The 62nd Munich Security Conference is taking place against a backdrop of growing uncertainty. The Munich Security Report 2026 distributed to participants bears the cautionary title "Under Destruction". Europe's press recalls historical moments in past conferences, analyses the present situation and calls for bold visions for the future.
A controversy over a helmet decorated with pictures of twenty athletes killed in the war in Ukraine is raging: Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych wanted to commemorate his colleagues with this gesture, and has now been disqualified from the Winter Olympics for violating its Charter. European commentators question whether this was a wise decision by the IOC.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed several agreements at a long-postponed meeting in Ankara on Wednesday, despite tensions over territorial issues in the Aegean Sea and the unresolved Cyprus question. The relationship remains highly sensitive, media in both countries stress.
Hungarians will elect a new parliament on 12 April. The Tisza Party led by Péter Magyar has emerged as Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party's main rival and is leading most of the pre-election polls. Commentators discuss whether Fidesz could actually be voted out after sixteen years in power, and what is at stake here.
Setting the right course for Europe's economic recovery is the goal of today's informal EU summit at Alden Biesen Castle in Belgium. The governments in Berlin and Rome have presented a joint policy paper on the topic, but in an interview French President Emmanuel Macron voiced very different ideas. Europe's press discusses what the EU needs now.
For several days now, the Starlink satellite Internet system has only been accessible for officially authorised devices in Ukraine. In practice this means that the Russian attackers on Ukrainian territory can no longer use the vital communications technology offered by Elon Musk's company SpaceX. Europe's press looks at the causes and consequences.
In the run-up to an informal summit of EU heads of state and government on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the introduction of joint European debt. Europe must invest more, protect its economy and be more assertive, Macron said in an interview with several European media outlets. Germany was quick to reject the proposal.
The intense pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down has increased after the resignations of two of his top aides. Several cabinet members have rallied around him, however. The crisis was triggered by former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, who is suspected of passing on confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Cuba is experiencing an acute energy crisis after Donald Trump cut off all oil deliveries from Venezuela to the Caribbean island and threatened to impose tariffs on other countries such as Mexico if they continue to supply the island with fuel. Washington wants to force the socialist government in Havana to make concessions. Europe's media take stock.
Moderate socialist António José Seguro will be Portugal's next president after defeating his right-wing populist rival André Ventura (Chega party) in the runoff election and securing around 67 percent of the vote. Conservative Prime Minister Luís Montenegro congratulated him on his victory and said he hoped they would be able to collaborate effectively. The constitution gives the president the right to veto laws, dissolve parliament and call new elections.
Hong Kong democracy activist and media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. The guilty verdict for "collusion with foreign forces" and "sedition" was already handed down in December. Now the court in the Chinese special administrative region has issued the sentence. Lai has already served two years, and will have to serve 18 more, the judges ruled.