EU far-right surges as Estonia resists tax hikes, Poland passes windfall tax
Story Timeline
2 months · 20 summary articles
The European Union’s political landscape shifted decisively on Saturday as far-right parties consolidated gains in national and continental elections, while domestic tax debates in Estonia and Poland underscored diverging fiscal priorities across the bloc. In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders’ far-right party claimed a shock victory in the Dutch election, positioning him to become prime minister after nine months of coalition negotiations . Meanwhile, French presidential frontrunner Jordan Bardella vowed to win the 2027 polls and reorient France’s EU policy, signaling a potential realignment of the bloc’s second-largest economy .
In Estonia, voters appear to have prioritised fiscal stability over social equity, with Tõnis Saarts noting that nine months before parliamentary elections, Estonians are “more willing to accept reduced social security and growing inequality than higher taxes or a substantial overhaul of the current tax system” . The sentiment reflects broader unease across Central and Eastern Europe, where electorates increasingly resist redistributive policies amid economic stagnation.
Poland’s lower house, the Sejm, passed a windfall tax on fuel companies including Orlen on Friday, implementing EU rules targeting extraordinary profits from the energy crisis. The measure passed with 231 votes in favour, though opposition lawmakers warned it could deter investment . The decision comes as Poland navigates its role in the EU’s shifting fiscal architecture, where solidarity mechanisms clash with national economic strategies.
In the UK, Labour Party ministers have privately urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down, following the party’s loss of nearly 1,500 seats in local elections last month. The pressure intensified after Andy Burnham’s victory in a special election on Friday, setting the stage for a potential leadership challenge . Burnham, a Labour figure advocating a “business-friendly socialism,” has positioned himself as a pragmatic alternative to Starmer’s embattled leadership.
Across the continent, the EU’s new voting system has reanimated old divisions, with analysts noting a resurgence of the traditional West-East, North-South split in European Parliament dynamics . The realignment complicates efforts to pass cohesive fiscal policies, including the bloc’s stalled tax harmonisation agenda. As far-right parties gain ground in France, the Netherlands, and beyond, the EU faces a critical juncture: whether to pursue deeper integration or accommodate a more fragmented, sovereignty-first approach to governance.
Follow us for live European news
- 2
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
2 further sources not geolocated
Articles
Swiss parliament approves lifting ban on new nuclear power plants The lower house of Switzerlands parliament has approved a government proposal to lift the countrys ban on constructing new nuclear power plants, paving the way for a nationwide referendum that will determine whether the nation reverses its 2017 phaseout decision.
yenisafak · about 2 months ago
Polish lower house passes windfall tax on fuel companies Polands Sejm passed legislation with 231 votes in favor to impose a windfall tax on fuel companies including Orlen, implementing EU rules targeting extraordinary profits from the energy crisis while opposition lawmakers warned the measure could deter investment.
yenisafak · about 2 months ago
Burnham e o Manchesterismo: o que pensa e propõe o aspirante ao lugar de Starmer? De olho no cargo do primeiro-ministro, após eleição para o Parlamento britânico, presidente cessante da Câmara de Manchester, do Partido Trabalhista, defende socialismo amigo das empresas.
publico · about 2 months ago
Irelands sugar tax on soft drinks worked — now its time to make it even tougher, researchers say With obesity levels rising, a new study has argued that higher sugar taxes could encourage manufacturers to cut sugar levels further.
thejournal · about 2 months ago
Dutch election: Far-rights Wilders aims to become prime minister after shock victory
gdeltproject.org · about 2 months ago
European elections: Millions vote to elect new parliament
gdeltproject.org · about 2 months ago
Katya Adler: What will happen if the far right wins the EU elections?
gdeltproject.org · about 2 months ago
Tõnis Saarts: Estonian voters are choosing greater inequality Nine months before the next parliamentary elections, it appears that Estonian voters are more willing to accept reduced social security and growing inequality than higher taxes or a substantial overhaul of the current tax system, Tõnis Saarts says.
news.err · about 2 months ago
Colombias runoff pits right-wing populist against Petros successor Colombians are set to choose a new president in a sharply polarised runoff between conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist Senator Iván Cepeda. The election serves as a defining test for Latin Americas political pendulum, with economic anxiety and security concerns at the fore.
yenisafak · about 2 months ago
Politické strany si tento rok za výsledky volieb do Národnej rady rozdelia takmer 14,3 milióna eur Slovenské politické strany dostanú v tomto roku zo štátneho rozpočtu finančné príspevky v celkovej výške takmer 14,3 milióna eur. Tieto peniaze si na základe výsledkov parlamentných volieb z roku 2023 rozdelí osem strán a jedna koalícia, ktoré prekročili trojpercentnú hranicu.
aktuality.sk · about 2 months ago
Murderers privacy rights not breached by surveillance at KFC, court rules New IRA leader Kevin Braney loses bid to overturn conviction for murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly in 2013
irish times · about 2 months ago
Villers-Cotterêts, la ville française qui a trouvé comment battre lextrême droite À lapproche des élections présidentielles de 2027, et dans le contexte dune ascension de la droite, la coalition progressiste qui a battu le parti de Marine Le Pen à Villers-Cotterêts propose un modèle dont dautres communes françaises pourraient sinspirer, écrit Kim Willsher dans les colonnes du journal hebdomadaire britannique The Observer.
courrier international · about 2 months ago
Peru: Voters await result of presidential election, the closest in the countrys history Perus presidential election looks like it will be decided by under a percentage point, and is one of the closest votes in the nations history. The daughter of a former president, Keiko Fujimori is expected to win though her rival is alleging irregularities. Details by Daniel Quinlan.
france24 · about 2 months ago
«Arena» zur Altersvorsorge – Höhere Mehrwertsteuer für die 13. AHV-Rente – ein Kompromiss? In einem Abstimmungskrimi lehnt der Nationalrat die Erhöhung der Lohnbeiträge für die Finanzierung der 13. AHV-Rente ab.
srf.ch · about 2 months ago
Supreme Court finds Environmental Boards 2020 wolf hunting quota illegal The Supreme Court has ruled that the Environmental Boards 2020 order authorizing the hunting of wolves was unlawful because the agency failed to take into account the Bern Convention, under which wolves were still subject to strict protection at the time.
news.err · about 2 months ago
UK: Labour leadership battle? Ministers reportedly urge Keir Starmer to step down Reports from British media say that Ministers from inside Keir Starmers government are privately asking the PM to step down. One of the least popular Prime Ministers in British history, his Labour Party lost nearly 1500 seats in local elections last month. Meanwhile, Andy Burnhams victory in a special election on Friday has set the stage for a potential Labour Leadership challenge. Story by Caroline Baum.
france24 · about 2 months ago
Andy Burnham is the only Labour leadership contender with a plausible chance of slowing the march of Reform UK and — in the best case — saving his party from a catastrophic rout at the next election, according to polling from Public First.
bluesky bot · about 2 months ago