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French Billionaire Defends Conservative Push Ahead of Election

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French billionaire Pierre-Edouard Sterin used his first appearance before lawmakers to openly defend his efforts to promote free-market and conservative ideas in France ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Appearing before a Senate inquiry into political financing, Sterin described his project as a long-term campaign to influence public debate and support right-wing policies.

Sterin denied any wrongdoing and said his organisation, Pericles, operates within the law. The Senate investigation is examining whether the billionaire’s network of charities, think tanks, and advocacy groups complies with political finance regulations. He said the objective is to expand the influence of conservative economic and social ideas across France.

The entrepreneur also reiterated his hardline views on immigration, supporting the deportation of foreign criminals, undocumented migrants, and long-term unemployed migrants. Sterin, who moved to Belgium in 2012 during former President François Hollande’s administration, said lower taxes abroad allowed him to devote more money to charitable projects in France.

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Germany Grants Record Citizenship as Syrians Remain Largest Group

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Germany granted citizenship to a record 332,500 people in 2025, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. Syrians remained the largest group of new citizens for the fifth consecutive year, accounting for one in every five naturalisations, although the number of Syrians receiving citizenship declined compared to 2024.

The rise in naturalisations was largely driven by reforms introduced in June 2024, which reduced the residency requirement for citizenship from eight years to five and allowed dual citizenship. Many Syrians who arrived during the refugee influx of 2015 and 2016 became eligible under the revised rules.

After Syrians, the largest groups gaining German citizenship were Turkish and Russian nationals. Significant increases were also recorded among citizens from Bosnia, the United States, and Albania. Additionally, Germany saw a sharp rise in citizenship restorations for individuals and descendants of those stripped of their nationality under Nazi rule, reflecting continued efforts to address historical injustices.

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Swiss Housing Pressure Fuels Support for Population Cap

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Rising housing costs and growing pressure on public infrastructure in parts of Switzerland are strengthening support for a national referendum aimed at limiting population growth. Residents in the village of Knonau, near the prosperous canton of Zug, say rapid expansion driven by economic growth and immigration has transformed the area and strained local services. Switzerland will vote on June 14 on a proposal backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party to cap the country’s population at 10 million before 2050.

Supporters of the initiative argue Switzerland is becoming overcrowded and that immigration levels are unsustainable. The country’s population has already exceeded 9 million, with more than one in four residents being foreign nationals, most from European countries. Critics, including the Swiss government and business groups, warn the proposal could damage Switzerland’s economic ties with the European Union by threatening freedom of movement agreements that support access to the European single market.

The debate has intensified in Zug, one of Switzerland’s wealthiest regions, where low taxes have attracted global businesses and wealthy residents, pushing property prices sharply higher. Real estate costs in the town of Zug now exceed those in cities such as Geneva, according to property consultants. While some locals blame population growth for soaring housing prices, opponents of the initiative say restricting immigration could hurt businesses and worsen labour shortages in the long run.

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Pope Leo XIV to Visit Canary Islands During Spain Tour

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Pope Leo XIV will travel to Spain from June 6–12, marking his first visit to a European Union country outside Italy since becoming pontiff. As part of the trip, he will visit the Canary Islands—a major entry point for migrants crossing dangerous Atlantic routes to Europe.

During his time on Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the pope is expected to meet migrants and humanitarian organizations supporting them. The visit comes amid growing concern over migration, with thousands losing their lives attempting the journey, and as Spain rolls out a mass amnesty program for undocumented immigrants under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

The tour will also include stops in Madrid and Barcelona, where the pope will meet King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and inaugurate a new tower of the iconic Sagrada Familia. The visit highlights his increasingly vocal stance on global issues, particularly migration and humanitarian concerns.

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Swiss Poll Shows Growing Support for Population Cap Referendum

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A slight majority of voters in Switzerland are backing a proposal to cap the nation’s population at 10 million, according to a recent opinion poll. The initiative, supported by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), will be put to a nationwide referendum on June 14, with support rising compared to earlier surveys.

The Swiss government has opposed the proposal, warning it could harm economic growth and strain relations with the European Union. Officials argue that limiting population growth could restrict the labor market and undermine existing agreements, particularly the freedom of movement arrangement with the EU.

However, increasing concerns over rapid population growth, infrastructure pressure, and the rising share of foreign residents have driven support for the initiative. With Switzerland’s population already exceeding 9 million, the proposal aims to impose a long-term cap by 2050, reflecting ongoing debates about immigration, economic ties, and national sovereignty.

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French Coastguard Rescues Migrants in Channel Crossing Attempts

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The French Coastguard rescued more than 100 migrants after a boat attempting to cross the English Channel broke down. Authorities responded on Saturday, bringing 106 people safely aboard a rescue vessel and transporting them to Calais early Sunday morning.

