> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://middlepowers.fyi/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Western Europe

> Week of February 2, 2026

## Regional Summary

**The Rearming of Europe's Conscience**

Governments across western Europe are projecting force abroad while bleeding authority at home, and the gap between the two is widening and forcing a reckoning. External strength is advancing faster than domestic support can sustain it.

Germany offers the starkest case. Friedrich Merz, the chancellor, has within months stationed heavy armour 30 kilometres from the Belarusian border, proposed giving the Federal Intelligence Service offensive cyber capabilities that critics call unconstitutional, and toured the Gulf to replace values-based diplomacy with interest-based deal-making. Yet his Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union has slipped to 25% in the polls, behind the Alternative for Germany at 26%, and the German business federation has written to express "blank horror" at the government's economic stewardship. Mr Merz's personal approval has fallen five points. He is building an expeditionary state on a crumbling electoral base, and Iran's foreign minister — who called him a man of "disgusting character" — may be crude, but he is not wrong to detect nervousness.

Britain shows the same problem compressed into a single week. NATO began planning an Arctic mission, the defence secretary negotiated a billion-pound helicopter deal, and the Bank of England held rates steady — all the machinery of a functioning state humming along. Meanwhile Keir Starmer, the prime minister, lost his chief of staff, then his communications director, while the Scottish Labour leader called for Mr Starmer's head and the King was heckled in public over the Epstein affair. The Mandelson crisis has not just embarrassed Downing Street; it has collapsed the prime minister's inner circle while the government's external commitments roll forward on autopilot.

France shows how far a leader can push this gap before it becomes structural. Emmanuel Macron, the president, has placed record military orders — 38 billion euros in 2025, with 42 billion projected for next year — and French intelligence is countering Russian disinformation operations. But Michel Lecornu, the prime minister, has now resorted to Article 49.3 three times to pass a budget, confirming that basic governance depends on bypassing parliament rather than persuading it. Marine Le Pen's appeal trial may yet leave her free to run in 2027, and Jordan Bardella, her protégé, is already positioning himself as heir, meaning the National Rally can threaten from two directions at once. The Interior Ministry's reclassification of France Unbowed as "extreme left" is a small administrative act that reveals large anxiety: when the centre cannot win arguments, it redraws categories.

The same pattern appears elsewhere. Pedro Sánchez, Spain's prime minister, faces crowds shouting "thief" and "fascist" in Cádiz even as his country's banks post record profits and his government picks fights with Elon Musk; Vox has doubled its seats in Aragón to become kingmaker. In Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, the prime minister, announces joint air-defence procurement with Denmark and warns of Russian interference while his deputy calls him "petty" on television and Jimmie Åkesson, the Sweden Democrats' leader, declares himself ready for the premiership. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, holds 45% approval but watches a former general splinter her coalition partner's party while leaked Epstein documents tie Matteo Salvini to Steve Bannon. Jonas Gahr Støre, Norway's prime minister, publicly rebukes his own crown princess, a former premier faces corruption charges, and an ambassador resigns — all over the same transatlantic scandal — even as intelligence services declare the gravest security environment since the second world war.

What connects these cases is not just that Europe is rearming, or that populism is rising, or that old scandals are resurfacing. It is that the political classes capable of sustaining long-term military and diplomatic commitments are losing the domestic legitimacy those commitments need. Armies can be deployed by executive decision; keeping them deployed demands durable coalitions, parliamentary majorities, and public trust. Across western Europe this week, all three are in shorter supply than the ammunition orders suggest. The continent is building a harder shell around a softer core, and that is a structure which does not hold.

## Country Summaries

### <img src="https://flagcdn.com/de.svg" width="32" alt="Germany" style={{display: 'inline', verticalAlign: 'middle', position: 'relative', top: '-2px', marginRight: '8px', border: '1px solid #d1d5db', borderRadius: '2px'}} />Germany

Germany has deployed its first permanent combat brigade abroad since 1945, positioning 1,800 soldiers in Lithuania just 30km from the Belarus border in a historic break with post-war military restraint.

The Bundeswehr's Lithuania brigade officially took command of the multinational battlegroup Lithuania and will eventually reach 4,800 soldiers plus 200 civilians by 2027, including the Panzer Battalion 203 and Panzergrenadier Battalion 122 with heavy armour. Even as Germany commits troops to NATO's eastern flank, it is expanding intelligence capabilities beyond post-war constraints. Chancellery chief Thorsten Frei announced plans for a new Federal Intelligence Service (BND) law giving Germany's foreign intelligence service operational capabilities including disrupting drone communications, disabling crypto wallets, and conducting cyber operations — what opposition critics called a potentially unconstitutional "Tabubruch" (taboo break) regarding the separation between police and intelligence services.

The military transformation coincides with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's most ambitious diplomatic diversification since reunification. Mr Merz visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE for the first time as Chancellor, meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other leaders to establish strategic partnerships despite human rights concerns. The trip focused on finding new partners in a "rauer werdende Welt" (roughening world) and moving away from values-based toward interest-based foreign policy. Mr Merz said Germany no longer puts Gulf states under "Generalverdacht" (general suspicion). The pivot beyond traditional Western frameworks extended to the Indo-Pacific, where Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul toured Singapore, New Zealand, Tonga, Australia, and Brunei to counter Chinese influence. Germany formally recognised the Pacific island state of Niue and signed raw materials agreements with Australia, with Mr Wadephul emphasising the importance of cooperating with "gleichgesinnten Ländern" (like-minded countries) amid global upheaval.

This external assertiveness contrasts sharply with domestic political fragility. INSA polling shows the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) has dropped to 25% while Alternative for Germany (AfD) holds 26%, marking the CDU's return to second place. Mr Merz's personal approval fell from 28% to 23%. The German business federation sent a critical letter expressing "blankes Entsetzen" (blank horror) at the government's economic policies after nine months in office, with 79% saying they see no "engagiertes Bemühen" (engaged effort) to address their concerns. Compounding the crisis, the CDU is engulfed in internal conflict over social policy proposals to restrict part-time work rights and cut dental care, with the party's worker association calling the proposals from "super-privileged" elites unacceptable and state election candidates publicly rejecting federal party positions.

Iran responded to Germany's tougher stance with personal attacks, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling Mr Merz a person with "widerwärtiger Charakter" (disgusting character) and expressing hope for government change in Berlin. Mr Merz responded coolly, calling it an expression of "great nervousness and uncertainty."

<Accordion title="Other Stories">
  * **Federal President Steinmeier attends Winter Olympics in Italy** — Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attended the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, visiting the Olympic village, watching German ice hockey women's team defeat Japan, and expressing hopes for medals and peace. He also witnessed American ski racer Lindsey Vonn's crash. *([zeit.de](https://nord24.de/sport/steinmeier-drueckt-deutschem-team-die-daumen-351278.html))*
  * **Defence Minister Pistorius modernises Bundeswehr with innovation centre and recruitment drive** — Defence Minister Boris Pistorius opened a new Bundeswehr innovation centre in Erding focused on AI, drones, and future military technology. Separately, the military has sent over 40,000 questionnaires to potential recruits as part of the new voluntary military service system, aiming to recruit 20,000 new soldiers by year-end. *([fr.de](https://deutschland.de/de/news/pistorius-eroffnet-innovationszentrum-der-bundeswehr))*
  * **Federal President Steinmeier honours train conductor killed on duty and other ceremonial functions** — Mr Steinmeier expressed condolences to the family of murdered train conductor Serkan C. at a memorial service in Ludwigshafen. He also announced a state funeral for former Bundestag President Rita Süssmuth and awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf to medal winners from international sports competitions. *([zeit.de](https://zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2026-02/bahnmitarbeiter-tod-trauerfeier))*
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Notes">
  <ResponseField name="Merz conducts first Gulf region trip as Chancellor seeking strategic partnerships" type="February 4-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (15)">
      * [Ihn zieht's hinaus — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-02/friedrich-merz-aussenpolitik-trump-china-cdu)
      * [Man begegnet sich "herzlich und offen" — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-02/friedrich-merz-saudi-arabien-golf-aussenpolitik)
      * [Merz stellt Golfstaaten nicht unter "Generalverdacht" — tagesschau.de](https://tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/energie/merz-saudi-arabien-partnerschaft-100.html)
      * [Merz in den Golfstaaten: Außenpolitische Wende – Handschlag statt Kritik — t-online.de](https://t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/internationale-politik/id_101117374/merz-in-den-golfstaaten-aussenpolitische-wende-handschlag-statt-kritik.html)
      * [Merz am Persischen Golf: "Welch großes Potenzial wir haben" — tagesschau.de](https://tagesschau.de/ausland/asien/merz-golfstaaten-fuehrung-100.html)
      * [Scheichs locken mit Milliarden: Merz drei Tage auf brisanter Mission durch die Golfregion — merkur.de](https://merkur.de/politik/trotz-menschenrechts-kritik-merz-sucht-partner-bei-den-scheichs-94155120.html)
      * [Wirtschaftsgespräche: Bundeskanzler Merz reist in die Golfregion — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-02/friedrich-merz-reise-golfregion)
      * [Charme-Offensive bei «verlässlichen Partnern» am Golf — radiorst.de](https://radiorst.de/artikel/herzlich-und-offen-merz-beim-saudischen-kronprinzen-2565249.html)
      * ["Herzlich und offen": Merz beim saudischen Kronprinzen — wz.de](https://wz.de/politik/ausland/herzlich-und-offen-merz-beim-saudischen-kronprinzen_aid-143391293)
      * [Trotz Menschenrechtslage: Merz setzt bei Golfstaaten nur auf Wirtschaft — fr.de](https://fr.de/meinung/kommentare/trotz-menschenrechtslage-merz-setzt-bei-golfstaaten-nur-auf-wirtschaft-94156784.html)
      * [Kanzler-Reise in die Golfregion: Merz ist so realistisch, dass es wehtut — n-tv.de](https://n-tv.de/politik/politik_kommentare/Merz-ist-so-realistisch-dass-es-wehtut-id30332926.html)
      * [Friedrich Merz in Saudi-Arabien: Merz sucht neue Allianzen in der Golfregion — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/2026-02/friedrich-merz-saudi-arabien-nachrichtenpodcast)
      * [Strategischer Aufbruch: Merz stärkt Partnerschaften am Golf — cdu.de](https://cdu.de/aktuelles/aussenpolitik/strategischer-aufbruch-merz-staerkt-partnerschaften-am-golf)
      * [Kirche-und-Leben.de - Merz in Golfstaaten: Was der Missio-Präsident vom Bundeskanzler fordert — kirche-und-leben.de](https://kirche-und-leben.de/artikel/bundeskanzler-friedrich-merz-cdu-golf-staaten-reise-missio-kritik-menschenrechte-wirtschaft-deals)
      * [Außenpolitik: Merz reist in die Golfregion, um Partnerschaften zu stärken — sueddeutsche.de](https://sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundesregierung-liveblog-cdu-golfregion-zusammenarbeit-aussenpolitik-li.3366225)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Iranian Foreign Minister personally attacks Chancellor Merz, calling him 'disgusting character'" type="February 5-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (5)">
      * ["Widerwärtiger Charakter": Iranischer Minister attackiert Kanzler Merz wegen Drohung — t-online.de](https://t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/internationale-politik/id_101115758/merz-droht-iran-aussenminister-kontert-widerwaertiger-charakter-.html)
      * [Irans Minister greift Merz an: Eskalation droht — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/ausland-und-internationales/irans-minister-greift-merz-an-eskalation-droht-69846e8a82b7e6e05f51b17c)
      * [Iran: Friedrich Merz kontert Provokation und fordert Dialog mit den USA — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundeskanzler-friedrich-merz-kontert-iranische-provokation-und-fordert-dialog-mit-den-usa-a-d37ca09b-b12d-4c3c-b9dc-921c6e4a9c00)
      * [Iran-Minister attestiert Merz "widerwärtigen Charakter" - der reagiert kühl — focus.de](https://focus.de/politik/ausland/widerwaertiger-charakter-irans-aussenminister-attackiert-kanzler-merz_969810fb-d3b1-415e-9cab-18445af2a5f2.html)
      * [Irans Außenminister attackiert Kanzler Merz: „Widerwärtiger Charakter" — rnd.de](https://rnd.de/politik/irans-aussenminister-attackiert-kanzler-merz-widerwaertiger-charakter-BK7QTESXXZGCZL5SQMDLSBRKFI.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Merz faces domestic political troubles with declining polls and business criticism" type="February 6-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (6)">
      * [Merz stürzt ab: Union hinter AfD — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/inland/merz-stuerzt-ab-union-hinter-afd-69861161a98670650cfa2151)
      * [Merz in der Kritik: Mittelstand schreibt Brandbrief – "blankes Entsetzen" — t-online.de](https://t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/parteien/id_101117754/merz-in-der-kritik-mittelstand-schreibt-brandbrief-blankes-entsetzen-.html)
      * [OPINION: Merz really needs to talk Germany up or he'll hand the country to extremists — thelocal.de](https://www.thelocal.de/20260206/opinion-merz-really-needs-to-talk-germany-up-or-hell-hand-the-country-to-extremists)
      * [Unzufriedenheit des Mittelstand über Merz wächst: Nun erhielt der Kanzler einen Brandbrief — merkur.de](https://merkur.de/wirtschaft/blankes-entsetzen-deutscher-mittelstand-attackiert-merz-in-brandbrief-fuer-wirtschaftspolitik-zr-94159210.html)
      * [Aktuelle Umfrage: Merz verliert weiter Rückhalt – CDU/CSU fällt erneut hinter AfD zurück — merkur.de](https://merkur.de/politik/merz-verliert-weiter-rueckhalt-in-umfrage-union-faellt-hinter-afd-zr-94159460.html)
      * ["Nach einem Jahr Merz bleibt nur Enttäuschung und Wut": Leser ziehen nach Mittelstand-Brandbrief Bilanz — focus.de](https://focus.de/die-debatte/nach-einem-jahr-merz-bleibt-nur-enttaeuschung-und-wut-leser-ziehen-nach-mittelstand-brandbrief-bilanz_6687c79b-7166-47cc-ab26-64ba20bad710.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="CDU social policy proposals spark internal party conflict over 'lifestyle part-time work'" type="February 2-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (7)">
      * [Sozialstaat: Da haben die Sozis Friedrich Merz so richtig geleimt — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/sozialstaat-da-haben-die-sozis-friedrich-merz-so-richtig-geleimt-a-e96d4bbb-b9ad-4158-9805-814c1d88d4c3)
      * [Ohne "Lifestyle" - CDU ändert umstrittenen Antrag zur Teilzeit — tagesschau.de](https://tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/teilzeit-cdu-antrag-parteitag-100.html)
      * [Wirtschaftsministerin Reiche macht sich rar: Klingbeil füllt die Lücke — faz.net](https://faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsministerin-reiche-macht-sich-rar-klingbeil-fuellt-die-luecke-accg-110829197.html)
      * [Teilzeit-Debatte: CDU streicht Begriff "Lifestyle-Teilzeit" aus Antrag für Parteitag — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-02/teilzeitarbeit-cdu-antrag-lifestyle-teilzeit-aenderung)
      * [CDU-Wahlkämpfer stemmen sich gegen Unionsideen zu Sozialkürzungen — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/cdu-wahlkaempfer-stemmen-sich-gegen-unionsideen-zu-sozialkuerzungen-a-afe446b2-8979-44bb-bd8b-330ab9e01d51)
      * [Widerstand in der Union gegen soziale Einschnitte — tagesschau.de](https://tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/radtke-cdu-wirtschaftsrat-100.html)
      * [Heftige Kritik an CDU-Zahnarzt-Plan: Doch ein Detail hält Experte für diskutabel — focus.de](https://focus.de/politik/deutschland/heftige-kritik-an-cdu-zahnarzt-plan-doch-ein-detail-haelt-experte-fuer-diskutabel_3acf505f-b10e-47b5-8c70-2105811870d2.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Federal President Steinmeier attends Winter Olympics in Italy" type="February 4-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (6)">
      * [Winterspiele in Italien: Daumen hoch: Was das deutsche Olympia-Team erwartet — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/news/2026-02/04/daumen-hoch-was-das-deutsche-olympia-team-erwartet)
      * [Steinmeier drückt deutschem Team die Daumen — nord24.de](https://nord24.de/sport/steinmeier-drueckt-deutschem-team-die-daumen-351278.html)
      * [Auch Steinmeier jubelt: Eishockey-Frauen holen ersten Sieg — wz.de](https://wz.de/sport/eishockey/auch-steinmeier-jubelt-eishockey-frauen-holen-ersten-sieg_aid-143520039)
      * [Olympia 2026: Steinmeier drückt deutschem Team die Daumen — news.de](https://news.de/sport/859327918/steinmeier-drueckt-deutschem-team-die-daumen-olympia-news-der-dpa-aktuell-zu-gesellschaft/1)
      * ["Doppelte Tragödie!" Steinmeier sah Olympia-Sturz von Lindsey Vonn — sportbild.bild.de](https://sportbild.bild.de/olympia/bundespraesident-steinmeier-sah-alles-mit-an-vonn-sturz-ist-eine-doppelte-tragoedie-69889eec088305faf4ff6dc6)
      * [Olympia 2026: Eishockey bei Winterspielen ist nicht Heated Rivalry — faz.net](https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/olympische-winterspiele/olympia-2026-bundespraesident-steinmeier-und-die-problematischen-spiele-2036-110831644.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Defense Minister Pistorius modernizes Bundeswehr with innovation center and recruitment drive" type="February 2-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (10)">
      * [Warum Pistorius in zwei bis drei Monaten über die Wehrpflicht entscheidet - erste Rückmeldungen sind da — fr.de](https://www.fr.de/politik/warum-pistorius-in-zwei-bis-drei-monaten-ueber-die-wehrpflicht-entscheidet-zr-94154201.html)
      * [Bundeswehr: Pistorius: Über 40.000 Fragebögen für Wehrdienst versendet — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/news/2026-02/03/pistorius-ueber-40-000-frageboegen-fuer-wehrdienst-versendet)
      * [Beschaffung auf Rekordkurs: 212 Milliarden Euro für die Bundeswehr — esut.de](https://esut.de/2026/02/fachbeitraege/67231/212-milliarden-euro-fuer-die-bundeswehr-beschaffung-auf-rekordkurs)
      * [Pistorius eröffnet Innovationszentrum der Bundeswehr — deutschland.de](https://deutschland.de/de/news/pistorius-eroffnet-innovationszentrum-der-bundeswehr)
      * [Verteidigung: Pistorius eröffnet Innovationszentrum der Bundeswehr — augsburger-allgemeine.de](https://augsburger-allgemeine.de/bayern/verteidigung-pistorius-eroeffnet-innovationszentrum-der-bundeswehr-113350890)
      * [Boris Pistorius: Den Weg der Unterstützung für die Ukraine weitergehen — bundestag.de](https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2026/kw09-de-regierungsbefragung-1139484)
      * [Boris Pistorius kommt nach Schwerte — antenneunna.de](https://antenneunna.de/artikel/boris-pistorius-kommt-nach-schwerte-2567217)
      * ["Haben schon viele zurück": Bundeswehr hat über 40.000 Fragebögen verschickt — n-tv.de](https://n-tv.de/politik/Bundeswehr-hat-ueber-40-000-Frageboegen-verschickt-id30318892.html)
      * [Pistorius: Umbau der Bundeswehr läuft auf Hochtouren — br.de](https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/pistorius-umbau-der-bundeswehr-laeuft-auf-hochtouren,VAAZ40F)
      * [Bundeswehr-Offensive: 40.000 Fragebögen verschickt — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/inland/bundeswehr-offensive-40-000-frageboegen-verschickt-69820d026f72c99c11b1a989)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Foreign Minister Wadephul conducts Indo-Pacific diplomatic tour" type="February 1-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (11)">
      * [Wadephul wirbt im Indopazifik um Partner — zdfheute.de](https://www.zdfheute.de/video/heute-nachrichten/wadepuhl-reise-australien-staerkung-zusammenarbeit-video-100.html)
      * [Wadephul in Australien: "Großes Interesse" an Rohstoffen — zdfheute.de](https://zdfheute.de/politik/ausland/johann-wadephul-australien-rohstoffe-lithium-100.html)
      * [Mehr Rohstoffe aus Australien: Deutschland erweitert Partnerschaft — tagesschau.de](https://tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/weltwirtschaft/deutschland-rohstoff-partnerschaft-australien-100.html)
      * [Wadephul lobt die "Bedeutung": Deutschland hat nun diplomatische Beziehungen mit Niue — n-tv.de](https://n-tv.de/politik/Deutschland-hat-nun-diplomatische-Beziehungen-mit-Niue-id30318479.html)
      * [Wadephul im Indopazifik: Die Welt wird ungemütlicher — faz.net](https://faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/wadephul-im-indopazifik-die-welt-wird-ungemuetlicher-110829805.html)
      * [Singapur: Johann Wadephul auf Freihandelsmission in Asien — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/wirtschaft/singapur-johann-wadephul-auf-freihandelsmission-in-asien-a-2803625a-b3f2-4ce8-bcb7-83576355812b)
      * [Wadephul: "Billiger Ablenkungsversuch Russlands" — zdfheute.de](https://zdfheute.de/politik/ausland/wadephul-revanchismus-ukraine-krieg-russland-100.html)
      * [Asien und Pazifik: Johann Wadephul will Partnerschaften im Indopazifik ausbauen — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/2026-02/asien-pazifik-usa-wadephul-partnerschaften)
      * [Seltene Zeremonie: Wadephul und die Pazifik-Insel Niue — op-online.de](https://op-online.de/politik/seltene-zeremonie-wadephul-und-die-pazifik-insel-niue-zr-94151743.html)
      * [Wadephul besucht Südsee-Königreich Tonga — boerse.de](https://boerse.de/nachrichten/Wadephul-besucht-Suedsee-Koenigreich-Tonga/38121933)
      * [Deutschland und Singapur wollen Partnerschaft vertiefen — nordbayern.de](https://nordbayern.de/politik/deutschland-und-singapur-wollen-partnerschaft-vertiefen-1.14992100)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Finance Minister Klingbeil visits Poland and SPD plans new party program" type="February 2-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (8)">
      * [Antrittsbesuch in Polen: Bundesfinanzminister Klingbeil will Europas Rüstungsindustrie stärken — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-02/bundesfinanzminister-lars-klingbeil-europa-ruestungsindustrie-staerken)
      * [SPD-Grundsatzprogramm: Lars Klingbeil und Bärbel Bas setzen auf Sozialstaat — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/spd-grundsatzprogramm-klingbeil-und-bas-setzen-auf-sozialstaat-a-b95e565f-1110-4454-b8dd-24eaf52fadb7)
      * [Klingbeil besucht Liebherr und verspricht mehr Tempo in der Politik — schwaebische.de](https://schwaebische.de/wirtschaft/klingbeil-besucht-liebherr-und-verspricht-mehr-tempo-in-der-politik-4331851)
      * [SPD plant Sozialstaatsreform: Bas und Klingbeil führen — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/inland/spd-plant-sozialstaatsreform-bas-und-klingbeil-fuehren-6988bdca00d739e7f405a196)
      * [Wirtschaftsministerin Reiche macht sich rar: Klingbeil füllt die Lücke — faz.net](https://faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsministerin-reiche-macht-sich-rar-klingbeil-fuellt-die-luecke-accg-110829197.html)
      * [Klingbeil unterstützt Gesundheitsabgabe für alle — tagesschau.de](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/spd-klingbeil-bab-100.html)
      * [Zwei Grundsatzreden geplant: Bas erneuert die Partei und Klingbeil ordnet die Welt — tagesspiegel.de](https://tagesspiegel.de/politik/zwei-grundsatzreden-geplant-bas-erneuert-die-partei-und-klingbeil-ordnet-die-welt-15222080.html)
      * [SPD-Chef Klingbeil: Liberales Zeitalter geht gerade zu Ende — zdfheute.de](https://zdfheute.de/politik/deutschland/klingbeil-bas-spd-vorstand-klausur-programm-100.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="AfD faces nepotism allegations in Saxony-Anhalt ahead of key election" type="February 1-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (9)">
      * [AfD Sachsen-Anhalt: Warum regt das eigentlich keinen mehr auf? — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-01/afd-sachsen-anhalt-wahlprogramm-partei)
      * [AfD im Wahlkampf: Wie die Nähe zu Rechtsextremen zum Risiko wird — br.de](https://br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/afd-im-wahlkampf-wie-die-naehe-zu-rechtsextremen-zum-risiko-wird,VAMqdFh)
      * [AfD legt queerfeindliches Regierungsprogramm vor — campact.de](https://campact.de/blog/2026/02/afd-sachsen-anhalt-queerfeindliches-programm-von-selbsthass-geplagte-regenbogen-deutsche)
      * [AfD-Abgeordnete sollen Angehörige von Parteikollegen angestellt haben — mdr.de](https://mdr.de/nachrichten/sachsen-anhalt/landespolitik/afd-vetternwirtschaft-verdacht-familienangehoerige-anstellung-100.html)
      * [Dobrindt fordert: AfD politisch bekämpfen statt verbieten! — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/inland/dobrindt-fordert-afd-politisch-bekaempfen-statt-verbieten-6980c23bf0e62064809e259e)
      * ["Selbstbedienung" und "Vetternwirtschaft" – scharfe Kritik an AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt — t-online.de](https://t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/innenpolitik/id_101117424/afd-affaere-in-sachsen-anhalt-hat-ein-problem-mit-vetternwirtschaft-.html)
      * [Angriff auf den Regenbogen: Radikalisierung der AfD zeigt sich im Wahlprogramm für Sachsen-Anhalt — deutschlandfunk.de](https://deutschlandfunk.de/interview-benjamin-hoehne-politikwissenschaftler-das-afd-wahlprogramm-in-sachs-100.html)
      * [Vetternwirtschaft bei der AfD Sachsen-Anhalt? — faz.net](https://faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/vetternwirtschaft-bei-der-afd-sachsen-anhalt-110833042.html)
      * [Die Verwandten-Affäre der AfD — merkur.de](https://merkur.de/politik/afd-lenkt-steuergeld-an-verwandte-system-der-ueberkreuz-anstellungen-94160628.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="BND intelligence reform plans expand operational powers beyond information gathering" type="February 3-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (10)">
      * [Kanzleramtschef will neues BND-Gesetz noch in diesem Jahr — oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de](https://www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de/nachrichten/kanzleramtschef-will-neues-bnd-gesetz-noch-in-diesem-jahr-192244.html)
      * [„Schwerer politischer Tabubruch": Opposition kritisiert Kanzleramts-Pläne für BND mit mehr Befugnissen — tagesspiegel.de](https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/schwerer-politischer-tabubruch-opposition-kritisiert-kanzleramts-plane-fur-starkeren-bnd-15212938.html)
      * [Dobrindt plant umfassende Reform des Verfassungsschutzes und BND — allgemeine-zeitung.de](https://allgemeine-zeitung.de/politik/politik-deutschland/dobrindt-fuer-echten-geheimdienst-5389682)
      * [BND-Analyse: So viel gibt Russland wirklich für Militär aus — esut.de](https://esut.de/2026/02/meldungen/67588/bnd-analyse-so-viel-gibt-russland-wirklich-fuer-militaer-aus/)
      * [Von Notz (Grüne) über BND und Verfassungsschutz: "Wir müssen souveräner werden" — deutschlandfunk.de](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/int-konstantin-von-notz-mdb-gruene-dobrindts-plaene-fuer-echten-geheimdienst-100.html)
      * [Können die Nachrichtendienste zum Geheimdienst werden? — thepioneer.de](https://thepioneer.de/originals/others/articles/bnd-geheimdienst-alexander-dobrindt)
      * [BND: Wladimir Putin lügt über die wahren Kosten des Krieges — bild.de](https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland-und-internationales/bnd-wladimir-putin-luegt-ueber-die-wahren-kosten-des-krieges-6982ea58e2529c3c38c298ca)
      * [BND enthüllt: Russlands Militärausgaben sind viel höher als angegeben — t-online.de](https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/id_101113730/russland-verschleiert-militaerausgaben-bnd-sieht-wachsende-bedrohung.html)
      * [BND-Analyse: Russland gibt deutlich mehr Geld fürs Militär aus als angenommen — spiegel.de](https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bnd-analyse-russland-gibt-deutlich-mehr-geld-fuers-militaer-aus-als-angenommen-a-a52665aa-0ac8-418a-a67d-2d8c3960e7e0)
      * [BND: „Wachhund mit Maulkorb" oder Spitzenliga-Geheimdienst — focus.de](https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/bnd-wachhund-mit-maulkorb-oder-spitzenliga-geheimdienst_d0aa6296-20ce-4c6c-878e-a8da36e72ec9.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Bundeswehr expands Lithuania brigade and conducts major convoy operations" type="February 2-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (10)">
      * [Warum die Litauen-Brigade der Bundeswehr wächst — tagesschau.de](https://tagesschau.de/inland/brigade-litauen-nato-100.html)
      * [Bundeswehr stationiert 4800 Soldaten dauerhaft in Litauen — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/ausland-und-internationales/bundeswehr-stationiert-4800-soldaten-dauerhaft-in-litauen-6982df9ef0e62064809e4020)
      * [Germany stations army brigade in Lithuania amid Russian threat — euronews.com](https://euronews.com/2026/02/02/why-germany-is-stationing-a-bundeswehr-brigade-in-lithuania)
      * [Bundeswehr: Litauen-Brigade übernimmt Kommando über Soldaten von Nato-Staaten — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-02/bundeswehr-litauen-panzerbrigade-45-nato-battlegroup)
      * [Bundeswehr wants increased presence on NATO's eastern border — deutschland.de](https://deutschland.de/en/news/bundeswehr-wants-increased-presence-on-natos-eastern-border)
      * [Bundeswehr plant Konvoi durch drei Bundesländer — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/panorama/bundeswehr-plant-konvoi-durch-drei-bundeslaender-a-5edf59dd-762f-4e0c-b2db-982f28a4d82d)
      * [Bundeswehr: Konvoi fährt durch NRW, Niedersachsen und Sachsen-Anhalt — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/auto/vorsicht-dicke-bundeswehr-laster-auf-den-strassen-a-a770ee60-c1f9-4ad0-ac9e-a45d9ab36e7b)
      * [Großer Militär-Konvoi auf Straßen in Niedersachsen unterwegs — butenunbinnen.de](https://butenunbinnen.de/nachrichten/bundeswhr-militaer-konvoi-autobahn-100.html)
      * [Fast 200 Militärfahrzeuge: Bundeswehr-Konvoi rollte durch Sachsen-Anhalt — mdr.de](https://mdr.de/nachrichten/sachsen-anhalt/bundeswehr-konvoi-autobahn-bundesstrasse-100.html)
      * [Rüstung: Drohnen, KI, Start-ups – Bundeswehr eröffnet Innovationszentrum — handelsblatt.com](https://handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/ruestung-drohnen-ki-start-ups-bundeswehr-eroeffnet-innovationszentrum/100196187.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Debate over repatriating German gold reserves from United States" type="February 4-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * ["Es ist höchste Zeit" – Steuerzahlerbund fordert: Bundesbank soll Gold aus USA holen — t-online.de](https://www.t-online.de/finanzen/aktuelles/wirtschaft/id_101113764/steuerzahlerbund-bundesbank-soll-gold-aus-usa-zurueckholen.html)
      * ["Höchste Zeit": Steuerzahlerbund: Bundesbank soll Gold aus USA zurückholen — zeit.de](https://www.zeit.de/news/2026-02/04/steuerzahlerbund-bundesbank-soll-gold-aus-usa-zurueckholen)
      * [Bundesbank-Reserven: Deutschland sollte sein Gold aus den USA holen — t-online.de](https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/kolumne-christoph-schwennicke/id_101112888/bundesbank-reserven-deutschland-sollte-sein-gold-aus-den-usa-holen.html)
      * [1.236 Tonnen Gold in USA: Steuerzahlerbund fürchtet Trump-Zugriff - Bundesbank beschwichtigt — upday.com](https://www.upday.com/de/news/1236-tonnen-gold-in-usa-steuerzahlerbund-furchtet-trump-zugriff-bundesbank/ezqh9e4)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Merz expresses optimism about Mercosur trade agreement implementation" type="February 2, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Freihandel: Merz rechnet mit vorläufigem Inkrafttreten des Mercosur-Abkommens — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-02/mercosur-abkommen-friedrich-merz-bundeskanzler-vorlaeufig-in-kraft)
      * [Trotz Widerständen: Merz rechnet mit schnellem Start für Mercosur-Freihandel — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/news/2026-02/02/merz-rechnet-mit-schnellem-start-fuer-mercosur-freihandel)
      * [Merz rechnet mit schnellem Start für Mercosur-Freihandel — wochenblatt.de](https://wochenblatt.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/merz-rechnet-mit-schnellem-start-fuer-mercosur-freihandel-20442931)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Federal President Steinmeier honors train conductor killed on duty and other ceremonial functions" type="February 2-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Angriff auf Bahnmitarbeiter: Steinmeier spricht Familie von getötetem Bahnmitarbeiter Mitgefühl aus — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2026-02/bahnmitarbeiter-tod-trauerfeier)
      * [Frank-Walter Steinmeier kündigt Staatsakt für verstorbene Rita Süssmuth an — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/frank-walter-steinmeier-kuendigt-staatsakt-fuer-verstorbene-rita-suessmuth-an-698077f856e922cc80595a80)
      * [Getöteter Bahnmitarbeiter: Steinmeier spricht Familie des toten Zugbegleiters Trost zu — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/news/2026-02/05/steinmeier-spricht-familie-des-toten-zugbegleiters-trost-zu)
      * [Verleihung des Silbernen Lorbeerblattes — bundespraesident.de](https://bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Berichte/DE/Frank-Walter-Steinmeier/2026/02/260204-Silbernes-Lorbeerblatt-2025.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Other" type="">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Merz receives carnival delegations at Chancellery — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/kultur/friedrich-merz-empfaengt-karnevalisten-im-kanzleramt-dr-merz-kuett-a-303fc0a2-9b15-4541-b7f9-ed94ad8c152d)
      * [Merz promotes stock market investment at German stock exchange event — finanzen100.de](https://finanzen100.de/finanznachrichten/boerse/merz-wirbt-fuer-aktien-so-gelingt-auch-ihr-boersenstart_H1377575119_49c9d7ee-fe09-420b-851c-ae88cd20cc07_49c9d7ee-fe09-420b-851c-ae88cd20cc07)
      * [AfD Constitutional Court ruling on meeting room access — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/afd-verliert-streit-um-spd-saal-vor-bundesverfassungsgericht-a-3550b9b2-e002-4b16-886c-e0d72957540d)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>

