Leader: Giorgia Meloni

Aalst (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Aalst seeks a sustainable solution for the fountain’s repair plan. Only 2 out of 10 are still working. Alderman Iwein De Koninck cites neglect, poor design, and drought. 
As VRT News reported, Aalst’s city fountains are causing concern among residents, as most have been dry for almost the whole summer. Only 2 out of 10 are still working. City officials say th

Brussels – The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), a crucial legislation aimed at safeguarding journalistic independence within the EU, will take effect on Friday, August 8. This law seeks to shield media independence and diversity from political influence and the pressure exerted by large private entities.
Key concerns include the concentration of media ownership, the influence of advertising con

The group supporting Macron has recently taken action aimed at countering the far right’s claim that its supporters are being ignored. A pro-Macron MP mentioned that excluding National Rally lawmakers from parliamentary roles only strengthens the party’s narrative of being marginalized by the system.
Incorporating far-right MPs would weaken the so-called “firewall” or cordo

Molenbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Acting Molenbeek mayor Saliha Raiss (Vooruit) urges stronger federal action after a shooting on Waterpasstraat. She and Jef Van Damme want lasting safety plans against Brussels’ drug violence.
As GVA News reported, Saliha Raiss, acting mayor of Molenbeek and member of Vooruit, is asking the federal government for stronger help against drug violence in Bru

Washington (dpa) – Following the directive of US President Donald Trump, new tariffs on imports from the EU and various other nations will begin on Thursday. US officials state that this regulation will take effect from midnight (Eastern Time), which translates to 6:00 AM in Germany. However, the EU Commission asserts that the start date for the 15 percent tariff on most EU imports to the US is s

Who governs the world and what drives them? Our summer special focuses on the most powerful and controversial politicians of our time. We explore their thoughts, decisions, and what it means for us. One politician each day, offering a peek behind the scenes of power.
In the Power Player Series:
04.08.2025 – Vladimir Putin05.08.2025 – Marine Le Pen06.08.2025 – Javier Milei07.08.2025 – Xi Jinping08

Londerzeel (Eurotoday Newspaper) – In Londerzeel, council member Guido Robberechts and officials Greet Ilegems and Bart Van Doren highlighted farmers’ road access problems, pushing for better planning to support farm vehicles, emergency services, and deliveries.
As VRT News reported, in Londerzeel, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, farm vehicles are having trouble using local roads. M

Last year, the Refugee Board handled numerous Dublin cases, which have become increasingly complex.
According to the board’s 2024 report, these cases should theoretically be straightforward to process.
“If all parties adhered to their EU legal obligations under the Dublin Regulation, processing these cases would be relatively simple,” stated Stig Torp Henriksen, head of the board’s secretar

The judges emphasized that neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides including acetamiprid that disrupts insects’ nervous systems, can only be used in exceptional cases, for limited durations, and on specific crops. The law’s text failed to meet these criteria, according to the judges.
Called “Loi Duplomb” after the conservative senator who proposed it, the law was a reaction

Sint-Pieters-Leeuw (Eurotoday) – People in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, especially older residents from Negenmanneke and Zuun, oppose building a Chiro youth center on busy pétanque courts. Mayor Jan Desmeth promises a fair solution soon.
As VRT News reported, people in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, are not happy with the council’s plan to build a new Chiro youth buildin