Earlier, emergency teams had already intervened near Wimereux to assist seven individuals struggling to board the overcrowded boat, including a woman who lost consciousness and required helicopter evacuation. In a separate incident, six more people were rescued, bringing the total number saved across operations to 119.

The rescues come shortly after a new £662 million agreement between the UK and France aimed at curbing dangerous crossings. Despite increased enforcement plans, officials continue to warn that the Channel remains one of the world’s busiest and most hazardous waterways, with unpredictable weather and strong currents posing serious risks to those attempting the journey.

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Pope Leads Good Friday Prayers for War Victims and Migrant Children

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Pope Leo XIV led a solemn Good Friday service at Rome’s Colosseum, where thousands of Catholics gathered for the traditional Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession. The candle-lit ceremony included prayers for war orphans, deported migrant children, and victims of global conflicts. During the service, spiritual meditations emphasized accountability for world leaders, warning that their use of power—especially in matters of war and peace—would ultimately be judged by God.

The pope, the first American to hold the position, carried a wooden cross through the historic amphitheatre, stopping at intervals for readings from the Bible, reflections inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, and messages focused on social justice. The meditations highlighted suffering across the world, including refugees, victims of human trafficking, political prisoners, and those killed in war zones, while also drawing attention to children affected by harsh immigration policies.

Although no specific leaders were named, the themes reflected ongoing global tensions and humanitarian concerns. Pope Leo has previously voiced criticism of strict immigration measures, particularly in relation to their alignment with Church teachings. The Good Friday observance marks a key moment in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter Sunday, when the pope is expected to deliver a major message addressing international issues.

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Switzerland Opposes Population Cap Initiative

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The Swiss government has urged voters to reject a proposal that would cap the country’s population at 10 million, warning the measure could harm the economy and strain relations with the European Union. The referendum, backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), is scheduled for June 14 and comes as Switzerland seeks closer cooperation with the EU to maintain access to its largest trading market.

Supporters of the initiative argue that high immigration levels are driving housing shortages, rising rents, and increased pressure on public infrastructure. The proposal calls for limiting permanent residents to under 10 million by 2050 and ending Switzerland’s freedom of movement agreement with the EU, which critics say could weaken economic ties and labor mobility.

The Federal Council, along with business groups, trade unions, and cantonal leaders, has warned the plan would undermine job markets, security cooperation, and Switzerland’s humanitarian traditions. With the population already exceeding 9 million and foreign nationals accounting for more than 27%, officials say the initiative would create uncertainty during a period of global instability.

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Spain’s Migrant Amnesty Sparks Chaos Amid Bureaucratic Gaps

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Spain’s upcoming migrant regularisation drive, aimed at granting legal status to around half a million undocumented migrants, has already strained immigration offices and sparked anxiety among applicants. The government announced the programme last month, but a lack of detailed guidance, funding, and staffing has left both migrants and frontline workers uncertain about the process and timeline. Union leaders warn that without additional resources, the initiative could face significant delays or fail at launch.

The Spanish government plans to run the programme from April to June, allowing migrants with clean criminal records and at least five months of residence or prior asylum applications to qualify. However, essential details on required documentation and procedures remain unclear. As a result, migrants have been queuing at immigration offices for information and, in some cases, paying intermediaries illegally to secure appointments, reflecting widespread fear and confusion.

Experts note that Spain’s inclusive migration policies have fueled economic growth but chronic administrative backlogs leave hundreds of thousands working off the books. Union officials and NGOs emphasize the need for additional staff, technological support, and extended office hours to handle the surge in applications, while the government explores involving non-governmental organisations and trade unions to manage the expected influx efficiently.

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Sweden to Tighten Citizenship Rules Amid Immigration Push

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Sweden’s government announced plans to tighten citizenship rules, extending the required residency period from five to eight years, introducing a minimum monthly income threshold of 20,000 Swedish crowns ($2,225), and requiring applicants to pass a language and cultural knowledge test. Migration Minister Johan Forssell said the stricter measures aim to ensure applicants understand Swedish society and meet basic economic and social standards.

The new rules also impose longer waiting periods for individuals with criminal records. For instance, someone who served a four-year prison sentence would have to wait 15 years before applying for citizenship. The changes are part of a broader effort by the centre-right coalition to restrict immigration, which has been a contentious issue in Swedish politics since the large influx of asylum seekers in 2015.

The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, supporting the minority government, have linked past immigration policies to rising gang-related crime. The stricter citizenship rules are expected to come into force on June 6, coinciding with other planned measures aimed at tightening asylum policies.

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