Photo : Belga / AFP, The Brussels Times
By Lekshmi Muthu & Farhaz Rashid Ahmed
POLAND
Presidential Elections 2025: Who is Nawrocki?
Karol Nawrocki is an emerging, conservative politician affiliated with the Law and Justice (PiS) Party. He is a historian and former head of the Institute of National Remembrance. Nawrocki is known for his conservative and nationalist positions, especially on illegal immigration and skepticism towards the European Union. His candidacy faced criticism on his qualifications for the presidency. His campaign gained the support of the US President Donald Trump, as Nawrocki was aligning with nationalist and conservative international policies. He was against Ukraine joining NATO because he feared that it would lead to a war with Russia. Nawrocki's campaign was being marked by allegations of misconduct. He denied them all and claimed that they were politically motivated.
What are the results saying?
On 01 June, Conservative Karol Nawrocki secured the victory in Poland's presidential runoff election. The election saw a significant voter turnout of 71.6 per cent. The vote counts revealed that Karol Nawrocki won by 50.89 per cent, in comparison to Rafal Trzaskowski of the Civic Coalition (KO), who received 49.11 per cent. The narrow margin and high voter turnout underscored the deep societal and political divisions within Poland. Urban areas predominantly supported Trzaskowski, while Nawrocki was finding strong backing in rural regions. Nawrocki's win shows a shift in Poland's foreign policy internationally. Nawrocki's victory was seen as a hindrance to the planned reforms, judicial changes, and liberal policies on issues like abortion, proposed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government. He pledged to support Ukraine. His Eurosceptic stance could strain relations with the European Union. Nawrocki's presidency will potentially influence Poland's domestic and international trajectory significantly in the coming years.
What is the opposition doing?
RafaÅ‚ Trzaskowski represented the Civic Coalition (KO) and was narrowly ahead in early exit polls. Tusk leads a centrist government aiming for judicial reforms and liberal policies. Nawrocki’s presidency is seen as a potential block to Tusk’s legislative agenda, particularly via the presidential veto power. Though the president's power is largely ceremonial, Nawrocki was expected to use the Polish president's veto power to challenge Tusk's agenda. He pledged to support Ukraine. ( Jazek Lepiarz, “Presidential election outcome a blow to Poland's government,” Deutsche Welle, 02 June 2025)
FRANCE
Assisted dying bill gets passed in the lower house, to face the Senate, with a far-right majority
On 02 June, France’s MPs approved a landmark assisted dying bill, but the real challenge remains, as it faces a conservative Senate in the autumn. The bill allows adults with serious, life-threatening illnesses to request assisted dying under strict conditions, including self-administration of lethal medication, along with a conscience clause letting medical staff to opt out. This sparked debates about who can choose the option. While the bill was passed in the National Assembly with a majority, it caused a divide. France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, was in favour of the vote, but far-right parties and the Catholic Church strongly opposed it, calling it morally dangerous. The Health Minister, Catherine Vautrin, hoped to pass the law before the 2027 presidential election. On the other hand, a separate palliative care law was unanimously approved, showing the ongoing tension between expanding the end-of-life options and supporting existing care. (Thomas Mangin, “Killing me softly? France’s assisted dying bill runs into trouble,” Euractiv, 02 June 2025)
Lawmakers question Steirn's funding for the conservative
On 02 June, French lawmakers were to question billionaire Pierre-Edouard Sterin about his EUR 30 million funding for conservative causes through the Pericles project, but he failed to appear, citing security concerns. The inquiry committee rejected his request to testify via video, calling it a "stalling tactic." The Pericles' Director, Arnaud Rerolle, confirmed earlier that the project aimed to influence politics and support far-right ideas, including helping Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in upcoming elections. The lawmakers raised concerns about possible campaign and financial violations, whereas the billionaire’s influence in politics and media was under heavy scrutiny, with figures like Vincent Bolloré accused of using their media empires to push far-right narratives. Several MPs called for tighter media regulation, while others pushed for more transparency. Currently, Sterin is at risk for up to two years in prison and a EUR 7500 fine. ( Lisa Louis, “How French billionaires push the far-right agenda,” Deutsche Welle, 02 June 2025)
Paris in chaos following the PSG’s first win in the Champions League
On 02 June 2025, Reuters reported the fatalities, injuries, and arrests in France during Paris Saint-Germain F.C.'s celebrations. The French Interior Ministry reported 192 injuries, 500 arrests, destruction of bus shelters, and the burning of 200 vehicles. Officials at the scene used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, particularly on the Champs-Élysées. Due to the unrest, authorities announced the deployment of 5400 officers across Paris. Furthermore, disturbances were anticipated during Sunday's victory parade and celebration at the Parc des Princes stadium, and to maintain the crowds, only 100,00 people are allowed. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez emphasized on a firm response to any further violence. ("Two dead, 500 arrested in France during PSG win celebrations," Reuters, 02 June 2025)
GERMANY
Berlin court asks Chancellor Merz for rejecting asylum seekers at the border
