BERLIN

Germany's Merz plans Paris and Warsaw visits 'very soon'. Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, says he will travel to Paris and Warsaw as soon as possible and coordinate closely with both capitals on confronting Donald Trump. Read more.

HELSINKI

Finland's Social Democrats surge in local elections amid far-right decline. In Finland's local elections held on Sunday, the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) emerged as the frontrunner, securing 23.2% of the municipal vote and 22.2% in county councils, according to Yle projections. The ruling centre-right National Coalition Party trailed closely with 21.6% municipally, while the opposition liberal Centre Party garnered 16.5%.​

The Finnish government formed in June 2023 is a centre-right coalition led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's National Coalition Party in partnership with the far-right Finns Party, the Swedish People's Party and the Christian Democrats.

Far-right drop. A notable development was the significant drop in support for the far-right Finns Party, which saw its vote share halve from 14% in 2021 to 7.7% this year, suggesting challenges in mobilizing its base for local contests, Yle reports.

The elections also witnessed increased voter engagement in county councils, with turnout rising to 51.7% from 47.5% in 2022, while municipal participation slightly dipped to 54.2%.

(Charles Szumski)

Italy signals readiness to meet NATO’s 2% defence spending target. Italy prepares to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP, aligning with NATO targets while aiming to maintain fiscal discipline. Italy is preparing to meet NATO’s defence spending target of 2% of GDP, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Friday, adding that “an official announcement will be made soon by the Prime Minister.” Read more.

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LISBON

Portugal: Government condemns Russian attack on Sumy. Portugal's government condemned on Sunday the “terrible attack” by Russia in Sumy, Ukraine, which left more than 30 dead and at least 80 wounded, challenging Russia to “refrain from all hostilities” and accept a ceasefire.

“The Portuguese government condemns the terrible Russian attack on Sumy, which claimed dozens of victims. It sends its condolences to the families and the Ukrainian people.”

“It urges the Russian Federation to refrain from all hostilities and to accept the ceasefire already accepted by Ukraine,” said the Portuguese government in a publication in the official account of the Office of the Foreign Minister on the social network X.

A Russian missile attack this morning in the centre of Sumy, in north-eastern Ukraine, killed at least 31 people, including two children, and injured 84, according to a report published by the Ukrainian emergency services.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a "strong response from the world" to the attack on Sumy in a post on the Telegram social network.

“We need a strong response from the world. America, Europe, everyone who wants this war and these killings to end. Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war,” emphasised the Ukrainian head of state.

“The enemy missiles hit a normal street in the city, a normal life: houses, schools, cars on the street... And this on a day when people go to church, Palm Sunday,” said Zelensky, quoted by Efe.

According to Zelensky, without pressure on Russia, peace is impossible.

“The talks never stopped the ballistic missiles and bombs. We have to treat Russia as a terrorist deserves,” he said.

(Joana Carneiro, edited by Pedro Sousa Carvalho | Lusa.pt)

PRAGUE

Czech authorities are bracing for the arrival of Ukrainian war veterans seeking to reunite with their refugee families in the country, amid concerns that the soldiers pose a serious security threat. Read more.

Czech MEP called for violence against journalist, police investigating. Czech MEP Filip Turek (Motorists, Patriots) is under police investigation after publicly urging his supporters to assault a journalist.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, Turek called automotive reporter Vojtěch Dobeš a “leftist scum” and asked, “Could someone punch this paid conspiracist for me before I find time myself?”

The post included Dobeš’s photo and a direct link to his social media profile. Dobeš, who had criticised Turek’s meeting with the Iranian ambassador in Prague, said the MEP’s message exposed him and his family to real danger. Dobeš has thus filed a criminal complaint for incitement to commit a crime.

“It shouldn’t be taken lightly because Filip has a large audience on social media,” Dobeš told news site Deník N, noting that Turek’s post made it easy to find where he lives.

Turek, a member of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Iran and honorary president of the Czech Motorists party, claims the post was a private reaction to slander and not a public incitement to violence.

Prague police confirmed they are investigating. “Police began looking into the matter based on information published on social media,” police spokesperson Eva Kropáčová told Deník N.

The case follows revelations that Turek, along with MEP Kateřina Konečná and former president Václav Klaus, met with Iran’s ambassador. All three confirmed the meetings but downplayed them as courtesy visits.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)

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WARSAW

Poland: consecutive presidential debates spark backlash against conservative favourite. Friday saw an unusual situation as two presidential debates were held back-to-back in the town of Końskie. The first was a last-minute invite from the frontrunner, Rafał Trzaskowski (PO, EPP), to all other candidates for what was initially intended to be a debate between himself and the vice-leader in the polls, PiS's (ECR) Karol Nawrocki. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovak president criticises recently passed laws, signals veto push. President Peter Pellegrini issued an unusually sharp rebuke of Robert Fico’s government, from which he himself emerged.

In a Saturday interview for public broadcaster STVR, Pellegrini openly criticised the newly introduced and controversial transaction tax, and pointed out that the coalition — while steering foreign policy “in all four cardinal directions" - should not be neglecting “the West”.

At the same time, he announced intention to veto the lifetime pension for the Prosecutor General, which was recently approved by coalition MPs.

