Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and Lufthansa showcased four Airbus A320s adorned with the ‘Yes to Europe’ message, advocating for a strong voter turnout in the upcoming European elections. The campaign emphasizes the importance of a united and democratic Europe for a robust economy and a strong future.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and opposition leader Elly Schlein will engage in an unprecedented debate on May 23 prior to the European elections. This will mark the first-ever encounter between a sitting Prime Minister and the head of the opposition in Italy. Meloni, who leads the Brothers of Italy party, has been in power since October 2022 as part of a right-wing coalition. Schlein, on the other hand, took over the leadership of the center-left Democratic Party in March 2023 following the party’s electoral defeat in 2022. Notably, both are at the forefront of their respective parties’ lists for the European elections scheduled for June 8-9, but neither intends to take up their seats in the European Parliament.
Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist currently imprisoned in Hungary, is a candidate for the European Parliament with the Greens and Left Alliance. Despite being unable to campaign, her father, Roberto Salis, spoke on her behalf at the Strasbourg Parliament, highlighting her motivation and goal to resolve her situation. The road to election is challenging as Salis faces limited communication and restrictions, but her candidacy aims to secure parliamentary immunity and ensure a fair trial. If elected, she could face a suspension of immunity request by Hungarian authorities, but aims to advocate for her innocence.
The upcoming European elections could spell trouble for the EU’s Green Deal, as right-wing parties eye gains. Green MEPs warn that a shift to the right could result in weakened or even abandoned plans to protect nature and address climate change. They criticize centrist politicians for appeasing the right to ensure their own electoral success. The Green Deal’s survival is also threatened by a lack of priority in member states’ strategic agendas. The European Greens emphasize the importance of the Green Deal for Europe’s competitiveness and security, calling for a massive expansion of renewables and urging citizens to support candidates who prioritize environmental protection.
Maximilian Krah, the lead candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the upcoming European elections, has vowed to remain in his position despite allegations of espionage by one of his aides. Jian G., a 47-year-old aide to Krah in the European Parliament, was arrested on Monday and charged with spying for Chinese intelligence. Following the arrest, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office announced that G. was brought before an investigating judge and placed in pre-trial detention. The European Parliament also suspended G. with immediate effect. Krah has acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations but has denied any personal misconduct. He has stated that he will terminate G.’s employment and take a low profile at the start of the election campaign. Krah’s decision to remain as lead candidate has sparked controversy, with some members of the AfD expressing concerns about potential damage to the party’s reputation. Despite these concerns, Krah has stated that he is confident in his ability to lead the AfD and has dismissed any suggestion that he may step down.