### <img src="https://flagcdn.com/gb.svg" width="32" alt="United Kingdom" style={{display: 'inline', verticalAlign: 'middle', position: 'relative', top: '-2px', marginRight: '8px', border: '1px solid #d1d5db', borderRadius: '2px'}} />United Kingdom

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fighting for his political survival as the Mandelson-Epstein scandal engulfs his government in its deepest crisis since taking office.

Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney resigned this week, followed by communications director Tim Allan stepping down, as the controversy over Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington intensified. The most damaging blow came when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly called for Mr Starmer's resignation — the highest-profile Labour figure to break ranks. Mr Starmer told his parliamentary party he was "not prepared to walk away from my mandate," but the government's inner circle has effectively collapsed.

The crisis has spread beyond Downing Street to the monarchy itself. King Charles faced unprecedented public heckling during a walkabout in Essex, with a protester shouting questions about pressuring police to investigate Prince Andrew's Epstein connections as new US Department of Justice documents were released. Police removed the heckler, but the incident marked an extraordinary breach of royal protocols and public accountability pressure on the constitutional institution.

Opposition parties are capitalising on the government's weakness. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced new policies to support pubs, funded by reinstating the two-child benefit cap, and unveiled a Welsh leader as his party continues its advance. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch successfully forced government document releases over the Mandelson appointment through parliamentary procedure, with polling showing her favourability improving as she positions the Conservatives for potential gains.

Even as domestic institutions fracture, Britain's external strategy continues operating as designed. NATO began military planning for an Arctic mission as tensions rise over President Donald Trump's Greenland acquisition demands, while Defence Secretary John Healey held talks with Roberto Cingolani of Leonardo about a £1bn helicopter contract affecting thousands of jobs at the Yeovil plant. The Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75% in a narrow 5-4 vote, with Governor Andrew Bailey indicating future cuts as inflation approaches the 2% target.