“I have a serious problem with granting a lifetime pension to the Prosecutor General based on a random MP’s invention, that it should be awarded after just four years, not even following the completion of a full term,” he said.

He also hinted at opposing the idea of replacing current Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka with Fico’s advisors, David Lindtner or Marek Para, who are rumoured as potential successors.

In Slovakia, a presidential veto is relatively easy to override. If the president returns a law to parliament, a simple majority of at least 76 MPs is enough to overturn it.

Pellegrini also said he has “serious concerns” about the COVID-related amnesties passed by parliament last week. Under the law, the state will compensate people who were fined during the pandemic for minor offenses — such as refusal to wear a mask.

“I can't imagine sending a message to society that anyone who breaks the law should be compensated just because they felt it was the right thing to do,” the president said.

He added that it sends a very unfortunate message to those who lost loved ones during the pandemic. He therefore plans to study the law in detail to assess whether some elements of the amnesty might be justified.

Fico has refrained from directly challenging Pellegrini’s criticism.

(Natália Silenská | Euractiv.sk)

SOFIA

Bulgaria flooded with anti-corruption protests. Bulgarians, like some other Balkan nations, went in the streets in civic protests against corruption, with thousands of citizens taking to the streets of major cities during the weekend to demand judicial reform and an end to corruption.

Thousands participated in the nationwide protest with the motto "Bulgaria Has No Children to Kill", calling on the state to finally address the problem with the country's bad roads following the death of 12-year-old Siyana on a poorly maintained road in Northern Bulgaria.

The two largest cities, Sofia and Plovdiv, were brought to a standstill by demonstrators, whilst thousands gathered in the girl’s home village of Telish to pay tribute to her memory. The catalyst for the protests closely resembles the wave of demonstrations in Serbia after the Niš tragedy, though it remains smaller in scale thus far.

Protesters demanded justice and insisted that road maintenance be prioritised by the state, amid accusations of widespread corruption and the embezzlement of road funds leveled against the government. In Sofia, a minute’s silence was held to honour Siyana and all those who have perished on Bulgaria’s roads.

“This protest has swelled to immense proportions and has become a national outcry for justice. I must stress that this is a civic movement, free from party influence,” said Neli Dakova, mayor of Telish, addressing the crowd.

Demonstrators carried posters with messages such as: “You’re Not God on the Road! Fix Our Roads! Children Are Our Future! Uphold the Law!” and “We Don’t Raise Them to Die on the Roads.”

Hundreds also joined a separate protest in Sofia under the banner “Peevski Out of Power,” condemning the “pervasive corruption that has overtaken the state.” On Saturday evening, a second significant demonstration unfolded in the capital against the role in government  of Delyan Peevski - leader of the MRF-New Beginning party, sanctioned for corruption by the US and UK.

Peevski’s political formation, led by the businessman and former media tycoon, props up the fragile stability of Bulgaria’s four-party coalition, led by GERB (EPP), the party of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. Opponents accuse Peevski of covertly dominating the police, special services, and judiciary.

“We will say 'NO' to the pervasive corruption that has entirely consumed the state and to the ambitions of a political oligarch who seeks to capture all powers and establish a fascist-style autocracy,” stated the civic group “Justice for All,” which organised the protest.

(Krassen Nikolov | Euractiv.bg)

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BUCHAREST

Romania should implement “safety net” measures in response to Trump tariffs, says minister. The tariffs introduced by the Trump administration have created an unprecedented situation, prompting Romania to consider “safety net” measures to protect its automotive sector and other potentially affected industries, Finance Minister Tanczos Barna said on Saturday.

He noted that it is currently “almost impossible” to predict the full impact of the ongoing trade war.

“There will certainly be negative consequences,” Barna stated on social media, “but many experts also foresee potential positive outcomes at the economic level — including a possible favorable effect on inflation trends within the European Union.”

Barna emphasised that the European Commission must continue negotiations with the United States within the 90-day timeframe.

According to the National Institute of Statistics, Romania exported approximately $2.4 billion worth of goods to the U.S. in 2024, while imports from the U.S. totaled around $1.3 billion. Romania's primary exports included electronics, household appliances, steel, aluminum, iron, and cast iron.

(Catalina Mihai | Euractiv.ro)

• EU: ​Foreign Affairs Council convenes to discuss Russian war against Ukraine, Situation in the Middle East, including Syria, Western Balkans, relations with Africa, and more;
• First EU-Palestine High Level Political Dialogue expected to focus on conflict in Gaza, unfolding situation in West Bank, prospects for advancing the Two State Solution, and more;
• Fourth Accession Conference with Albania held to open negotiations on “Internal market”, including free movement of goods, freedom of movement of workers), right of establishment and freedom to provide services, and more;
• Informal meeting of social affairs ministers expected to address algorithms and digital technologies impact on labor market, equality and more;
• High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas hosts Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Mustafa;
• Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen visits semiconductor supplier ASML;
• Vice President Roxana Mînzatu meets with Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL) Committee Chair Li Andersson;
• Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Commissioner Glenn Micallef meets with European Disability Forum President Yannis Vardakastanis;
• Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra hosts European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change Chair Ottmar Edenhofer.

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[Edited by Vas Panagiotopoulos, Charles Szumski, Daniel Eck, Sofia Mandilara]