The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv.
In today’s news from The Capitals:
PRAGUE
The re-election of Republican candidate Donald Trump in the US presidential elections will strengthen the position of the Patriots for Europe, Karel Havlíček, deputy chairman of the Czech opposition party ANO (Patriots for Europe), said on Thursday. Read more.
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BERLIN
Germany’s new cabinet includes ‘Scholz’s second brain’ and one defector. Germany’s new cabinet was sworn in on Thursday as Chancellor Olaf Scholz turned to double ministries, a close advisor, and a defector to fill the ministerial vacancies left by his former coalition partner. Read more.
Pressure mounts on Scholz to bring forward snap elections to ensure EU functionality. Germany’s Christian Democrats, frontrunners in planned early elections, are urging Chancellor Olaf Scholz to schedule the ballot much earlier, citing concerns about the government’s capacity for action on EU and foreign policy matters. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ROME
Italy’s Mattarella wants Xi’s help to resolve wars in Ukraine, Middle East. Italian President Sergio Mattarella will urge China to actively mediate the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as he visits his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Beijing on Friday. Read more.
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MADRID
Spain steps up search for missing flood victims, uses tech for rescues. Spanish emergency services have stepped up their search for missing people this week after deadly floods killed at least 219 people, with modern technology soon to help rescue efforts. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
WARSAW
Tusk denies claims he called Trump to congratulate him on his win. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has rejected claims by Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, secretary of state in the Polish foreign ministry, that he phoned Donald Trump to congratulate him on winning the US presidency. Read more.
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PRAGUE
Czech government avoids doctors’ strike, but cuts money for innovative treatments. Czech patients’ organisations warn a new healthcare deal could affect access to innovative treatments. After reaching a funding agreement with the health ministry, general practitioners cancelled planned protests at the end of October. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Lukoil denies sale of Neftochim in Bulgaria to Qatari-British consortium. Litasco, a subsidiary of the Russian oil company Lukoil, announced that it was not negotiating the sale of a refinery in Bulgaria – Neftochim – with a Qatari-British consortium. Read more.
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BUCHAREST
Romanian PM confident Schengen land border to apply by Easter. Romania will be granted access to the Schengen land border by the end of December, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Thursday, confident that Romanians can cross the border without checks as early as March next year. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Informal meeting of heads of state or government expected to focus on competitiveness, transatlantic relations, UNRWA, and more;
- Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira delivers keynote speech at “Company’s Day – Challenges of water and climate change in the European context” conference, in Porto, Portugal.
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe, Sofia Mandilara]
