Regional Summary
When the State Frays, It Frays From Within A 23-year-old nationalist was beaten to death in Lyon last week. Within days, the French National Assembly turned a minute of silence into a shouting match. Jordan Bardella, the National Rally leader, demanded a cordon around Unbowed France. Critics branded Jean-Luc Mélenchon a dishonour to the Republic. Emmanuel Macron flew to India to strike a $40 billion Rafale deal and summoned the American ambassador for meddling. France can still act abroad; it cannot govern at home. The same split runs across Western Europe. Governments that sign defence deals, send aid and project power overseas are losing their grip on the bargains that let them govern at home. Military budgets grow while coalitions crack. The gap between external reach and internal unity widens, and no amount of arms spending or diplomatic ceremony can close it. Germany shows the contradiction most clearly. Friedrich Merz won re-election as chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) with 91% of delegate votes and authorised the biggest expansion of intelligence powers since reunification, granting the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) authority for cyber sabotage and armed operations abroad. Yet authorities are classifying his main opposition, Alternative for Germany, as an extremist organisation in Lower Saxony while the party drowns in a nepotism scandal that mocks its anti-establishment brand. The centre holds only because the fringe is destroying itself, not because the centre has built anything lasting. Defence procurement tangles in debates over whether Mr Thiel’s minority stake in a drone supplier bars it from a €540 million contract. Strategic ambition keeps hitting procedural paralysis. Britain and Italy follow the same script. Prince Andrew’s arrest on his birthday forced King Charles into his first public disavowal of a family member — the monarchy’s worst moment since the abdication. A minister fed journalists’ names to the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) under the guise of countering Russian propaganda. Keir Starmer notched his 14th policy reversal, yet the Treasury posted a record £30.4 billion surplus. The books balance; the politics do not. In Rome, Sergio Mattarella, the president, made his first appearance at the Superior Council of Magistrates in a decade, provoked by a justice minister who likened the judiciary to the mafia. A constitutional referendum on separating prosecutors from judges looms on March 22. Polls split 38-38. Giorgia Meloni’s coalition is bleeding support to a breakaway party led by a former general, and a row with Mr Macron over the Lyon killing forced the postponement of an Italy-France summit. Both countries can still project power — AUKUS shipyards proceed, Italian troop expansion is planned — but the domestic foundations shake. Scandinavia cracks beneath the calm surface. Sweden’s foreign minister rebuked Washington, calling American actions damaging to trust, while sending a 12.9 billion kronor arms package to Ukraine — criticising the ally it still needs. Jimmie Åkesson, the Sweden Democrats leader, quietly dropped a flagship immigration demand, exposing the weakness of the coalition’s confidence-and-supply deal. In Spain, Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister, lost Catalan budget support after a secret meeting with Oriol Junqueras failed, and his own deputy snubbed a left-wing unity event. Erna Solberg, Norway’s prime minister, floated an Olympic bid with the caveat that politicians would not lead it — a small symbol of a larger retreat: leaders who no longer trust their own capacity to carry public opinion. These states are rearming, investing and engaging. What they are losing is the internal consensus that turns policy into action at home. Coalitions crack, norms erode, courts do what politics once managed alone. The danger is not that Europe’s democracies will collapse, but that they will become strong fortresses with nobody watching the courtyard — able to deter threats from abroad, too divided to fix anything within.Country Summaries
France
A 23-year-old nationalist was beaten to death in Lyon, and the killing has fractured France’s political system. The murder of Quentin Deranque triggered the worst political crisis in years, with suspects linked to the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) now facing charges and clashes erupting between Sébastien Lecornu, the prime minister, and LFI leaders in the National Assembly.
The violence begins a dangerous new phase in French politics ahead of the 2027 election. Political tensions had been rising for months, but actual violence was new. The Assembly held a minute of silence for Deranque, but even that became a flashpoint, with Jordan Bardella demanding a “sanitary cordon” around LFI and calling Jean-Luc Mélenchon a “dishonour to the Republic.”
