Rajoy’s Left-Right Narrative Could Crush Socialists
Mariano Rajoy hopes to win back power by framing the election as a choice between himself and the far left.
Europe
Austria’s Presidential Election Was About the Next Election
Austrians used the relatively inconsequential contest to signal their intentions for 2018.
Rutte Favored to Lead Party into Next Election
Two of the Dutch prime minister’s potential successors signal they will not challenge him.
Rajoy Reiterates Call for Left-Right Coalition in Spain
The conservative party leader will seek a deal with the Socialists.
Commission Lets South Off with Warnings Again
Italy, Portugal and Spain get a slap on the wrist for breaking Europe’s budget rules.
Dutch Military Readiness Impaired by Cuts: Auditors
Dutch armed forces are plagued by serious shortcomings.
Euroskeptic Fanatics Are Never Going to Give Up
If the referendum doesn’t go their way, the outers will come up with a reason to demand a second one.
Poland Warned Policies Will Damage Economy
Polish leaders are warned that populist spending pledges and institutional instability will affect growth.
Parliaments Force Rethink of Workers Directive Reform
Ten Central European nations plus Denmark resist changes that could make their workers less competitive.
Boris Johnson Drifts Closer to Euroskeptic Fringe
The former mayor of London has revealed himself to be something of anti-EU fanatic.
French Socialists Enact Labor Reforms by Decree
Socialist Party leaders bypass opposition from within their own party to liberalize the French labor market.
Merkel Keeps the Peace in Conservative Coalition
Germany maintains controls on its southern border.
Impact of Spanish Far-Left Pact Could Be Limited
Any gains the now-united parties of the left make would come at the expense of the mainstream Socialists.
Faymann’s Resignation May Not Help Social Democrats
Austria’s Social Democrats have the same problem as center-left parties elsewhere in Europe.
A “Russian Hand” in the Dutch Referendum?
The Dutch “no” shows Russia is not the biggest threat the EU faces. Europeans are.
