News Digest

Macron pushes to Le Pen-proof France before 2027 election

The far-right National Rally is already calling foul at controversial personnel moves. The French president told six European news outlets that he wants Europe to raise joint debt. An official familiar with French President Emmanuel Macron’s thinking said a failure is more likely than a relaunch.

5 things to watch as EU Parliament gears up for midterm reshuffle

The reshuffle is still a year off, but the jostling and maneuvering for influential roles has already begun. The liberal Renew Europe group is hunting for members to become the fourth-largest political force in the legislature.

Fight over trans rights comes to Brussels

The Heritage Foundation identified European groups for U.S. backing. NGOs claim that anti-transgender activists are getting more speaking time at events in Brussels. Several MEPs did not declare how much money they got for non-EU Parliament work.

India seeks to challenge AI dominance of US, China

India is pushing to open up access to AI at a global summit, according to a draft text seen by POLITICO. The coalition agreement lays out a series of ambitious goals. But those hoping for a dramatic shift after years of right-wing politics could be disappointed.

Trump-Milei pact piles pressure on EU to lock in Mercosur accord

A new U.S.-Argentina deal could undermine protections for European food names. The French president will seek activation of the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument. The Iranian Supreme Leader acknowledged that the demonstrations over recent weeks have led to thousands of deaths.

EU tech enforcer tells officials not to be scared by US threats

Brussels is going head-to-head with social media platforms to change addictive design. Washington’s doxxing is seen as an attempt to chill implementation of the EU's digital law.

Belgium summons US ambassador over antisemitism claims

Bill White accused Belgium’s health minister of inaction following the arrest of three Jewish mohels who perform circumcisions. Viktor Orbán is struggling in pre-election polls. The Hungarian prime minister is lagging behind former ally Péter Magyar.

EU Parliament blocks AI tools over cyber, privacy fears

Brussels is preparing to scrutinize Germany’s border practices. The government is weighing whether to extend internal Schengen checks. Washington is demanding access to sensitive data as ICE heightens fears in Europe.

Berlin to extend beefed-up border checks

The European Commission is obliged to consider whether Berlin’s border checks are necessary and proportional. The Heritage Foundation identified European groups for U.S. backing. The German government strongly rejected a call by the French president for joint EU debt, marking the latest in a series of clashes between Berlin and Paris.

‘Golden age’: Rubio praises Orbán ahead of Hungary election

Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation have leaders throughout Europe concerned. “Your success is our success” U.S. secretary of state tells Hungarian leader. Roberto Vannacci has launched a new far-right party that’s “not moderate”

Likely French presidential candidate Mélenchon under fire after activist beaten to death

The National Rally's presidential plans are in limbo until former party leader Marine Le Pen’s appeal of an embezzlement conviction is decided. The former interior minister joins what is expected to be a crowded field to replace President Emmanuel Macron.

Britain courts France to stay in ‘Made in Europe’ club

The two countries have agreed to use economic policy tools and coordinated investment to secure supplies of critical minerals. Trade Minister Chris Bryant is heading to Paris next month to lobby France, the EU’s toughest industrial hawk.

Ireland leads charge against biggest EU economies forming elite club

The European Commission has said the EU needs to act against the potential weaponization of the international financial system. Early private hearings will give lawmakers a chance to press key demands such as gender balance. The EU’s largest economies are clubbing together — Dublin says that’S a problem.

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POLITICO's Brussels Survival Guide

How to navigate the new European Parliament. Post-Qatargate rule changes and increased scrutiny mean EU lawmakers must reveal more around their work. Here are the EU lawmakers to keep your eye on in the new term.

Alleged ISIS supporter charged over plans to attack 2024 Taylor Swift concert in Vienna

Moscow will be represented by Vladimir Medinsky, a Putin aide. Prosecutors say the defendant shared propaganda from the Islamic State militant organization and encouraged another teenager to carry out a knife attack. European governments had presented a forensic analysis that said poisoning was “likely the cause of his death.