The Paris appeals court confirmed that Marine Le Pen will receive the verdict on July 7, 2026 — five months away — in the embezzlement case that could bar her from running for president. Prosecutors want five years of ineligibility, which would bar the far right’s strongest candidate from the race. That verdict, combined with the violent breakdown in political dialogue, means France faces months of severe political conflict.
Even as domestic politics fractures, Emmanuel Macron is pushing back against foreign pressure. He wrote to Donald Trump asking him to lift sanctions on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and International Criminal Court judge Nicolas Guillou, arguing that American sanctions on European officials breach EU autonomy and judicial independence. When the Trump administration commented on the Deranque investigation, Jean-Noël Barrot, the foreign minister, summoned the US ambassador and denounced Washington’s “instrumentalisation” of the tragedy.
Mr Macron also elevated France’s partnership with India to “Special Global Strategic Partnership” status during a three-day visit that could yield 114 additional Rafale fighters worth $40 billion. The deeper ties serve France’s push to build new partnerships beyond its traditional allies as tensions with Washington mount. During the trip, Mr Macron called social media platforms’ free speech defences “pure bullshit” and demanded transparent algorithms — clashing with Mr Trump’s tech policies.
France’s military modernisation continues despite the political chaos. The armed forces created a new robotics and AI laboratory called LARIAD and deployed a sovereign ChatGPT alternative called GenIAl.intradef to combat “Shadow AI.” The military also ordered 7,000 Mercedes trucks and conducted amphibious exercises in Brittany. The moves show France’s push for AI sovereignty as part of its preparation for high-intensity conflict.
But cybersecurity vulnerabilities are growing. A hacker accessed the FICOBA national banking database using stolen civil servant credentials, compromising personal and banking data for 1.2 million accounts. The database does not allow access to balances or transactions, limiting the damage, but the breach exposed weaknesses in France’s financial infrastructure.
The Deranque killing has also affected France’s foreign relations. Mr Macron clashed with Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, after she commented on the death, telling her to “stay home” and stop interfering in French affairs. The two countries postponed their summit.
France now faces five months of rising tension before the July 7 verdict that could determine whether the far right’s strongest candidate can run in 2027. With political violence now part of French politics and institutional norms cracking, France faces an uncertain few months.
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- Macron-Meloni diplomatic clash over Italian PM’s comments on Quentin Deranque death — Emmanuel Macron sharply criticised Italian PM Giorgia Meloni for commenting on the death of Quentin Deranque, telling her to ‘stay home’ and stop interfering in French affairs. Meloni expressed ‘astonishment’ at Macron’s reaction and the two countries postponed a planned bilateral summit. (euronews.com)
- Government reshuffle delayed as ministers prepare departures — Sébastien Lecornu, the prime minister, delayed the planned government reshuffle until after potential RN motion of censure. Amélie de Montchalin officially departed for Cour des comptes role, with David Amiel named as new budget minister. Other departures including Rachida Dati are expected. (huffingtonpost.fr)
- Banque de France governor announces policies on cash and mini-credits — François Villeroy de Galhau announced that Banque de France will never abandon cash despite declining usage, while also criticising mini-credits as ‘soft drugs’ for young people amid rising youth debt. The central bank also opened an investigation into a director for liking far-right content on LinkedIn. (lefigaro.fr)
- Marine Le Pen awaits appeal court verdict on embezzlement charges — The Paris appeals court will render its verdict on Marine Le Pen’s EU parliamentary assistants case on July 7, five months after the hearings ended. The prosecution has requested five years of ineligibility, which would bar her from the 2027 presidential election. (ouest-france.fr)
- Anne-Claire Legendre named new president of Institut du monde arabe — Diplomat Anne-Claire Legendre was appointed to replace Jack Lang as president of the Institut du monde arabe after Lang’s resignation amid the Epstein affair. The appointment was confirmed unanimously by the IMA board with Quai d’Orsay backing. (lefigaro.fr)
Notes
Notes
Macron asks Trump to lift sanctions on EU officials Thierry Breton and Nicolas Guillou
February 21–22, 2026
Macron-Meloni diplomatic clash over Italian PM's comments on Quentin Deranque death
February 19–21, 2026
Other
Germany
Germany this week gave its spy service the power to launch cyber-attacks and sabotage operations abroad — the biggest change to German intelligence since the Cold War. Friedrich Merz, the chancellor, has strengthened his hold on the ruling party while the far-right opposition faces its worst crisis since formation.
