European Union

Blackouts, food shortages, and violence for migrants at "EU hotspot" on Greek island, despite billions given to Athens in European funds.

The West may no longer be the leader of the world. But the EU has a new leader and it’s no longer Merkel: it’s French President Emmanuel Macron. He was the unofficial winner of the European elections, or at least...

Environment, biodiversity and the climate were all on the agenda during the three days of the G7 summit held on 24-26 August in Biarritz, France. However, few concrete decisions were taken. EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'environnement reports.

Finland, the reigning EU presidency, has urged EU foreign service chief Federica Mogherini to use "all tools" to help stop Amazon fires. "Recent actions in Brazil in particular risk leading toward a vicious spiral toward further destruction of the rain forest," Finland's environment minister Krista Mikkonen said in a letter to Mogherini on Tuesday. "The international community cannot let the development reach a point of no return," Mikkonen added.

American electric carmaker Tesla is reportedly on the hunt for locations in Germany to build one of its gigafactories, according to local media. Adding a European base of operations could help Elon Musk's firm avoid the worst effects of an ongoing trade war between the US and China.

France has proposed Sylvie Goulard as its European Commissioner candidate. An expert on European issues, the former centrist MEP was central to helping Emmanuel Macron develop his European contacts during his successful 2017 presidential campaign. EURACTIV France reports.

Responding to the unprecedented challenge posed by climate change will require all actors – including the defence and security community – to step outside their comfort zone, writes Luca Bergamaschi.

After the G7 summit, a meeting between Trump and Rouhani could well be on the cards. Donald Trump appears to be open to negotiations with Rouhani on the nuclear dispute. G7 host Macron, who surprised everyone by inviting Iran's foreign minister to Biarritz, is chalking this up as his own success. The press asks whether a summit could really solve the row over Iran's nuclear programme.

The G7 has offered financial assistance to Brazil to help put out the worst fires the Amazon has seen in years. Bolsanaro has agreed to take the money if Macron apologises for accusing him of lying about his commitments to environmental protection. But money alone cannot solve this problem, commentators say.

In Italy a coalition between the Democratic party (PD) and their former rival Cinque Stelle looks imminent. The PD has signalled that Giuseppe Conte could also be the future prime minister. Talks are still underway today, Wednesday, after which President Mattarella will either issue the order to form a government or call new elections. Italy's press examines the prospects of a PD-Five Star alliance.