Europe News Government announces fuel discounts and housing incentives After this morning’s cabinet meeting, Portugal’s prime minister addressed the nation to unveil exceptional fuel subsidies linked to the war in the Middle East, and housing measures too. A VAT cut was ruled out. 27/03/2026
Europe News France bids farewell to reformist former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin Jospin, who introduced the 35-hour workweek and extended free healthcare when he was head of government from 1997 to 2002, died on Sunday, aged 88. 26/03/2026
France French government avoids collapse after surviving no-confidence votes Despite two no-confidence motions filed by the hard left and the far right, the French government avoided collapse, saved by the moderate left Socialists and conservative lawmakers. 23/01/2026
Hungary Orbán: Hungary will not leave the EU, it will fall apart on its own In his international press conference on Monday, the Hungarian PM also praised Trump's Venezuela operation, and said Hungary will not fund Ukraine or accept migrants. 06/01/2026
Czech Republic Right-wing billionaire Babiš sworn in as Czech prime minister The new coalition is set to follow Hungary and Slovakia and shift the Czech Republic away from supporting Ukraine in Russia's nearly four-year war. 09/12/2025
Japan Trump praises Japan’s new PM Sanae Takaichi in first meeting in Tokyo Trump who met with the newly elected Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, called her role as Japan’s first woman prime minister a “big deal,” emphasising the US commitment to Japan. 28/10/2025
Culture news Heavy Metal Lady: Japan’s first female Prime Minister's music past Did you know that Sanae Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female Prime Minister this week, was once a heavy metal drummer? 22/10/2025
Japan Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan’s first female prime minister Takaichi replaces Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political vacuum and wrangling since the Liberal Democratic Party’s disastrous election loss in July. 21/10/2025
France France's beleaguered PM Lecornu survives two no-confidence votes Lecornu’s survival also spares the immediate need for French President Emmanuel Macron to call snap legislative elections. 16/10/2025
France Reappointed French PM says new cabinet must not give in to politics Renamed by President Emmanuel Macron late Friday after a week of political chaos, Lecornu called for calm and for the support of political parties to produce a budget for the European Union’s No. 2 economy before looming deadlines. 11/10/2025
France France's president increasingly isolated as political crisis deepens As outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s last-ditch 48-hour window to form a new government nears its end, France’s political class and citizens are bracing for the president’s next move. 07/10/2025
France What comes next for France after PM Lecornu's shock resignation? Lecornu's abrupt resignation plunges France into a deeper political crisis and leaves French President Emmanuel Macron with few options. 06/10/2025
France Recently appointed French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigns Following his resignation on Monday, Lecornu became the shortest-serving prime minister of France since 1958. 06/10/2025
France New French PM Lecornu assembles cabinet amid intense protests Amid protests, Lecornu finalised the cabinet with Bruno Le Maire as the armed forces minister. President Macron's allies retain posts, and a general policy speech is awaited. 05/10/2025
Japan Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan's first female Prime minister Takaichi replaces Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the party hopes to regain public support and stay in power after major election losses. 04/10/2025
France Lecornu announces end to 'lifetime' benefits for ex-prime ministers Lecornu was named prime minister on 9 September, replacing François Bayrou who lost a vote of confidence in parliament after proposing €44 billion in budget cuts in a bid to reign in France's national debt. 16/09/2025