The Brief – How the far right just spiced up European p olitics

This week’s censure attempt against Ursula von der Leyen may have been a far-right stunt but given how watchable Monday’s debate was, Europe's political mainstream should beg the pro-Putin cranks to stage another.
The outcome of tomorrow’s vote is known even to the motion’s instigators: The Commission will remain in place. That makes it easy to dismiss the entire exercise, with the Greens’ co-leader Bas Eickhout calling it “one big political show of the far right”.
He’s right. But the “show” on Monday made for unusually decent viewing. And people beyond Brussels noticed. That alone should send a message to the pro-EU groups in the oft-overlooked European Parliament: Political theatre has a purpose.
The spectacle should be reclaimed from the extremes – not through cheap stunts or desk-thumping for its own sake, but the kind of vivid, adversarial politics that draws people in. On Monday, when MEPs dropped the jargon and spoke like they meant it, the chamber came alive.
Take socialist leader Iratxe Garcia, who was compelling in her emotionally charged rebuke of the rightward drift by von der Leyen and her rogue attack dog in the Parliament, Manfred Weber. If you happened to be watching (and understood Spanish), you might have wanted to vote for her.
It would be unfair to say these groups are averse to the dramatic. Strasbourg has had its moments. But you have to go back to summer 2023 for the last, when Weber moved mountains to cajole his European People’s Party into trying to kill its own law to reverse biodiversity loss.
Then too, the socialists and liberals were outraged at Weber’s remorseless scything through the EU’s green agenda. The stakes were clear. Debate was rancorous. Alliances were betrayed. People took to the streets. Weber – a spotlight-stealing antihero – was humiliated when he lost the final vote. The saga had it all.

Europe's climate bearings – “There is exceptionally strong support for the true north of a 100% emissions reduction by 2050,” Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told Euractiv. But reaching climate neutrality must be a pragmatic journey rather than a righteous crusade, he cautioned.
Waiting on the postman – The EU is waiting on a letter of immense economic importance, as Donald Trump said a letter setting out the new tariff rates would be due on Thursday. Despite softer language towards the bloc – Trump said the EU is being "very nice" – the concrete terms are still not clear. But come what may, the EU will have to take the hit.
Schengen cracks become more visible – As freedom of movement runs into increasing border controls, the EU's flagship achievement is being undermined. As well as the human cost, the blocks take an economic toll – all of which are brought into sharp focus in these graphics.

Greece gets tough on migrants from Libya – Amid a migration surge, Greece has suspended asylum requests from individuals arriving from North Africa. The decision followed a diplomatic incident in which Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner was forced to leave east Libya.
Sánchez stands strong – Pedro Sánchez ruled out resignation on Wednesday, instead unveiling a sweeping anti-graft strategy as his Socialist party faces mounting scrutiny over corruption allegations, including bribery, tender rigging, and influence peddling.
Has Spahn lost his shine? – Jens Spahn shattered the mould of the stuffy Kohl-era German conservative and was once tipped for future chancellor. But his future is now called into question following revelations that he oversaw dodgy mask deals during the pandemic, which saw companies close to Spahn receive multi-million euro contracts.

Today's issue of The Brief was brought to you by Owen Morgan.