<Accordion title="Other Stories">
  * **Badenoch gains momentum from Mandelson scandal and strengthens Conservative opposition** — Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch successfully pressured the government over the Mandelson appointment, forcing document releases through parliamentary procedure. Polling shows her favourability improving as she considers shadow cabinet changes and positions the Conservatives for potential gains. *([Conservative Home](https://conservativehome.com/2026/02/06/how-badenoch-forced-labours-hand-on-mandelson))*
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Notes">
  <ResponseField name="Starmer fights for political survival as Mandelson-Epstein scandal engulfs government" type="February 1-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (74)">
      * [UK government to release Mandelson Epstein files after PM Starmer grilled — foxnews.com](https://www.foxnews.com/world/uk-release-files-related-former-ambassadors-jeffrey-epstein-ties)
      * ['I'm not prepared to walk away.' Starmer tells MPs as he fights for political survival after Mandelson scandal — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c74wd01egvyt)
      * [Why the Epstein scandal is Keir Starmer's most perilous moment yet after chief of staff resigns — nbcnews.com](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/epstein-scandal-perilous-uk-prime-minister-keir-starmer-mandelson-rcna257890)
      * [After Epstein fallout, UK leader Starmer faces hurdles and rivals as he battles to keep his job — abcnews.go.com](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/after-epstein-fallout-uk-leader-starmer-faces-hurdles-129918995)
      * [Henry Zeffman: Could this be the beginning of the end for Keir Starmer? — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c338g8n334mo)
      * [Starmer faces rising anger over Mandelson as MPs agree to release files to security committee — theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/04/peter-mandelson-files-us-ambassador-jeffrey-epstein-keir-starmer-tories-uk-politics-live-news-updates)
      * [UK's Starmer expresses regret over Mandelson, says ex-ambassador 'lied repeatedly' — reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-starmer-says-mandelson-repeatedly-lied-about-epstein-regrets-appointing-him-2026-02-04/)
      * [Will Keir Starmer use his nuclear option to try to head off a leadership challenge? — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/voices/keir-starmer-general-election-labour-mps-b2915917.html)
      * [For Starmer, the clock is ticking — politico.eu](https://politico.eu/article/for-starmer-the-clock-is-ticking)
      * [Why Morgan McSweeney's resignation matters for Sir Keir Starmer — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9el55ddxno)
      * [Starmer apologises to Epstein victims for appointing Mandelson and 'believing his lies' — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/czx3lq460n6t)
      * [The end of Starmerism — unherd.com](https://unherd.com/2026/02/the-end-of-starmerism)
      * [Three things that could bring Starmer down - and what might save him — bbc.com](https://bbc.com/news/articles/cr7j7n0nxvlo)
      * [Six Labour figures queuing up to replace a weakened Starmer — japantimes.co.jp](https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/08/world/politics/labour-figures-replace-starmer)
      * [How Keir Starmer could be replaced as UK leader if Epstein fallout brings him down — apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/starmer-britain-epstein-mandelson-leadership-labour-1672f25ab8e2ec9fb4eaed9cb744c0b0)
      * [Could the Epstein scandal topple U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer? — cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epstein-peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-uk-prime-minister-pressure/)
      * [Starmer's Chief of Staff Resigns, Citing Role in Hiring Friend of Epstein — nytimes.com](https://nytimes.com/2026/02/08/world/europe/keir-starmer-chief-of-staff-resigns.html)
      * [Who might succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Britain's prime minister? — economist.com](https://economist.com/britain/2026/02/06/who-might-succeed-sir-keir-starmer-as-britains-prime-minister)
      * [He's been a disaster, but I still believe he's a decent man. And this is how Starmer's time in No 10 will end, most likely within days — dailymail.co.uk](https://dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15532605/keir-starmer-angela-rayner-epstein-mandelson-labour-government.html)
      * [Decent or disastrous? Starmer's judgment and leadership divide opinion — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/08/decent-or-disastrous-starmers-judgment-and-leadership-divide-opinion)
      * [Starmer, man of sleaze — thecritic.co.uk](https://thecritic.co.uk/starmer-man-of-sleaze)
      * [UK's Starmer didn't know Jeffrey Epstein. But the prime minister's job is under threat — washingtonpost.com](https://washingtonpost.com/world/2026/02/05/uk-starmer-peter-mandelson-epstein/b5402c48-0287-11f1-ad9f-6f689ec6b060_story.html)
      * [How to topple the British prime minister in 5 easy steps — politico.eu](https://politico.eu/article/how-topple-the-british-prime-minister-pm-keir-starmer-in-5-easy-steps)
      * [Starmer Apologizes for Ex-Ambassador Mandelson's Epstein Ties — nytimes.com](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/world/europe/epstein-files-mandelson-starmer-uk.html)
      * [Keir Starmer's next steps: what hurdles must the prime minister now negotiate? — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/08/keir-starmer-next-steps-hurdles-negotiate-end-time-in-office)
      * [There's one argument Starmer could make to save his skin – but he won't dare do it — theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/06/keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-pm-argument)
      * [Keir Starmer is finished, but is he the only one with a bleak future? — taxresearch.org.uk](https://taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/02/06/keir-starmer-is-finished-but-is-he-the-only-one-with-a-bleak-future)
      * [Starmer Premiership in Crisis After Day of Drama in Parliament — bloomberg.com](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-04/starmer-premiership-in-crisis-after-day-of-drama-in-parliament)
      * ['Keir Starmer is out of time to save himself - his authority and respect is gone' — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-out-time-save-36690284)
      * [Politics Home | Most Labour MPs Believe The Starmer Era Is Over – But No One Is Ready To Replace Him — politicshome.com](https://politicshome.com/news/article/starmer-project-finished-what-comes-next-and-when)
      * [Starmer leadership speculation 'serious' but task ahead 'very clear', says Brown — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/07/keir-starmer-labour-leader-peter-mandelson-latest-news-uk-politics-updates-epstein)
      * [Starmer would defeat Streeting in leadership contest, poll suggests — labourlist.org](https://labourlist.org/2026/02/keir-starmer-wes-streeting-leadership-survation-poll)
      * [Keir Starmer told to 'get act together' to end talk of leadership challenge by Labour big beast — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-told-get-act-36686731)
      * [What's next for Keir Starmer as he faces battle for survival over Peter Mandelson scandal — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/whats-next-keir-starmer-faces-36679703)
      * [The slow death of Keir Starmer's prime ministership after Peter Mandelson's 'betrayal' — abc.net.au](https://abc.net.au/news/2026-02-08/keir-starmer-leadership-peril-over-mandelson-epstein-scanda/106318588)
      * [Keir Starmer's real problem — newstatesman.com](https://newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/02/keir-starmers-real-problem)
      * ['It can be survivable': Inside Keir Starmer's efforts to stop a coup — politico.eu](https://politico.eu/article/it-can-be-survivable-inside-keir-starmer-efforts-to-stop-a-coup)
      * [PM says he knew when giving Mandelson US job he had kept ties with Epstein after conviction — theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/04/starmer-confirms-he-knew-mandelson-kept-epstein-ties-after-prison-term)
      * [Labour MPs say Starmer's days as PM are numbered amid fury over Mandelson — theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/04/labour-mps-say-starmer-days-as-pm-are-numbered-amid-fury-over-mandelson)
      * [Pressure mounts on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he 'fights for his political life' — cnbc.com](https://cnbc.com/2026/02/05/uk-borrowing-costs-gilts-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-epstein.html)
      * [British PM Sir Keir Starmer pressured to resign amid fallout of Peter Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein — abc.net.au](https://abc.net.au/news/2026-02-07/starmer-uk-pm-mandelson-epstein-files-calls-to-resign/106315470)
      * [The Labour Contenders Who Could Replace a Weakened Starmer — bloomberg.com](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-07/six-labour-figures-queuing-up-to-replace-a-weakened-starmer)
      * [Markets think Keir Starmer's time is up too — politico.eu](https://politico.eu/article/markets-uk-keir-starmer-time-up)
      * [GB News host 'knows' Keir Starmer is finished after spotting telling sign — express.co.uk](https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2166899/gb-news-host-knows-keir-starmer-finished-sign)
      * [Deputy PM Lammy Turns on Starmer, Reveals He Warned the Prime Minister Against Appointing Mandelson as US Ambassador Over Epstein Ties — thegatewaypundit.com](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/deputy-pm-lammy-turns-starmer-reveals-he-warned)
      * [Lammy: I warned Starmer about Mandelson — telegraph.co.uk](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/07/lammy-turns-on-starmer-over-mandelson/)
      * [Now Starmer's deputy turns on him: David Lammy says he warned PM over Mandelson as Keir clings to power — dailymail.co.uk](https://dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15539791/How-long-cling-Desperate-Keir-Starmer-fights-future-revealed-David-Lammy-warned-not-appoint-Lord-Mandelson-PMs-approval-ratings-slump-again.html)
      * [Regno Unito: Lammy rompe con Starmer sulla nomina di Mandelson, cresce lo scontro interno ai laboristi — agenzianova.com](https://agenzianova.com/news/regno-unito-lammy-rompe-con-starmer-sulla-nomina-di-mandelson-cresce-lo-scontro-interno-ai-laboristi)
      * [David Lammy turns on Keir Starmer over Mandelson with PM on the brink — express.co.uk](https://express.co.uk/news/politics/2168194/david-lammy-keir-starmer-mandelson)
      * [Final Humiliation for Lammy as Deputy PM's Office Rooms are Replaced by Jones' Pointless 'Command Unit' — order-order.com](https://order-order.com/2026/02/06/final-humiliation-for-lammy-as-deputy-pms-office-rooms-are-replaced-by-jones-pointless-command-unit/)
      * [Dark mood among Labour MPs as Keir Starmer tries to contain Mandelson scandal — bbc.co.uk](https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjw1j3j32y7o)
      * [Labour's Last Stand — tribunemag.co.uk](https://tribunemag.co.uk/2026/02/labours-last-stand)
      * [If Reform ever wins power in Westminster, it will be because of Labour's cowardice — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/04/labour-reform-greens-splitting-vote-unfair-electoral-system)
      * [Starmer in fight to reassert control over Labour party after McSweeney exit — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/08/keir-starmer-labour-party-leadership-morgan-mcsweeney-exit)
      * [Will What's Left of the British Conservative Party Be Worth Saving? — europeanconservative.com](https://europeanconservative.com/articles/commentary/will-whats-left-of-the-british-conservative-party-be-worth-saving)
      * [Now Jeremy Corbyn's Your Party puts pressure on Labour by pulling out of Gorton by-election battle — dailymail.co.uk](https://dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15522915/Jeremy-Corbyns-pressure-Labour-Gorton-Reform.html)
      * ['Labour values: Power, principles and the red lines Labour must not cross' — labourlist.org](https://labourlist.org/2026/02/labour-values-power-principles-and-the-red-lines-labour-must-not-cross)
      * [Why we're leaving the Labour Party — spiked-online.com](https://spiked-online.com/2026/02/04/why-were-leaving-the-labour-party)
      * [Morgan McSweeney: brains behind Labour's comeback undone by poor judgment — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/08/morgan-mcsweeney-brains-behind-labours-comeback-profile)
      * [Bye bye, Labour – the next election could be Reform vs Green… and nothing in between — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/voices/gorton-denton-labour-starmer-green-party-byelection-hannah-spencer-b2910887.html)
      * [The House | Neither Labour nor Your Party is the answer – here's why I joined the Greens — politicshome.com](https://politicshome.com/opinion/article/labour-party-offer-solutions-heres-joined-greens)
      * [Labour-linked think tank accused of paying firm to investigate journalists — nation.cymru](https://nation.cymru/news/labour-linked-think-tank-accused-of-paying-firm-to-investigate-journalists)
      * [Labour thinktank close to Morgan McSweeney paid firm to investigate journalists — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/06/labour-thinktank-close-to-morgan-mcsweeney-allegedly-paid-firm-to-investigate-journalists)
      * [Keir Starmer to make emergency address to Labour MPs as he battles to save his job — gbnews.com](https://gbnews.com/politics/keir-starmer-emergency-address-labour-mps-tomorrow)
      * [Labour sees polling boost amid Reform slump in opinion polls — labourlist.org](https://labourlist.org/2026/02/labour-polling-revovery-reform-gap-narrowing)
      * [Six Labour figures queuing up to replace a weakened Starmer — bostonglobe.com](https://bostonglobe.com/2026/02/07/world/six-labour-figures-queuing-up-to-replace-starmer)
      * [Labour party more liked than Starmer but both reach historic lows - Ipsos poll — ipsos.com](https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/labour-party-more-liked-starmer-both-reach-historic-lows-ipsos-poll)
      * ['Labour is still (only just) the party of business - here's what it should do to keep bosses onside' — labourlist.org](https://labourlist.org/2026/02/labour-still-party-of-business-but-only-just)
      * [Starmer accused of hypocrisy over sharp cuts to World Food Programme — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/global-development/2026/feb/07/starmer-accused-of-hypocrisy-over-sharp-cuts-to-world-food-programme)
      * [Sir Keir Starmer pledges to 'reverse devastating decline' with £800m extra investment in 40 communities — news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-pledges-to-reverse-devastating-decline-with-800m-extra-investment-in-40-communities-13503269)
      * [Keir Starmer to give major speech warning UK politics is in dangerous era — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-give-major-speech-36670273)
      * [Starmer, Trump Discuss UK Base Deal Panned by White House — bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-03/starmer-trump-discuss-uk-base-deal-panned-by-white-house)
      * [Starmer aims to revive defense talks with EU — politico.eu](https://politico.eu/article/uk-keir-starmer-aims-to-revive-defense-talks-with-eu)
      * [US Congress namechecks Keir Starmer as it blasts Britain for 'copycat censorship laws' threatening free speech — gbnews.com](https://gbnews.com/politics/free-speech-us-congress-namecheck-keir-starmer-britain-censorship-laws)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="King Charles faces public pressure over Andrew's Epstein connections amid royal activities" type="February 1-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (37)">
      * ['I've known King Charles in his tortured years - there's 1 thing left to do with Andrew' — mirror.co.uk](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/ive-known-king-charles-tortured-36682955)
      * [Finding Harmony: A King's Vision review – some of Charles's ideas are strangely trippy — theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/feb/06/finding-harmony-a-kings-vision-review-charles-jeff-bezos-amazon-prime-video)
      * [King Charles heckled about brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's ties to Epstein during outing — hellomagazine.com](https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/882190/king-charles-heckled-brother-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-epstein/)
      * [His Majesty King Charles III hosts His Highness the Aga Khan at Windsor Castle — the.akdn](https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/whats-new/news-release/his-majesty-king-charles-iii-hosts-his-highness-the-aga-khan-at-windsor-castle)
      * [King Charles' palace he's never lived in undergoes 'hard work' in fascinating video — hellomagazine.com](https://hellomagazine.com/homes/881397/king-charles-palace-never-lived-undergoes-hard-work-video)
      * [Watch: Footage Of King Charles Delivering One Of His First Speeches About The Environment Over 50 Years Ago In New Amazon Doc — deadline.com](https://deadline.com/2026/02/footage-king-charles-speech-finding-harmony-amazon-environment-1236705812)
      * [Where does King Charles III live now? A look inside his royal residences — housebeautiful.com](https://housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/property/a70244145/where-does-king-charles-iii-live-now)
      * [King Charles Leaves Cancer Charity Runners 'Speechless' by Cheering Them on from Muddy Track Near His Sandringham Home — people.com](https://people.com/king-charles-makes-surprise-appearance-showing-up-to-cheer-on-runners-for-cancer-charity-11897223)
      * [King Charles heckled over Andrew and Epstein scandal as he meets wellwishers — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/royals/breaking-king-charles-challenged-andrew-36675606)
      * [King Charles Likes to 'Have a Strong Word' When This Activity Isn't Going 'Well,' Per Insider — marieclaire.com](https://marieclaire.com/celebrity/royals/king-charles-strong-word-alan-titchmarsh)
      * [King Charles caught Team GB Olympics hero off guard as he made her day in private chat — mirror.co.uk](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/king-charles-winter-olympics-muirhead-36683594)
      * [What King Charles eats in a day, rated by a diet expert: 'Shaped as much by routine and occasion by nutrition' — dailymail.co.uk](https://dailymail.co.uk/health/article-15537889/What-King-Charles-eats-day-rated-diet-expert-Shaped-routine-occasion-nutrition.html)
      * [Why Prince William and King Charles Are Not Talking, According to Sources — marieclaire.co.uk](https://marieclaire.co.uk/royal-news/king-charles-prince-william-tensions)
      * [New Former Prince Andrew Allegation Could Turn Heat Up on Charles — newsweek.com](https://newsweek.com/prince-andrew-new-allegation-king-charles-jeffrey-epstein-11451116)
      * [The former Prince Andrew moves to King Charles' private estate following Epstein document uproar — abcnews.go.com](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/former-prince-andrew-moves-king-charles-private-estate-129841678)
      * [King Charles makes second public outing in 24 hours after surprise parkrun appearance — hellomagazine.com](https://hellomagazine.com/royalty/881255/king-charles-second-public-outing-after-surprise-parkrun-appearance)
      * [EXCLUSIVE: Radar Reveals the Unexpected Non-Royal Cancer Battling King Charles is Leaning on 'Amid One of Hardest Times of His Life' — radaronline.com](https://radaronline.com/p/cancer-king-charles-leaning-on-carole-middleton)
      * [Inside King Charles and Carole Middleton's 'Very Close' Relationship — instyle.com](https://instyle.com/king-charles-carole-middleton-relationship-11893482)
      * [King Charles said to be 'containing' Andrew by moving him to Norfolk estate — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/king-charles-prince-andrew-epstein-files-b2916165.html)
      * [Finding Harmony shows the rebellious mind of King Charles — newstatesman.com](https://newstatesman.com/politics/religion/2026/02/the-rebellious-mind-of-king-charles)
      * [King's secret cancer scare: Why Charles kept previous brush with disease secret, years before his 2024 diagnosis — dailymail.co.uk](https://dailymail.co.uk/news/royals/article-15502693/Kings-secret-cancer-scare-Charles-kept-previous-brush-disease-secret-years-2024-diagnosis.html)
      * [King Charles' 'final straw' that forced disgraced Andrew 'out of Royal Lodge early' — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/royals/king-charles-final-straw-forced-36668520)
      * [King Charles heckled and appears to ignore questions from reporter about Jeffrey Epstein as fallout continues over Andrew's links to paedophile — dailymail.co.uk](https://dailymail.co.uk/news/royals/article-15531691/King-Charles-heckled-questions-Jeffrey-Epstein-Dedham.html)
      * [King Charles showed true colours during chat with Team GB Olympic hero — express.co.uk](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2167888/king-charles-olympics-eve-muirhead-team-gb)
      * [Andrew's problems just got worse - King Charles only has 1 option left — express.co.uk](https://express.co.uk/news/royal/2164922/andrews-problems-just-got-even)
      * [King Charles honours 'community of care' on World Cancer Day with two posts that send a strong message — womanandhome.com](https://www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/king-charles-world-cancer-day-post/)
      * [King Charles's very telling response when confronted about Andrew — express.co.uk](https://express.co.uk/news/royal/2167257/king-charles-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-latest)
      * [King Charles III Makes a Surprise Appearance to Support Cancer Charity Runners — harpersbazaar.com](https://harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a70224221/king-charles-surprise-appearance-cancer-charity-runners)
      * [Finding Harmony: A King's Vision review: glossy documentary casts Charles as a misunderstood prophet — the-independent.com](https://the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/finding-harmony-review-king-charles-climate-change-b2914468.html)
      * [Watch new King Charles documentary for free as the monarch makes rare film appearance — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/royals/king-charles-amazon-prime-documentary-36679435)
      * [King Charles hosts Aga Khan for black tie accession anniversary dinner at Windsor Castle — independent.co.uk](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-aga-khan-king-charles-muslims-windsor-castle-b2914487.html)
      * [King Charles Urged to Formally Apologize for One of History's Biggest Mistakes — theroyalobserver.com](https://theroyalobserver.com/p/king-charles-urged-to-formally-apologize-for-one-of-historys-biggest-mistakes)
      * [Here's really happened when King Charles was questioned about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor- Inside the Palace — gbnews.com](https://gbnews.com/royal/inside-the-palace-king-charles-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-cameron-walker)
      * [Support Science in Halting Global Biodiversity Crisis—King Charles — ipsnews.net](https://ipsnews.net/2026/02/support-science-in-halting-global-biodiversity-crisis-king-charles)
      * [King Charles III banknotes — bankofengland.co.uk](https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/king-charles-banknotes)
      * ['It seemed crazy': King Charles shares 'horrifying' issue he's been 'profoundly concerned' about in new film — goodhousekeeping.com](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a70220490/king-charles-pollution-film/)
      * [As more Epstein files emerge, the story around former prince Andrew 'isn't going away' — cbc.ca](https://cbc.ca/news/world/andrew-epstein-royal-family-king-charles-nature-documentary-princess-of-wales-9.7077348)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% after narrow vote but signals cuts ahead" type="February 1-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (43)">
      * [Inflation-wary Bank of England set to keep rates on hold — reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/inflation-wary-bank-england-set-keep-rates-hold-2026-02-02/)
      * [UK interest rates kept on hold at 3.75% — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx1vly05pvo)
      * [Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cly1738vnrzt)
      * [Bank of England holds rates for now — so when's the next cut coming? — cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/05/bank-of-england-interest-rate-decision-comment-analysis.html)
      * [Bank of England Comes Close to Cutting Rates With Dovish Hold — bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-05/bank-of-england-comes-close-to-cutting-rates-with-dovish-hold)
      * [Statistics — bankofengland.co.uk](https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics)
      * [Why the Bank of England is holding rates despite a weakening economy — theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/05/why-bank-of-england-holding-rates-weakening-economy-inflation)
      * [Bank of England governor says inflation is set to reach target level sooner than expected — cnbc.com](https://cnbc.com/2026/02/05/boe-governor-bailey-target-inflation-reach-target-spring-interest-rate.html)
      * [Bank of England to consult on alternatives to debit and credit cards — reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/bank-england-consult-alternatives-debit-credit-cards-2026-02-02/)
      * [Regulators announce first firms to join Scale-up Unit — bankofengland.co.uk](https://bankofengland.co.uk/news/2026/february/regulators-announce-first-firms-to-join-scale-up-unit)
      * [Bank of England holds rates after narrow 5-4 vote, signals reduction ahead — reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/bank-england-holds-rates-after-narrow-5-4-vote-signals-reduction-ahead-2026-02-05/)
      * [Bank of England keeps interest rates at 3.75% as inflation concerns persist — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/05/bank-of-england-interest-rates-held-inflation-concerns)
      * [Talking 'bout next generation − speech by Sarah Breeden — bankofengland.co.uk](https://bankofengland.co.uk/speech/2026/february/sarah-breeden-keynote-speech-at-the-city-financial-annual-payments-regulation-and-innovation-summit)
      * [Bank of England governor speaks after close vote to hold rates — reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/bank-england-governor-speaks-after-close-vote-hold-rates-2026-02-05/)
      * [Bank of England holds interest rates and 'shocked' over Mandelson; Rio-Glencore merger talks collapse – as it happened — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/business/live/2026/feb/05/bank-of-england-interest-rates-european-central-bank-inflation-stock-markets-business-live-news-updates)
      * [GBP: Bank of England uncertainty with disinflation trend – UBS — fxstreet.com](https://www.fxstreet.com/news/gbp-bank-of-england-uncertainty-with-disinflation-trend-ubs-202602050806)
      * [The Retail Payments Infrastructure Board (RPIB) — bankofengland.co.uk](https://bankofengland.co.uk/payment-and-settlement/the-national-payments-vision/retail-payments-infrastructure-board)
      * [Bank of England Considers Alternatives to Card Payments in UK Overhaul — bloomberg.com](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-02/boe-seeking-to-bypass-cards-in-payments-overhaul-breeden-says)
      * [Bank of England holds interest rate – but close vote shows inflation risk has eased — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/news/business/bank-of-england-interest-rates-inflation-money-b2914543.html)
      * [Will interest rates go down this week? Bank of England's key factors and 2026 predictions — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/money/interest-rates-february-inflation-bank-of-england-mpc-b2912063.html)
      * [How inflation rebound is set to affect UK interest rates — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/news/business/interest-rates-inflation-bank-of-england-b2911651.html)
      * [Bank of England To Hold Interest Rates As Caution Reigns: Decision Guide — ndtvprofit.com](https://ndtvprofit.com/world/bank-of-england-to-hold-interest-rates-as-caution-reigns-decision-guide-10948913)
      * [Update on changes to country groupings for International Banking Statistics — bankofengland.co.uk](https://bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/articles/2026/update-on-changes-to-country-groupings-for-international-banking-statistics)
      * [Money Distilled: Political Risks Won't Deter Further Bank of England Rate Cuts — bloomberg.com](https://bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-02-05/money-distilled-political-risks-won-t-deter-further-bank-of-england-rate-cuts)
      * [Bank of England set to hold rates pending clearer picture on inflation — reuters.com](https://reuters.com/world/uk/bank-england-set-hold-rates-pending-clearer-picture-inflation-2026-02-05)
      * [Bank of England balance sheet and weekly report — bankofengland.co.uk](https://bankofengland.co.uk/weekly-report/balance-sheet-and-weekly-report)
      * [Bank of England to halt interest rate cuts as 'sticky inflation' traps UK economy — gbnews.com](https://gbnews.com/money/bank-england-interest-rate-inflation-economy)
      * [Bank of England expected to hold rates amid conflicting signals on UK economy — ft.com](https://ft.com/content/0309a81a-8306-413a-8b18-b2df2f0d0921)
      * [VIEW Bank of England leaves rates steady after tight vote, sterling falls — reuters.com](https://reuters.com/world/uk/view-bank-england-leaves-rates-unchanged-sterling-falls-2026-02-05)
      * [Bank of England Review - Dovish Outlook Suggests More Cuts — actionforex.com](https://actionforex.com/contributors/fundamental-analysis/628373-bank-of-england-review-dovish-outlook-suggests-more-cuts)
      * [Pound Sterling Selloff Deepens on Bank of England Surprise — poundsterlinglive.com](https://poundsterlinglive.com/usd/22910-pound-to-euro-and-dollar-selloff-intensifies-after-bank-of-england)
      * [Agents' summary of business conditions - February 2026 — bankofengland.co.uk](https://bankofengland.co.uk/agents-summary/2026/february-2026)
      * [Bank of England launches Scale-Up Unit — credit-connect.co.uk](https://credit-connect.co.uk/news/bank-of-england-launches-scale-up-unit)
      * [Interest rate cuts 'likely' later this year - Bank of England — news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/interest-rate-cuts-likely-later-this-year-bank-of-england-13503589)
      * [Will the Bank of England give any clues to the path of interest rates? — ft.com](https://ft.com/content/40b04ff2-9a46-42f6-9c3e-4ec503a5b797)
      * [Bank of England Monetary Policy Report Press Conference — reutersconnect.com](https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/bank-of-england-monetary-policy-report-press-conference/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX1JDMk9GSkE5UVg3UA)
      * [Bank of England announces first rate decision of 2026 — mpamag.com](https://mpamag.com/uk/news/general/bank-of-england-announces-first-rate-decision-of-2026/564343)
      * [Bank of England steps up external engagement on retail payments innovation — globalgovernmentfinance.com](https://www.globalgovernmentfinance.com/bank-of-england-external-engagement-retail-payments-innovation/)
      * ['This is an arms race': Banks cope with AI-faked documents — americanbanker.com](https://americanbanker.com/news/this-is-an-arms-race-banks-cope-with-ai-faked-documents)
      * [Printweek - Bank of England £750m banknote tender live — printweek.com](https://www.printweek.com/content/news/bank-of-england-750m-banknote-tender-live)
      * [The euro area bank lending survey - Fourth quarter of 2025 — ecb.europa.eu](https://ecb.europa.eu/stats/ecb_surveys/bank_lending_survey/html/ecb.blssurvey2025q4~379c8b7d7d.en.html)
      * [As it happened: Bank of England's first rate decision of 2026 — mpamag.com](https://www.mpamag.com/uk/news/general/as-it-happened-bank-of-englands-first-rate-decision-of-2026/564365)
      * [Australia's CommBank partners business school to research artificial intelligence — computerweekly.com](https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638702/Australias-CommBank-partners-business-school-to-research-artificial-intelligence)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Reform UK advances policy agenda as Farage faces scrutiny over past allegations" type="February 2-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (23)">
      * [Nigel Farage defies Carol Vorderman to fight him for his Clacton seat after she calls him a 'liar and grifter' — standard.co.uk](https://standard.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-carol-vorderman-row-b1269478.html)
      * [Nigel Farage unveils ANOTHER sacked Tory defector in major event — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-nigel-farage-unveils-another-36673570)
      * [Nigel Farage announces plans to slash vital benefit to fund 5p cheaper pints — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/live-nigel-farage-make-major-36662757)
      * [Nigel Farage says Reform is 'half ready' for Government and ex-Tories are joining Reform because they 'lost the argument' in former party — dailymail.co.uk](https://dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15527701/Nigel-Farage-Reform-half-ready-Government.html)
      * [Nigel Farage made 'non-apology', says school contemporary who accused him of racism — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/04/nigel-farage-non-apology-school-contemporary-peter-ettegui-accused-racism)
      * [Reform isn't ready for government, Nigel Farage admits — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-uk-nigel-farage-bbc-ready-to-rule-b2913614.html)
      * [What my childhood bully taught me about Nigel Farage and the power of saying sorry — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/childhood-bully-farage-sorry-reform-b2914482.html)
      * [Inside Reform: Laura Kuenssberg follows Farage's party as it experiences the glare of scrutiny — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjdjm1j34gko)
      * [Nigel Farage accused of having no answer to Britain's problems by his own by-election candidate — mirror.co.uk](https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-accused-having-no-36686086)
      * [Nigel Farage's two-day trip to Davos cost more than £50,000, documents reveal — theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/04/nigel-farages-two-day-trip-to-davos-cost-more-than-50000-documents-reveal)
      * [Farage's friendship with Donald Trump is becoming his biggest vulnerability — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/voices/nigel-farage-trump-friendship-reform-uk-politics-instability-vulnerability-b2912219.html)
      * [Glasgow barber shop hits back at Nigel Farage with hilarious hairstyle campaign — turkiyetoday.com](https://turkiyetoday.com/region/clapback-with-clippers-glasgow-barbers-troll-farage-3214210)
      * [Farage apology over school racism allegations does not go far enough, ex-pupil says — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjw1ewe9y93o)
      * [This might have been the week when Farage won the next election — telegraph.co.uk](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/07/might-have-been-week-when-farage-won-next-election/)
      * [Farage puts pints over poverty with plan to cut price of beer by reinstating two-child benefit cap — bigissue.com](https://bigissue.com/news/politics/nigel-farage-beer-prices-two-child-benefit-limit)
      * [Nigel Farage clashes with Government over scrapping two-child benefit cap — standard.co.uk](https://standard.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-twochild-cap-benefits-welfare-reform-poverty-london-b1269390.html)
      * [What we have learned from Nigel Farage's trip to Wales — willhaywardwales.substack.com](https://willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/what-we-have-learned-from-nigel-farages)
      * [Nigel Farage's Reform UK unveils plan to slash pint prices in bid to save Britain's pubs — gbnews.com](https://gbnews.com/politics/nigel-farage-reform-uk-plan-slash-pint-prices-save-britain-pubs)
      * [Reform UK's Welsh leader Dan Thomas announced by Nigel Farage at rally in Newport — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c9wx9d907ydt)
      * [Nigel Farage's dangerous proposal on central-bank reserves — economist.com](https://economist.com/britain/2026/02/05/nigel-farages-dangerous-proposal-on-central-bank-reserves)
      * [Dan Thomas Reform: Who is Nigel Farage's pick for party's Welsh leader? — bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2xl1gjeedo)
      * [Nigel Farage has 1 thing right all parties could benefit from – and it's not migration — express.co.uk](https://express.co.uk/news/politics/2165833/nigel-farage-has-1-thing)
      * [Politics news: Kemi Badenoch rips into 'communist' Keir Starmer for coming back from China with 'next to nothing' as Britain was 'pushed around' — gbnews.com](https://www.gbnews.com/politics/politics-news-keir-starmer-labour-conservatives-kemi-badenoch-nigel-farage)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Badenoch gains momentum from Mandelson scandal and strengthens Conservative opposition" type="February 2-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (7)">
      * [Kemi Badenoch popularity & fame — yougov.com](https://yougov.com/en-gb/topics/public_figure/Kemi_Badenoch)
      * [Badenoch Considers Shadow Cabinet Shift to Right — order-order.com](https://order-order.com/2026/02/06/badenoch-mulls-shadow-cabinet-shift-to-right/)
      * [Are the mice panicking at Parliament too? Moment rodent scurries past Kemi Badenoch as she gives TV interview — dailymail.co.uk](https://dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15530327/mice-Parliament-rodent-Kemi-Badenoch-TV-interview.html)
      * [Kemi Badenoch: 'Starmer knew Mandelson was still friends with Epstein. He chose not to care' — telegraph.co.uk](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/07/kemi-badenoch-interview-starmer-mandelson-epstein/)
      * [How Badenoch forced Labour's hand on Mandelson — conservativehome.com](https://conservativehome.com/2026/02/06/how-badenoch-forced-labours-hand-on-mandelson)
      * [Starmer, Badenoch and McSweeney: Who are the political winners and losers of the Mandelson-Epstein scandal? — news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/starmer-badenoch-and-mcsweeney-who-are-the-winners-and-losers-of-the-mandelson-epstein-scandal-13502982)
      * [Politics news: Kemi Badenoch rips into 'communist' Keir Starmer for coming back from China with 'next to nothing' as Britain was 'pushed around' — gbnews.com](https://www.gbnews.com/politics/politics-news-keir-starmer-labour-conservatives-kemi-badenoch-nigel-farage)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="UK Defence Secretary meets with Leonardo CEO over potential helicopter contract affecting thousands of jobs" type="February 5-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [Healey meets Leonardo boss amid Yeovil closure threat — news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/healey-meets-leonardo-boss-amid-yeovil-closure-threat-13503737)
      * [Mandelson Had No Role in Palantir-UK Data Deal, Healey Says — bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-06/mandelson-had-no-role-in-palantir-s-uk-defense-deal-healey-says)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Other" type="">
    <Expandable title="Sources (5)">
      * [Rachel Reeves faces pressure over pension tax changes affecting millions more workers — ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/7db507a6-b290-40d0-ac08-fa7aac2514a4)
      * [David Lammy's £100m tax raid on law firms puts thousands of jobs at risk — telegraph.co.uk](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/02/02/lammys-raid-on-law-firms-puts-thousands-of-jobs-at-risk/)
      * [UK defence procurement plan delayed again to April amid transparency concerns — army-technology.com](https://army-technology.com/news/new-uk-defence-procurement-plan-due-for-april-fools-release)
      * [Britain's new MI6 chief pivots to 'active' war on Russia — afr.com](https://www.afr.com/world/europe/britain-s-new-spy-chief-pivots-to-active-war-on-russia-20260128-p5nxpt)
      * [NATO starts military planning for Arctic mission amid Greenland dispute — reuters.com](https://reuters.com/world/nato-has-started-military-planning-an-arctic-mission-2026-02-03)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>

