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Politics

France: Jean-Luc Mélenchon unveils his presidential platform

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leading left-wing candidate (LFI/The Left), held a rally in Le Bourget, north of Paris, to present the main proposals of his presidential platform.

Polling puts him at around 18%, and he is seeking to consolidate his position against Marine Le Pen (RN/PfE), who is polling at 34–37%.

Sursa : Reuters, Euronews

Ukrainian front

Ukraine: A fresh wave of Russian strikes leaves Kyiv in a critical situation.

Overnight from 6 to 7 November, Russia launched 36 ballistic missiles and 172 drones at Kyiv and several Ukrainian regions. Energy infrastructure was severely damaged, causing cuts to electricity, water and heating supplies.

The Northern Bridge over the Dnipro was also damaged. These strikes are increasing pressure on the population as winter approaches.

Sursa : Le Monde

Digital

Europe: Cross-border protests against the expansion of data centres

Civil society groups organised protests in several European countries, calling for a moratorium on large-scale data centres. Demonstrations were planned in Catalonia, where four mega-projects are facing opposition, as well as in Dublin, Paris, Denmark and Northern Ireland.

Opponents denounce the facilities' high electricity and water consumption, as well as their impact on local energy networks and the environment.

Sursa : Euronews

Energy

Greece–Turkey: Ankara announces resolution of maritime dispute over electricity interconnector with Cyprus.

On 7 November, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the dispute over navigation warnings (NAVTEX) relating to the planned electricity cable between Greece and Cyprus had been resolved.

The €1.9 billion strategic project is intended to connect the electricity grids of the two countries. Ankara's announcement could pave the way for work to resume in the eastern Mediterranean, although the terms of the agreement remain unclear.

Sursa : Kathimerini

Energy

Northern Europe: UK and European energy markets move closer together

In an initiative published on 7 November, the leaders of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark called for deeper energy cooperation with London.

They want, in particular, to pave the way for the UK's return to the European internal electricity market. The aim is to develop a major North Sea energy hub, particularly around renewable energy, while helping to stabilise prices.

Sursa : The Guardian

Security

Poland: Five people killed in shooting in Kraków's Main Market Square.

A shooting left five people dead and more than ten injured on Saturday afternoon in Kraków's historic city centre. According to police, a man driving a car opened fire on passers-by. Two police officers were among those injured.

The suspect was apprehended by law enforcement officers and taken to hospital. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that an investigation had been opened to establish the circumstances and motives behind the attack.

Sursa : Associated Press

Economy

Europe: OECD warns of inadequate retirement savings

According to projections in the *OECD Pensions Outlook 2026* report, in 22 of the 30 countries studied, mandatory pension schemes would not provide a replacement rate of 70% of gross earnings.

The gaps are particularly significant in Lithuania, where the estimated additional savings required amount to 20.7% of income. In Switzerland, the additional contributions needed would exceed €1,000 per month for a man on an average salary.

Sursa : Euronews, OCDE

Italy: Foreign Minister targeted in pro-Russian cyberattack

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that his personal information had been published on the dark web by hackers he associates with pro-Russian networks.

Tajani also called on G7 countries to put hybrid warfare and cyberattacks against European infrastructure on the agenda of their next ministerial meeting.

Sursa : Ministère italien des Affaires étrangères

Digital affairs

EU: Brussels believes TikTok may be in breach of the Digital Services Act.

The European Commission has published its preliminary findings on how TikTok's 'For You' feed operates. It considers that the recommendation system may trap users in repetitive content loops, particularly involving isolation, sadness and body image.

TikTok could be required to make far-reaching changes to its algorithm and recommendation systems.

Sursa : Commission européenne

Cooperation

Slovakia: V4 summit in Trenčín

The summit of the heads of state of the Visegrád Group (Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia) took place on 4 and 5 November in Trenčín, Slovakia, with Ursula von der Leyen in attendance. It was the first time the President of the European Commission had attended a V4 presidential summit.

The leaders reaffirmed their support for EU enlargement, Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and continued assistance to Kyiv. They also called for greater European coordination in response to high energy prices and challenges to industrial competitiveness.

Sursa : TASR, Présidence slovaque, Présidence polonaise

Climate

EU: Member States postpone methane obligations by one year.

The Council of the EU has adopted its position in favour of postponing methane emissions monitoring and reporting requirements for importers of oil, gas and coal.

Their implementation has been pushed back to January 2028. Member States cite difficulties relating to security of supply and energy markets. The European Parliament and the Council must still reach a final agreement.

Sursa : Reuters

Diplomacy

Balkans: OSCE Chairperson-in-Office visits Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Swiss national Ignazio Cassis, Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), held talks with Serbian authorities and representatives of the 'Student List', a political movement that emerged from student protests.

Discussions focused on political developments in Serbia, the rule of law and regional stability. He also met with the heads of OSCE missions in Pristina and Skopje.

Sursa : OSCE, Conseil fédéral suisse

Diplomacy

Greenland: Washington plans to quadruple the staff at its consulate in Nuuk.

According to a US State Department document disclosed by the Danish press, the United States is considering increasing its consular staff to around 17 and investing up to 214 million Danish kroner (approximately €28 million) in expanding the facility.

This is a particularly sensitive diplomatic development given US ambitions in the Arctic and relations between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk.

Sursa : KNR / Ritzau

Security

Europe: An unprecedented wave of hoax bomb threats disrupts European air traffic.

