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Far-Right Security Strategy Tested in French City of Perpignan

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In the southern French city of Perpignan, far-right mayor Louis Aliot is campaigning for another term with a strong focus on law and order. Representing the National Rally, Aliot has made increased policing, surveillance cameras, and stricter enforcement key parts of his administration, presenting the city as a model for how his party would govern elsewhere.

Since taking office in 2020, the municipality has expanded its police force and intensified efforts against drug trafficking, leading to a sharp rise in reported cases and fines. Perpignan now has one of the highest ratios of municipal police per resident among major French cities. Supporters say these measures have improved safety and cleanliness, while critics argue the tougher policing has not solved deeper social and economic problems.

The city has become a symbolic battleground ahead of France’s municipal and future presidential elections, drawing attention from national political figures such as Jordan Bardella and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Meanwhile, Aliot’s leadership also faces scrutiny over rising municipal debt and a pending court appeal that could affect his political future.

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German Court Halts AfD ‘Extremist’ Label

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Germany’s Cologne administrative court has granted an injunction preventing the domestic intelligence agency (BfV) from classifying the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as right-wing extremist, pending a full court ruling. The decision provides temporary relief to the far-right party ahead of five state elections scheduled for later this year.

The injunction was filed by the AfD to contest the 2025 BfV decision labeling the party as extremist, which would have allowed increased monitoring by the intelligence service. The court noted that it could not currently establish that the party as a whole is dominated by extremist positions, thereby suspending the agency’s classification until further review.

The BfV’s May 2025 classification had triggered political tensions in Germany, with calls from some lawmakers to ban the party and criticism from the AfD itself, which argued the move undermined democratic principles. The U.S. administration also expressed concern, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging German authorities to reconsider the designation.

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Orban Faces Toughest Election Test as Hungary Votes on April 12

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Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban will face his strongest electoral challenge in 16 years when the country holds parliamentary elections on April 12. The vote is being closely watched across Europe, as Orban has been a key figure among far-right leaders and maintains close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia despite the Ukraine war.

Orban, who has ruled since 2010, has reshaped Hungary into what he calls an “illiberal democracy,” often clashing with the European Union over media freedom, migration and LGBTQ rights. His Fidesz party is campaigning on stability and security, promising to keep Hungary out of the Ukraine conflict and stop illegal migration, while also trying to revive an economy hit by high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis.

Challenging him is Peter Magyar, a former government insider whose Tisza party has surged since entering politics in 2024. Recent polls show Magyar ahead among decided voters, as he campaigns on fighting corruption, restoring EU ties and unlocking frozen European funds to boost the economy. With many voters still undecided, the election outcome remains uncertain and could reshape Hungary’s role in Europe.

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Asylum Applications in Sweden Fall to 40-Year Low, Government Plans Further Tightening

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Asylum applications in Sweden fell by 30% in 2025, dropping to their lowest level since 1985, the government said on Friday. The right-of-centre minority government, which is supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, said it intends to further tighten migration and asylum rules this year ahead of a closely contested general election in September.

Since taking office in 2022, the coalition has made reducing asylum numbers a central policy goal, arguing that decades of lenient asylum laws and weak integration under previous governments contributed to rising gang-related crime. Immigration Minister Johan Forssell said the shift was not only about fewer migrants overall, but also about a significant change in the composition of immigration, with asylum-related arrivals now at a record low.

Official data showed total immigration, excluding Ukrainian refugees, declined to 79,684 last year from 82,857 in 2024, with asylum seekers and their families accounting for just 6% of arrivals, down sharply from 31% in 2018. The number of voluntary and forced returns also increased. Forssell said the government plans new legislation to boost returns and tighten citizenship requirements as voters prepare to head to the polls later this year.

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Macron condemns antisemitism after Jewish girl is raped

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French President Emmanuel Macron has raised serious concerns about the growing threat of antisemitism in schools after a 12-year-old Jewish girl was raped in what police have classified as a hate crime. According to French media, the girl reported being in a park in Courbevoie, north-west of Paris, with a friend last Saturday when three boys, two aged 13 and one aged 12, approached her. She knew at least one of them. The boys dragged her to an isolated location, where they hurled antisemitic abuse at her and raped her.

The boys were arrested on Monday, and two of them were charged with gang rape, antisemitic insults and violence, and issuing death threats. One of the attackers reportedly threatened to kill the girl if she went to the police. In response to the attack, people took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against antisemitism, carrying banners with messages such as “It could have been your sister.”

