Greens in focus: shaping climate, social justice and reform on policy stages across Europe and partner governments; currently navigating coalition dynamics and systemic challenges.
Die Linke faces intensified scrutiny as Berlin coalition talks continue, amid accusations of antisemitism within the party’s Berlin branch and related protests. Elif Eralp’s bid to become Berlin mayor is complicated by the controversy, with leaders calling for accountability and clearer distancing from antisemitic positions.
Two early‑season heatwaves have broken June temperature records across western Europe, pushing many locations above 40°C, triggering red alerts, disrupting transport and power, and causing dozens of deaths in France and other countries. Scientists have said human‑caused warming has made this event far more likely and night‑time temperatures have remained unusually high.
Australian actor Paul Hogan has dismissed Pauline Hanson’s monoculture proposal as out of step with the country’s diverse society. Hanson’s National Press Club address has triggered polling swings, with Labor gaining in Newspoll and Redbridge, while One Nation’s popularity slips. Experts say Hanson’s monoculture concept misreads Japan’s demographics and ignores Australia’s own diversity.
Public Health France has counted 8,973 deaths in the week of June 22–28, a 29% rise from the prior week, with 2,025 additional deaths recorded overall. Paris remains hardest hit as heat records are broken across Europe amid a heatwave linked to climate change.
Labour’s Andy Burnham has taken office as prime minister, facing immediate pressure over cabinet changes, North Sea policy, and party cohesion, while Reform UK and other rivals reposition for the next general election.
Australian One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has failed to overturn a court ruling that she racially discriminated against Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi by telling her to “piss off back to Pakistan” in a 2022 tweet. The Full Federal Court confirms the 2024 finding, ruling the post unlawful and not protected as free speech.
France is entering a pivotal presidential contest in 2027. Marine Le Pen leads early polls, while the left remains fragmented. Centre and reformist contenders contemplate primaries, amid debates on Europe, the economy, and national security.
The AfD has surged in Saxony-Anhalt, threatening to win an outright majority in the state election. CDU trails and coalition dynamics loom as parties weigh their options in the wake of a results shock that could reshape Germany’s political landscape.
Australia has proposed a Digital Duty of Care that will force social platforms to offer users aged 16 and over a choice between algorithmic recommendation feeds or a feed limited to accounts they follow. The draft bill will require platforms to notify users, target addictive design features for under‑18s and allow fines up to A$109.2m for non‑compliance.
California has signed a package of 13 laws aimed at protecting minors online and regulating AI-enabled toys and tools. The measures penalize platforms for harmful content, ban addictive features for users under 16, require risk assessments for AI chatbots, and require parental controls. The bills are highlighted as the nation’s broadest set of youth-tech safeguards to date.
Regional elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin show the CDU losing ground to the AfD, with Merz under pressure as coalition dynamics shift and economic frustration grows. The AfD leads inMecklenburg-Vorpommern and gains momentum nationwide, while Berlin hints at coalition recalibration.
Berlin’s state election has put Elif Eralp of Die Linke on track to become the city’s governing mayor. Her victory signals a potential historic shift and faces coalition hurdles as pro-poor housing plans meet resistance from other parties.