Good morning from Brussels, After 14 years in opposition, the Labour party is expected to triumph in the UK elections on Thursday as latest polls suggest they have a safe 20 point lead. As British are leaning to the left, Brussels is still shaken by voters’ right turn in the recent EU election and remain cautious about the second round of the French elections this weekend. But they also keep an eye on the next day in London, eight years since Brexit. In economy, re-joining the EU or the single market is ruled out. But Brussels-based analysts estimate that a Labour’s victory will help restore trust with Europe – a useful perquisite which might help resolve more technical trade-related disputes. When it comes to regulatory alignment, something the EU industry pushes for, UK’s “cherry-picking” approach will hardly be accepted by Brussels. But some estimate that escalating geopolitical tensions between the US, the EU, and China in the coming years may mount the pressure on the new UK government to seek closer economic ties with the EU. Thomas Moller-Nielsen has the whole story. Politically, the Labour will seek closer collaboration with the EU on migration. This may be a problem for the Labour, as they have vowed to scrap the Conservatives-inspired “Rwanda scheme”, while the rising right-wing politicians in Europe want to adopt it. Alice Taylor and Catherine Feore have the details. The Labour will also seek a new security pact with Europe. On this matter, the Europeans have their own headaches as NATO diplomats told Euractiv they were seriously concerned about the risks of the far-right entering government in France. | 