Thorsten Frei, chancellery chief, announced that the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) would get authority for cyber counter-attacks, sabotage operations abroad, and armed missions. The move breaks with decades of post-war restraint that limited German spies to gathering information. Mr Frei said the goal was to make Germany “a credible intelligence partner” and let it hit back at threats rather than just watch them.
Mr Merz has meanwhile strengthened his domestic position. The chancellor won re-election as Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party chairman with 91.2% of delegate votes at the Stuttgart party congress, up from 89.8% last year despite troubles in government. Mr Merz called for party unity and rejected any cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), defending his coalition’s record while acknowledging reform has been slow.
His main opposition faces its worst scandal since it was formed. The AfD is battling accusations that politicians across multiple states hired family members for parliamentary jobs — nepotism that undermines the party’s anti-establishment appeal just as it stands ready to take power in eastern Germany. Party leaders have started disciplinary proceedings against some members amid allegations they misused taxpayer funds.
Pressure on the party is growing. Lower Saxony’s constitutional protection service this week upgraded the party’s state branch from a “suspected case” to a “confirmed right-wing extremist organisation,” joining eastern German states in this classification. The decision allows expanded surveillance and affects AfD members in civil service jobs.
While Germany expands its intelligence powers, defence procurement has hit problems. Boris Pistorius, defence minister, faces criticism over plans to spend €540 million on kamikaze drones from companies including Stark Defence, which counts Peter Thiel as a minority shareholder. Parliamentary critics worry about Mr Thiel’s anti-democratic views, though the ministry says the investment is fine.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the federal president, visited Lebanon and Jordan this week. He met President Aoun and other officials, visited the German naval vessel Sachsen-Anhalt on UN peacekeeping duty, and promised continued German support as Israel and Hezbollah trade fire.
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- Political parties plan joint proposal for Federal President succession, likely first female president — CDU/CSU and SPD are working toward a common candidate to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier when his term ends in March 2027. Political leaders express strong preference for Germany’s first female Federal President, with speculation about potential candidates from various backgrounds. (spiegel.de)
- Federal President Steinmeier opposes German Olympic bid for 2036 due to Nazi Games history — Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier publicly opposed a German bid to host the 2036 Olympics, calling the year ‘historically problematic’ due to the 100th anniversary of the Nazi propaganda Olympics in 1936. He supports bids for 2040 or 2044 instead. Former Chancellor Schröder publicly disagreed with Steinmeier’s position. (zeit.de)
Notes
Notes
Merz re-elected CDU chairman with 91.2% amid party congress focusing on social policy and unity
February 19–21, 2026
AfD faces growing nepotism scandal with politicians employing relatives across party network
February 20–22, 2026
Lower Saxony constitutional protection service classifies AfD state branch as 'secured right-wing extremist'
February 17, 2026
Political parties plan joint proposal for Federal President succession, likely first female president
February 20–21, 2026
Federal President Steinmeier opposes German Olympic bid for 2036 due to Nazi Games history
February 19, 2026
Defense Minister Pistorius faces controversy over drone procurement from company with Peter Thiel investment
February 17–19, 2026
Government plans major expansion of BND intelligence service operational powers
February 16–20, 2026
Federal President Steinmeier conducts diplomatic visits to Lebanon and Jordan amid Middle East tensions
February 16–17, 2026
Other
United Kingdom
Prince Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday over the Jeffrey Epstein case. King Charles issued a rare public statement disavowing his brother and saying “the law must take its course.”
The royal crisis caps a week when Britain’s constitution broke down everywhere. The monarchy faces its worst crisis since the abdication — King Charles has publicly distanced himself from a senior royal under criminal investigation. The government keeps losing: Keir Starmer reversed his plan to delay local elections after Reform UK took him to court — his 14th major U-turn in office — and his approval ratings have hit record lows. The surveillance system is being abused, attacking civil liberties.
