标签： Europe

In the midst of France’s deepening political crisis, outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of passing a budget before the year’s end. Lecornu, who became the third French prime minister to resign in less than a year, has been tasked with finding a solution to stabilize the country by Wednesday evening. His resignation on Monday plunged France into renewed political uncertainty, just 18 months before President Emmanuel Macron’s second term concludes. Macron’s decision to call snap elections in mid-2024 resulted in a hung parliament and a series of minority governments, further complicating the political landscape. Lecornu, who served only 26 days before his government collapsed, has been engaging with various political parties to forge a path forward. He noted a ‘willingness’ among parties to pass a budget by December 31, which could reduce the likelihood of dissolving parliament. However, challenges remain, as Socialist leader Olivier Faure ruled out his party’s participation in any government led by Macron’s allies, citing irreconcilable differences over the budget plan. Meanwhile, the hard-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, has called for new parliamentary elections. Lecornu’s best hope appears to be forming a centrist coalition with the conservative Republicans, though their participation is uncertain. National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet warned of ‘very serious consequences’ if a budget deal is not reached soon. Lecornu emphasized the importance of reducing France’s budget deficit, which currently stands at 5.4% of GDP, to maintain the country’s credibility and borrowing capacity. Additionally, he highlighted the need to address the future of New Caledonia, France’s South Pacific territory, which has been seeking greater autonomy. The planned 2026 budget included financial aid for New Caledonia following last year’s riots, but Lecornu’s resignation has delayed the referendum and provincial elections scheduled for next year.

In a significant address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen expressed gratitude to the European Union for its enduring partnership and called for increased investment in the Arctic island’s mineral resources, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Nielsen, 34, described 2025 as a pivotal year for Greenland, emphasizing the challenges posed by climate change while avoiding mention of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about acquiring the territory. He highlighted the EU’s role as a “stable, reliable, and important partner” for over four decades, extending a heartfelt thanks for its support during challenging times. Greenland, once a Danish colony, became a self-governing entity in 2009 but remains part of the Danish realm. Nielsen underscored the island’s abundance of critical raw minerals sought by the EU, noting the capital-intensive nature of mining. He also urged investment in hydroelectricity, telecommunications, and the construction of two regional airports, emphasizing the need for trusted operators to ensure infrastructure stability. The speech concluded with a standing ovation from lawmakers as Nielsen thanked the EU for being a “trusted friend of Greenland.”

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s top official, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, issued a stark warning on Wednesday, asserting that Russia is orchestrating a “targeted gray zone campaign” against Europe. This campaign includes airspace violations, sabotage, and cyberattacks, which are expected to intensify if the Kremlin is not confronted. Von der Leyen emphasized that Europe must respond decisively to these threats to safeguard its territory and security. In just two weeks, incidents such as fighter jets breaching Estonia’s airspace and drones overflying military bases and critical infrastructure sites in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and Romania have been reported. Von der Leyen urged EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, France, to investigate every incident and attribute responsibility without hesitation. She stressed that every square centimeter of European territory must be protected and safe, warning that inaction would only allow the gray zone to expand. Under von der Leyen’s leadership, the EU’s executive branch is developing a comprehensive plan to address these challenges by 2030. This plan includes the creation of a “drone wall,” a high-tech system designed to detect, track, and neutralize drones, as well as disrupt their operating systems or ground-based pilots. EU officials believe Russia could potentially launch an attack on another European country within three to five years. Von der Leyen also highlighted the need for an affordable and effective anti-drone system, pointing to lessons from Ukraine. She argued that European countries must invest more in defense, ensuring that such investments create jobs and benefit the continent’s economy. The commission insists that at least 65% of any EU-funded defense project should be based in Europe, countering the current trend where most defense investments go to U.S. companies. At a recent summit in Copenhagen, EU leaders appeared to adopt a tougher stance on drone incidents, sabotage, cyberattacks, and sanction-busting. French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for a more aggressive approach, including shooting down drones entering European airspace and intercepting shadow fleet ships illicitly transporting oil to deprive Moscow of war revenue.