Weekly news

European news of the week

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Customs

New €2 fee on imported parcels

Since 1 November, the European Union has been charging a €2 “handling fee” on all parcels bought online from outside the EU, whatever the value of the items. It comes on top of the €3 tax on parcels worth less than €150, in place since July, and is due for each category of item in the same parcel.

Its aim is to fund stronger customs checks, as 5.9 billion small parcels entered the EU in 2025, four times as many as in 2022, 93% of them from China.

Source : TV5 Monde

Elections in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s presidential run-off

Bulgarians are voting in the presidential run-off, which pits two candidates with opposing views on the war in Ukraine and on relations with Russia.

The outgoing president, Iliana Yotova, argues for dialogue with Moscow and presents herself as a “president of peace”, while defending Bulgaria’s membership of NATO. Her rival, Andrey Gyurov, a former caretaker prime minister backed by the pro-Western opposition, believes Russia must end its aggression.

Source : Le Monde

Water sports

Start of the Route du Rhum

The 13th edition of the Route du Rhum has set off from Saint-Malo for Pointe-à-Pitre, in Guadeloupe, with boats from several classes: Ultim, Ocean Fifty, Imoca, Vintage and Class40.

A week after Storm Austen passed through, conditions look ideal, with a flat sea and a following wind. There are 115 skippers at the start, including 11 women, a number that has fallen from one edition to the next for the first time this century.

Source : Le Monde

Bosnia

Four dead in crash of European force EUFOR helicopter

An Italian military CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in the north-east of the country. There were 15 people on board: three died in the crash, and a fourth person later died of their injuries at Brcko hospital. According to the Italian Ministry of Defence, the victims are two Italian army soldiers and two members of the Italian Red Cross Voluntary Military Corps.

The aircraft crashed “during a routine operation”, EUFOR said, adding that no civilians were injured and no damage was caused on the ground.

Source : Franceinfo

Switzerland

Bern reopens its diplomatic office in North Korea

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is the first to visit the country since 2003. He met his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son Hui.

Cassis says he offered Switzerland’s help to facilitate direct political dialogue on both sides of the peninsula, an offer that seems to have been well received, and Seoul hopes the office will help it reconnect with Pyongyang, as the North fired around ten short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday.

Source : Euronews

Protests

At the end of October, anger is not subsiding in Europe.

In France, a third day of protests against the cost of living took place. In Italy, a strike drew marches in more than sixty cities, with tensions in Rome and Turin. In Tirana, Albania, another violent protest took place, with several arrests. In Lisbon, thousands of people marched against the rent reform, before police dismantled their camp. In Germany, school students demonstrated in Berlin against a possible return of compulsory military service, and violence broke out in several cities.

Source : Euronews

EU - Canada

The Montreal Summit

The Montreal Summit of 29 and 30 October has led to the creation of an “Alliance for the Future”.

Trade, critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence and defence are the main areas of cooperation. The two partners also want to define, by 2027, a closer association of Canada with the EU, without membership.

Source : Conseil européen

Spain

Collision of two high-speed trains near Toledo

On 28 October, a Renfe AVE train and an Iryo train collided in the province of Toledo. According to initial reports, the AVE hit the train that was stationary, and the impact is thought to have occurred at a speed of between 160 and 200 km/h.

The provisional toll is 69 dead and more than 200 injured, among the 538 people travelling on the two trains. Forensic teams have not yet identified all the victims, and 31 injured people remain in hospital.

Source : Franceinfo

Ukraine

Ukrainian residents evacuated from Oleshky

This week, a rare local truce allowed residents of Oleshky, which is occupied by Russia, to be evacuated. The Russian and Ukrainian armies fell silent on Tuesday, then the roads were cleared of mines. About 2,000 residents were left, compared with 24,000 before the invasion.

The operation is being presented as a successful test, but it remains an isolated case: no other evacuation of this kind has been announced.

Source : RTBF

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Ukraine - Russia

Exchange of 270 prisoners from each side between Kyiv and Moscow

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 270 people each following discussions with U.S. negotiators earlier this week. Among those returned to Ukraine are nine civilians, as well as military personnel who had been held since 2022. Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the outcome as a major achievement.

On the Russian side, the released soldiers are currently in Belarus and will be transported to Russia after receiving psychological and medical care. The Russian Human Rights Commissioner stated that Ukraine handed over seven civilians to Russia.

Source : Reuters

Technology

Musk admits to restricting Starlink

Elon Musk stated on Saturday that SpaceX had restricted Starlink service in Ukraine, just as Kyiv reported that connection issues appeared to have been resolved. He accused the Ukrainian military of violating the terms of service by using this civilian service for offensive drone strikes, while denying responsibility for a simultaneous issue with Starshield.

These disruptions, which occurred last week amid a dispute between Washington and Kyiv, reportedly hampered Ukrainian defensive operations for more than a week.

Source : BBC

Society

Another week of protest across Europe

Once again this week, protests took place in cities across the Continent, from France to Albania, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Pensions, housing, education, corruption, and opposition to war: the demands vary from country to country, but reflect a mix of grievances shared by many Europeans.