Emails revealed this week that Josh Simons, a minister, gave journalists’ names to Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) officials and falsely linked them to “people known to be operating in a pro-Kremlin propaganda network.” Mr Simons did more than commission an investigation — he targeted reporters through the intelligence services.
The political chaos continues despite economic success. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, recorded Britain’s biggest ever budget surplus of £30.4 billion in January, while inflation fell to a 10-month low of 3%, making Bank of England rate cuts in March more likely. The Institute for Fiscal Studies called the government’s fiscal rules “dysfunctional,” but the numbers suggest the economic strategy works even as the political strategy collapses.
Britain’s alliances keep working despite the domestic breakdown. Australia announced a $2.75 billion investment in a submarine construction yard — the Southern Hemisphere’s only facility that can build nuclear-powered submarines, boosting the AUKUS partnership. Some want the government to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP faster than planned, but existing commitments remain on track.
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- Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct, King Charles distances himself — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to Jeffrey Epstein allegations. King Charles issued statement saying ‘law must take its course’ and offering full cooperation with investigation. (nytimes.com)
- Keir Starmer faces mounting political crisis amid U-turns and falling approval ratings — Prime Minister Starmer reversed plans to delay local elections after Reform UK legal challenge, marking his 14th major U-turn in office. Polling shows historic low approval ratings amid various policy reversals and criticism over Chagos Islands deal. (telegraph.co.uk)
- Nigel Farage unveils Reform UK shadow cabinet and blocked from Chagos Islands mission — Reform UK leader announced first shadow cabinet appointments including Robert Jenrick as Treasury spokesman and Suella Braverman for education. Separately, Farage claimed UK government blocked his humanitarian mission to deliver aid to Chagos Islands campaigners. (theguardian.com)
- Bank of England expected to cut interest rates as inflation falls — UK inflation dropped to 10-month low, with most economists predicting Bank of England will cut rates in March. Central bank faces pressure to support economic growth while managing persistent service sector inflation concerns. (bloomberg.com)
- Intelligence services in focus over Ukraine intelligence and journalist investigations — Guardian investigation reveals how CIA and MI6 obtained Putin’s Ukraine invasion plans but struggled with European skepticism. Separately, GCHQ drawn into Labour Together scandal over false claims about journalists linked to Russian propaganda. (theguardian.com)
Notes
Notes
Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct, King Charles distances himself
February 19–21, 2026
Keir Starmer faces mounting political crisis amid U-turns and falling approval ratings
February 16–21, 2026
Nigel Farage unveils Reform UK shadow cabinet and blocked from Chagos Islands mission
February 16–22, 2026
Rachel Reeves achieves record budget surplus but faces criticism over fiscal rules
February 16–21, 2026
Intelligence services in focus over Ukraine intelligence and journalist investigations
February 15–21, 2026
Other
Italy
Sergio Mattarella this week intervened in Italy’s highest judicial council for the first time in 11 years, warning government ministers to respect the courts as the country heads toward a constitutional referendum that could reshape the justice system.
Mr Mattarella attended a meeting of the Superior Council of Magistrates after Carlo Nordio, the justice minister, described the body as behaving like the mafia. Mr Mattarella called for “mutual respect” between institutions and stressed that other branches of government must respect the judiciary. He had not attended a council meeting since 2015.
Italy will vote March 22-23 on separating prosecutors from judges, a reform that has split the country. The government is pushing for a Yes vote while the opposition opposes it. Polls show the race is tight, with both sides at 38%.
Even as Mr Mattarella worked to calm institutional tensions, the ruling coalition showed fresh strain. Roberto Vannacci’s new National Future party gained ground in polls this week, reaching 3.6% and overtaking both Action and Italy Alive. The former general’s rise comes at the expense of Matteo Salvini’s League, which dropped to 6.4% and was overtaken by the left-wing Green and Left Alliance. Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy fell to 29.8%.
