Macron Places First, But Le Pen Is Stronger Than Ever
Takeaways from the first presidential voting round in France.
Europe
Macron and Le Pen Win First Voting Round in France
This presidential election will be a rematch of the last.
French Presidential Election Guide
The electoral system, the candidates, the key issues and the most likely outcomes.
Five French Election Scenarios
Whoever wins the presidency, France will probably have five years of divided government.
Macron Is Succeeding. He Deserves a Second Term
The president promised to make France competitive and confident again, and he has.
Programs of the French Presidential Candidates, Compared
Policies include leaving NATO, legalizing cannabis, raising the retirement age and renationalizing motorways.
Italians Turn Their Backs on Putin (And His Sympathizers)
The war in Ukraine has discredited Italian anti-Americanism.
Macron’s Successes and Failures
What the French president has, and hasn’t, got done in five years.
Netherlands’ Kaag Disappoints Liberal Well-Wishers
Foreign journalists thought this Dutch finance minister would be different.
Macron Promises Corsica Autonomy After Violent Protests
The offer is seen as political calculation by his opponents.
Catalan Support for Independence Down, Autonomy Up
The shift in public opinion suggests a way out of the decade-long dispute with Spain.
Ukraine War Gives European Defense Union New Urgency
Countries had already been spooked by Donald Trump’s verbal attacks on NATO.
Recommended Reading on the Russo-Ukrainian War
Russia may be in for a long war, but few experts believe Vladimir Putin will fall.
Dutch Ignored Warnings About Relying on Russian Gas
The Dutch government was warned many times Russia could not be trusted and bought its gas anyway.
Germany Admits Failure of Ostpolitik 2.0
It was about time.