### <img src="https://flagcdn.com/it.svg" width="32" alt="Italy" style={{display: 'inline', verticalAlign: 'middle', position: 'relative', top: '-2px', marginRight: '8px', border: '1px solid #d1d5db', borderRadius: '2px'}} />Italy

Italy's ruling coalition faces its gravest threat since taking power as former general Roberto Vannacci broke with Matteo Salvini's Lega to form his own far-right party.

Mr Vannacci left the Lega to establish National Future, taking some parliamentarians with him and prompting Mr Salvini to call it a betrayal. Polls suggest the new party could win 2-4% of votes, potentially weakening the centre-right coalition by creating direct electoral competition with Lega on the far right. The split follows tensions over Mr Vannacci's controversial positions and electoral ambitions, and represents the most serious coalition fragmentation since the government's formation.

Even as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni grapples with coalition pressures, her government is expanding state power over civil society. The Council of Ministers approved a decree allowing police to detain suspected agitators for up to 12 hours without charges and expanding self-defence protections for officers and citizens. The measures came after violent clashes in Turin and Milan during protests, with the opposition criticising them as an attack on democratic rights.

The coalition faces diplomatic embarrassment too. Leaked documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case show Mr Salvini mentioned 89 times in communications between Steve Bannon and Mr Epstein during 2018-2019, when Lega was rising electorally. The documents show Bannon updating Mr Epstein on European right-wing party support, including efforts to build an alliance with Mr Salvini and Marine Le Pen. The opposition has demanded Mr Salvini explain his relationship with Donald Trump's former adviser.

Amid these pressures, Ms Meloni conducted routine Olympic diplomacy, meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in Milan alongside Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She also held bilateral meetings with Chilean President-Elect José Antonio Kast, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the Olympic period.

The week's most surreal moment came when a restored fresco in Rome's San Lorenzo basilica revealed an angel bearing a striking resemblance to Ms Meloni. The artist admitted painting the prime minister's likeness, which was subsequently covered over on church orders after investigations by the culture ministry and Vatican. The incident generated significant media coverage across 28 outlets.

Despite these mounting pressures, polling shows the government maintaining 45% approval, suggesting the coalition's tripartite structure can absorb individual defections while retaining core support.

