The desk
Clara Fontaine
Parliament Correspondent · European Parliament
Clara Fontaine reports on the European Parliament, its committees and its coalition arithmetic. She counts votes for a living and still occasionally wins.
Recent reporting
30 articlesMerz Warns of Escalating Russian Hybrid Tactics While Pledging Continued Aid to Kyiv
The German political leader cautions that Moscow's shadow war against European infrastructure will intensify alongside traditional battlefield operations.
Power Bills Surge as Madrid Prepares Parliamentary Test on Housing Decrees
Soaring energy costs across the EU coincide with a pivotal legislative vote in Spain's national parliament.
Madrid’s Warm Embrace of Beijing Causes Chills Across the EU
As Spain deepens its diplomatic and economic ties with China, capital cities across the bloc express growing frustration over a fractured European foreign policy.
Feijóo Demands EU Action in Ceuta, Blaming Madrid for Growing Crisis
Spain’s opposition leader calls on Brussels to step in and address what he characterises as a failure of national leadership.
France weighs emergency oil release under US pressure as Germany resists
Paris considers releasing 100 million barrels of fuel reserves, while Berlin balks at Washington's push for coordinated market intervention.
Pedro Sánchez Eyes Snap Election as Spanish Housing Defeat Looms
Facing a parliamentary setback over housing policy, Spain’s prime minister considers turning a legislative loss into a campaign strategy.
Parliament stakes out climate stance ahead of Antalya COP31 summit
Environment committee MEPs draw up their negotiation demands before the global climate conference in Turkey
Trump Demands EU Release Diesel Stocks or Face US Export Ban
Washington urges Brussels to open strategic fuel reserves to tame record domestic prices, threatening retaliatory supply cuts.
Merz Appeals for Resolve on Russia as Domestic Pressures Mount
Addressing a rising far right at home, the German chancellor warned citizens against fatigue in supporting Ukraine.
Bricked Gadgets and Vanishing Apps: Parliament Scratches Its Head Over Software Sunsetting
A new study from the European Parliament looks at what happens when tech companies turn off the lights on digital products—and what EU law might do about it.
Berlin Leadership Jitters Sound Alarm Bells Across the EU Bubble
As Friedrich Merz faces mounting internal strain, political allies are rushing to shut down whispers about party leadership before they reach Brussels.
Parliament Prepares for October Plenary Trek to Strasbourg
The European Parliament publishes its agenda preview ahead of the 5–8 October 2026 voting session in Alsace.
Putin Prepares Foreign Policy Address as Russia Doubles Down on Ukraine War
Signals from Moscow indicate no intention of halting the full-scale invasion, keeping European leaders focused on long-term conflict.
Call it War, Not 'Hybrid Attacks', Estonia Urges European Allies
Tallinn pushes Brussels and national capitals to drop diplomatic euphemisms and present a united front against Moscow.
Russian Jet-Powered Drone Explodes inside Moldovan Territory
The incident marks a fresh breach of Chișinău’s airspace as military spillover from the conflict in Ukraine reaches EU candidate state.
Emergency Response: Parliament Pushes to Overhaul EU Crisis Preparedness
Lawmakers want the bloc to anticipate disasters rather than simply reacting when emergency calls come in.
The €18 Billion Cushion: EU States Step In to Blunt Energy Price Spikes
National capitals deployed massive fiscal interventions across 2026 to insulate households and businesses from rising power costs.
Germany Warns EU Risks Losing Credibility Over Stalled Western Balkans Expansion
Foreign Minister Wadephul admits the bloc has 'not delivered' on its promises to candidate countries.
Paris Eyes €43B in Spending Cuts as Budget Survival Relies on Opposition Grace
France aims to trim its deficit to 5 per cent of GDP, but domestic arithmetic makes every euro depend on parliamentary maneuvering.
European Capitals Push Back Against US Demands to Tap Strategic Diesel Reserves
Britain, France, and Germany unite in an emergency session to deliver an 'assertive' response to transatlantic pressure over fuel stockpiles.
Crisis as Catalyst: Merz Points to European Opportunities Under Mounting Pressure
Germany's political rhetoric suggests external strain could serve as the engine for broader European action.
Carbon Copy: Rome and Prague Push EU to Ease Climate Rules as Energy Bills Surge
Rising energy costs prompt Italy and the Czech Republic to demand regulatory relief from Brussels.
Mark Rutte Calls on Russia to Stop Nuclear Rhetoric at Security Summit
Speaking at a defence gathering in Brussels, the NATO chief warned Moscow that strategic intimidation will not undermine Western resolve.
Nervous Capital: Deutsche Bank Boss Warns Political Shift Is Scaring Off Foreign Money
As political uncertainty deepens in Europe's largest economy, corporate leadership flags growing concern among international investors.
Guns Over Fiscal Strain: France Presses Ahead with Defence Spending Boost
Paris honours its military planning law despite increasingly tight state coffers.
Security Alarms Sound Across Europe Over Moscow and Beijing
National intelligence services issue joint warnings over growing security threats from Russia and China.
Russian Duma Vote in Focus as European Parliament Tracks Moscow's Electoral Landscape
A analysis from Parliament's research services looks ahead to Russia's September 2026 legislative elections.
Parliament Decodes Maritime Fuel Transition as EU Shipping Targets Loom
A new European Parliament briefing examines the technical and regulatory hurdles of steering ships off heavy fuel oil.
Distance on the Right: Portugal’s Far-Right Leader Acknowledges Trump ‘Made Mistakes’
A rare moment of public criticism from Lisbon highlights the delicate balancing act European nationalists face with Washington.
Six Convicted of Manslaughter Over 2021 Channel Migrant Tragedy
A trial has found six individuals guilty of involvement in two smuggling networks linked to the deaths of 31 people.