标签： Europe

In a surprising turn of events, Jim Gavin, the Fianna Fáil candidate for the Irish presidential election, announced his withdrawal from the race just weeks before the scheduled polling day on October 24. Despite his decision, Gavin’s name will remain on the ballot due to electoral regulations that prevent changes after the nomination deadline. The former Dublin Gaelic football manager cited a personal mistake that contradicted his character and standards, though he did not specify the nature of the issue. Reports from the Irish Independent suggest the withdrawal followed allegations of a €3,300 debt owed to a former tenant. Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed regret over the situation, describing it as ‘very unfortunate.’ The Department of Housing and Local Government confirmed that Gavin’s name must remain on the ballot, as the withdrawal occurred after the nomination process closed. If Gavin were to win, he could either accept the presidency or decline, triggering a new election. Fianna Fáil stated that it was unaware of the tenant dispute before selecting Gavin as their candidate, emphasizing that initial queries were addressed without revealing the specifics of the issue.

French President Emmanuel Macron is under increasing pressure to address the nation’s escalating political turmoil, with calls for him to appoint a new prime minister and potentially call early presidential elections. The crisis deepened after Sébastien Lecornu, France’s third prime minister in a year, resigned on Monday following the collapse of his efforts to form a stable government. Macron has tasked Lecornu with devising a last-ditch plan for stability by Wednesday, but support for the president appears to be eroding even among his allies. Édouard Philippe, Macron’s first prime minister and current leader of the centrist Horizons party, emphasized that while he opposes Macron’s immediate resignation, the president must fulfill his mandate and find a solution to the crisis. Meanwhile, Gabriel Attal, head of Macron’s Renaissance party and former prime minister, publicly criticized Macron’s leadership, stating that it was time to share power with other political factions. The political instability has been exacerbated by Macron’s loss of a parliamentary majority after snap elections last year, leaving him struggling to pass a budget to address France’s soaring public debt, which is projected to reach 5.4% of GDP this year. Philippe warned that the ongoing crisis is undermining the state’s authority and continuity, urging Macron to act decisively. Despite calls from political opponents for his resignation, Philippe argued that an abrupt departure would worsen the situation. Instead, he suggested that Macron appoint a prime minister capable of passing a budget and ensuring the state’s functionality before leaving office in an orderly manner. Macron’s approval ratings have plummeted, with a recent poll indicating that 53% of French citizens believe he should step down. The crisis took a symbolic turn on Tuesday when a van burst into flames near the prime minister’s residence, further highlighting the nation’s political unrest.

In a dramatic turn of events, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government collapsed just 14 hours after its formation, marking another setback for President Emmanuel Macron’s administration. Lecornu, a 39-year-old loyalist and Macron’s last hope to stabilize French politics, faced immediate opposition from the conservative Republicans party (LR), led by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. The LR, a crucial part of the center-right alliance, withdrew its support after Lecornu appointed former finance minister Bruno Le Maire as defense minister—a move seen as a betrayal by LR. Le Maire, who had previously defected to Macron’s camp, is blamed by LR for France’s spiraling debt. Retailleau’s abrupt withdrawal, announced on social media shortly after the cabinet was revealed, left Lecornu’s government in shambles. Macron granted Lecornu a 48-hour reprieve to negotiate with LR, but the situation remains precarious. This political instability underscores the challenges Macron faces as his popularity wanes and the 2027 presidential election looms. With allies distancing themselves and the center-right alliance fracturing, Macron’s era appears to be nearing its end.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has intensified his call for more stringent sanctions against Russia, following revelations that British microcomputers and components from allied nations were discovered in Russian missiles and drones used in recent deadly strikes on Ukraine. Speaking on Sunday, Zelensky emphasized the need to dismantle all schemes that bypass existing sanctions, highlighting that countries supporting Ukraine possess detailed information about the companies and products still aiding Russia’s military efforts.

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a stark warning to EU lawmakers on Monday, cautioning them against falling prey to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to sow division across Europe. Speaking ahead of two no-confidence votes scheduled for this week, von der Leyen emphasized the need for unity to serve the interests of the bloc’s 450 million citizens. The censure motions, tabled by far-left and far-right factions in the European Parliament, target von der Leyen’s leadership. However, with centrist parties holding a majority, the motions are expected to be rejected, as a two-thirds majority is required for passage. The European Commission, which von der Leyen heads, plays a pivotal role in proposing EU laws, ensuring their enforcement, managing trade, and regulating competition across the 27 member states. In her address at the assembly in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen underscored the urgency of focusing on delivering tangible benefits for Europeans, warning that adversaries like Russia are actively exploiting and inciting divisions. She accused Putin of having allies within Europe who propagate disinformation and create scapegoats to weaken the bloc’s cohesion. The Left group has criticized von der Leyen for approving detrimental trade deals and failing to address Israel’s alleged violations of international law in Gaza. Meanwhile, the nationalist Patriots for Europe have blamed her leadership for a surge in migration, claiming it threatens European identity and security. Despite these criticisms, von der Leyen comfortably survived a similar no-confidence vote in July, with centrist parties accusing fringe groups of using such motions for political gain. The votes, however, have intensified scrutiny of von der Leyen and her European People’s Party, which is accused of aligning with hard-right factions to advance its agenda.