<Accordion title="Other Stories">
  * **Mattarella's Olympic presidency: Tram arrival stunt and ceremonial role at Milano-Cortina 2026** — President Sergio Mattarella played a central role in Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics opening ceremony, arriving symbolically on a vintage Milan tram driven by Valentino Rossi. His appearances at athlete village and Casa Italia emphasised Olympic values and Italian unity. *([rainews.it](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/speciali/milano_cortina_2026/2026/02/06/milano-cortina-mattarella-dichiara-aperti-i-giochi-invernali.-accesi-i-due-bracieri_0a3dc58a-f70b-4f0c-adca-342f552b6104.html))*
  * **Vannacci quits Lega to form independent far-right party, dealing blow to Salvini** — Former general Mr Vannacci left Mr Salvini's Lega party to establish National Future, taking some parliamentarians with him. Mr Salvini called it a betrayal, while polls suggest the new party could win 2-4% of votes, potentially weakening the centre-right coalition. *([repubblica.it](https://reuters.com/world/ex-general-quits-italys-league-party-posing-problem-meloni-2026-02-03))*
  * **Meloni calls Olympic protesters 'enemies of Italy' after Milan violence** — Ms Meloni condemned anti-Olympics protesters as "enemies of Italy and Italians" following violent demonstrations in Milan and alleged sabotage of train infrastructure during the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games period. *([reuters.com](https://reuters.com/sports/meloni-condemns-enemies-italy-after-clashes-olympics-host-city-milan-2026-02-08))*
  * **Turin violence during Askatasuna protests injures dozens of police officers** — Violent clashes erupted in Turin during protests over the eviction of Askatasuna social centre, leaving about 100 law enforcement officers injured. A police officer was severely beaten with hammers, leading to arrests and political condemnation across party lines. *([governo.it](https://governo.it/it/articolo/askatasuna-dichiarazione-del-presidente-meloni-occasione-della-visita-ai-due-agenti))*
  * **Tajani tours southern regions hit by severe weather, promises government support** — Mr Tajani visited Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia to assess damage from Cyclone Harry and coordinate support measures. He announced 300 million euros in aid through various state agencies and met with regional leaders and affected businesses. *([quotidianodelsud.it](https://corrieredellacalabria.it/2026/02/02/emergenza-maltempo-in-calabria-tajani-a-reggio-il-governo-al-fianco-delle-imprese))*
  * **Fratelli d'Italia offices vandalised, controversial member statements spark criticism** — Fratelli d'Italia party headquarters in Rome's Garbatella district was vandalised with anti-fascist graffiti, while a party councillor in Calenzano made offensive comments about Palestinians. The incidents highlighted tensions around the ruling party's activities and rhetoric. *([ilgiornale.it](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2026/02/05/fdi-vandalizzata-nella-notte-la-sede-di-garbatella-ce-clima-di-odio_3cec7691-fc2f-44e5-8bdf-b74d5f4e2938.html))*
  * **Political polling shows stable government support with Meloni's approval at 45%** — Multiple polls show Fratelli d'Italia maintaining its lead around 30%, with Ms Meloni's personal approval rating at 45%. The centre-right coalition keeps its advantage over opposition parties, while 72% of Italians express concern about protest violence. *([ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/interni/consenso-meloni-sale-45-fdi-315-2606564.html))*
  * **Comedian Andrea Pucci withdraws from Sanremo amid political controversy** — Right-wing comedian Andrea Pucci withdrew from co-hosting the Sanremo Festival citing threats and insults from critics. Ms Meloni condemned what she called the "illiberal drift" of opponents trying to silence conservative voices in entertainment. *([reuters.com](https://reuters.com/business/media-telecom/italian-pm-meloni-slams-illiberal-drift-after-comedian-quits-tv-show-2026-02-08))*
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Notes">
  <ResponseField name="Church angel resembling Meloni sparks controversy and removal in Rome" type="February 1-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (28)">
      * [Il restauratore cancella il volto dell'angelo Meloni — repubblica.it](https://repubblica.it/politica/2026/02/04/news/meloni_affresco_angelo_oscurato_restauratore_valentinetti-425137900)
      * [Dalla foto al dipinto: i tratti in comune tra l'angelo Meloni — roma.repubblica.it](https://roma.repubblica.it/cronaca/2026/02/01/news/angelo_meloni_affresco_somiglianza_foto-425132276)
      * [Likeness of restored angel to Giorgia Meloni triggers investigations — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/01/likeness-of-restored-angel-to-giorgia-meloni-triggers-investigations-in-rome)
      * ['Angel Meloni' scrubbed off Rome church painting on priest's orders — reuters.com](https://reuters.com/world/angel-meloni-scrubbed-off-rome-church-painting-priests-orders-2026-02-04)
      * [Restored angel fresco resembling Italian PM Meloni sparks investigation — bbc.com](https://bbc.com/news/articles/cwygrkm7k0yo)
      * [Angel that looked like Giorgia Meloni removed from Rome church fresco — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/04/angel-fresco-resembling-giorgia-meloni-removed-from-rome-church)
      * [Angelic face of Italian prime minister wiped from fresco — edition.cnn.com](https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/05/europe/meloni-face-removed-church-scli-intl)
      * [An angel resembling Italy's premier is painted over after an outcry — nbcnews.com](https://nbcnews.com/world/italy/angel-resembling-meloni-italian-premier-painted-outcry-rcna257535)
      * [Meloni's face painted over at Rome basilica — politico.eu](https://politico.eu/article/giorgia-meloni-face-painted-over-at-rome-basilica)
      * [Uproar Over Meloni's Face Painted on an Angel in a Church in Rome — nytimes.com](https://nytimes.com/2026/02/02/world/europe/angel-meloni-face-rome-church.html)
      * ['I'm definitely not like an angel': Meloni laughs off church fresco controversy — politico.eu](https://politico.eu/article/angel-giorgia-meloni-basilica-san-lorenzo-lucina-fresco-nike)
      * [How an art restorer sneaked Giorgia Meloni into a church fresco — economist.com](https://economist.com/europe/2026/02/04/how-an-art-restorer-sneaked-giorgia-meloni-into-a-church-fresco)
      * [Angelo con il volto della Meloni, la diocesi di Roma 'Non è stata presa una decisione' — lastampa.it](https://lastampa.it/vatican-insider/2026/02/03/news/meloni_volto_angelo_basilica_diocesi_roma-15493217)
      * ['I'm definitely not like an angel': Meloni jokes about cherub lookalike — euronews.com](https://euronews.com/2026/02/03/im-definitely-not-like-an-angel-meloni-jokes-about-cherub-lookalike-after-uproar)
      * [Giorgia Meloni breaks silence over resemblance to restored church angel — independent.co.uk](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/giorgia-meloni-angel-san-lorenzo-church-rome-b2912973.html)
      * [The angelic Meloni behind a fresco fiasco — ft.com](https://ft.com/content/b9c6ed13-9a7c-4fd6-a27b-7a7c16f1e159)
      * [Restored angel fresco resembling Italy's PM Meloni removed after backlash — lemonde.fr](https://lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/02/04/restored-angel-fresco-resembling-italy-s-pm-meloni-removed-after-backlash_6750152_4.html)
      * [Rom: Giorgia Meloni als Engel in Kapelle? Was der Restaurator sagt — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/ausland/rom-giorgia-meloni-als-engel-in-kapelle-was-der-restaurator-sagt-a-e03ffe5f-c9b9-4c85-a0f3-03c764ebccd2)
      * [Nach Kritik aus dem Vatikan – 'Meloni'-Engel in römischer Kirche entfernt — welt.de](https://welt.de/vermischtes/article6983393ec9ddc2c8009c1b63/nach-kritik-aus-dem-vatikan-meloni-engel-in-roemischer-kirche-entfernt.html)
      * [Rom: Der 'Meloni-Engel' ist jetzt kopflos — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/kultur/rom-der-meloni-engel-ist-jetzt-kopflos-a-3aeb7857-9e9f-4811-8e1b-a0b9c32c5138)
      * [Meloni Cherub in Rome Church Painted Over After Outcry — newser.com](https://newser.com/story/382988/in-italy-a-meloni-esque-cherub-raises-a-ruckus.html)
      * [Ärger um Engel: Vatikan lässt Meloni-Gesicht übermalen — faz.net](https://faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/kunst-und-architektur/aerger-um-engel-vatikan-laesst-meloni-gesicht-uebermalen-200506419.html)
      * [Italy's Giorgia Meloni As An 'Angel': When Sacred Space Becomes A Political Mural — religionunplugged.com](https://religionunplugged.com/news/2026/2/5/italy-giorgia-meloni-angel-sacred-space-becomes-a-political-canvas)
      * [Verehrer malte ihr Gesicht: Denkmalbehörde prüft 'Meloni-Engel' in Kirche — n-tv.de](https://n-tv.de/panorama/Denkmalbehoerde-prueft-Meloni-Engel-in-Kirche-id30318736.html)
      * [Italien/Giorgia Meloni: Ist der 'Meloni-Engel' in Rom bald wieder weg? — spiegel.de](https://spiegel.de/panorama/italien-giorgia-meloni-ist-der-meloni-engel-bald-wieder-weg-a-bdce2be3-f960-4a4c-86d8-03d286779cee)
      * [Giorgia Meloni als Engel? Fresko an römischer Kirchenwand — zdfheute.de](https://zdfheute.de/video/zdfheute-xpress/fresko-engel-meloni-lookalike-video-100.html)
      * [San Lorenzo: Engel mit Meloni-Gesicht in Rom erzürnt den Vatikan — welt.de](https://welt.de/kultur/article697f4bd6b90993cdc7ac16ab/san-lorenzo-engel-mit-meloni-gesicht-in-rom-erzuernt-den-vatikan.html)
      * [Engel in Rom: Fresko zeigt Giorgia Melonis Gesicht — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/ausland-und-internationales/engel-in-rom-fresko-zeigt-giorgia-melonis-gesicht-69804d1b747daefa3f2c181d)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Mattarella's Olympic presidency: Tram arrival stunt and ceremonial role at Milano-Cortina 2026" type="February 4-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (11)">
      * [Il Presidente Mattarella agli atleti: 'La prima competizione è con propri limiti' — rainews.it](https://rainews.it/maratona/2026/02/olimpiadi-milano-cortina-cerimonia-di-apertura-mattarella-quandoi-iniziano-le-gare-curling-hockey-snowboard-pattinaggio-di-figura-dirette-gare-risultati-86ba2e4a-eb24-435a-9fcb-c3357f8c8e26.html)
      * [Ovazione per l'Italia, fischi a Israele e Vance. Poi Mattarella apre i Giochi di Milano-Cortina 2026 — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/nazionale/diretta-mattarella-lemozione-cresce-e-coni-rispone-ghali-2606142.html)
      * [Mattarella al Villaggio olimpico: 'Ci siamo! La prima competizione è con se stessi' — repubblica.it](https://repubblica.it/politica/2026/02/05/news/mattarella_villaggio_olimpico_milano_cortina-425140515)
      * [Milano Cortina: Mattarella dichiara aperti i Giochi invernali. Accesi i due bracieri — ansa.it](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/speciali/milano_cortina_2026/2026/02/06/milano-cortina-mattarella-dichiara-aperti-i-giochi-invernali.-accesi-i-due-bracieri_0a3dc58a-f70b-4f0c-adca-342f552b6104.html)
      * [Mattarella a pranzo con azzurri al villaggio olimpico — video.corriere.it](https://video.corriere.it/sport/olimpiadi-milano-cortina-2026/mattarella-a-pranzo-con-azzurri-al-villaggio-olimpico-lasagne-alla-zucca-pesce-spada-e-torta-di-mele/e73aac27-f267-4318-9cc3-a4c0f7770xlk)
      * [Mattarella a sorpresa arriverà in tram con Valentino Rossi autista alle Olimpiadi — repubblica.it](https://repubblica.it/politica/2026/02/06/news/mattarella_tram_valentino_rossi_sorpresa_olimpiadi_milano_cortina-425143715)
      * [Sergio Mattarella ha commesso un errore nel dichiarare aperte le Olimpiadi — oasport.it](https://oasport.it/2026/02/sergio-mattarella-ha-commesso-un-errore-nel-dichiarare-aperte-le-olimpiadi-cosa-ha-sbagliato-il-presidente)
      * [La sorpresa di Mattarella: incontra i ragazzi di PizzAut — corriere.it](https://corriere.it/buone-notizie/26_febbraio_06/la-sorpresa-di-mattarella-incontra-i-ragazzi-di-pizzaute-li-abbraccia-uno-ad-uno-8c302587-7e6c-46e6-ace8-9f0b5cb91xlk.shtml)
      * [Mattarella inaugura Casa Italia a Milano, la figlia Laura taglia il nastro tricolore — video.corriere.it](https://video.corriere.it/sport/olimpiadi-milano-cortina-2026/mattarella-inaugura-casa-italia-a-milano-la-figlia-laura-taglia-il-nastro-tricolore/ab0bc20e-766a-425f-9c88-c6d9e1e50xlk)
      * [Olimpiadi, il toccante video del Presidente Mattarella che arriva in tram a San Siro — milanotoday.it](https://milanotoday.it/sport/olimpiadi-invernali-2026/video-presidente-mattarella-tram-san-siro.html)
      * [Milano-Cortina 2026, Mattarella arriva a San Siro in tram con Valentino Rossi — moto.it](https://moto.it/news/milano-cortina-2026-mattarella-arriva-a-san-siro-in-tram-con-valentino-rossi-il-gesto-simbolo-delle-olimpiadi.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Vannacci quits Lega to form independent far-right party, dealing blow to Salvini" type="February 3-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (11)">
      * [Ex-general quits Italy's League party, posing problem for Meloni — reuters.com](https://reuters.com/world/ex-general-quits-italys-league-party-posing-problem-meloni-2026-02-03)
      * [Vannacci dice addio alla Lega. Salvini: 'Tradisce come Fini' — repubblica.it](https://repubblica.it/politica/2026/02/04/news/vannacci_lascia_lega_salvini_fini-425137155)
      * [Vannacci lascia la Lega per Futuro Nazionale: il fallimento di Salvini — ilfattoquotidiano.it](https://ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/02/04/vannacci-salvini-lega-futuro-nazionale-notizie/8279602)
      * [L'ira dei vecchi bossiani: 'Lega distrutta da Salvini, lui peggio di Vannacci' — repubblica.it](https://repubblica.it/politica/2026/02/06/news/vannacci_vecchi_lega_contro_salvini-425141753)
      * [Vannacci: 'Il traditore è Salvini, dalle armi all'Ucraina alla legge Fornero' — bologna.repubblica.it](https://bologna.repubblica.it/cronaca/2026/02/04/news/vannacci_salvini_traditore_legge_fornero_lega_destra-425138773)
      * [Lo show dell'ex militare: 'È Salvini il traditore'. E arruola Corona e No Vax — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/politica/show-dellex-militare-salvini-traditore-e-arruola-corona-e-no-2605307.html)
      * [Vannacci lascia la Lega: 'Proseguo la mia strada da solo'. Salvini: 'Deluso e amareggiato' — ilsole24ore.com](https://ilsole24ore.com/art/vannacci-pronto-lasciare-lega-l-annuncio-atteso-oggi-AIZKwaDB)
      * [Vannacci day after, Salvini: 'Ingrato, capitolo chiuso'. Pozzolo, ex FdI, entra in Futuro nazionale — repubblica.it](https://repubblica.it/politica/2026/02/04/news/vannacci_reazioni_lega_salvini_zaia_fedriga-425138325)
      * [Vannacci: Per Youtrend siamo al 4,2%, mica male. Il traditore è Salvini — tg24.sky.it](https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2026/02/04/vannacci-salvini-news)
      * [Lega: i 'cuori di leone' in rivolta contro Salvini dopo il caso Vannacci — ilfattoquotidiano.it](https://ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/02/04/crisi-lega-salvini-vannacci-nord-oggi/8279828)
      * [Vannacci: 'È Salvini il traditore, la mia destra è vera' — open.online](https://open.online/2026/02/04/vannacci-salvini-traditore-modena)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Government approves security package with expanded police detention powers" type="February 3-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (8)">
      * [Italy Set to Approve Meloni Plan Expanding Police Powers at Protests — bloomberg.com](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-05/italy-to-back-meloni-proposal-giving-police-sweeping-new-powers)
      * [Cdm, ok al pacchetto sicurezza. Fermo preventivo di 12 ore. Meloni: 'Non sono misure spot' — rainews.it](https://rainews.it/maratona/2026/02/askatasuna-vertice-sul-decreto-sicurezza-meloni-auspica-una-risoluzione-unitaria-21795630-c8e2-430f-8728-8cc80369ec28.html)
      * [Piazze vietate ai violenti e niente coltelli ai minori: il pacchetto sicurezza approvato dal Cdm — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/interni/decreto-sicurezza-divieto-vendere-coltelli-ai-minorenni-2605717.html)
      * [Cauzioni per manifestare: Salvini rinvia, non entrerà nel Decreto Sicurezza — ilfattoquotidiano.it](https://ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/02/04/cauzioni-manifestare-salvini-rinvia-decreto-sicurezza-notizie/8280013)
      * [Italien - Melonis Regierung beschließt scharfes Sicherheitspaket — deutschlandfunk.de](https://deutschlandfunk.de/melonis-regierung-beschliesst-scharfes-sicherheitspaket-kritik-aus-der-opposition-100.html)
      * [Incontro tra Mattarella e Mantovano, al centro anche il pacchetto sicurezza — tg24.sky.it](https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2026/02/04/pacchetto-sicurezza-misure-news)
      * [La difesa torna legittima: un paracadute per tutti — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/politica/difesa-torna-legittima-paracadute-tutti-2605891.html)
      * [Italien: Meloni verschärft Messer-Gesetz — bild.de](https://bild.de/politik/ausland-und-internationales/italien-meloni-verschaerft-messer-gesetz-6985a5fb1ec9885e0fe659aa)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Meloni calls Olympic protesters 'enemies of Italy' after Milan violence" type="February 8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (5)">
      * [Meloni and IOC condemn clashes in Olympics host Milan after protest — reuters.com](https://reuters.com/sports/meloni-condemns-enemies-italy-after-clashes-olympics-host-city-milan-2026-02-08)
      * [Italy's Meloni condemns anti-Olympics protesters in Milan — aljazeera.com](https://aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/8/italys-meloni-condemns-anti-olympics-protesters-in-milan)
      * [Meloni condemns anti-Olympics actions in Milan, calling demonstrators 'enemies of Italy' — abcnews.go.com](https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/meloni-condemns-anti-olympics-actions-milan-calling-demonstrators-129966127)
      * [Olympische Winterspiele: Meloni bezeichnet Demonstrierende in Mailand als 'Feinde Italiens' — zeit.de](https://zeit.de/gesellschaft/2026-02/olympische-winterspiele-mailand-demonstrationen-giorgia-meloni-gxe)
      * [Premier Meloni: Olympic protesters are 'enemies of Italy' — espn.com](https://espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/47866710/premier-meloni-olympic-protesters-enemies-italy)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Salvini cited dozens of times in declassified Epstein files linked to Bannon" type="February 2-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (9)">
      * [Cosa c'entra Matteo Salvini con gli 'Epstein files' — ilpost.it](https://ilpost.it/2026/02/05/matteo-salvini-epstein-files/)
      * [Epstein files, Pd-M5s-Avs chiedono che Salvini e governo riferiscano in Aula — repubblica.it](https://repubblica.it/politica/2026/02/03/news/epstein_files_pd_m5s_avs_salvini_governo-425136405)
      * [Epstein files, l'Italia emerge come laboratorio politico di Steve Bannon negli scambi con il finanziere — wired.it](https://wired.it/article/salvini-sardegna-italia-file-epstein-politica-finanza-hacker)
      * [Matteo Salvini citato 89 volte negli Epstein Files — lastampa.it](https://lastampa.it/esteri/2026/02/03/news/salvini_epstein_bannon_file_segreti-15492631)
      * [Salvini negli Epstein Files: l'amico Bannon sapeva del Papeete 8 mesi prima — editorialedomani.it](https://editorialedomani.it/politica/italia/salvini-epstein-files-bannon-papeete-sovranisti-2019-lpce0xk1)
      * [Cosa c'entrano Matteo Salvini e la Lega con gli Epstein files — today.it](https://today.it/politica/matteo-salvini-lega-epstein-files.html)
      * [Le 89 citazioni di Salvini negli Epstein Files: 'È seduto sulle mie ginocchia ma non lo sa' — open.online](https://open.online/2026/02/03/matteo-salvini-epstein-files-steve-bannon)
      * [Epstein files: Salvini citato 96 volte, Piccolotti (Avs) chiede chiarimenti su Bannon — ilfattoquotidiano.it](https://ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/02/03/epstein-files-salvini-bannon-informativa-oggi/8278869)
      * [Bannon cercò fondi per Salvini. Lo dicono gli Epstein files. La Lega replica: millanterie — huffingtonpost.it](https://huffingtonpost.it/politica/2026/02/02/news/bannon_cerco_fondi_per_salvini_lo_dicono_gli_epstein_files-21113205)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Turin violence during Askatasuna protests injures dozens of police officers" type="February 1-4, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (10)">
      * [Askatasuna, dichiarazione del Presidente Meloni in occasione della visita ai due agenti ricoverati a Torino — governo.it](https://governo.it/it/articolo/askatasuna-dichiarazione-del-presidente-meloni-occasione-della-visita-ai-due-agenti)
      * [Meloni, è tentato omicidio contro gli agenti, i magistrati non esitino — ansa.it](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2026/02/01/meloni-e-tentato-omicidio-contro-gli-agenti-i-magistrati-non-esitino_9993e503-0d2b-4089-8343-33c40266e431.html)
      * [Meloni in ospedale dal poliziotto aggredito durante gli scontri di Torino — ilfattoquotidiano.it](https://ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/02/01/poliziotto-pestato-meloni-torino-scontri-news/8276112/)
      * [Askatasuna rivendica gli scontri con la polizia: non erano infiltrati — quotidianopiemontese.it](https://quotidianopiemontese.it/2026/02/02/askatasuna-scontri-corteo-31-gennaio)
      * [Il ministro Crosetto: in mille hanno scatenato la guerriglia a Torino — gds.it](https://gds.it/articoli/cronaca/2026/02/01/il-ministro-crosetto-in-mille-hanno-scatenato-la-guerriglia-a-torino-erano-organizzati-militarmente-f4dd8fc7-faba-4c7a-aef6-402423e495a3)
      * [Poliziotto pestato al corteo Askatasuna, la testimonianza della cronista — virgilio.it](https://virgilio.it/notizie/poliziotto-pestato-al-corteo-askatasuna-la-testimonianza-della-cronista-su-cosa-e-successo-prima-del-video-1732679)
      * [Il ministro Guido Crosetto e il corteo pro Askatasuna di Torino — torino.corriere.it](https://torino.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_febbraio_01/il-ministro-guido-crosetto-e-il-corteo-pro-askatasuna-di-torino-oltre-1-000-persone-organizzate-militarmente-e-con-una-strategia-3f23e0df-c1dd-4583-817c-4018cad5dxlk.shtml)
      * [Askatasuna, il bilancio della guerriglia: un centinaio di feriti tra gli agenti — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/interni/caos-torino-centinaio-feriti-agenti-3-arresti-24-denunciati-2603752.html)
      * [Scontri a Torino corteo Askatasuna, Salvini: 'Arrestati già a piede libero, vergogna' — torinoggi.it](https://torinoggi.it/2026/02/04/amp/argomenti/cronaca-11/articolo/scontri-a-torino-corteo-askatasuna-salvini-arrestati-gia-e-piede-libero-vergogna.html)
      * ['Da solo e senza casco in mezzo ai black bloc, avevo paura'. Il poliziotto massacrato a Torino parla dall'ospedale — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/nazionale/ho-fatto-solo-mio-dovere-prime-parole-poliziotto-massacrato-2603629.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Tajani tours southern regions hit by severe weather, promises government support" type="February 1-3, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (8)">
      * [Tajani in Sicilia, Calabria e Sardegna per sostenere le imprese dopo i danni causati dal Ciclone Harry — quotidianodelsud.it](https://quotidianodelsud.it/2026/02/01/tajani-in-sicilia-calabria-e-sardegna-per-sostenere-le-imprese-dopo-i-danni-causati-dal-ciclone-harry)
      * [Tajani in Sicilia a sostegno delle imprese dopo i danni del maltempo — lasicilia.it](https://lasicilia.it/news/economia/3016057/tajani-in-sicilia-a-sostegno-delle-imprese-dopo-i-danni-del-maltempo.html)
      * [Emergenza maltempo in Calabria, Tajani a Reggio: 'Il Governo al fianco delle imprese' — corrieredellacalabria.it](https://corrieredellacalabria.it/2026/02/02/emergenza-maltempo-in-calabria-tajani-a-reggio-il-governo-al-fianco-delle-imprese)
      * [Ciclone Harry, il ministro Tajani a Cagliari — sardies.it](https://sardies.it/ciclone-harry-il-ministro-tajani-a-cagliari)
      * [Reggio Calabria, arriva il vice premier Tajani: 'Pronti strumenti finanziari per le aziende calabresi' — calabria.gazzettadelsud.it](https://calabria.gazzettadelsud.it/articoli/politica/2026/02/02/reggio-calabria-arriva-il-vice-premier-tajani-pronti-strumenti-finanziari-per-le-aziende-calabresi-8f9915e0-a821-4e27-888a-2115be91a78e)
      * [Emergenza maltempo, Tajani arriva a Reggio Calabria — corrieredellacalabria.it](https://corrieredellacalabria.it/2026/02/02/emergenza-maltempo-tajani-arriva-a-reggio-calabria-foto)
      * [Tajani guida la missione di sistema nel Mezzogiorno — lamilano.it](https://lamilano.it/politica/tajani-guida-la-missione-di-sistema-nel-mezzogiorno-aiuti-e-strumenti-per-le-imprese-di-sicilia-calabria-e-sardegna)
      * [Migranti, Tajani 'I trafficanti di esseri umani sono criminali assassini' — radionbc.it](https://radionbc.it/migranti-tajani-i-trafficanti-di-esseri-umani-sono-criminali-assassini)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Fratelli d'Italia offices vandalized, controversial member statements spark criticism" type="February 5-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (13)">
      * ['Fasci di m…'. Sfregiata la sede FdI della Garbatella. Arianna Meloni: 'Figli dell'odio' — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/interni/fasci-m-sfregiata-sede-fdi-garbatella-arianna-meloni-figli-2605695.html)
      * [FdI, vandalizzata nella notte la sede di Garbatella, 'c'è clima di odio' — ansa.it](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2026/02/05/fdi-vandalizzata-nella-notte-la-sede-di-garbatella-ce-clima-di-odio_3cec7691-fc2f-44e5-8bdf-b74d5f4e2938.html)
      * ['Perché un gemellaggio con gli storpi in Palestina? Meglio l'Austria': parole shock della consigliera Fdi — fanpage.it](https://fanpage.it/politica/perche-un-gemellaggio-con-gli-storpi-in-palestina-meglio-laustria-parole-shock-della-consigliera-fdi/)
      * [Calenzano, in consiglio comunale l'esponente di FdI deride i palestinesi — firenze.repubblica.it](https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2026/02/08/video/calenzano_in_consiglio_comunale_lesponente_di_fdi_deride_i_palestinesi_storpi_non_hanno_nulla-425147355/)
      * ['Fasci di m\*\*\*a' e 'Falsa': vandalizzata la sede di Fratelli d'Italia alla Garbatella — romatoday.it](https://romatoday.it/politica/vandali-sede-fdi-garbatella-5-febbraio-2025.html)
      * [Fratelli d'Italia, sede partito alla Garbatella vandalizzata a Roma — tg24.sky.it](https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2026/02/05/fdi-sede-garbatella-vandalizzata-roma)
      * [Roma, vandalizzata la sede di Fratelli d'Italia alla Garbatella — roma.corriere.it](https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_febbraio_05/roma-vandalizzata-la-sede-di-fratelli-d-italia-alla-garbatella-falce-e-martello-e-scritta-fasci-di-m-4e6b213c-9eea-4904-910a-681964954xlk.shtml)
      * [Vandalizzata con vernice rossa e scritte 'fascisti di me\*\*' sede Fratelli D'Italia a Roma Garbatella — stream24.ilsole24ore.com](https://stream24.ilsole24ore.com/video/italia/vandalizzata-vernice-rossa-e-scritte-fascisti-me-sede-fratelli-d-italia-roma-garbatella/AIs37hGB)
      * [Insulti contro FdI e Meloni, vandalizzato il circolo alla Garbatella — virgilio.it](https://virgilio.it/notizie/insulti-contro-fdi-e-meloni-vandalizzato-il-circolo-alla-garbatella-frequentato-dalla-premier-in-gioventu-1733626)
      * [Raid vandalico contro la sede di Fratelli d'Italia alla Garbatella — rainews.it](https://rainews.it/tgr/lazio/articoli/2026/02/raid-vandalico-contro-la-sede-di-fratelli-ditalia-alla-garbatella-6b63a36e-f70f-4b53-9d1d-b364f7348dea.html)
      * [Le parole choc di Monica Castro, consigliera di Fratelli d'Italia — today.it](https://today.it/politica/monica-castro-consigliera-fratelli-d-italia-palestinesi-storpi-poveri-calenzano-video.html)
      * ['Palestinesi storpi, poveri e senza casa': scoppia la bufera sulla consigliera di FdI — lanazione.it](https://lanazione.it/firenze/politica/polemica-calenzano-consigliera-fdi-og9cfyc7)
      * [Doppio assalto contro Fdi e i giovani leghisti — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/politica/doppio-assalto-contro-fdi-e-i-giovani-leghisti-2605893.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Political polling shows stable government support with Meloni's approval at 45%" type="February 1-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (8)">
      * [Il gradimento per la Meloni sale al 45%, FdI è al 31,5% — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/interni/consenso-meloni-sale-45-fdi-315-2606564.html)
      * [Sondaggi politici, Fratelli d'Italia cresce ancora al 29,4%, su anche il Pd — fanpage.it](https://fanpage.it/politica/sondaggi-politici-fratelli-ditalia-cresce-ancora-al-294-su-anche-il-pd-chi-guadagna-piu-voti/)
      * [Sondaggio politico, frenano Fratelli d'Italia e Pd. Vannacci debutta con 1,6% — adnkronos.com](https://adnkronos.com/politica/sondaggio-elezioni-vannacci-voto-oggi_20pBRwPok1TsgmUwThRcrR)
      * [Ultimi sondaggi politici, il partito Futuro Nazionale di Vannacci al 4% secondo YouTrend — tg24.sky.it](https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2026/02/03/sondaggi-politici-futuro-nazionale-vannacci-partito)
      * [Sondaggio, il voto oggi: Fratelli d'Italia primo partito e Meloni promossa. Vannacci al 2% — adnkronos.com](https://adnkronos.com/politica/fiducia-in-meloni-al-45-fratelli-ditalia-primo-partito-al-31-5_UXTcK7QkJ0Jz09w8motg3)
      * [Sondaggio politico, Fratelli d'Italia cresce. Pd e M5S calano — adnkronos.com](https://adnkronos.com/politica/sondaggio-tg-la7-voto-oggi-elezioni-2-febbraio_69YoCg4phbZ3ZB6v5juHxN)
      * [Il sondaggio su Vannacci: Futuro Nazionale vale il 4,2%. Più voti strappati a FdI che alla Lega — quotidiano.net](https://quotidiano.net/politica/sondaggio-futuro-nazionale-vannacci-rc9h1xlz)
      * [Sondaggi politici, quanto distacco c'è tra destra e sinistra e chi vincerebbe oggi — fanpage.it](https://fanpage.it/politica/sondaggi-politici-quanto-distacco-ce-tra-destra-e-sinistra-e-chi-vincerebbe-oggi/)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Comedian Andrea Pucci withdraws from Sanremo amid political controversy" type="February 4-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (6)">
      * [Italian PM Meloni slams 'illiberal drift' after comedian quits TV show — reuters.com](https://reuters.com/business/media-telecom/italian-pm-meloni-slams-illiberal-drift-after-comedian-quits-tv-show-2026-02-08)
      * [Andrea Pucci, un caso a Sanremo: le frasi omofobe e sessiste — corriere.it](https://corriere.it/spettacoli/26_febbraio_07/andrea-pucci-caso-sanremo-51ad70cf-0538-4c27-ab57-aa76c7b2cxlk.shtml)
      * [Chi è Andrea Pucci, l'ex tabaccaio e gioielliere diventato comico — corriere.it](https://corriere.it/spettacoli/26_febbraio_08/chi-e-andrea-pucci-l-ex-tabaccaio-e-gioielliere-diventato-comico-566af3a5-bd90-4144-8a72-af968dc99xlk.shtml)
      * [Chi è il comico Andrea Pucci, le battute e i tormentoni della discordia — ilmattino.it](https://ilmattino.it/spettacoli/sanremo/chi_e_andrea_pucci_meloni_sanremo_vita_privata_battute-9347338.html)
      * [Sanremo, scoppia il caso Pucci. Il comico si ritira: 'Insulti e minacce'. Meloni: 'Deriva illiberale della sinistra' — unionesarda.it](https://unionesarda.it/spettacoli/sanremo-scoppia-il-caso-pucci-il-comico-si-ritira-insulti-e-minacce-meloni-deriva-illiberale-della-sinistra-kqskt3h8)
      * [Affari Tuoi, De Martino imita Carlo Conti e organizza un mini-Sanremo — libero.it](https://libero.it/magazine/news/affari-tuoi-cosa-successo-puntata-4-febbraio-191917)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Crosetto announces 12,000 additional auxiliary Carabinieri for street security" type="February 6-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Crosetto annuncia 12mila Carabinieri ausiliari per potenziare l'operazione Strade Sicure — ilsole24ore.com](https://ilsole24ore.com/art/sicurezza-mossa-crosetto-12mila-carabinieri-ausiliari-strada-AIwMH6HB)
      * [Crosetto working on another 12,000 auxiliary Carabinieri on streets says Meloni — ansa.it](https://ansa.it/english/newswire/english_service/2026/02/06/crosetto-working-on-another-12000-auxiliary-carabinieri-on-streets-says-meloni-3_7e9d39d6-9794-497c-9b1b-e74b70d41e14.html)
      * [Crosetto: agenti menati anche da 'stato' — rainews.it](https://rainews.it/articoli/ultimora/-crosetto-agenti-menati-anche-da-stato-2023bf86-8ab0-44ad-9eb3-1b7acc09b051.html)
      * [L'eterno falso mito dei cortei pacifisti — ilgiornale.it](https://ilgiornale.it/news/cronache/leterno-falso-mito-dei-cortei-pacifisti-2606668.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Other" type="">
    <Expandable title="Sources (5)">
      * [Vatican announces peace initiative and Prize Zayed presentation — vaticannews.va](https://vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2026-02/papa-leone-xiv-messaggio-giornata-mondiale-fratellanza-umana.html)
      * [Tajani announces cyber attack prevention on Foreign Ministry sites — tgcom24.mediaset.it](https://tgcom24.mediaset.it/2026/video/tajani-attacco-hacker-russo_108637753-02k.shtml)
      * [Board of Peace participation blocked by constitutional limits — ildifforme.it](https://ildifforme.it/politica/tajani-italia-board-of-peace)
      * [Referendum decree signed by Mattarella with criticism of Cassazione — ansa.it](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/02/07/mattarella-firma-il-decreto-sul-referendum-soluzione-giuridicamente-ineccepibile-_e30a5617-3a6b-4b77-bdd7-daf5f3987331.html)
      * [Italian Armed Forces to build first military base in Eastern Europe in Bulgaria — pagineesteri.it](https://pagineesteri.it/2026/02/02/medioriente/sorgera-in-bulgaria-la-prima-base-militare-italiana-in-est-europa)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>

### <img src="https://flagcdn.com/no.svg" width="32" alt="Norway" style={{display: 'inline', verticalAlign: 'middle', position: 'relative', top: '-2px', marginRight: '8px', border: '1px solid #d1d5db', borderRadius: '2px'}} />Norway

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre did something no Norwegian leader has ever done: he publicly criticised Crown Princess Mette-Marit for showing "poor judgment" in her contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The unprecedented rebuke came alongside a corruption investigation launched by Norway's economic crimes authority against former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland. Mr Jagland, who also chairs the Nobel Committee, faces scrutiny for his Epstein contacts while serving in high-level positions from 2016 to 2018. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced that Norway will propose lifting Mr Jagland's diplomatic immunity to the Council of Europe. The investigation shows accountability mechanisms targeting even the highest former officials, demonstrating that the rule of law applies regardless of political status.

