Romanian presidential election: right-wing populist in the lead
George Simion (right) casts his vote alongside Călin Georgescu, winner of the annulled November election. (© picture-alliance/ ASSOCIATED PRESS / Vadim Ghirda)

The far-right candidate of the AUR party, George Simion, has won the first round of the rerun of the presidential election in Romania. In the run-off on 18 May he will now go up against the non-affiliated mayor of Bucharest Nicușor Dan. The country's Social Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned after his governing coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu, came in third.

VE Day 80 years on: abusing remembrance?
Primary school children at a "Great-grandchildren of Victory" parade in Vladivostok on 4 May (© picture alliance / Xinhua News Agency / Guo Feizhou)

This week the whole of Europe commemorates the end of the Second World War and liberation from National Socialism. Russia will celebrate the victory over Hitler's Germany with its usual massive military parade on 9 May. The Kremlin's efforts to place its current war of aggression in Ukraine in this historical context meet with opposition in the European press.

AfD classified as extreme-right: what now?
Acting Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, comments on the AfD classification in Wiesbaden on 2 May. (© picture alliance/dpa/Andreas Arnold)

Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as "confirmed right-wing extremist" due to the party's disregard for human dignity and mounting indications of efforts to subvert the free democratic order. Europe's press debates what actions the ruling could and should prompt.

Labor wins big in Australia
Australian Prime Minister Albanese (centre) celebrates his election victory with his partner and son. (© picture alliance/ASSOCIATED PRESS/Rick Rycroft)

The social democratic Labor Party has won a landslide victory in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can now continue to govern with an absolute majority after securing more than 80 seats in the country's 150-seat House of Representatives. The conservative National-Liberal Coalition won just under 40 seats. Commentators discuss the causes and the Trump effect.

US and Ukraine sign minerals deal
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko signed the agreement setting up a reconstruction fund in Washington on Wednesday. (© picture alliance / dpa / US Treasury Department)

Following tough negotiations, Ukraine and the US have signed a natural resources deal. Hailed by both sides as a "historic" agreement, it provides for the creation of a joint investment fund which will initially generate funds for the country's reconstruction. The media assess the deal primarily in terms of its potential to boost Ukraine's security and sovereignty.

President wanted: Romania repeats election
Running for president (from left): Crin Antonescu, Nicușor Dan, Elena Lasconi and George Simion. (© picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS/Vadim Ghirda)

Following the cancellation of the first round of elections in November due to suspected fraud, Romanians will head to the polls again on Sunday to elect a new president. The list of candidates includes Crin Antonescu from the current governing coalition between the Social Democrats, Liberals and the Hungarian Party, George Simion from the right-wing nationalist AUR party, and Elena Lasconi from the liberal USR.

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