Norway is the latest country to gain visa-free access to China.
03.09.2024 - 04:33 / euronews.com
The results of the two regional elections in Germany's East have sent shock waves through Europe.
That a far-right party known for its relativism and ambiguity about Germany's Nazi past was able to win was met with horror and disbelief.
The leader of the liberal group in the European Parliament, Valérie Hayer, called it "unprecedented" and "a dark day" for Germany and for Europe.
The European Commissioner for the economy, Paolo Gentiloni, posted a bitter comment on the strong results of the far right and the populist far left: "Friends of Russia in a former USSR satellite state. Enemies of migrants in the German area with little immigration. Rancour against everything and everyone".
It seems unlikely that the AfD and far-left Sarah Wagenknecht party will turn this majority of opinion into a governing coalition, but could this strong anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russion sentiment influence the German or even the European position on supporting Ukraine?
Peter Hefele is Policy Director at the centre-right think tank Wilfried Martens Centre in Brussels. He told Euronews:
"Luckily, the Länder do not decide on foreign policy. So the support [for Ukraine] in Germany, according to all the polls, we know is quite high and the same goes for Europe. [But] If you look into the numbers of young people who voted - up to 40% - for the extremist parties then this is really about the future and the vision we can give them, and about their hopes."
One of the biggest losers of both regional elections has been the Green party, part of the governing coalition in Berlin. In Thuringia, they failed to get a single legislator elected.
Does that spell trouble for Germany's ambitious energy transition goals? German Green MEP Michael Bloss believes that the narrative surrounding the transition should focus more on what has already been achieved, especially in Germany's East, as he explained to Euronews:
"The transition is working. We are almost world leaders in renewables' acceleration, energy prices are coming down from where they were when Putin blackmailed us with his gas.
There are different things that we need to address in the Eastern parts. We in Germany overall need to appreciate more of what they have already done in terms of transformation and how they have already achieved a lot."
But with the political landscape changed beyond recognition and former governing coalitions reduced to irrelevance, the newly elected legislators in Saxony and Thuringia will first of all have to somehow find a way of forming a government.
Norway is the latest country to gain visa-free access to China.
Germany has announced that it is tightening checks at its land borders in a bid to control "irregular migration".
Plan an escape to Europe or beyond starting at less than $500 thanks to this KLM Royal Dutch Airlines fall and winter sale.
Right now, American Airlines is offering some serious bargains on round-trip flights to some of Europe’s most iconic destinations, with prices starting at under $500. The sale, which runs through September 17, covers flights departing on select dates between now and May 2024. Travelers can take advantage of discounted flights to such timeless cities as Athens, Dublin, London, Lisbon, Paris, Venice and many more.
VIVA Cruises will offer a wide selection of river cruises throughout Europe this holiday season.
Over the last several years, United Airlines has taken the scissors to its own schedule in a big way.
Icelandic airline Play is making family travel easier by offering $2 fares for kids when an adult books a trip to Europe.
American Airlines has just discounted dozens of round-trip flights to Athens, Venice, and other dreamy European cities — all starting at under $500.
Sep 9, 2024 • 4 min read
Sad to see the end of summer? September is still a great time for a train adventure thanks to extended deals from French national rail operator SNCF.
As the summer travel season winds down, travelers can take advantage of fall travel deals as a jumpstart for their next vacation. Norse Atlantic Airways, a discount European airline, recently revealed dozens of flight deals on flights from the United States to Europe throughout the rest of 2024 and early 2025 as part of a September Sale. The sale extends to several top tourist destinations in Europe including Athens, Berlin, London, and Rome, all for less than $200 one-way. Travelers can purchase the fare sale tickets between today and September 12, however the tickets are sold in limited quantities, which means the sale could end sooner. Best of all, the discounts are available in Norse’s Economy Light cabin, which, as of September 2, will also include a standard carry-on bag. The cabin class previously had a fee for carry-on bags, or required the purchase of a higher class of fare. In addition to Economy Light, Norse offers Economy Classic which includes a meal service and standard checked bag, and Economy Flextra which includes priority boarding and is a refundable fare. Travel + Leisure spotted dozens of one-way flight deals available including:
Sep 4, 2024 • 5 min read