On 03 June, the Berlin Administrative Court ruled that Germany’s practice of rejecting asylum seekers at the border was unlawful and violating both German law and the EU’s Dublin system. The court said that every asylum application needs to be properly examined to decide which EU country is responsible for handling it, instead of just turning migrants away. This decision came up challenging Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s new strict migration policy, which is to curb asylum procedures and push back irregular migrants at the border. The court was focused on the case of three Somali nationals who were denied entry without having their applications reviewed, and found that one of them had legitimate grounds for asylum. The government attempted to justify its pushbacks by referring to a clause in the German Asylum Act and an EU treaty article that allowed suspending laws during public order threats, but the court found this reasoning insufficient. Thus, despite the ruling, Dobrindt emphasized that the government would keep pushing back asylum seekers, despite having a legal basis. Critics argue that the court’s decision was weakening this approach. ( Malek Fouda, “Berlin court rules rejection of asylum seekers at borders unlawful,” Euronews, 03 June 2025)
Baerbock elected as UN General Assembly President amid Russian opposition
On 02 June, Germany's former Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, was elected as the President of the UN General Assembly. Russia requested a secret ballot to oppose her candidacy, but Baerbock surpassed the majority by securing 167 votes in the secret ballot. In her acceptance speech, under the theme "Better Together," Baerbock emphasized unity and cooperation amidst the armed conflicts, climate crisis, poverty, and institutional inadequacies. Baerbock looks forward to her role in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025. Russia was expressing its criticisms for her anti-Russia bias and was questioning her ability to act impartially as the President of the General Assembly. (Kalika Mehta & Timothy Jones, "Germany's Baerbock elected as UN General Assembly head," Deutsche Welle, 02 June 2025)
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk to seek a confidence vote
On 02 June, the Conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki won Poland's presidential runoff with 50.89 per cent of the vote ahead of liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, an ally of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Following the election, Tusk announced he would request a parliamentary vote of confidence in his coalition government to reaffirm his mandate. The election result has politically weakened Tusk. The results raised questions about the durability of his multi-party coalition, which is scheduled to govern until late 2027. In a speech, Tusk expressed willingness to cooperate with the newly elected President where necessary and possible. (Gavin Blackburn, "Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk to seek confidence vote after ally's election loss," Euronews, 02 June 2025)
REGIONAL
EU fines two firms for alleged mishaps
On 02 June, the European Commission imposed fines on two firms, Delivery Hero and its subsidiary Glovo, for a total of EUR 329 million, on charges of allegedly running a cartel in Europe’s food delivery sector. Brussels stated that from 2018 to 2022, both companies engaged in anti-competitive behaviors like sharing sensitive commercial information, dividing up the market, and agreeing not to poach each other’s employees. These practices started when Delivery Hero took a minority stake in Glovo in 2018 and continued until it acquired full control in 2022. The EU pointed out this was the first time that they imposed fines on companies for a “no-poach” deal. Verily, Delivery Hero was fined EUR 223 million and Glovo EUR 106 million. Whistleblowers and Brussels monitoring systems are conducting further investigations into the matter. Delivery Hero responded by stating that they had fully cooperated and welcomed the settlement, which included a fine that is 20 per cent lower than expected, and confessed that both companies admitted their involvement and agreed to settle the case. (Thomas Moller-Nelson, “EU fines Delivery Hero and Glovo €329 million in cartel case,” Euractiv, 02 June 2025)
EU scientists call upon the EU leaders regarding the 2040 climate goal
On 02 June, the EU’s top scientific advisors urged policymakers to stick to ambitious domestic climate targets as the bloc prepared its 2040 goal. The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) called on the EU leaders to face the climate crisis head-on, not outsource it. A report drafted by the ESABCC warned against the dependence on international carbon credits and schemes that let countries pay others to cut emissions for them. Instead, the scientists said that the EU should take responsibility and reduce its emissions by 90 to 95 per cent below 1990 levels by 2040. They argued that depending on others would not only weaken Europe’s climate leadership but also risk missing key opportunities to invest at home in clean energy and green jobs. Some EU leaders were considering making the 2040 target more flexible by including carbon credits, but the board highlighted that a small percentage of such credits have led to real emission cuts, and it would risk missing opportunities to modernize the economy and create green jobs. The advisory board also called for stronger EU action on climate adaptation, pointing out that current policies lack clear goals and legal backing despite increasing climate risks across Europe. (Lottie Limb, “Top scientists rally EU to ‘stay the course’ by keeping its 2040 climate target ambitious and fair,” Euronews, 02 June 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
The EU and the US to discuss on the new tariffs imposed
On 02 June, a meeting is scheduled between the EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and the US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris this week. The meeting was announced following the US’s increased tariffs on the EU’s steel and aluminum. The EU said that it would counter-impose if the dialogue was failing. The EU is considering a retaliatory tariff on American products like agricultural goods and consumer products. Both the EU and the US were concerned about the potential economic impact and emphasized the importance of resolving the issue through negotiations. (Peggy Corlin, "EU trade chief to meet US counterpart in Paris amid increased tariff tensions," Euronews, 02 June 2025)