EU
What to expect around the world in 2025
One name keeps popping up as our correspondents note the major issues they will be watching on their patch. It promises to be a wild ride.
- by Lisa Visentin, Zach Hope, Farrah Tomazin, Rob Harris and Lia Timson
Latest
‘Intrusive and presumptuous’: Fury in Germany after Musk backs far-right party ahead of elections
Elon Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with Welt am Sonntag’s opinion editor announcing her resignation on X.
Opinion
Political leadership
Politics, like comedy, is about timing. Albanese will be a victim of the liberal era’s fall
Voters around the world are choosing a rougher cut of leader to champion them into the second quarter of the 21st century. Anthony Albanese will never be that.
- by Parnell Palme McGuinness
The rise and fall of strongmen, and justice for a woman unbowed
It was a year of wars, election surprises, royal health scares and the reign of new queens. Within this maelstrom, one woman’s quiet courage shone through.
- by Lisa Visentin, Zach Hope, Farrah Tomazin, Rob Harris, Matthew Knott, Matt Wade and Lia Timson
Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged Baltic Sea cable
The Eagle S was described by Finnish customs officials and the EU’s executive commission as being part of a Russian shadow fleet.
- by David McHugh
Iran is hiring children to attack Israeli targets in Europe
Investigators say three attacks this year are part of a new trend in which Iran-affiliated actors recruit local criminals to strike at targets in Europe.
- by Heidi Taksdal Skjeseth
Scholz branded a ‘failure’ as German government collapses
Germans are headed for a rare snap election, after the chancellor was accused of living “on another planet”.
- by Rob Hyde and Chris Jewers
Robots and replicas: Is the British Museum going to lose its Marbles?
Robot sculptors creating near-perfect replicas of the Parthenon Marbles may provide the key to the long-running dispute over the ownership of one of the ancient world’s most contested treasures.
- by Simon de Bruxelles
Opinion
Electric vehicles
China is leaving Europe’s and America’s carmakers in the dust in the EV race
China’s 21st-century auto technology is causing turmoil for the big established US, Japanese and European carmakers.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Trade wars
Even before Trump and his tariffs, Europe is in trouble
The timing couldn’t be worse. The fall of the French government and the collapse of Germany’s coalition government have left Europe even more vulnerable to a new trade war with America.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
French prime minister ousted in no-confidence vote
President Emmanuel Macron insists he will serve the rest of his term but needs to appoint a new prime minister amid a fractured parliament.
- by Sylvie Corbet and Tom Nouvian
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/european-union-5wv