Macron addressed the attack during a Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday. He asked the Minister of Education, Nicole Belloubet, to ensure that schools hold discussions on racism and antisemitism in the coming days to prevent “hateful speech with serious consequences” from “infiltrating” classrooms. Belloubet later condemned the crime on social media, stating that “every part of this crime is revolting.” Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called the attack “absolutely despicable, unbearable, and unspeakable,” noting that antisemitism has been on the rise in France since October 7.

Chief Rabbi of France Haim Korsia expressed horror at the incident and called for the perpetrators to be firmly punished. He emphasized that no one can be excused from the current surge in antisemitism. A January 2024 report by the Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) highlighted a 284% increase in antisemitic acts between 2022 and 2023, with nearly 13% occurring in schools. The report noted a significant spike in such incidents following the October 7 Hamas attacks against communities in Israel.

The attack and the rise in antisemitism come amid a heated election campaign in France, after President Macron called a snap parliamentary election two weeks ago. Politicians from various parties quickly condemned the incident and vowed to combat antisemitism.

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Cypriot YouTuber Fidias Elected as Independent MEP

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A popular YouTuber from Cyprus, Fidias Panayiotou, has been elected as an independent Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Known for his unconventional online antics, including attempting to hug 100 celebrities and spending a week in a coffin, the 24-year-old Panayiotou has over 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube. Despite having no prior political experience, he secured 19.4% of the vote, the third-largest share.

Mr. Panayiotou expressed his surprise at the election outcome, calling it a “miracle,” and emphasized that political parties need to modernize and listen to the people. Last year, he faced backlash in Japan for a video where he dodged train fares and a hotel bill by hiding in toilets and pretending to be ill, which amassed millions of views.

Celebrating his win at Eleftheria Square in Nicosia, Panayiotou declared that they were making history both in Cyprus and internationally. Initially, he ran for election to inspire youth engagement in politics, despite his own admission of limited political knowledge and never having voted before. His candidacy significantly boosted voter turnout in Cyprus, rising to nearly 59% from 45% in the 2019 elections, partly attributed to what analysts dubbed the “Fidias factor.”

Exit poll analysis by Philenews revealed that Panayiotou garnered 40% of the votes from the 18-24 age group and 28% from the 25-34 age group. The six Cypriot MEPs elected included representatives from the conservative DISY (25%), the communist party AKEL (22%), the ultranationalist ELAM (11%), and the centrist party Diko (10%).

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German politician attacked in library as violence spreads

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In the latest string of assaults targeting German politicians, Franziska Giffey, a prominent figure in the centre-left SPD and former mayor of Berlin, was attacked in a local library. She was struck on the head and neck with a bag containing hard objects. This incident follows several other assaults on politicians and campaign workers, particularly in eastern Germany.

Matthias Ecke, a lead candidate for the upcoming European elections, was seriously injured in Dresden while putting up posters, allegedly attacked by four individuals, at least one of whom has ties to the far right. Additionally, a campaign worker for the Greens was assaulted, and a female Greens politician was pushed and spat on while putting up posters, with the perpetrators reportedly making Nazi salutes.

Giffey expressed shock at the attack, emphasizing the unacceptable trend of violence against those involved in politics. Police have identified a suspect but have not disclosed further details. There’s growing concern among politicians and officials, with calls for better legal protection against such attacks.

Interior ministers from federal and state levels convened to discuss responses to these assaults, acknowledging a worrying escalation in physical violence against politicians. The far-right AfD party, aiming for significant gains in upcoming elections, is embroiled in espionage allegations, adding to the political tensions in Germany.

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Clashes Erupt in Georgia Over Proposed ‘Foreign Agent’ Bill

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Riot police in Georgia deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators protesting against a proposed bill, which the opposition views as an attack on media freedoms. The clashes erupted outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, where protesters hurled eggs and bottles at the police. Despite the retreat of the crowds, confrontations persisted late into Tuesday evening along Rustaveli Avenue, resulting in several injuries and arrests.

The bill, known as the “foreign agent” legislation, received preliminary approval from lawmakers on April 17th. Introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party, it mandates that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and independent media outlets, receiving over 20% of their funding from foreign sources, register as entities “advancing the interests of a foreign power.” These organizations would be subject to oversight by Georgia’s justice ministry and could face penalties, including significant fines.