On 5 and 6 November, at least 27 commercial flights were targeted by bomb threats, triggering diversions, groundings and military responses. Incidents were reported in Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Poland, Czechia, Denmark, Romania and Austria.

No explosives were found. Nevertheless, the frequency and geographical spread of these threats have raised concerns about a possible destabilisation campaign targeting Europe's critical infrastructure. A hybrid operation has been suggested, although no state has been identified as responsible.

Sursa : Reuters, RTÉ

Security

Ireland – United Kingdom – Bulgaria: Television broadcasters targeted by bomb threats.

Broadcasters RTÉ, Sky and Nova TV received threats referring to a countdown. RTÉ's premises in Dublin were evacuated and several programmes suspended.

No bombs were found. These incidents add to the wave of threats targeting European commercial flights.

Sursa : Reuters, RTÉ

Media

Czechia: Protests against reform of public media funding

Thousands of people took to the streets, while public television and radio employees went on strike against Andrej Babiš’s government plan. The proposed transfer of funding to the state budget has raised concerns about a loss of editorial independence.

Sursa : Euronews

Sport

Europe: Ice hockey mobilises against Russia’s return

Seven European federations — Finland, Sweden, Czechia, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and Austria — refuse to play Russia at the 2027 men’s World Championship in Germany.

Several sponsors are also threatening to withdraw their support if the Russian team is reinstated.

Sursa : Euronews, Reuters, Associated Press

Politics

Poland: Constitutional crisis deepens

The dispute over the composition of the Constitutional Tribunal pits Donald Tusk’s government against President Karol Nawrocki.

The Prime Minister has proposed a meeting to ease tensions, while disagreements over the legitimacy of judicial appointments continue to paralyse the institutions.

Sursa : Le Monde

Overseas

Guadeloupe: 30th conference of the EU’s outermost regions

Guadeloupe welcomes delegations from the nine outermost regions, as well as European and ministerial representatives.

Discussions focus on their place in the European strategy, their specific needs and the implementation of Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The first sessions are scheduled for 4 November, with the main proceedings taking place on 5 and 6 November.

Sursa : RCI Guadeloupe, European Commission

Politics

US–EU: Midterms reshape the outlook for Europe

The Democrats’ midterm victory, including their retaking of both chambers of Congress, weakens Donald Trump politically.

Two issues are particularly important for Europe:
- Ukraine: Democrats could support new funding and increase congressional pressure in support of Kyiv.
- Trade: The threat of US tariffs does not disappear. The President retains powers to act without a vote in Congress.

A *POLITICO* analysis suggests that Trump could now take a more confrontational approach on the international stage, particularly towards Europe.

Sursa : Financial Times, Euronews, Politico

Enlargement

Georgia–EU: Brussels considers new measures over democratic backsliding

The European Commission considers Georgia a candidate for EU membership “in name only”, citing democratic backsliding, a weakening of the rule of law and restrictions on freedoms. Kaja Kallas announced that EU foreign ministers would consider possible further measures against Tbilisi in January.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the report “purely political”, while Georgia’s Foreign Ministry denounced its “factual inaccuracies” and “erroneous assessments”. Tbilisi says it wants to continue its path towards the EU, while challenging Brussels’ conclusions.

Sursa : Euronews, Imedi, EEAS

Climate

Greece: flash floods sweep away vehicles and damage homes

Torrential rain caused flooding in the village of Archangelos, on the island of Rhodes. Cars were swept away, and dozens of homes and businesses were damaged.

Meteorologists warn that further thunderstorms could make the situation worse.

Sursa : The Independent

Enlargement

Armenia: an application to join the EU as early as 2027 is now within reach

Nikol Pashinyan believes an Armenian application to join the EU in 2027 or 2028 is “realistic”. The Prime Minister presents European integration as a strategic choice to protect Armenian democracy and stresses that the country must choose between Brussels and the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union.

Sursa : Euronews

Law

Portugal: court allows activist to keep her protest tent in place

Renata Cambra has obtained a court ruling allowing her to keep her tent on Rossio Square overnight. The court considers it a symbolic part of the demonstration, rather than an illegal occupation.

However, the ruling applies only to her individual case and does not establish a general right to set up collective encampments.

Sursa : Euronews, Associated Press

Institutions

Euro area: member states have until 6 November to nominate candidates to succeed Christine Lagarde

The 21 euro-area countries must nominate candidates for the presidency of the European Central Bank by Friday. Finance ministers will review the nominations on 9 November.

Two candidates are leading the race: Spain’s Pablo Hernández de Cos, former governor of the Bank of Spain, and the Netherlands’ Klaas Knot, former president of the Dutch central bank.

Sursa : Reuters, Brussels Signal

Enlargement

North Macedonia: Skopje denounces conditions imposed by Sofia

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova believes her country’s European ambitions are being blocked by Bulgaria.

Sofia demands a constitutional amendment explicitly recognising the Bulgarian minority. The compromise negotiated in 2022 has still failed to secure the two-thirds majority required in the Macedonian parliament.

Sursa : Euronews, Associated Press

Law

Hungary: new prosecutor general tasked with relaunching the fight against corruption

Péter Fejes has been appointed head of Hungary’s prosecution service to lead an anti-corruption drive. The institution has faced heavy criticism during Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in power, particularly over its centralisation and alleged failure to prosecute those close to the government.

Sursa : AFP, BGNES