Despite the precautions, bans, and heavy police presence observed in several European capitals, citizens have once again taken to the streets.

Source : Euronews

Middle east

MEPs Call for the Houthis to be added to the Terrorist List

On Thursday, the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution calling for the Houthis to be added to the EU’s list of terrorist organizations and for all their funds to be frozen. The final decision rests with the member states, which must approve it unanimously.

This request follows an escalation of attacks by the Iran-backed group against Saudi Arabia, which has led the United Kingdom to engage in defensive missions to protect Riyadh.

Source : Euronews

International prize

The Sakharov Prize Awarded to the International Criminal Court

On Thursday, October 22, the European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its staff. This gesture comes as the United States is targeting the Court by announcing new sanctions aimed at paralyzing its day-to-day operations starting in April 2027.

The Court may no longer have access to U.S. financial and digital services. Roberta Metsola reiterated that the EU is founded on respect for multilateralism and international institutions.

Source : Le Monde

International

A new strategy for the Arctic

The European Commission has unveiled a new strategy for the Arctic, which it considers its “northern neighborhood.” The plan is based on four priorities: security, climate, the economy, and the people.

The EU promises to place local communities and indigenous peoples at the center of its approach, with more Erasmus+ opportunities for young people. It aims to work with its partner countries, including Norway, Canada, and the United States, in coordination with NATO.

Source : Commission européenne

Elections in Serbia

In historic legislative elections, students challenge Aleksandar Vucic

Serbs are set to go to the polls today for early parliamentary elections. The student protest movement is seeking to unseat populist leader Aleksandar Vucic, who has been in power since 2014. This election follows student-led protests against perceived corruption and authoritarian tendencies, which were sparked by the deaths of 16 people in 2024.

Voter turnout stood at 27.3% at 11 a.m., compared with 15.1% at the same time during the 2023 election, and Vucic himself waited nearly two hours to cast his ballot.

Source : Reuters

Elections in Bulgaria

Presidential election: the War in Ukraine and the economy take center stage in the vote

There is a record number of 27 candidates, but the race is expected to come down to two of them: incumbent President Iliana Yotova, backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s party, who seeks dialogue with Moscow and opposes military aid to Ukraine; and former interim Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, backed by the pro-Western opposition.

To win, a candidate needs a turnout of more than 50% and a majority of the votes, but the expected turnout is less than 40%; a runoff election is therefore likely on November 1.

Source : Euronews

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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

European News of the Week

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Budget

2028–2034 EU budget: proposed cut

Facing pressure from the so-called "frugal" states, the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU is proposing an 8% cut (-€160 billion) to the €2 trillion proposed by the Commission. This reduction aims to unblock negotiations and seal a transitional agreement by the end of 2026. The budget would drop to €1.84 trillion over 7 years, or around €263 billion per year—which remains 30% higher than the 2021–2027 budget.

Source : Financial Times, Reuters

Trade

Interim EU-China trade deal

The EU and China have concluded a transitional trade agreement to de-escalate the tariff war. Beijing agrees to reduce its exports of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to the European market by up to 50%, in exchange for targeted tariff cuts. The deal protects the European automotive industry while safeguarding other key sectors from economic retaliation.

Source : AP News

EU programmes

European Parliament: adoption of the AGILE programme

Parliament has approved the interinstitutional agreement on AGILE (Programme for Agile and Rapid Defence Innovation), backed by €115M. This mechanism accelerates funding (granted within 4 months) and cuts red tape for SMEs and startups developing breakthrough defence technologies (AI, quantum, cyber). The scheme will enter into force in early 2027 to strengthen strategic autonomy.

Source : Agence Europe

Elections

Latvian parliamentary election: victory for Andris Kulbergs

The United List (AS), party of centrist Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, won the parliamentary election with 35.29% of the vote. This success marginalises populist groups and ensures the stability of a pro-EU and pro-NATO government in Riga. The victory guarantees the continuity of military support for Ukraine and the consolidation of security on the European Union's eastern flank.

Source : Le Monde

External relations

UK: growing pressure to rejoin the EU

A national petition to rejoin the EU has exceeded 100,000 signatures, demanding a debate in Parliament. It supports the 10-year plan by the European Movement think tank for accession by 2036. While 57% of Britons support rejoining to reverse the cost of Brexit (-4% to -8% of GDP), Prime Minister Andy Burnham advocates stronger cooperation with Brussels.

Source : The Independent, Express

Elections

Presidential election in Bosnia and Herzegovina: record low turnout and status quo

The elections on 4 October 2026 saw turnout drop to a record low of 42%. The collective presidency—the tripartite executive stemming from the 1995 Dayton Agreement—maintains its balance: Denis Bećirović (Bosniak) and Željka Cvijanović (Serb) were re-elected, while Darijana Filipović (HDZ) won the Croat seat. The dominance of the traditional ethnic trio (SDA, SNSD, HDZ) in Parliament signals difficult negotiations ahead.

Source : Balkan Insight