Source : AP, Financial Times

This Week in European News

Read our articles at prometheus-euro.eu

Security

Poland: Suspect Held in Custody Over Alleged Assassination Plot

A 66-year-old man is suspected of planning an attack on Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Homemade explosive materials were found at his home.

The court remanded him in custody for two months. He denies the allegations. A second man was also arrested over threats against political figures.

Source : Reuters

Ukraine Front

Ukraine-Romania: Kyiv Seeks European Security Guarantees as Two Drones Are Shot Down Over the Black Sea

At the European Council meeting on 15–16 October, Volodymyr Zelensky called for more military aid and greater protection for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Kyiv estimates its funding needs for 2027 at around €70 billion. The EU is considering options including a new loan and the use of immobilised Russian assets.

On 17 October, two Romanian F-16s shot down two Iranian-designed, Russian-operated attack drones after they entered Romanian airspace near Sulina.

Source : European Council, Reuters, Romanian Ministry of National Defence

Diplomacy

Latvia: Riga Calls for a Ban on Tourist Visas for Russian Citizens

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs is urging EU member states to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, citing the risks of espionage and hybrid threats. No blanket ban has been adopted.

However, the EU has already ended the issuance of multiple-entry visas to Russian citizens and prepared a legal basis for barring entry to certain Russian combatants and former combatants.

Source : Financial Times

Economy

IMF Calls on Europe to Boost Growth or Cut Deficits

The IMF forecasts eurozone growth of 1.1% in 2026 and 1.2% in 2027. To stabilise debt, around three-quarters of European countries will need structural reforms and an average fiscal adjustment of about 3.5% of GDP over the medium term.

For a quarter of these countries, the required adjustment would exceed 5% of GDP.

Source : IMF, Reuters

Trade

EFTA-Vietnam: Free Trade Agreement Signed After Years of Negotiations

On 18 October, Vietnam and the four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein — signed an agreement in Hanoi covering goods, services, investment, intellectual property and public procurement.

Bilateral trade reached €4.8 billion in 2025, following steady growth over the past decade.

Source : EFTA, Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade

Budget

European Union: Member States Reject Revised €1.62 Trillion Budget Proposal

The European Commission initially proposed €1.763 trillion in 2025 prices, equivalent to nearly €2 trillion in current prices. Ireland’s Council presidency has reduced the proposed budget to €1.622 trillion, a cut of €141 billion (8%). But the compromise remains contentious: Germany and Sweden consider their contributions too high, while 17 countries want to protect agricultural support and cohesion funds. Negotiations remain deadlocked.

Source : Reuters, Associated Press, European Council

Enlargement

Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova Make Further Progress Towards EU Membership

The accession conferences held on 12 and 13 October marked further progress. Montenegro provisionally closed three additional negotiating chapters, bringing its total to 21 out of 33. Albania closed one more chapter.

Ukraine and Moldova opened negotiations on two further groups of EU rules covering the internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth. These advances do not mean that membership is guaranteed.

Source : Council of the EU

Society

Protests Across Europe Highlight Cost-of-Living Pressures, Inequality, Gaza and Government Policies

From France to Italy, via Belgium, Portugal and Albania, protests have highlighted the cost of living and wider social concerns. Demands have also focused on public services in France, the cost of education in Belgium, housing in Portugal and corruption in Albania. In Italy, protesters have also denounced the war. Several demonstrations descended into clashes, notably in France, Albania and Milan.

Source : TV5 Monde, AFP, Reuters

Defence

Ukraine–European Union: Brussels seeks new ways to fund the war effort

Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for around €70 billion in additional funding for 2027, as Ukraine faces the long-term challenge of financing its defence and budgetary needs.

European leaders are considering several options, including a new EU loan and the use of frozen Russian assets, but no final agreement has yet been reached.

Source : Le Monde, The Guardian

Society

Portugal: Three cities mobilise against the cost-of-living crisis

Following a call by the CGTP-IN trade union confederation, demonstrations are taking place in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra to demand higher wages, better pensions and stronger public services.

The unions are calling, in particular, for an across-the-board pay rise of at least 15%, with a minimum increase of €150, and a minimum wage of €1,100 in 2027.

Source : RTP, CGTP-IN

Industry

New Caledonia: EU seeks to secure its nickel supply

European Commissioner for Industry, SMEs and the Single Market Stéphane Séjourné arrived on October 17 for a four-day visit, which is expected to culminate in the signing of a partnership with the territory on nickel supplies. However, the plan has been challenged by pro-independence groups amid wider debate over how wealth should be shared and the future of the industry.

Source : Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes, Outremers360

Society

Albania: the “Pink Flamingo Revolution” escalates and calls for the prime minister’s resignation

Protests against Edi Rama’s government have gained momentum as students join the movement, denouncing corruption, problems in the education system and deteriorating living conditions.

Initially sparked by opposition to a controversial hotel project near a protected natural area, the movement has spread to several cities and led to clashes with police.

Source : Reuters, Le Monde

Energy

Italy: Rome secures EU deal to cut electricity bills

Italy has secured the European Commission’s approval for a mechanism designed to soften the impact of soaring gas prices on electricity bills. The measure aims to address the country’s particularly high energy costs, although its effectiveness and impact on consumers remain to be assessed.

Source : ANSA, Reuters

Society

France: Day of anger as protests sweep cities

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets over difficulties facing secondary schools, the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services. Clashes, fires and property damage were reported in several cities, including Paris, Lyon and Marseille.

Authorities reported 272 arrests nationwide, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he would not be intimidated by violent protesters.

Source : Reuters, Associated Press