Democracy
5 times the Winter Olympics got super political
Invasions, nuclear crises and Nazi propaganda: The Games have seen it all.
Researchers sue X for access to Hungarian election data
AfD, die Sicherheitskonferenz und eine Klage ohne Erfolg
Portugal’s conservatives back left-wing candidate to avoid a far-right president
5 things we learned following Keir Starmer around China all week
UK opens door to Xi Jinping visit
French diplomats are taking on MAGA — one meme at a time
Lukashenko, Sabalenka and the politics tennis can’t escape
Ukraine bristles as Belarusian strongman embraces the world’s top player.
Xi Jinping won’t want Keir Starmer to mention these awkward topics
From spying to solar panels, all the awkward topics the Chinese president won’t want to discuss with the British PM in China this week.
Trump ally and tech billionaire Peter Thiel brings Antichrist warning to Paris
“I heard more about the Antichrist during those 45 minutes than during the rest of my life,” one attendee tells POLITICO.
Trump’s poll numbers are sinking among key groups. Here’s why.
A conservative strategist sees cracks in Trump’s 2024 coalition.
Merz welcomes Trump’s climbdown but warns of ‘great power politics’ era
The new world based on raw power and use of force “is not a cozy place,” German chancellor said as he called on Europe to get stronger to survive.
For Europe’s far right, Trump has become a liability
The U.S. president’s threats over Greenland have spurred national leaders to distance themselves from a figure they once praised.
Germany calls to ram through Mercosur deal as EU Parliament throws up roadblock
Major clash looms after European lawmakers send Latin American trade deal for a judicial review that could take two years.
US official lobbied French magistrate over Le Pen’s election ban
The magistrate, Magali Lafourcade, said she was sufficiently concerned by the encounter to notify the foreign ministry.
‘Black day’ for Geert Wilders after historic mutiny within his own party
7 MPs quit Wilders’ party, meaning it is no longer the largest opposition force in the Netherlands.
Warsaw warns of ‘dangerous precedent’ as Orbán grants asylum to fugitive politician
By using asylum to block extradition, Budapest is testing whether EU law can still be enforced between member states.
Davos disinvites Iran’s top diplomat after bloody crackdown on protests
“It is not right for the Iranian government to be represented” given the loss of civilian lives in recent weeks, the World Economic Forum says.
‘Hands off Greenland’ protests sweep Denmark as Trump escalates threats
Greenlandic organizations said Saturday they had mobilized thousands of demonstrators across Denmark and Greenland to protest U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to take over the Arctic island, …
Von der Leyen snubs Parliament’s latest no-confidence debate
Commission chief to send trade loyalist to defend her in fourth motion of censure in seven months.
Venezuelan opposition leader says she presented her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump
María Corina Machado called her meeting with the president ‘excellent.’
Trump bites. Europe grasps for an antidote.
“A little less conversation, a little more action.” That line from an old Elvis Presley song could double as a critique of Europe’s position right now — …
Iceland demands answers from US after Trump ally cracks 52nd state joke
Billy Long’s gag about the North Atlantic island landed with a jolt amid sky-high tensions over ownership of Greenland.
Britain bars far-right Dutch activist from entry
Eva Vlaardingerbroek had previously called for the “remigration” of U.K. immigrants.
Iran summoned EU diplomats in Tehran for a lesson — but got an earful instead
The closed-door meeting happened as EU countries rush to increase pressure on Iranian authorities over a bloody crackdown against protesters.
How to be a Latin American dictator Trump ignores
Nicaraguan cooperation on fighting drugs may be saving the regime from Trump’s ire.
Inside Denmark’s struggle to break up with Silicon Valley
From a media blockade to “nationalizing” government software, Denmark has become a laboratory for resisting U.S. Big Tech. But is the price of sovereignty too high?