The passage of the bill’s initial reading sparked a wave of street demonstrations. Reports indicate that several protesters sustained injuries during Tuesday’s clashes in Tbilisi, including Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the main opposition party, United National Movement, who was reportedly hospitalized after a severe beating.

Eyewitnesses also observed instances of police officers physically assaulting protesters, according to Reuters news agency. A number of demonstrators were reportedly taken into custody. However, Georgian authorities have not publicly addressed these allegations of injuries or police misconduct.

Critics of the bill argue for its repeal, contending that it mirrors authoritarian legislation used by Russia to suppress dissent. They fear it could stifle critical voices ahead of this year’s parliamentary elections and impede Georgia’s progress toward EU membership. European leaders and the United States have warned that adopting the foreign agents law would undermine Georgia’s European aspirations.

Despite international concerns, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s government remains steadfast in its support of the bill. Kobakhidze has accused NGOs of attempting to foment revolutions in Georgia and of promoting “gay propaganda.” He maintains that the legislation aims to enhance transparency and denies allegations that it contradicts European values or serves Russian interests.

In response to the protests, Georgian Dream organized its own rally, where party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili criticized Western interference. The situation underscores the deepening divide within Georgia over the bill and its implications for democracy and international relations.

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Turkish local elections: Opposition stuns Erdogan with historic victory

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The primary opposition party in Turkey has claimed significant victories in key cities such as Istanbul and Ankara in recent elections, dealing a substantial blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s aspirations. Erdogan, who had hoped to secure control of these cities less than a year after winning his third presidential term, faced defeat as the opposition secured victories.

Ekrem Imamoglu, representing the secular opposition CHP, secured his second victory in Istanbul, defeating the candidate backed by Erdogan’s AK Party by a considerable margin. Similarly, in Ankara, opposition mayor Mansur Yavas declared victory early on, with a significant lead over his opponent.

These results mark the first nationwide defeat for Erdogan’s party in over two decades. Despite Erdogan acknowledging the outcome, labeling it a turning point, it’s a significant setback for his party’s dominance, especially considering the sweeping powers amassed by the presidency under his leadership.

The opposition’s success is considered the biggest electoral defeat of Erdogan’s career, prompting speculation about the future of Turkish politics. Supporters of the opposition celebrated the outcome as a historic moment, signaling a desire for change in the country’s political landscape.

Imamoglu and Yavas, both seen as potential presidential candidates in the future, emerged as key figures in the opposition’s triumph. The victories in major cities like Istanbul, which holds substantial economic and cultural influence, underscore the opposition’s strength and its ability to challenge Erdogan’s rule.

Despite Erdogan’s party retaining control in certain regions, particularly in central Turkey, the election results reflect a significant shift in the country’s political dynamics. With a high voter turnout and the inclusion of a sizable number of young voters, the elections have reshaped Turkey’s political landscape and set the stage for potential changes in the upcoming presidential election in 2028.

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Russia election: Arrests for vandalism as ballot boxes targeted in Putin vote

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Russian authorities have reported several incidents of vandalism occurring at polling stations during the initial day of the presidential elections. These acts included pouring green dye into ballot boxes, setting them ablaze, and igniting fireworks within the polling stations. Despite these disturbances, Vladimir Putin is expected to secure another six-year term in office, as there is no significant opposition challenging his candidacy.

The voting process spans three days until Sunday, with turnout reaching 23% in Moscow by late afternoon. Most of the reported incidents took place in Moscow, Voronezh, and the region of Karachay-Cherkessia. BBC Verify has confirmed footage of several incidents, including the throwing of petrol bombs and the pouring of paint into ballot boxes.

Some incidents occurred in occupied areas of Ukraine, resulting in at least eight arrests. While the motives behind these acts remain unclear, some vandals reportedly shouted pro-Ukrainian slogans. The Central Election Committee has confirmed five incidents involving liquids being poured into ballot boxes, with the substance identified as “zelyonka,” commonly used as an antiseptic but also in protests.

Election Commission chief Ella Pamfilova strongly condemned the perpetrators, labeling them as “scumbags.” She revealed that some of those detained admitted to committing the acts for financial gain and could face up to five years in jail. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Putin’s critic Alexei Navalny, has called for opposition protests at polling stations on Sunday. She urged the West not to recognize Putin’s presidency, a sentiment echoed by NATO’s secretary-general, who declared the election not free and fair.

Polling stations opened in Kamchatka at 08:00 local time on Friday and will close in Kaliningrad at 20:00 on Sunday, marking the conclusion of the voting process.

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