EU to send commissioner for Mediterranean to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting

European prosecutor is leading investigation that concerns sales of buildings to the Belgium state in 2024. Ursula von der Leyen won’t travel to Washington for Gaza talks, but Dubravka Šuica will be there.

Berlin urges Paris to boost defense spending by cutting other costs

The European Commission is obliged to consider whether Berlin’s border checks are necessary and proportional, but has given no timeframe for an opinion. The Heritage Foundation identified European groups for U.S. backing. German officials are growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as French President Emmanuel Macron's failure to deliver on his calls for European “strategic autonomy.

Ukraine’s ex-energy minister charged with corruption after attempt to flee

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych. German Galuschenko was charged with money laundering as part of a probe into the $100 million corruption plot in the state nuclear sector.

Obama on aliens: ‘The odds are good there’s life out there’

Moscow will be represented by Vladimir Medinsky, a Putin aide. The former president’s clarification comes a day after he said about extraterrestrials: “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them”

Keir Starmer vows to ‘tackle’ social media infinite scrolling

U.K. tech secretary says ban will apply to apps whose sole purpose is to generate nude deepfakes. Keir Starmer said the government needs to look at “some of the addictive features on social media”

How Lithuania marked Independence Day during last throes of Soviet Union

February 16, 1989, was the first time since 1940 that people in Lithuania could openly celebrate the February 16 anniversary. Commemorations marking Lithuania’s Restoration of Independence, signed on February 16, 1918, were banned on September 26, 1940. In June 1988, Lithuanian activists formed the initiative group of the Sąjudis (Rebirth) movement.

How governments are increasingly soaking the rich

The crummiest job in Washington—congressman—is getting worse

Americans are unleashing their anger on food-delivery robots

Nicaragua has so far dodged the fate of Cuba and Venezuela

Why American allies are flocking to see Xi Jinping in Beijing

Check in the mail: analysis of Epstein’s correspondence

The world’s most common vegetable is enjoying a great year

Russia’s economy has entered the death zone

The US in Brief: Who is the best president?

Japan’s prime minister wins a historic landslide

How AI is affecting productivity and jobs in Europe

Artificial intelligence promises to reshape economies worldwide. But firm-level evidence on its effects in Europe remains scarce. This column uses survey data to examine how AI adoption affects productivity and employment across more than 12,000 European firms.

Cohort changes in fertility patterns and the role of shifting priorities

Low fertility rates in high-income countries defy traditional explanations based on a quality/quantity trade-off in the demand for children and the opportunity cost of women’s time. Reversing the low-fertlity trend will require significant societal changes. Declining fertility largely reflects delayed or foregone entry into parenthood.

From AI investment to GDP growth: An ecosystem view

This column assesses how the current AI wave is contributing to US GDP. Technology investment contributes positively to GDP growth, but a sizeable portion leaks abroad. The largest economic effects of AI are still likely to come from productivity gains and organisational change.

The future is under the glass

Legal certainty provided by the verdict increased digital design protection. Firms’ appropriation shifted toward transfers, not licences. Findings suggest that for firms to become ‘aesthetic pioneers’ and sustained investors in digital design, legal rules must be clear and predictable.

Warsh’s war on the Fed balance sheet

Bank CEOs party like it’s 2007

Big Oil faces new investor demand: growth

US markets and the economy are heading into uncharted territory

World’s largest miner BHP profits from pivot towards copper

FirstFT: Fund managers take most bearish position on dollar for a decade

EVs must be 70% made in the EU to qualify for state support, Brussels says

Fed set to loosen US bank rules in attempt to boost mortgage lending

Software group Pinewood plummets after AI sell-off scuppers £575mn deal

UK proposes audit changes to attract Chinese listings

Carillion’s ex-CEO drops challenge to his fine for misleading investors

Fund managers take most bearish stance on dollar for a decade

Dollar weakness unlikely to trigger reaction from global central banks

What’s with Wall Street’s weird selloffs?

Did the US economy show any cracks in the fourth quarter?