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Spain’s ruling Socialist Party, led by Pedro Sánchez, has seen a rise in voter support following its strong opposition to the U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran. Recent polls show the party gaining momentum after Sánchez took measures such as restricting U.S. military flights linked to the conflict from Spanish airspace and bases, positioning himself as a leading critic of the war.

At the same time, support for the far-right Vox party has declined, with surveys indicating a drop in voter backing. Vox, which has supported the military offensive and maintains close ideological ties with Donald Trump’s movement, has faced backlash as public opinion in Spain largely turns against the conflict, with a majority of respondents opposing the war.

Despite the Socialists’ gains, the conservative People’s Party (PP) continues to lead in overall voter intention, keeping the possibility of a right-wing coalition government alive. Polls suggest a shift of support from smaller and more extreme parties toward mainstream groups, while Spain’s fragmented political landscape means coalition-building will remain essential ahead of the 2027 general election.

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The European Union is set to impose sanctions on nine individuals accused of involvement in alleged war crimes linked to the killings in Bucha, Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. The move forms part of ongoing European efforts to hold individuals accountable for actions during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine has stated that more than 1,400 civilians were killed in Bucha, a town near Kyiv, during a 33-day occupation by Russian forces in the early phase of the 2022 invasion. The sanctions are expected to target individuals allegedly connected to these events, reinforcing the EU’s stance on accountability and international law violations linked to the conflict.

In addition to the nine individuals, the EU plans to sanction several alleged Kremlin propagandists accused of spreading disinformation. Among them is Franco-Russian national Adrien Bocquet, whom Barrot described as a recruiter of foreign fighters and a figure involved in promoting narratives supporting the war and influencing audiences across Europe and Africa.

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Iceland’s government is preparing to propose a referendum on whether to restart negotiations to join the European Union. According to public broadcaster RUV, the government is expected to submit a bill to parliament next week seeking approval to hold the vote later this year.

Sources cited by the broadcaster suggest the referendum is most likely to take place in late September. If approved, the vote would decide whether the country should resume EU accession talks that were abandoned in 2013 after four years of negotiations.

Interest in EU membership has grown again in recent years due to rising living costs and geopolitical tensions following the war in Ukraine. Political developments, including remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about annexing Greenland, have also added urgency to the debate over Iceland’s future ties with the European Union.

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French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni exchanged sharp criticism following the killing of a French far-right activist, Quentin Deranque, who died after being beaten during protests in Lyon. French prosecutors confirmed that seven people will face murder charges, including an assistant linked to the far-left party France Unbowed (LFI), while several others were arrested in connection with the incident. The case has sparked outrage in France and intensified political tensions.

Meloni described the killing as a tragedy caused by groups connected to left-wing extremism, calling it a “wound for all of Europe.” Her comments drew a strong response from Macron, who accused nationalist leaders of interfering in other countries’ internal matters. Speaking during a visit abroad, Macron directly confirmed his criticism was aimed at Meloni, underscoring ongoing ideological divisions between the two leaders on broader European political issues.

The killing has fueled political fallout within France, damaging the reputation of left-wing groups while providing an opportunity for far-right parties to highlight concerns over extremist violence. One suspect accused of helping instigate the attack has been placed in pre-trial detention, though he denies responsibility for the fatal blows. Meloni’s office later expressed surprise at Macron’s remarks, emphasizing that her comments were intended to convey sympathy and concern over the violent death.

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Telegram founder Pavel Durov has criticised proposed social media restrictions in Spain, saying they amount to censorship and excessive state control. In a message to Telegram users, Durov warned that plans by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to restrict access for under-16s and tighten hate speech laws would force platforms to collect user data and remove content to avoid prosecution.

Durov said the proposed legislation, which would criminalise algorithms seen as amplifying harmful content, could allow governments to control what users see online. Calling the measures a step “toward total control,” he accused authorities of using safety concerns as a pretext to silence critics. His remarks echoed criticism from Elon Musk, who has also condemned the Spanish government’s proposals.

Spain’s government defended the plans, arguing they are needed to protect minors and curb misinformation. Sanchez’s office accused Durov of abusing his control over Telegram by sending mass messages to Spanish users and spreading propaganda. The proposals are part of a broader European push to regulate social media, following similar debates in countries such as Britain, France and Greece, and Australia’s recent ban on social media use for children under 16.

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Denmark’s government said on Friday it will introduce tougher deportation laws aimed at making it easier to expel foreign nationals, including criminals, even if the move risks conflict with the European Court of Human Rights. The announcement comes amid a broader hardening of attitudes across Europe toward migration and asylum, with several governments expressing frustration over court rulings that have blocked deportations.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her coalition government would move ahead without waiting for changes in how the European Convention on Human Rights is interpreted, arguing that Denmark’s approach reflects the intent of many countries signed up to the convention. Facing mounting pressure from nationalist and anti-immigration parties ahead of an election due by October, Frederiksen acknowledged the reforms could prompt legal challenges.

The proposed measures, expected to take effect from May if approved, include stricter deportation rules for foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, electronic tagging for migrants who breach reporting requirements, and the appointment of a deportation envoy. Denmark also plans to reopen its embassy in Syria, review refugee permits more aggressively, and explore establishing an EU reception centre outside the bloc, reinforcing the country’s long-standing tough stance on immigration.

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