The prime minister faced diplomatic troubles with France after she expressed sorrow over the killing of a far-right activist in Lyon. Emmanuel Macron told her to “stay at home” rather than comment on French internal affairs. Ms Meloni’s office said it was “astonished” by the remarks, the most public Italy-France friction in years.
Italy strengthened ties with Donald Trump’s administration through Antonio Tajani’s participation in the Board of Peace initiative for Gaza. Mr Tajani, the foreign minister, travelled to Washington as an observer at the group’s first meeting, though the move sparked constitutional concerns at home about Italy’s involvement in what critics called an unequal international body.
On defence, Guido Crosetto, the defence minister, unveiled plans to expand the armed forces by 100,000 troops over 18 years at a cost of €6-7 billion. The plan includes creating a cyber warfare branch and allowing foreign residents to join the military. Italy has about 170,000 troops, which military leaders consider too few.
Mr Crosetto visited the 102-year-old father of Angelo Bonelli, an opposition leader, after receiving a personal letter requesting the meeting. The gesture was praised across party lines as an example of institutional respect surviving political divisions.
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- Meloni returns to Sicily to assess Cyclone Harry damage — Ms Meloni visited Niscemi and other areas of Sicily hit by Cyclone Harry to assess damage and meet with local authorities and citizens. She was accompanied by Civil Protection officials during the visit. (ansa.it)
- Elisabetta Gualmini leaves PD for Azione over party direction — MEP Elisabetta Gualmini announced her departure from the Democratic Party (PD) to join Carlo Calenda’s Action party, citing disagreement with the PD’s leftward shift under Elly Schlein’s leadership and her support for the justice reform referendum. (ilpost.it)
- Mattarella awards honors and conducts ceremonial activities — Mr Mattarella conducted several ceremonial functions including visiting Turin for the centenary of Piero Gobetti’s death, meeting with a 15-year-old with rare disease, and announcing Olympic honours for himself and Ms Meloni. He also visited La Stampa newspaper offices. (lastampa.it)
- Salvini makes various political statements on judicial reform and migration — Mr Salvini commented on multiple issues including calling for lowered tones in the judicial reform debate, criticising judges for alleged political bias, and defending a police officer involved in a controversial shooting. He also discussed potential future role as Interior Minister. (ansa.it)
Notes
Notes
Other
Spain
Spain’s government split this week as Yolanda Díaz snubbed a left-wing alliance event and Catalan separatists rejected budget talks despite a secret meeting between Pedro Sánchez and Oriol Junqueras.
Díaz, the second deputy prime minister, declined to attend Saturday’s event where Sumar, the United Left, Más Madrid and the Commons announced their new left coalition. She said it was “time for parties to decide,” raising questions about whether she will continue leading the left alliance for the 2027 elections. Her absence raises questions about the government’s support in parliament.
Catalonia’s Republican Left (ERC) refused budget talks after a secret Friday meeting between Mr Sánchez and Oriol Junqueras failed to secure full transfer of personal income tax collection to Catalonia. The ERC calls this a red line for supporting government budgets, showing how regional parties hold power over Madrid’s minority government.
Vox suspended Javier Ortega Smith, a founding member and former secretary general, after internal conflicts with Santiago Abascal’s leadership. Mr Abascal defended the decision, stating “it’s the leadership that commands.” Mr Ortega Smith was godfather to one of Mr Abascal’s children, showing how much the far-right party has changed.
Spain maintained its international commitments. King Felipe VI described NATO as “irreplaceable” and called for “due respect between allies” amid growing transatlantic tensions. He stressed the need to strengthen Europe’s pillar within the Atlantic Alliance. Pablo Hernández de Cos, the governor of the Bank of Spain, signed cooperation agreements with Ukraine’s central bank on digital transformation and joint artificial intelligence development.
The government announced a €23bn sovereign fund to build 15,000 homes annually. But the armed forces face a recruitment crisis, with 13,000-23,000 fewer military members than legal requirements demand.