Ambassador Mona Juul resigned from her Jordan posting after revelations about her own Epstein contacts. Mr Barth Eide called it a "necessary decision" after conversations during the week, with the Foreign Ministry continuing to investigate how her contacts might have affected her diplomatic work. Mr Støre initially rejected calls for an independent investigation but eventually agreed to parliamentary review, showing that democratic pressure can work even on reluctant leadership.

Beyond the scandal, Norway maintained routine operations. Mr Støre sent a message to President Donald Trump urging Russia to extend its bombing pause in an ongoing conflict, and at the Arctic Frontiers conference discussed with EU officials Norway's opposition to an Arctic oil moratorium. The country's intelligence services—the Norwegian Intelligence Service, the Norwegian Police Security Service, and the Norwegian National Security Authority—released annual threat assessments identifying Russia and China as primary threats, highlighting sabotage risks and digital vulnerabilities. Ministers emphasised this as the most serious security situation since World War II, though the assessments largely confirmed established threat patterns rather than revealing new dangers.

<Accordion title="Other Stories">
  * **Crown Princess apologises for Epstein contacts amid royal family crisis** — The Crown Princess issued public apology for her extensive email contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, expressing regret to King Harald and Queen Sonja. Crisis compounds with her son Marius Borg Høiby's rape trial. King Harald and Queen Sonja attended Winter Olympics amid the scandal. *([apnews.com](https://theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/07/norway-royals-epstein-files-court-case))*
  * **Listhaug demands independent Epstein investigation, criticises government response** — Progress Party (FrP) leader Sylvi Listhaug demanded full independent investigation of Norwegian connections to Jeffrey Epstein, criticised Prime Minister Støre for rejecting the proposal, and called for parliament to force an investigation. Attacked what she described as elite culture in Norwegian diplomacy. *([vg.no](https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/store-sier-nei-til-ekstern-gransking-av-ud/s/5-95-2866533))*
  * **Listhaug proposes reopening Svalbard coal mines and opposes Melkøya electrification project** — Progress Party leader Ms Listhaug proposed reopening coal mining on Svalbard for security policy reasons and opposed the Melkøya liquefied natural gas electrification project. The Socialist Left Party initially supported stopping the project but reversed position citing legal concerns. *([vg.no](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/167o9q/sylvi-listhaug-vil-aapne-nye-kullgruver-paa-svalbard))*
  * **Finance Minister Stoltenberg proposes eliminating 1000-kroner banknotes to combat crime** — Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg proposed eliminating Norway's largest banknote denomination and reducing cash transaction limits from 40,000 to 10,000 kroner as anti-crime measures. Critics argued it would primarily affect honest citizens rather than criminals. *([nettavisen.no](https://www.nationen.no/1000-lappen-det-er-lett-for-ein-toppolitikar-a-forby-ting-som-ikkje-angar-han-sjolv/o/5-148-851950))*
  * **Norway's Armed Forces expand training and defence preparations amid heightened threat environment** — Norwegian Armed Forces reported on various activities including expanded conscription, simulator training, Ukraine assistance programmes, and enhanced cyber security measures. Defence Minister emphasised this as most serious security situation since WWII. *([forsvaret.no](https://www.nrk.no/innlandet/forsvaret-sparer-enorme-belop-pa-a-bruke-simulatorer-under-ovelser-1.17746708))*
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Notes">
  <ResponseField name="Prime Minister Støre criticizes royal family and Jagland over Epstein contacts, eventually accepts parliamentary investigation" type="February 1-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (5)">
      * [Jonas Gahr Støre til Donald Trump: Russland må forlenge bombepausen — vg.no](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/xr4Brp/jonas-gahr-stoere-til-donald-trump-russland-maa-forlenge-bombepausen)
      * [Støre i ny melding til Trump: Russland må forlenge bombepausen — nettavisen.no](https://www.nettavisen.no/jonas-gahr-store/trump/russland-og-ukraina/store-i-ny-melding-til-trump-russland-ma-forlenge-bombepausen/s/5-95-2863023)
      * [Støre: Kronprinsessen og Thorbjørn Jagland har utvist dårlig dømmekraft i kontakt med Epstein — aftenposten.no](https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/politikk/i/43zQV6/stoere-til-tv-2-kronprinsessen-og-thorbjoern-jagland-har-utvist-daarlig-doemmekraft-i-kontakt-med-epstein)
      * [Støre sier nei til UD-granskning — dagbladet.no](https://dagbladet.no/nyheter/store-sier-nei-til-ud-granskning/84193569)
      * [Støre om Epstein-dokumentene: Dårlig dømmekraft fra kronprinsessen og Jagland — nrk.no](https://nrk.no/nyheter/store-om-epstein-dokumentene_-darlig-dommekraft-fra-kronprinsessen-og-jagland-1.17751361)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologizes for Epstein contacts amid royal family crisis" type="February 6-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [What to know about Norway's royals as crown princess expresses new regret over Epstein ties — apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/norway-crown-princess-mettemarit-epstein-haakon-hoiby-e45d3f7aff43669156682673c5388311)
      * [Norway crown princess apologizes to king and queen over Epstein friendship — reuters.com](https://reuters.com/world/norway-crown-princess-apologises-king-queen-over-epstein-friendship-2026-02-06)
      * ['Can Mette-Marit be queen after this?': Rape trial and Epstein files bring double crisis for Norway's royals — theguardian.com](https://theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/07/norway-royals-epstein-files-court-case)
      * [King Harald and Queen Sonja Attend the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics — newmyroyals.com](https://www.newmyroyals.com/2026/02/king-harald-and-queen-sonja-attend.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Økokrim opens corruption investigation against former PM Thorbjørn Jagland over Epstein connections" type="February 5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Thorbjørn Jagland: - Etterforskes for grov korrupsjon — dagbladet.no](https://dagbladet.no/nyheter/etterforskes-for-grov-korrupsjon/84193955)
      * [Økokrim åpner etterforskning mot Jagland for grov korrupsjon — nettavisen.no](https://nettavisen.no/nyheter/okokrim-apner-etteforskning-mot-jagland/s/5-95-2866567)
      * [Økokrim starter etterforskning av Thorbjørn Jagland for grov korrupsjon — nrk.no](https://nrk.no/norge/okokrim-starter-etterforskning-av-thorbjorn-jagland-for-grov-korrupsjon-1.17757411)
      * [Uttalelse fra utenriksminister Eide om opphevelse av immunitet for tidligere generalsekretær i Europarådet — regjeringen.no](https://regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/nyhet/id3148228)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Ambassador Mona Juul resigns over Epstein contacts as Foreign Ministry reviews connections" type="February 2-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Mona Juul går av som ambassadør — dagbladet.no](https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/mona-juul-gar-av-som-ambassador/84205130)
      * [Espen Barth Eide: – Mona Juul forklarer seg — vg.no](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/Ar3wd3/espen-barth-eide-mona-juul-forklarer-seg)
      * [Eide: Mona Juul fritatt fra arbeidsplikten som ambassadør — nrk.no](https://nrk.no/norge/eide_-mona-juul-fritatt-fra-arbeidsplikten-som-ambassador-1.17752823)
      * [Mona Juul går av som ambassadør etter Jeffrey Epstein-kontakt: - Alvorlig svikt i dømmekraften — vg.no](https://vg.no/nyheter/i/L450G1/ud-mona-juul-gaar-av-som-ambassadoer)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Listhaug demands independent Epstein investigation, criticizes government response" type="February 3-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Listhaug om Epstein-sakene: Ser ut som en ukultur — vg.no](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/5pnqO6/listhaug-om-epstein-sakene-ser-ut-som-en-ukultur)
      * [Listhaug fyrer løs mot Støre-nei: – Har dere noe å skjule? — nettavisen.no](https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/store-sier-nei-til-ekstern-gransking-av-ud/s/5-95-2866533)
      * [Listhaug krever full åpenhet om norske forbindelser til Epstein — nrk.no](https://nrk.no/nyheter/listhaug-krever-full-apenhet-om-norske-forbindelser-til-epstein-1.17754235)
      * [Frp snur og vil at Stortinget skal starte gransking av Epstein-koblinger i Norge — dagbladet.no](https://dagbladet.no/nyheter/vil-starte-egen-gransking/84191197)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Støre sends message to Trump about Russian bombing pause, discusses Arctic policy at frontiers conference" type="February 2-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Pressekonferanse med statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre på Arctic Frontiers i Tromsø — nrk.no](https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/pressekonferanse-med-statsminister-jonas-gahr-store-pa-arctic-frontiers-i-tromso-1.17753605)
      * [Støre med klar beskjed til Donald Trump: – Det er helt feil — dagsavisen.no](https://dagsavisen.no/nyheter/store-med-klar-beskjed-til-trump-det-er-helt-feil/10179584)
      * [Støre: EU må revurdere fossilmoratorium i Arktis — energiogklima.no](https://energiogklima.no/nyhet/brussel/store-eu-ma-revurdere-fossilmoratorium-i-arktis)
      * [Jonas Gahr Støre møter på Slottet fredag — vg.no](https://vg.no/nyheter/i/9pERAM/jonas-gahr-stoere-moeter-paa-slottet-fredag)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Norwegian intelligence services warn of increased threats from Russia and China" type="February 6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [La frem årets åpne trussel- og risikovurderinger — regjeringen.no](https://regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/la-frem-arets-apne-trussel-og-risikovurderinger/id3148007)
      * [E-tjenesten, PST og NSM legger frem sine nasjonale trusselvurderinger — nrk.no](https://www.nrk.no/urix/e-tjenesten_-pst-og-nsm-legger-frem-sine-nasjonale-trusselvurderinger-1.17754778)
      * [PST og E-tjenesten: Iran kobles til terrortrussel i Skandinavia — vg.no](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/L41KXP/pst-og-e-tjenesten-iran-kobles-til-terrortrussel-i-skandinavia)
      * [Trusselvurderingene - Kan se seg tjent med sabotasjeaksjoner — dagbladet.no](https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/kan-se-seg-tjent-med-sabotasjeaksjoner/84189772)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Equinor reports quarterly earnings decline, sells Argentina assets for \$1.1 billion" type="February 2-4, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Equinor fourth quarter and full year 2025 results — equinor.com](https://www.equinor.com/news/equinor-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2025-results)
      * [Equinor divests parts of its Argentina assets in \$1.1 billion deal — reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/equinor-divests-parts-its-argentina-assets-11-billion-deal-2026-02-02/)
      * [Equinor cuts buybacks by 70% and flags sharp drop in capital expenditure next year — reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/equinor-q4-profit-falls-less-than-expected-2026-02-04/)
      * [Equinor captures value through sale of Argentina onshore assets — equinor.com](https://www.equinor.com/news/20260202-sale-argentina-onshore-assets)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Listhaug proposes reopening Svalbard coal mines and opposes Melkøya electrification project" type="February 3-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Sylvi Listhaug vil åpne nye kullgruver på Svalbard — vg.no](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/167o9q/sylvi-listhaug-vil-aapne-nye-kullgruver-paa-svalbard)
      * [Melkøya-feiden: Listhaug står imot press — vg.no](https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/167pLG/melkoeya-listhaug-staar-paa-sitt)
      * [Kan norsk næringsliv stole på Listhaug? Nei. — aftenposten.no](https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/leder/i/aJWVz2/kan-norsk-naeringsliv-stole-paa-listhaug-nei)
      * [Forslag om å stanse Melkøya-elektrifisering får ikke flertall — highnorthnews.com](https://www.highnorthnews.com/naeringsliv/forslag-om-a-stanse-melkoya-elektrifisering-far-ikke-flertall/1102659)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Norges Bank sovereign wealth fund increases investments, Iberdrola partnership expands" type="February 1-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Iberdrola's JV With Norges Bank Investment Management Reaches 1,500 MW Of Installed Renewable Capacity — tradingview.com](https://tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2026:newsml_FWN3YY0GZ:0-iberdrola-s-jv-with-norges-bank-investment-management-reaches-1-500-mw-of-installed-renewable-capacity)
      * [Norway's sovereign wealth fund cuts Bangladesh exposure, exits key blue-chip stocks — tbsnews.net](https://tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/norways-sovereign-wealth-fund-cuts-bangladesh-exposure-exits-key-blue-chip-stocks)
      * [El Fondo Noruego apuesta por Iberdrola, BBVA, Santander e Inditex — expansion.com](https://expansion.com/empresas/2026/02/02/697fa122e5fdea746f8b45a0.html)
      * [Iberdrola and Norges operate 1,500 MW in solar plants — inspenet.com](https://inspenet.com/en/noticias/iberdrola-and-norges-bank-reach-1500-mw-of-solar-capacity/)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Finance Minister Stoltenberg proposes eliminating 1000-kroner banknotes to combat crime" type="February 1-4, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Finansdepartementets ansatte solgte Stoltenbergs bok — nettavisen.no](https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/finansdepartementets-ansatte-solgte-stoltenbergs-bok/s/5-95-2860212)
      * [1000-lappen: Det er lett for ein toppolitikar å forby ting som ikkje angår han sjølv — nationen.no](https://www.nationen.no/1000-lappen-det-er-lett-for-ein-toppolitikar-a-forby-ting-som-ikkje-angar-han-sjolv/o/5-148-851950)
      * [Støre slipper billig: Over 10 mill. i skatterabatt — finansavisen.no](https://www.finansavisen.no/bolig/2026/02/02/8325200/store-slipper-billig-over-10-mill.-i-skatterabatt)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Norway's Armed Forces expand training and defense preparations amid heightened threat environment" type="February 2-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Forsvaret sparer mye på å bruke simulatorer — nrk.no](https://www.nrk.no/innlandet/forsvaret-sparer-enorme-belop-pa-a-bruke-simulatorer-under-ovelser-1.17746708)
      * [Vi trenger å lære det du kan - Forsvaret — forsvaret.no](https://forsvaret.no/heimevernet/vi-trenger-a-laere-det-du-kan)
      * [Status: Fokus 2026 - Forsvaret — forsvaret.no](https://forsvaret.no/soldater-og-ansatte/ansatt/status/status-48)
      * [Ny værnepligt skudt i gang: 'Det er afgørende med den aktuelle verdenssituation' — dr.dk](https://dr.dk/nyheder/indland/ny-vaernepligt-skudt-i-gang-det-er-afgoerende-med-den-aktuelle-verdenssituation)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Other" type="">
    <Expandable title="Sources (6)">
      * [Sofie Høgestøl announces pregnancy during Stormkast podcast appearance — seher.no](https://seher.no/kjendis/bekrefter-gladnyhet/84182696)
      * [E18/E39 construction project through Kristiansand described as most complex road project — anlegg.bygg.no](https://anlegg.bygg.no/eiffage-kristiansand-statens-vegvesen/slik-bygger-vegvesenet-sitt-mest-kompliserte-veiprosjekt/2887112)
      * [E16 toll stations to be removed between Kongsvinger and Sør-Odal — nettavisen.no](https://nettavisen.no/okonomi/bommene-tas-ned-tom-sparer-300-000-kroner-i-aret/s/5-95-2847196)
      * [Japan's GPIF pension fund reports \$103bn investment gain in Q4 — asia.nikkei.com](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/finance/japan-pension-whale-gpif-logs-103bn-investment-gain-in-oct-dec)
      * [Financial Times reports on European-US security guarantee plan for Ukraine — nettavisen.no](https://nettavisen.no/nyheter/financial-times-slik-skal-europa-og-usa-garantere-ukrainas-sikkerhet/s/5-95-2859187)
      * [Nordnorsk kunstnersenter announces 34 artists selected for exhibition — sagat.no](https://sagat.no/34-ble-valgt-ut/19.55361)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>

### <img src="https://flagcdn.com/fr.svg" width="32" alt="France" style={{display: 'inline', verticalAlign: 'middle', position: 'relative', top: '-2px', marginRight: '8px', border: '1px solid #d1d5db', borderRadius: '2px'}} />France

France's 2027 election took a decisive turn this week when prosecutors requested Marine Le Pen's ineligibility without provisional execution — potentially allowing her to run pending appeal while her party already shifts toward a new generation.

In Ms Le Pen's appeal trial, the prosecutor requested five years of ineligibility and four years in prison (one suspended) but critically without provisional execution. Ms Le Pen said she would be "prevented" from running in 2027 if the court follows the recommendations, but the lack of provisional execution means she could potentially campaign pending further appeal — a significant change from the immediate ban threatened in March 2025. As the legal uncertainty persists, Rassemblement National President Jordan Bardella has accelerated his own presidential positioning, launching municipal campaigns while polls show 69% of RN supporters prefer him over Ms Le Pen for the presidency.

Even as the 2027 race reshapes, France's governance crisis continues to deepen. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu successfully passed the 2026 budget using Article 49.3 after surviving multiple censure motions — his third use of the constitutional workaround, confirming complete dependence on bypassing parliamentary procedure for basic legislative functions. The institutional strain extends to administrative manipulation: the Interior Ministry reclassified France Unbowed from "left" to "extreme left" for municipal elections, prompting Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the France Unbowed leader, to denounce it as "Trump-like" manipulation and announce a Council of State appeal.

Internationally, France maintains its confrontational posture with adversaries while accelerating military preparations. French authorities detected a Russian disinformation operation linked to the Storm-1516 network attempting to implicate President Emmanuel Macron in the Jeffrey Epstein affair through fabricated media reports and AI-generated content. Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry placed record orders of 38 billion euros for military equipment in 2025, with 42 billion projected for 2026, including aircraft, missiles, drones and munitions as part of France's high-intensity conflict preparation.

