August
Italy considers hefty tax on visitors after over-tourism backlash
The government proposes a levy of up €25 a night for the most expensive hotel rooms to help cash-strapped cities.
- Updated
- Amy Kazmin and Giuliana Ricozzi
July
Meloni vows to ‘relaunch’ cooperation with China
Italy was the only Group of Seven country to join the massive Belt and Road Initiative, but it withdrew last year under US pressure over Beijing’s economic reach.
- Giselda Vagnoni and Laurie Chen
Von der Leyen and Starmer plan meeting to drive UK-EU ‘reset’
Britain’s new PM is seeking better trade terms with the EU, while chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested the UK could align with EU regulations in some areas.
- Andy Bounds and George Parker
Meloni seeks to bring nuclear power back to Italy
Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said Rome plans to introduce legislation to enable investments in small modular nuclear reactors.
- Amy Kazmin
- Opinion
- US election
Liberals panic worldwide as Trump, Le Pen rise
Liberals are in for a long struggle as nationalist populism surges in the US and Europe.
- Gideon Rachman
June
EU capitals to back new term for Ursula von der Leyen
The former German defence minister who was an unheralded choice for the post in 2019, received a boost last week from the bloc’s three most powerful members.
- Henry Foy
- Analysis
- World elections
Talks on EU top jobs kick off at G7 summit
A summit of G7 leaders hosted by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni will feature private conversations with the EC president as she seeks five more years in the job.
- Henry Foy and Andy Bounds
- Opinion
- World elections
The last best hope against populism is to expose it to government
Emmanuel Macron has concluded that power often tames radical parties or demonstrates their incompetence. His election call might be the most prudent thing he could have done.
- Janan Ganesh
- Opinion
- World elections
Europe’s real threat is not the far-right
The populists who won big at Europe’s weekend elections are blind to the bloc’s severe economic decline, especially compared to Asia and the US.
- Updated
- Max Hastings
Italy’s Meloni strengthens grip at EU elections
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right Brothers of Italy won about 28.8 per cent of the vote, strengthening her political position at home and in Europe.
- Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Europe’s populist tide hits new and dangerous high
The overarching danger of the governing failures by European elites that have fostered populism is a weakening of the Western alliance’s support for Ukraine.
- The AFR View
An insider’s account of Germany’s AfD: ‘The wrong people stayed’
As Germany’s far-right celebrates a strong performance in European parliament elections, a former leader argues the party has lost its way.
- Henry Mance
- Analysis
- World elections
The women shaking up world’s second-biggest election
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and France’s Marine Le Pen are hoping this week’s EU elections, the world’s second-largest, ramp up their burgeoning, Europe-wide momentum.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
May
- Opinion
- US election
Europe should brace itself for a Trump victory
The difference between 2024 and 2016, when Trump last won the presidency, is that this time he has a plan. From Europe’s perspective, it would look like Fortress America.
- Updated
- Edward Luce
April
Albanese out, Pope in for G7 summit
Despite Australia being a regular fixture in recent years, Anthony Albanese is off the guest list for the June leaders’ summit of the world’s most advanced economies.
- Andrew Tillett
December 2023
- Opinion
- US election
Trump victory gives green light to Putin, Xi
Everything will change for European and Asian democracies if a man bent on dictatorship re-enters the White House next year.
- Edward Luce
November 2023
Europe’s Donald Trump set for massive election win
The far-right, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders was headed for victory in Dutch national elections, in a major upset that sent shockwaves through the EU.
- Mike Corder and Raf Casert
September 2023
Italy’s probe against Ryanair escalates tensions with airlines
Italy’s competition authority has opened a probe into Ryanair’s market position in the country, further escalating tensions between the Irish budget carrier and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government.
- Alberto Brambilla
EU vows crackdown on people smuggling after migrants overwhelm Italian island
Migrant numbers this week briefly surpassed the population of Lampedusa residents, who have been witness to countless tragedies.
- Colleen Barry
August 2023
- Analysis
- Populism
Meloni’s ‘crazy’ bank tax harms Italy’s credibility
The right-wing government’s surprise windfall tax on banks is branded a “major miscalculation”.
- Amy Kazmin