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- Sánchez defends government record and vows to continue ‘until 2027 and beyond’ in Castilla y León campaign — Pedro Sánchez campaigned in Castilla y León defending his government’s economic record, saying ‘Spain is doing better than ever and the opposition lies as always.’ He expressed confidence the March 15 elections will end the Popular Party (PP)-Vox partnership and vowed to continue governing beyond 2027. (elmundo.es)
- Arantxa Sánchez Vicario loses fortune in divorce settlement with Josep Santacana — Former tennis star Arantxa Sánchez Vicario will not recover any of her 30-million-euro fortune earned during her career after a Miami court ruled in favour of her ex-husband Josep Santacana in their divorce proceedings. The couple reached an agreement in 2025 after nearly a decade of litigation. (elconfidencial.com)
- Comedian Manu Sánchez marries partner during Cádiz Carnival opening ceremony — Humorist Manu Sánchez surprised his partner Lorena by proposing marriage during his three-hour opening speech for the 2026 Cádiz Carnival, with the mayor officiating the ceremony on stage. The event on February 14 combined carnival tradition with a personal wedding celebration. (abc.es)
- Feijóo calls for agreements with Vox while PP-Vox coalition negotiations stall in several regions — Popular Party (PP) leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo insisted on the need to reach agreements with Vox to form regional governments, while negotiations remain blocked in Extremadura and Aragón. Tensions emerged after the PP leadership criticised Extremadura’s María Guardiola’s negotiation approach with Vox. (abc.es)
- Yolanda Díaz skips left coalition relaunch as uncertainty grows over her political future — Second Deputy PM Yolanda Díaz declined to attend Saturday’s event where Sumar, the United Left (IU), Más Madrid and Comunes announced their new left coalition, saying it was ‘time for political formations to decide.’ Her absence fuelled speculation about whether she will continue leading the left alliance for future elections. (okdiario.com)
- King Felipe VI calls NATO ‘irreplaceable’ and demands respect between allies amid tensions — King Felipe VI described NATO as ‘irreplaceable’ during a lunch with Portugal’s outgoing president, calling for ‘due respect between allies’ and the need to strengthen Europe’s pillar within the Atlantic Alliance. His comments come amid growing transatlantic tensions. (elpais.com)
- ERC creates first internal faction supporting left-wing electoral fronts as party faces internal divisions — The ERC’s National Council approved the creation of Àgora Republicana, the party’s first formal internal current since 2011, led by former deputy Joan Tardà. The faction supports participating in ‘left-wing fronts’ in future elections, aligning with Gabriel Rufián’s proposals despite leadership opposition. (elperiodico.com)
- Congress rejects Vox burka ban but PSOE opens door to broader debate on Islamic veils — The Congress defeated Vox’s law to ban burka and niqab in public spaces, with only the PP supporting the far-right proposal. However, the PSOE indicated willingness to discuss the issue separately, saying ‘there should be a debate’ about burka use while rejecting Vox’s ‘hate-inciting’ approach. (larazon.es)
Notes
Notes
ERC blocks Catalan budget negotiations despite secret Sánchez-Junqueras meeting on IRPF transfer
February 16–22, 2026
Sánchez defends government record and vows to continue 'until 2027 and beyond' in Castilla y León campaign
February 20–22, 2026
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario loses fortune in divorce settlement with Josep Santacana
February 21–22, 2026
Feijóo calls for agreements with Vox while PP-Vox coalition negotiations stall in several regions
February 15–22, 2026
Vox expels founding member Ortega Smith as Abascal consolidates control over party
February 17–22, 2026
Yolanda Díaz skips left coalition relaunch as uncertainty grows over her political future
February 15–22, 2026
Spanish Armed Forces face recruitment crisis losing 13,300 personnel since 2010
February 15–22, 2026
King Felipe VI calls NATO 'irreplaceable' and demands respect between allies amid tensions
February 20–22, 2026
Banco de España governor visits Kiev to strengthen cooperation with Ukrainian central bank
February 16–22, 2026
ERC creates first internal faction supporting left-wing electoral fronts as party faces internal divisions
February 18–22, 2026
Congress rejects Vox burka ban but PSOE opens door to broader debate on Islamic veils
February 17–22, 2026
Other
Norway
Jonas Gahr Støre, the prime minister, announced this week that Norway is open to hosting a future Olympics, if sports bodies take the lead — a decision that shows Norwegian institutions staying steady while much of the world lurches between crises.