<Accordion title="Other Stories">
  * **Jordan Bardella launches RN municipal campaign as potential 2027 presidential alternative** — RN President Jordan Bardella began his municipal election campaign in Agde and Carcassonne, reaffirming support for Ms Le Pen while positioning himself as potential 2027 presidential candidate. Polls show 69% of RN supporters prefer Bardella over Ms Le Pen for the presidency. *([huffingtonpost.fr](https://lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/02/07/de-l-aude-a-l-herault-jordan-bardella-lance-la-campagne-municipale-du-rn-au-milieu-de-ses-fans-il-devrait-etre-candidat-meme-si-marine-est-eligible_6665829_823448.html))*
  * **Jack Lang resigns from Arab World Institute over Epstein affair** — Former Culture Minister Jack Lang resigned as president of the Arab World Institute after being summoned by the Quai d'Orsay over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Lang was mentioned 673 times in newly released Epstein documents and faced pressure from government and opposition. *([lemonde.fr](https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/02/06/affaire-epstein-jack-lang-convoque-par-le-quai-d-orsay-dimanche-l-executif-s-attend-a-une-resistance-du-president-de-l-institut-du-monde-arabe_6665647_823448.html))*
  * **Macron's 'For Sure' Davos moment becomes viral meme** — Mr Macron's repeated use of 'For Sure' during his Davos speech became a viral internet meme, generating remixes and social media content. Mr Macron reacted with humor while using the moment to advocate for social media age restrictions. *([huffingtonpost.fr](https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/tech-futurs/video/emmanuel-macron-s-amuse-des-remix-viraux-de-son-for-sure-et-met-en-garde-contre-les-derives-des-reseaux-sociaux_260086.html))*
  * **French banks report record 35 billion euro profits for 2025** — France's five largest banks reported historic combined profits exceeding 35 billion euros in 2025, driven by strong corporate demand and retail banking recovery. BNP Paribas led with over 12.2 billion euros profit. *([lemonde.fr](https://lemonde.fr/economie/article/2026/02/07/dans-les-banques-francaises-la-course-a-la-rentabilite-continue_6665773_3234.html))*
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Notes">
  <ResponseField name="Sébastien Lecornu's government passes 2026 budget and announces major reforms" type="February 2-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [De la démission fracassante au retour du 49.3 : comment Lecornu a réussi sa mission impossible — huffingtonpost.fr](https://huffingtonpost.fr/politique/article/la-methode-lecornu-de-sa-demission-fracassante-au-49-3-une-clef-parmi-d-autres-de-l-adoption-du-budget_259918.html)
      * [Adoption du budget 2026 : et maintenant, que va faire Sébastien Lecornu ? — ouest-france.fr](https://ouest-france.fr/politique/sebastien-lecornu/adoption-du-budget-2026-et-maintenant-que-va-faire-sebastien-lecornu-c57bd764-0003-11f1-8cae-30ca3642bcdf)
      * [Remaniement : Lecornu annonce un «ajustement» gouvernemental d'ici le 22 février — lefigaro.fr](https://lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/remaniement-lecornu-evoque-un-ajustement-gouvernemental-d-ici-le-22-fevrier-20260207)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Marine Le Pen faces five years ineligibility in RN trial appeal, threatening 2027 candidacy" type="February 3-4, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Procès en appel du RN : quatre ans de prison, dont un ferme, et cinq ans d'inéligibilité requis contre Marine Le Pen, sans application immédiate — rtl.fr](https://rtl.fr/actu/politique/en-direct-proces-en-appel-du-rn-vers-une-nouvelle-condamnation-pour-marine-le-pen-les-requisitions-attendues-ce-mardi-7900596529)
      * [Marine Le Pen : cinq ans d'inéligibilité requis en appel dans l'affaire des assistants d'eurodéputés du FN — lcp.fr](https://lcp.fr/actualites/marine-le-pen-cinq-ans-d-ineligibilite-requis-en-appel-dans-l-affaire-des-assistants-d)
      * [La candidature de Marine Le Pen en 2027 plus que jamais hypothétique après les réquisitions du procès en appel des assistants du FN — lemonde.fr](https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/02/04/proces-en-appel-des-assistants-parlementaires-du-fn-la-candidature-de-marine-le-pen-en-2027-plus-que-jamais-hypothetique-apres-les-requisitions_6665297_823448.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Jordan Bardella launches RN municipal campaign as potential 2027 presidential alternative" type="February 5-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Jordan Bardella lance la campagne municipale du RN au milieu de ses fans : « Il devrait être candidat, même si Marine est éligible » — lemonde.fr](https://lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/02/07/de-l-aude-a-l-herault-jordan-bardella-lance-la-campagne-municipale-du-rn-au-milieu-de-ses-fans-il-devrait-etre-candidat-meme-si-marine-est-eligible_6665829_823448.html)
      * [Jordan Bardella préféré à Marine Le Pen par les sympathisants du Rassemblement national pour la présidentielle 2027 — letelegramme.fr](https://letelegramme.fr/france/jordan-bardella-prefere-a-marine-le-pen-par-les-sympathisants-du-rassemblement-national-pour-la-presidentielle-2027-6978584.php)
      * [Sondage : Jordan Bardella plus populaire que Marine Le Pen auprès des Français — lefigaro.fr](https://lefigaro.fr/politique/sondage-jordan-bardella-plus-populaire-que-marine-le-pen-aupres-des-francais-20260205)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Russian disinformation campaign targets Macron over Epstein affair" type="February 6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [INFO BFMTV. Une opération d'ingérence russe destinée à faire croire à une implication d'Emmanuel Macron dans l'affaire Epstein détectée par la France — bfmtv.com](https://www.bfmtv.com/tech/info-bfmtv-une-operation-d-ingerence-russe-destinee-a-faire-croire-a-une-implication-d-emmanuel-macron-dans-l-affaire-epstein-detectee-par-la-france_AN-202602060312.html)
      * [Affaire Epstein : Emmanuel Macron ciblé par une opération de désinformation russe — euronews.com](https://fr.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/02/06/affaire-epstein-emmanuel-macron-cible-par-une-operation-de-desinformation-russe)
      * [Russian actors behind smear campaign to frame Macron in the Epstein files — euronews.com](https://euronews.com/my-europe/2026/02/06/russian-actors-behind-smear-campaign-to-frame-macron-in-the-epstein-files)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Jack Lang resigns from Institut du Monde Arabe over Epstein affair" type="February 6-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [Affaire Epstein : Jack Lang convoqué dimanche au Quai d'Orsay par l'Elysée, l'exécutif s'attend à une forte résistance du président de l'Institut du monde arabe — lemonde.fr](https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/02/06/affaire-epstein-jack-lang-convoque-par-le-quai-d-orsay-dimanche-l-executif-s-attend-a-une-resistance-du-president-de-l-institut-du-monde-arabe_6665647_823448.html)
      * [Affaire Epstein : Jack Lang « propose » sa démission de la présidence de l'Institut du monde arabe ; l'Elysée « prend acte » de cette décision — lemonde.fr](https://lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/02/07/affaire-epstein-jack-lang-propose-sa-demission-de-la-presidence-de-l-institut-du-monde-arabe_6665815_3210.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Interior Ministry classifies LFI as 'extreme left' sparking Mélenchon's outrage" type="February 5-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [La France insoumise : le parti officiellement classé à l'extrême gauche par le ministère de l'Intérieur — cnews.fr](https://cnews.fr/france/2026-02-05/la-france-insoumise-le-parti-officiellement-classe-lextreme-gauche-par-le)
      * [Municipales 2026 : LFI étiqueté à « l'extrême gauche » par le ministère de l'intérieur, Jean-Luc Mélenchon dénonce une « république bananière » — lemonde.fr](https://lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/02/06/lfi-etiquete-a-l-extreme-gauche-par-le-ministere-de-l-interieur-jean-luc-melenchon-denonce-une-republique-bananiere_6665612_823448.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Macron's 'For Sure' Davos moment becomes viral meme" type="February 5-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [Le « for sure » de Macron envahit les réseaux, le président s'en amuse et alerte — huffingtonpost.fr](https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/tech-futurs/video/emmanuel-macron-s-amuse-des-remix-viraux-de-son-for-sure-et-met-en-garde-contre-les-derives-des-reseaux-sociaux_260086.html)
      * ["C'est pas vous qui décidez" : Emmanuel Macron réagit au mème "For Sure" après son discours à Davos en lunettes de soleil — rtl.fr](https://rtl.fr/actu/politique/c-est-pas-vous-qui-decidez-emmanuel-macron-reagit-au-meme-for-sure-apres-son-discours-a-davos-en-lunettes-de-soleil-7900597967)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="French banks report record 35 billion euro profits for 2025" type="February 5-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Dans les banques françaises, la course à la rentabilité continue — lemonde.fr](https://lemonde.fr/economie/article/2026/02/07/dans-les-banques-francaises-la-course-a-la-rentabilite-continue_6665773_3234.html)
      * [Les banques françaises à plein régime avec des résultats 2025 historiques — boursorama.com](https://boursorama.com/actualite-economique/actualites/les-banques-francaises-a-plein-regime-avec-des-resultats-2025-historiques-1e1d1ef73487cd96864f0ecf7faee3da)
      * [BNP Paribas a dépassé les 12 milliards d'euros de bénéfice net en 2025 — moneyvox.fr](https://moneyvox.fr/banque/actualites/107437/bnp-paribas-a-depasse-les-12-milliards-euros-de-benefice-net-en-2025)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="French defense ministry orders record 38 billion euros in military equipment" type="February 5-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Armées : la France va commander pour plus de 40 milliards d'euros de matériel militaire en 2026 — lejdd.fr](https://lejdd.fr/Societe/armees-la-france-va-commander-pour-plus-de-40-milliards-deuros-de-materiel-militaire-en-2026-166582)
      * [Les commandes passées par le ministère des Armées ont atteint le niveau record de 38 milliards d'euros en 2025 — opex360.com](https://opex360.com/2026/02/06/les-commandes-passees-par-le-ministere-des-armees-ont-atteint-le-niveau-record-de-38-milliards-deuros-en-2025)
      * [Commandes France et export : plus de 100 milliards d'euros pour les industriels de l'armement en deux ans — latribune.fr](https://latribune.fr/article/defense-aerospatiale/defense/12573791673145/les-industriels-de-larmement-vont-amasser-plus-de-100-milliards-de-commandes-sur-deux-ans)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Other" type="">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Macron receives Brigitte Macron appearance in Melania Trump documentary — tf1info.fr](https://www.tf1info.fr/culture/film-documentaire-cinema-que-fait-brigitte-macron-dans-le-docu-de-melania-trump-2422296.html)
      * [Gabriel Attal attempts innovation but follows Macron 2017 marketing playbook — lemonde.fr](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/02/03/gabriel-attal-s-challenge-of-breaking-with-macron_6750092_5.html)
      * [Tom Félix acquitted by Malaysian court, returns to France — bfmtv.com](https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/elysee/acquittement-de-tom-felix-emmanuel-macron-partage-son-immense-soulagement-le-quai-d-orsay-confirme-son-retour-rapide-en-france_AN-202602030369.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>

### <img src="https://flagcdn.com/es.svg" width="32" alt="Spain" style={{display: 'inline', verticalAlign: 'middle', position: 'relative', top: '-2px', marginRight: '8px', border: '1px solid #d1d5db', borderRadius: '2px'}} />Spain

Spain is a country under pressure. The far-right Vox party doubled its seats to become kingmaker in Aragón while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez now requires security protocols to avoid hostile crowds on the street.

The Aragón regional elections delivered a seismic shift in Spanish politics. Vox doubled its representation from 7 to 14 seats, capturing 17.8% of the vote, while the ruling Popular Party (PP) won but lost seats and Mr Sánchez's Socialist Party suffered a major defeat with candidate Pilar Alegría. Vox now holds the kingmaker position for Popular Party governance, following the same pattern established in Extremadura. The results are seen as a major blow to the Sánchez government and confirm the far-right's consolidation as Spain's third political force.

The electoral setback coincided with escalating personal hostility toward the prime minister. During a visit to storm-affected areas in Cádiz, Mr Sánchez faced angry crowds shouting "fascist," "thief," and "son of a bitch." Videos showed him using car transport to avoid walking on streets due to the hostile reception, continuing a pattern from previous incidents including October 2025 Día de la Hispanidad protests. The scenes demonstrate how legitimacy challenges now constrain the president's ability to engage directly with the public.

Even under pressure, Spain maintains its confrontational stance toward US tech giants. Mr Sánchez announced a social media access ban for under-16s, prompting fierce responses from Elon Musk, who called him "Dirty Sánchez," and Telegram's Pavel Durov, who sent unprecedented mass warnings to Spanish users claiming Spain threatens to become a "surveillance state." Mr Sánchez responded with characteristic defiance: "let the techno-oligarchs bark." The government accused Mr Durov of spreading "lies and illegitimate attacks."

Beneath the political turbulence, Spain's economic fundamentals remain strong. The country's six major banks achieved combined net profits of €34 billion in 2025, up 7% from 2024, with Santander leading at €14.1 billion. The banking sector benefited from higher interest rates and strong domestic performance, confirming Spain's continued outperformance among eurozone peers. Defence spending also accelerated, with the ministry approving €436 million for modernisation of six mine countermeasure ships — tripling the previous allocation — alongside military salary increases of €200 per month and cybersecurity improvements. Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz continued pushing progressive policies, presenting proposals for worker representation on company boards despite business resistance.

<Accordion title="Other Stories">
  * **Popular Party leader testifies in storm investigation amid heated exchanges and accusations of lying** — Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo appeared before the congressional commission investigating the storm disaster. His testimony was marked by tense confrontations with Republican Left of Catalonia's Gabriel Rufián and Bildu's Oskar Matute, who accused him of lying about his communications with former Valencia president Carlos Mazón during the floods. *([eldiario.es](https://eldiario.es/comunitat-valenciana/mentiras-feijoo-comision-investigacion-dana-congreso-tiempo-real_1_12955104.html))*
  * **Intelligence service ordered to withdraw surveillance during Delcy Rodríguez visit when Ábalos appeared** — ABC revealed that National Intelligence Centre (CNI) agents were surveilling Venezuelan vice-president Delcy Rodríguez's plane at Madrid airport in January 2020 but were ordered to withdraw when then-transport minister José Luis Ábalos appeared. WhatsApp chats between agents showed their surprise at the order to cease operations. *([abc.es](https://www.abc.es/espana/chat-cni-tras-llegada-delcy-vaya-tela-20260204041055-nt.html))*
  * **Labour minister pushes for worker representation in company boards despite resistance** — Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz presented a report proposing that workers get seats on company boards of directors and partial ownership stakes. The initiative faces resistance from Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo and business groups, with Ms Díaz accusing the economy ministry of opposing worker-friendly policies. *([libertaddigital.com](https://libertaddigital.com/libremercado/2026-02-05/yolanda-diaz-prepara-la-colonizacion-de-las-empresas-con-castigos-a-las-que-no-den-mas-poder-a-los-sindicatos-7352978))*
  * **Popular Party leader makes verbal gaffes confusing company name eight times during Aragón campaign** — Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo repeatedly mispronounced a company name during a campaign visit to meat processor Fribin in Huesca, calling it 'Brifín' eight times. The gaffe drew mockery on social media and was used by Mr Sánchez as campaign ammunition during the final days of the Aragón election campaign. *([huffingtonpost.es](https://huffingtonpost.es/virales/feijoo-vuelve-liar-palabra-pronuncia-mal-ocho-veces-f202602.html))*
  * **King Felipe VI celebrates 58th birthday with family at Zarzuela Palace** — King Felipe VI marked his 58th birthday on January 30 with a private celebration at Zarzuela Palace with Queen Letizia and their daughters. International media commented on the king's elegant appearance, with some publications highlighting his style and physical fitness. *([hola.com](https://hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/20260202881415/felipe-vi-cumpleanos-plan-familiar))*
  * **Popular Party councillor insults Sánchez at Teruel rally, Feijóo condemns incident** — A Popular Party councillor from Valencia interrupted a Mr Sánchez campaign rally in Teruel shouting 'son of a bitch,' causing a stir. Mr Feijóo later condemned the incident when pressed by journalists and opposition parties who demanded his response to the insult. *([abc.es](https://abc.es/espana/mujer-interrumpe-mitin-sanchez-teruel-insultos-20260201123206-nt.html))*
  * **European 'Bizum' payment system launches allowing instant transfers across 13 countries** — Spain's Bizum payment system and its European counterparts launched interoperability across 13 countries, allowing instant mobile payments between users in different European nations. The system will serve over 130 million users and represents a European alternative to US payment giants. *([eleconomista.es](https://eleconomista.es/banca-finanzas/noticias/13766287/02/26/el-bizum-europeo-ya-es-una-realidad-asi-podras-enviar-dinero-al-instante-entre-13-paises.html))*
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Notes">
  <ResponseField name="Sánchez clashes with tech giants over social media restrictions for minors" type="February 3-4, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Sánchez responde al fundador de Telegram: 'Deja que los tecnoligarcas ladren, Sancho, señal de que cabalgamos' — eldiario.es](https://eldiario.es/politica/sanchez-responde-fundador-telegram-deja-tecnoligarcas-ladren-sancho-senal-cabalgamos_1_12964041.html)
      * [Sánchez contraataca al CEO de Telegram: 'Ha convertido la plataforma en un espacio de abuso sexual y tráfico de drogas' — abc.es](https://abc.es/sociedad/sanchez-contrataca-ceo-telegram-convertido-plataforma-espacio-20260204195942-nt.html)
      * [Musk arremete contra Sánchez por limitar el acceso a menores a las redes: 'Dirty Sánchez es un tirano y un traidor a los españoles' — 20minutos.es](https://www.20minutos.es/internacional/musk-arremete-contra-sanchez-por-limitar-acceso-menores-las-redes-dirty-sanchez-es-un-tirano-un-traidor-los-espanoles_6929547_0.html)
      * [Elon Musk arremete contra Pedro Sánchez: 'Tirano y traidor al pueblo de España' — elconfidencial.com](https://elconfidencial.com/tecnologia/2026-02-03/elon-musk-sanchez-regularizacion-tirano-traidor_4296544)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="PP wins Aragón elections but loses seats, Vox doubles representation, PSOE suffers major defeat" type="February 7-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [El crecimiento de Abascal pone de los nervios a Feijóo y Sánchez tras fracasar en su colonización de las elecciones de Aragón — elmundo.es](https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2026/02/07/6987844321efa0d9188b4580.html)
      * [Vox duplica sus escaños, de 7 a 14, y tiene en su mano el gobierno de Aragón — cope.es](https://cope.es/emisoras/aragon/noticias/vox-duplica-escanos-7-14-mano-gobierno-aragon-partido-abascal-sigue-creciendo-20260208_3303539.html)
      * [El PP ganará las elecciones pero dependerá de un Vox al alza y el PSOE cae, según el sondeo de Aragón TV — eldiario.es](https://eldiario.es/aragon/politica/pp-ganara-elecciones-dependera-vox-alza-psoe-cae-sondeo-aragon-tv_1_12973267.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Feijóo testifies in DANA investigation amid heated exchanges and accusations of lying" type="February 2, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Las siete mentiras de Feijóo en la comisión de investigación de la dana en el Congreso — eldiario.es](https://eldiario.es/comunitat-valenciana/mentiras-feijoo-comision-investigacion-dana-congreso-tiempo-real_1_12955104.html)
      * [Tenso enfrentamiento entre Feijóo y Rufián en la comisión de la DANA — 20minutos.es](https://20minutos.es/nacional/tenso-enfrentamiento-entre-feijoo-rufian-comision-dana-insultos-cruzados-acusaciones-mentiroso-arrogante_6928802_0.html)
      * [Feijóo y su lección de grosería — eldiario.es](https://eldiario.es/opinion/zona-critica/feijoo-leccion-groseria_129_12955812.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Spanish banks post record profits of 34 billion euros in 2025" type="February 3-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [La gran banca española gana 34.000 millones en 2025 y logra un nuevo récord — rtve.es](https://rtve.es/noticias/20260206/gran-banca-espanola-record-2025/16924592.shtml)
      * [Santander gana un récord de 14.101 millones en 2025, un 12% más — elindependiente.com](https://www.elindependiente.com/economia/2026/02/03/banco-santander-resultados-2025-record/)
      * [BBVA en modo campeón — expansion.com](https://expansion.com/empresas/banca/2026/02/05/6984405c468aeb01088b4595.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Sánchez receives hostile reception with insults during visit to flood-affected Cádiz" type="February 6-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [Sánchez recibido entre insultos en su visita a las zonas afectadas en Cádiz: 'Fascista, ratero malo' — larazon.es](https://larazon.es/espana/sanchez-recibido-insultos-visita-zonas-afectadas-cadiz-fascista-ratero-malo_202602066985ff711817b41eb6364a2e.html)
      * [Los abucheos a un Pedro Sánchez fuertemente escoltado en su llegada a San Roque: '¡Sinvergüenza, carroña!' — eldebate.com](https://eldebate.com/espana/andalucia/20260207/abucheos-pedro-sanchez-fuertemente-escoltado-llegada-san-roque-verguenza-carrona_382778.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="CNI ordered to withdraw surveillance during Delcy Rodríguez visit when Ábalos appeared" type="February 3-4, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [El chat del CNI, tras la llegada de Delcy: 'Vaya tela con el ministro' — abc.es](https://www.abc.es/espana/chat-cni-tras-llegada-delcy-vaya-tela-20260204041055-nt.html)
      * [El CNI retiró el dispositivo que vigilaba el avión de Delcy cuando apareció Ábalos en Barajas — abc.es](https://www.abc.es/espana/gobierno-ordeno-retirar-equipo-cni-vigilaba-avion-20260203040325-nt.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Spain accelerates defense spending on military salaries, modernization and intelligence" type="February 3-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [España acelera el gasto en defensa y lo destina a subir el salario de los militares, a programas de modernización y al CNI — infobae.com](https://infobae.com/espana/2026/02/03/espana-acelera-el-gasto-en-defensa-y-lo-destina-a-subir-el-salario-de-los-militares-a-programas-de-modernizacion-y-al-cni)
      * [Defensa destina 436 millones a la modernización integral de los seis cazaminas de la Armada — infodefensa.com](https://infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/5762125/defensa-destina-436-millones-modernizacion-integral-seis-cazaminas-clase-segura-armada)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Yolanda Díaz pushes for worker representation in company boards despite resistance" type="February 2-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [Yolanda Díaz prepara la colonización de las empresas con castigos a las que no den más poder a los sindicatos — libertaddigital.com](https://libertaddigital.com/libremercado/2026-02-05/yolanda-diaz-prepara-la-colonizacion-de-las-empresas-con-castigos-a-las-que-no-den-mas-poder-a-los-sindicatos-7352978)
      * [Los expertos de Yolanda Díaz plantean que hasta la mitad de los puestos de los consejos sean para los trabajadores — abc.es](https://www.abc.es/economia/expertos-diaz-piden-mitad-puestos-consejos-administracion-20260202134221-nt.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Feijóo makes verbal gaffes confusing company name eight times during Aragón campaign" type="February 4-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [Feijóo se marca otro 'Anotop': vuelve a liarse con una palabra que pronuncia mal hasta en ocho ocasiones — huffingtonpost.es](https://huffingtonpost.es/virales/feijoo-vuelve-liar-palabra-pronuncia-mal-ocho-veces-f202602.html)
      * [El lapsus de Feijóo en Huesca: visita una empresa y confunde su nombre ocho veces — elpais.com](https://elpais.com/videos/2026-02-05/el-lapsus-de-feijoo-en-huesca-visita-una-empresa-y-confunde-su-nombre-ocho-veces.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="King Felipe VI celebrates 58th birthday with family at Zarzuela Palace" type="February 2, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [Así celebró Felipe VI su cumpleaños: te contamos su plan familiar y cómo se cuida a sus 58 — hola.com](https://hola.com/realeza/casa_espanola/20260202881415/felipe-vi-cumpleanos-plan-familiar)
      * [La celebración del 58 cumpleaños de Felipe VI: en Zarzuela y en compañía de la reina Sofía — eleconomista.es](https://eleconomista.es/informalia/casas-reales/noticias/13757057/02/26/la-celebracion-del-58-cumpleanos-de-felipe-vi-en-zarzuela-y-en-compania-de-la-reina-sofia.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="PP councilwoman insults Sánchez at Teruel rally, Feijóo condemns incident" type="February 1-2, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [Una concejal del PP interrumpe el mitin de Sánchez en Teruel con insultos — abc.es](https://abc.es/espana/mujer-interrumpe-mitin-sanchez-teruel-insultos-20260201123206-nt.html)
      * [Feijóo asegura que 'por supuesto' condena el insulto de la concejal del PP a Sánchez en un mitin — rtve.es](https://rtve.es/noticias/20260202/feijoo-asegura-por-supuesto-condena-insulto-concejal-del-pp-llamo-hijo-puta-a-sanchez-mitin/16920713.shtml)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="European 'Bizum' payment system launches allowing instant transfers across 13 countries" type="February 8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (2)">
      * [El Bizum europeo ya es una realidad: así podrás enviar dinero al instante entre 13 países — eleconomista.es](https://eleconomista.es/banca-finanzas/noticias/13766287/02/26/el-bizum-europeo-ya-es-una-realidad-asi-podras-enviar-dinero-al-instante-entre-13-paises.html)
      * [Los más de 130 millones de usuarios de 'bizums' europeos podrán enviarse dinero este año — expansion.com](https://expansion.com/empresas/banca/2026/02/08/69885ea3468aeb9a378b459c.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Other" type="">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Sánchez aims to surpass Aznar's tenure record after overtaking Zapatero — abc.es](https://abc.es/espana/sanchez-fija-objetivo-superar-aznar-tras-desbancar-20260208041822-nt.html)
      * [Santos Cerdán admits to judge that Leire had audios about Sánchez's father-in-law's saunas — elconfidencial.com](https://elconfidencial.com/espana/2026-02-02/cerdan-confirma-que-leire-tenia-audios-de-las-saunas-del-suegro-de-sanchez-y-que-han-hablado-tras-salir-de-prision_4295543)
      * [Sánchez's anti-corruption plan shows no progress after six months — abc.es](https://abc.es/espana/plan-anticorrupcion-sanchez-lleva-seis-meses-ningun-20260202024508-nt.html)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>

### <img src="https://flagcdn.com/se.svg" width="32" alt="Sweden" style={{display: 'inline', verticalAlign: 'middle', position: 'relative', top: '-2px', marginRight: '8px', border: '1px solid #d1d5db', borderRadius: '2px'}} />Sweden

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson has declared himself ready to become prime minister, escalating electoral competition ahead of September elections and prompting Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to dismiss the possibility.

