European Union

Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos has resigned in protest at the agreement reached in the name dispute with neighbouring Macedonia. Because Kammenos is also the leader of the junior coalition partner Anel, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has announced a vote of confidence in a bid to stay in office until the parliamentary elections in the autumn. The parliament is to decide the fate of the name dispute agreement by the end of January.

Sweden's parties have spent four months seeking a governing majority that excludes the Sweden Democrats. Now the Liberals and the Centre Party have agreed to support a minority government composed of Social Democrats and the Greens under Stefan Löfven. But the votes of the Left Party would still be needed for a parliamentary majority. Will it play along?

On Tuesday Britain's House of Commons will vote on the Brexit agreement reached between the EU and the British government. With defeat looming, Prime Minister May has warned that if the parliament doesn't pass the deal a stop to Brexit is more likely than a no-deal Brexit. Commentators ask how outsiders can come to the PM's aid.

French leader Macron and far-right leader Le Pen have reached out to 'yellow vest' protesters, as debate on the EU elections heats up in France and Germany.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte (Liberals) said Sunday on a TV talkshow that while the European Parliament elections this May were important, they were "not as important" as national elections. "The European Parliament has its role," he said, but only after saying EU elections were "not so relevant" and that "real power" was at national level. Rutte has frequently been named as a possible candidate for a top EU post.

As the British parliament prepares for a crucial Brexit vote Tuesday (15 January), Germany's far right voted Sunday to break a national taboo by campaigning to quit the European Union if its demand for reforms within the bloc are not met.