Mr Støre’s announcement followed Norway’s strong winter sports performance, and he made clear that any Olympic bid would have to come from sports bodies, not politicians. The government listened to public enthusiasm but left the decision to sports officials.
In foreign policy, Espen Barth Eide, the foreign minister, warned this week that “everything can happen” between America and Iran. Norway’s response: offer to help mediate while staying neutral. Norway is also sending an observer to Donald Trump’s Gaza peace council without taking part directly — engaging without committing.
In economics, Equinor discovered new oil and gas at the Granat prospect near Gullfaks during exploration work. The sovereign wealth fund increased its Malaysian bond holdings to $3.15 billion and is being courted for green investments in India — moves for a fund spreading risk.
Norwegian democracy’s checks keep working. Mr Støre faces fresh criticism over his role as foreign minister in 2006-2007, when he halted searches for missing Oslo Accords documents. Historians are questioning his explanations, but the criticism is democratic oversight — the system holding leaders accountable for past decisions, not a crisis threatening the government.
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- Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces fresh scrutiny over Jeffrey Epstein connections — Norwegian royal family experiences deepest crisis amid revelations about Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. King Harald marked his 89th birthday while the monarchy faces unprecedented scandal. (townandcountrymag.com)
- Mr Støre under fire over missing Oslo Accords documents and archival controversy — The prime minister faces criticism over his role as former foreign minister in halting the search for missing documents from the Oslo peace process. Historians and former archivists question his shifting explanations about the 2006-2007 decisions. (vg.no)
- Progress Party leader Listhaug criticises Norwegian aid to over 100 US think tanks — Sylvi Listhaug called it ‘shocking’ that Norway lacks oversight of aid to American research institutions and think tanks, with over 100 recipients identified including organisations with Epstein connections. She demands broad investigation to restore trust in foreign service. (panoramanyheter.no)
- Equinor discovers oil and gas at Granat prospect in North Sea — Equinor and partners made new oil and gas discoveries at the Granat prospect near Gullfaks, 190 kilometres northwest of Bergen. The company also continued share buyback programmes and made business decisions on carbon capture projects. (reuters.com)
- Norway’s sovereign wealth fund increases investments in India and Malaysia — Government Pension Fund Global expanded holdings in Malaysian bonds and is being courted for strategic green sector investments in India including renewables and rare earth projects. The fund’s Malaysia holdings reached $3.15 billion. (whalesbook.com)
- Mr Støre visits Norwegian-run Ukraine training camp in Poland — The prime minister visited Camp Jomsborg in Poland where Norwegian forces train Ukrainian soldiers, meeting with Polish PM Donald Tusk. Mr Støre emphasised the enormous burden Ukraine is carrying in the conflict. (aftenposten.no)
- Norwegian-Indian trade talks focus on green technology and investment — Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with Mr Støre in Oslo to discuss putting EFTA and TEPA agreements into practice, focusing on high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy, and waste management cooperation. (openthemagazine.com)
- Iceland PM pursues EU membership while Mr Støre rejects Norwegian EU debate — Iceland’s social democratic PM announced plans for EU membership and national debate, contrasting sharply with Norway’s Mr Støre who repeatedly rejects opening new EU discussions and prefers strengthening EEA cooperation. (aftenposten.no)
- Former NATO chief Mr Stoltenberg publishes memoir on alliance leadership — Jens Stoltenberg’s book ‘On My Watch’ details his decade leading NATO through crises including Russian invasions of Ukraine. He continues advocating for continued US commitment to the alliance despite tensions. (foreignaffairs.com)
- Northern Norway experiences record-high electricity prices — Three major hydroelectric plants in Northern Norway are partially or completely out of service, leading to some of the region’s highest electricity prices in years. The outages are causing significant production cuts. (highnorthnews.com)
Notes
Notes
Støre opens door to hosting future Olympics in Norway following strong winter performance
February 15–22, 2026
Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces renewed scrutiny over Jeffrey Epstein connections
February 16–22, 2026
Other
Sweden
Sweden criticised America for the first time this week, with Maria Malmer Stenergard, the foreign minister, saying that Europe’s relationship with the United States is “entering a new era” and calling US actions “damaging to trust.” In her annual foreign policy statement to parliament, Ms Malmer Stenergard said American policies clash with European values.