Mr Åkesson's explicit claim to the top job represents a new level of ambition for a party that has spent years normalising itself as a potential governing force. Mr Kristersson responded by saying Mr Åkesson cannot gather sufficient support in parliament, reflecting growing tensions within the right-wing bloc. The exchange comes as the formal campaign season has begun, with Mr Kristersson launching a three-day bus tour with Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson and Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer, visiting schools and public events with themes of security and economic progress.

The governing coalition itself is showing strain. Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch called Mr Kristersson "petty" in a television interview, accusing him of sabotaging energy agreements. The rare public attack by a coalition partner highlighted deeper tensions, with reports that Ms Busch's Christian Democrats are considering cooperation with the Social Democrats. Such open discord between coalition partners is unusual in Swedish politics and suggests potential instability ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, Sweden continues its systematic NATO integration and alliance coordination. Defence Minister Pål Jonson and Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced joint procurement of Swedish-developed TRIDON air defence systems worth 2.6 billion kronor. The systems will help create an entire Ukrainian air defence battalion with deliveries within approximately one year. Mr Kristersson also met with all party leaders to discuss foreign election interference, warning that Sweden is "not immune" to Russian influence campaigns and pointing to recent attempts in Romania, Germany and Moldova.

<Accordion title="Other Stories">
  * **Mr Åkesson calls for overturning Girjasdomen on Sami reindeer herding rights** — During his Jokkmokk market visit, Mr Åkesson called for overturning the Supreme Court's Girjasdomen ruling that granted exclusive hunting and fishing rights to the Girjas Sami community. The statement drew sharp criticism from Sami representatives and opposition politicians who called it an attack on indigenous rights. *([svenskjakt.se](https://svenskjakt.se/start/nyhet/sverigedemokraterna-vill-riva-upp-girjasdomen-oklart-hur-det-ska-goras))*
  * **Mr Åkesson financially supports convicted pedophile-hunting website Dumpen** — Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson sent money to the controversial website Dumpen after its editor Sara Nilsson was convicted of gross defamation. Mr Åkesson said the party would cover all court costs totalling over 500,000 kronor, drawing criticism from legal experts who said it suggests politicians are above the law. *([aftonbladet.se](https://aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/d4mgnA/akessons-stod-till-dumpen-swishar))*
  * **Risbergska school shooting anniversary marked with criticism of police response** — One year after the mass shooting at Campus Risbergska in Örebro, police face criticism and formal complaints from victims' families over their response. Mr Kristersson and Mr Strömmer attended memorial events, while internal police criticism emerged about evacuation procedures that may have contributed to deaths. *([corren.se](https://corren.se/nyheter/inrikes/brott/artikel/kristersson-om-risbergska-skakar-om-allt-/rggg787r))*
  * **Swedish Armed Forces faces multiple development challenges and incidents** — Several military-related developments including a fatal accident involving a Swedish officer hit by ice blocks in Austria, criticism from the Accident Investigation Board over vessel safety, and discussions about production capacity needs and defence procurement. The Armed Forces website also experienced technical problems. *([aftonbladet.se](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/zOraWv/svensk-officer-dod-i-olycka-i-osterrike))*
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Notes">
  <ResponseField name="Åkesson-Kristersson rivalry intensifies over who can be next prime minister" type="February 1-5, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (8)">
      * [Åkesson vill bli statsminister – Kristerssons SD-monster växer — aftonbladet.se](https://www.aftonbladet.se/ledare/a/rrW63l/akesson-vill-bli-statsminister-kristerssons-sd-monster-vaxer)
      * [Kristersson: Åkesson kan inte bli statsminister — di.se](https://di.se/nyheter/kristersson-akesson-kan-inte-bli-statsminister)
      * [Kristersson om SD-utspelet: "Jag är naturliga kandidaten" — etc.se](https://etc.se/inrikes/kristersson-om-aakessons-statsministerutspel-jag-aer-den-naturliga-kandidaten)
      * [Åkesson (SD): Beredd att axla rollen som statsminister — svt.se](https://svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/akesson-sd-beredd-att-axla-rollen-som-statsminister)
      * [Kristersson: Åkesson kan inte bli statsminister — sydsvenskan.se](https://sydsvenskan.se/sverige/kristersson-akesson-kan-inte-bli-statsminister)
      * [8 Sidor - Han tror inte på Åkesson — 8sidor.se](https://8sidor.se/alla-valjare/2026/02/han-tror-inte-akesson-kan-leda)
      * [Därför tror inte statsministern att Åkesson kan axla hans roll — sverigesradio.se](https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/darfor-tror-inte-statsministern-att-akesson-kan-axla-hans-roll)
      * [WIDAR ANDERSSON: Jimmie Åkesson är på goda grunder det kommande valets huvudperson — nt.se](https://nt.se/debatt/kronika/artikel/jimmie-akesson-ar-pa-goda-grunder-det-kommande-valets-huvudperson/lwoo6myj)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Åkesson cancels reindeer race at Jokkmokk market after security warning" type="February 5-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (8)">
      * [Åkesson ställer in renrace – efter hot — aftonbladet.se](https://aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/e7PjxO/akesson-staller-in-renrace-efter-hot)
      * [Åkesson skippar renrace – efter hot — tv4.se](https://tv4.se/artikel/430GlX5U2JhyRTxBCIOL0M/akesson-skippar-renrace-efter-hot)
      * [Åkesson ställer in: "Efter inrådan från Säpo" — aftonbladet.se](https://aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/j0zGeq/akesson-hoppar-av-pa-inradan-av-sapo)
      * [Åkessons renrace stoppades – uppgifter om vapenliknande föremål — dn.se](https://dn.se/sverige/akessons-renrace-stoppades-uppgifter-om-vapenliknande-foremal)
      * [Åkesson hoppar av renrace efter vapenlarm i Jokkmokk — omni.se](https://omni.se/akesson-hoppar-av-renrace-efter-hot-sapos-uppmaning/a/gk08nJ)
      * [Åkesson ställer in besök på renrace – efter varning från Säpo — sverigesradio.se](https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/akesson-staller-in-besok-pa-renrace-efter-varning-fran-sapo)
      * [Polisen varnar för leksaksvapen – efter Åkessons incident — aftonbladet.se](https://aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/bOzy2q/polisen-varnar-for-leksakvapen-efter-akessons-incident)
      * [Åkesson cancels reindeer race at Jokkmokk after advice from Säpo — swedenherald.com](https://swedenherald.com/article/akesson-drops-out-of-jokkmokk-reindeer-race-on-advice-of-sapo)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Åkesson calls for overturning Girjasdomen on Sami reindeer herding rights" type="February 5-7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (10)">
      * [Sverigedemokraterna vill riva upp Girjasdomen – oklart hur det ska göras — svenskjakt.se](https://svenskjakt.se/start/nyhet/sverigedemokraterna-vill-riva-upp-girjasdomen-oklart-hur-det-ska-goras)
      * [Åkesson (SD) tar avstånd från kollegans Jokkmokksutspel — svt.se](https://svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/norrbotten/akesson-sd-tar-avstand-fran-kollegans-jokkmokksutspel)
      * [Ilskan efter Åkessons sameutspel: "Oanständigt" — expressen.se](https://expressen.se/nyheter/politik/ilskan-efter-akessons-sameutspel-oanstandigt)
      * [Professorns svar till Åkessons utspel: "Det kan man inte" — sverigesradio.se](https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/professorns-svar-till-akessons-utspel-det-kan-man-inte)
      * [Jimmie Åkesson kritiserar Girjasdomen och vill förändra jakt- och fiskerättigheter — nyheter.fiskejournalen.se](https://nyheter.fiskejournalen.se/artiklar/jimmie-akesson-vill-riva-upp-girjasdomen/1532889)
      * [DEBATT: Riv upp Girjasdomen – säkra rättvis tillgång till naturen — kuriren.nu](https://kuriren.nu/debatt/artikel/riv-upp-girjasdomen-sakra-rattvis-tillgang-till-naturen/lwo6k5vj)
      * [JESPER BENGTSSON: Åkessons bild av svenskhet är löjligt snäv — nsd.se](https://nsd.se/ledare/politik/artikel/akessons-bild-av-svenskhet-ar-lojligt-snav/r04edokl)
      * [Sameprofilerna rasar mot Åkessons utspel: "Juridiskt okunnigt" — nsd.se](https://nsd.se/nyheter/jokkmokk/artikel/sameprofiler-kritiserar-akessons-girjas-utspel/rmpwv6nr)
      * [Riv upp Girjasdomen säger SD:s Åkesson! — fisheco.se](https://fisheco.se/riv-upp-girjasdomen-sager-sd)
      * [Magdalena Andersson svarar om Jimmie Åkesson: "Han bråkar" — nsd.se](https://nsd.se/nyheter/jokkmokk/artikel/magdalena-andersson-kritiserar-akesson-i-jokkmokk/rx7q1o8l)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Åkesson financially supports convicted pedophile-hunting website Dumpen" type="February 7, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (10)">
      * [Åkessons stöd till Dumpen – betalar över halv miljon — aftonbladet.se](https://aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/d4mgnA/akessons-stod-till-dumpen-swishar)
      * [Jimmie Åkesson swishar Dumpen efter domen mot Sara Nilsson — expressen.se](https://expressen.se/nyheter/politik/jimmie-akesson-swishar-dumpen-efter-domen-mot-sara-nilsson)
      * [Kritik mot Åkessons swish till Dumpen: "Står över lagen" — expressen.se](https://expressen.se/nyheter/politik/kritik-mot-akessons-swish-till-dumpen-star-over-lagen)
      * [Åkesson tillbakavisar kritik för Dumpen-swish — aftonbladet.se](https://aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Ok3R8A/sd-betalar-dumpens-dagsboter-akesson-swishar)
      * [Åkesson: SD ger en halv miljon kronor till Dumpen — etc.se](https://etc.se/inrikes/aakesson-sd-ska-betala-en-halv-miljon-kronor-till-dumpen)
      * [Åkesson har swishat Dumpens ansvariga efter domen — svt.se](https://svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/akesson-har-swishat-dumpens-ansvariga)
      * [Jimmie Åkesson swishar Dumpen efter förtalsdomen — sverigesradio.se](https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/jimmie-akesson-swishar-dumpen-efter-fortalsdomen)
      * [Nilssons tack till Åkesson: "Väldigt, väldigt stort" — omni.se](https://omni.se/sara-nilssons-tack-valdigt-valdigt-stort/a/2p3M8v)
      * [JUST NU: Stjärnadvokat rasar mot Åkesson – "Står över lagen?" — marcusoscarsson.se](https://marcusoscarsson.se/just-nu-stjarnadvokat-rasar-mot-akesson-star-over-lagen)
      * [Kristofer Stahre om Åkessons Dumpen-swish: "Uppåt väggarna" — tv4.se](https://tv4.se/artikel/66bVbMGxLCivlSB1BY6na/advokaten-om-akessons-dumpen-swish-uppat-vaeggarna)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Sweden and Denmark jointly procure air defense systems for Ukraine worth 2.6 billion kronor" type="February 3, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Sverige köper luftvärnskanoner till Ukraina — aftonbladet.se](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/L41OgQ/koper-luftvarn-till-ukraina-for-2-6-miljarder)
      * [Sverige redo för Natoinsats på Grönland — svd.se](https://www.svd.se/a/pBpeBo/sverige-redo-for-natoinsats-pa-gronland)
      * [Sverige och Danmark beställer luftvärn åt Ukraina — svt.se](https://svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/forsvarsministrar-haller-presstraff-presenterar-gemensam-satsning)
      * [Sweden and Denmark pledge \$290 million to Ukraine air defence — thelocal.dk](https://www.thelocal.dk/20260203/sweden-and-denmark-pledge-290-million-to-ukraine-air-defence)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Kristersson warns of Russian election interference targeting September vote" type="February 5-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Kristersson pekar ut ryska valhotet: "Är inte immuna" — expressen.se](https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sverige/kristersson-pekar-ut-ryska-valhotet-ar-inte-immuna/)
      * [Kristersson: Moskva kommer försöka påverka valet — omni.se](https://omni.se/kristersson-ryssland-kommer-forsoka-paverka-valet/a/Pdy7AX)
      * [Ulf Kristersson om rysk påverkan inför valet i Sverige — dn.se](https://dn.se/debatt/rysk-paverkan-hotar-svenska-valet-sa-rustar-vi)
      * [Kristersson: "Det USA gör nu är förtroendeskadligt" — sverigesradio.se](https://www.sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/kristersson-det-usa-gor-nu-ar-fortroendeskadligt-usapodden-10-ar)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Göran Hjelm appointed new deputy governor of Riksbank" type="February 4-6, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (6)">
      * [Göran Hjelm, possible dove, takes seat on Riksbank Executive Board — swedenherald.com](https://swedenherald.com/article/goran-hjelm-appointed-new-deputy-governor-of-the-swedish-central-bank)
      * [SEK: Riksbank remains vigilant amid economic growth – Commerzbank — fxstreet.com](https://fxstreet.com/news/sek-riksbank-remains-vigilant-amid-economic-growth-commerzbank-202602041527)
      * [SEK: Riksbank's concern over disinflation risks – MUFG — fxstreet.com](https://fxstreet.com/news/sek-riksbanks-concern-over-disinflation-risks-mufg-202602051635)
      * [Göran Hjelm ny vice riksbankschef — riksbank.se](https://www.riksbank.se/sv/press-och-publicerat/nyheter-och-pressmeddelanden/pressmeddelanden/2026/goran-hjelm-ny-vice-riksbankschef/)
      * [Kommentar: Riksbanken gläntar på dörren till sänkt ränta — di.se](https://di.se/nyheter/glantar-pa-dorren-till-sankt-ranta)
      * [Felicia Åkerman: Riksbankens räntesänkning rycker närmare — dn.se](https://www.dn.se/ekonomi/felicia-akerman-riksbankens-rantesankning-rycker-narmare/)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Risbergska school shooting anniversary marked with criticism of police response" type="February 2-4, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (5)">
      * [Kristersson om Risbergska: "Skakar om allt" — corren.se](https://corren.se/nyheter/inrikes/brott/artikel/kristersson-om-risbergska-skakar-om-allt-/rggg787r)
      * [Rektorn på Risbergska om skolskjutningen i Örebro — dn.se](https://dn.se/sverige/rektorn-pa-risbergska-det-finns-ett-fore-och-ett-efter)
      * [Polisens kritik inifrån om insatsen på Risbergska i Örebro — expressen.se](https://expressen.se/nyheter/sverige/polisens-kritik-inifran-om-insatsen-pa-risbergska)
      * [Kristersson (M) mötte elever på Campus Risbergska under minnesdagen — svt.se](https://svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/orebro/kristersson-m-motte-elever-pa-campus-risbergska-under-minnesdagen)
      * [Därför lät Kristersson och Strömmer rättsstaten förfalla — arbetet.se](https://arbetet.se/2026/02/02/massmordet-pa-risbergska-fick-aldrig-bli-politik)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Coalition tensions emerge as Ebba Busch criticizes Kristersson over energy policy" type="February 2-3, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (3)">
      * [Ebba Busch | Talande att Busch tycker Kristersson är "småsint" — aftonbladet.se](https://aftonbladet.se/ledare/a/pBpE7G/ebba-busch-talande-att-busch-tycker-kristersson-ar-smasint)
      * [Kristerssons svar om flörten med S — expressen.se](https://expressen.se/nyheter/politik/kristersson-om-kd-tror-inte-ett-ogonblickpa-det)
      * [Kristersson: Jag tänker inte vara konsult åt Liberalerna — svd.se](https://svd.se/a/bOzBWg/ulf-kristersson-om-liberalernas-kris-och-jimmie-akesson-som-statsministerkandidat)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Swedish Armed Forces faces multiple development challenges and incidents" type="February 1-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (12)">
      * [Försvarsmakten kritiseras av Statens haverikommission — aftonbladet.se](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/oE6O2V/forsvarsmakten-far-kritik-efter-olycka)
      * [Svensk officer död i olycka – träffad av isblock — aftonbladet.se](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/zOraWv/svensk-officer-dod-i-olycka-i-osterrike)
      * [Marinens köp av fyra fregatter – Naval, Navantia och Babcock/Saab slåss om kontraktet — svd.se](https://www.svd.se/a/bOzLdd/marinens-kop-av-fyra-fregatter-naval-navantia-och-babcock-saab-slass-om-kontraktet)
      * [Försvarsmakten: Industrin måste tredubbla produktionen — sverigesradio.se](https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/forsvarsmakten-industrin-maste-tredubbla-produktionen)
      * [Försvarsmaktens hemsida nere: "Bara sajten som drabbats" — sydostran.se](https://sydostran.se/nyheter/forsvarsmaktens-hemsida-nere-bara-sajten-som-drabbats)
      * [Soldatburen robot 102 - nytt svenskt luftvärn — cornucopia.se](https://cornucopia.se/2026/02/soldatburen-robot-102-nytt-svenskt-luftvarn-men-ar-det-for-det-moderna-kriget-eller-forra)
      * [Stora utmaningar när Försvarsmakten bygger ut — byggvarlden.se](https://www.byggvarlden.se/stora-utmaningar-nar-forsvarsmakten-bygger-ut/)
      * [Teracom i omfattande övning tillsammans med Polisen och Försvarsmakten — via.tt.se](https://via.tt.se/pressmeddelande/4235989/teracom-i-omfattande-ovning-tillsammans-med-polisen-och-forsvarsmakten?publisherId=3237062\&lang=sv)
      * [Sökte jobb vid försvarsmakten med förfalskade betyg — nsd.se](https://nsd.se/nyheter/lulea/artikel/villkorlig-dom-for-falska-betyg-i-lulea/r1441w1r)
      * [Försvarsmaktens oro: Socka kan fälla Sverige i krig — gp.se](https://www.gp.se/nyheter/sverige/forsvarsmaktens-oro-socka-kan-falla-sverige-i-krig.00c3d97f-0dba-4f1e-88fd-1f55bdec8e07)
      * [Regeringen vill förenkla försvarets byggregler — svt.se](https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/regeringen-vill-forenkla-forsvarets-byggregler)
      * [Inte bara Gripen-motorn – svensk försvarsindustri helt beroende av USA — nyteknik.se](https://nyteknik.se/nyheter/inte-bara-gripen-motorn-svensk-foersvarsindustri-helt-beroende-av-usa/4432625)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Wallenberg family consolidates financial power structure through corporate restructuring" type="February 3-8, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Wallenberg reshuffles at the top of the family's financial power structure — swedenherald.com](https://swedenherald.com/article/wallenberg-reshuffles-at-the-top-of-the-familys-financial-power-structure)
      * [Brothers Peter 'Poker' and Jacob are two of the leaders of the Wallenberg empire — amwatch.com](https://amwatch.com/article18976656.ece)
      * [Dylan Jaeb & Toby Ryan - Wallenberg RAW – Welcome Skate Store — welcomeleeds.com](https://welcomeleeds.com/blogs/welcome-blog/dylan-jaeb-toby-ryan-wallenberg-raw)
      * [Quasi-continuous cotranslational compaction and folding of a multidomain protein — biorxiv.org](https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.04.703729v1)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Kristersson launches election campaign bus tour across Sweden" type="February 2-4, 2026">
    <Expandable title="Sources (4)">
      * [Kristersson om SD-utspelet: "Jag är naturliga kandidaten" — etc.se](https://etc.se/inrikes/kristersson-om-aakessons-statsministerutspel-jag-aer-den-naturliga-kandidaten)
      * [Kristersson besöker S:t Eskil i Eskilstuna idag — ekuriren.se](https://ekuriren.se/nyheter/eskilstuna/artikel/kristersson-besoker-st-eskil-i-eskilstuna-idag/jo8858ql)
      * [Kristerssons svar om flörten med S — expressen.se](https://expressen.se/nyheter/politik/kristersson-om-kd-tror-inte-ett-ogonblickpa-det)
      * [Ulf Kristerssons partivänner i EU kan skapa oro i Tidögänget — svd.se](https://svd.se/a/m01d7l/ulf-kristerssons-partivanner-i-eu-kan-skapa-oro-i-tidoganget)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>

  <ResponseField name="Other" type="">
    <Expandable title="Sources (5)">
      * [Former Norwegian PM Thorbjørn Jagland investigated after Epstein files revelations — dn.se](https://dn.se/varlden/norges-tidigare-statsminister-utreds-efter-epsteinfilerna)
      * [Swedish Olympic biathlon star Sebastian Samuelsson expresses doubts about Kristersson — etc.se](https://etc.se/sport/svenska-os-hoppet-tvivlar-paa-kristersson-blir-maktskifte-i-hoest)
      * [Tourists arrested for flying drones over Parliament and Foreign Ministry — aftonbladet.se](https://aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Rr77qd/aftonbladet-direkt?pinnedEntry=1441231)
      * [SD top official dismisses need for compromise on teenage deportations — svt.se](https://svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sd-toppen-om-tonarsutvisningarna-behovs-ingen-ventil)
      * [Åkesson dismisses colleague's comments about Jokkmokk municipality funding — nsd.se](https://nsd.se/debatt/artikel/jimmie-akesson-vander-ryggen-at-norra-sverige/r51p86nj)
    </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Accordion>