Sweden broke with protocol to attack America, but it doubled down on working with the West against Russia. Pål Jonson, the defence minister, announced Sweden’s 21st military aid package to Ukraine worth 12.9 billion kronor, focused on air defence systems and long-range weapons. The package includes 5.6 billion kronor for Ukrainian production of strike systems. Sweden is keeping its commitments to allies while accepting tension with Washington.
The governing coalition faces its own strains. Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, retreated from his demand to revoke permanent residence permits before the election, saying he “could buy” delaying the controversial legislation if coalition partners agree to pass it immediately after September 2026. The climb-down followed disagreement within the Tidö arrangement and shows continued stress over the confidence-and-supply deal.
Mr Åkesson stayed defiant, dismissing criticism from the Swedish Committee Against Antisemitism after claiming he had “never met a regular Swede who is antisemitic” and blaming antisemitism on immigrant groups. When challenged, he said he did not care what his critics thought because they were “political opponents.”
Sweden’s military intelligence service explained the tensions, warning that Russia could have enough strength for large-scale attacks on other countries by 2030. The assessment supports Sweden’s defence spending plans and NATO membership, even as Stockholm handles tricky relations with allies.
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- Kristersson and Andersson clash in parliamentary exchange — Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson sharply responded to Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson’s criticism of the government’s economic policy, telling her ‘Don’t come and lecture me’ during a heated parliamentary question session. The exchange highlighted tensions over defense spending, justice system investments, and Ukraine support. (expressen.se)
- Politicians attack Leif GW Persson over minister threat support — Both Jimmie Åkesson and Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard criticized criminologist Leif GW Persson after he expressed support for a man accused of threatening ministers Johan Forssell and Benjamin Dousa. Åkesson said it was ‘time to retire’ while Malmer Stenergard called his statements ‘shocking’ and said he had crossed ‘a sharp line.’ (tv4.se)
- Sweden announces new Ukraine aid package worth 12.9 billion kronor — Defense Minister Pål Jonson announced Sweden’s 21st military aid package to Ukraine worth 12.9 billion kronor, focusing on air defense systems, long-range weapons, and ammunition. The package includes funding for long-range UAVs and unmanned surface vehicles as Sweden continues its strong support for Ukrainian defense. (freepolicybriefs.org)
- Speculation grows over future SD-Moderate leadership dynamic — Multiple outlets examined whether Jimmie Åkesson could become the right-wing’s prime ministerial candidate if SD becomes larger than the Moderates after the election. Articles questioned if Kristersson might be the ‘last Moderate PM’ and analyzed the changing power dynamics within the Tidö coalition as SD’s influence grows. (sn.se)
- Swedish military conducts winter defense exercises — The Swedish Armed Forces conducted multiple defense exercises including Vintersol in Boden, with Skaraborgsbrigaden training for NATO missions to defend the eastern flank. The exercises also included preparation for the upcoming Cold Response exercise in northern Finland, emphasizing winter warfare capabilities. (mynewsdesk.com)
- Riksbank policy discussions amid inflation and interest rate speculation — Multiple outlets covered Riksbank developments including inflation data showing CPIF at 2.0%, speculation about potential rate cuts in March, and the central bank’s new research agenda. Some analysts suggest the dovish inflation details could support rate cuts while others predict the Riksbank will hold at 1.75%. (fxstreet.com)
- Government security vulnerabilities exposed in infiltration report — A new report from Riksrevisionen revealed serious shortcomings in how Swedish government agencies work to prevent infiltration. The audit of Kriminalvården, Kammarkollegiet and Försvarets materielverk found that managers often avoid asking sensitive questions, which is crucial for detecting vulnerabilities in personnel security. (svd.se)
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