Britain’s smoking ban just another blow for parliament’s Pipe and Cigar Club
As the government seeks to ban tobacco sales to younger generations, parliament’s pipe and cigar enthusiasts are feeling nostalgic.
Driving the day
Good afternoon. Rishi Sunak vowed to end Britain’s “sick note culture” in a big speech on welfare reform. Here’s what else you need to know:
- The prime minister said Israel “absolutely has the right to self defense” and that Britain’s waiting for the facts after a missile struck Iran.
- Sunak said his patience has “run thin” on his delayed Rwanda bill, declaring the Commons will vote “until it’s done” on Monday.
- The SNP is reeling after former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell was charged with embezzlement.
Poll of polls
Editors’ picks
Why Donald Trump ‘hates Ukraine’
The once and possibly future U.S. president blames the country for his political woes.
Putin is bombing Ukraine into darkness — and leaving Europe short of power
The EU relies on Kyiv for energy. So Russia is attacking the critical storage sites that hold Europe’s gas.
Robert Habeck wants Germany to rebuild Ukraine
Brussels buzzwords of the week: Competitiveness and Bolshewokism
Presented by EIT RawMaterials.
EU election latest: Knives out for Ursula von der Leyen
Presented by EIT RawMaterials.
UK general election polls
Potential Scottish indyref
What’s next
- EU PARLIAMENT
European election polls
June 6-9
-
- Lithuania:
May 12
Presidential election -
- Romania:
September 15
Presidential election -
- Lithuania:
October 13
General election
What is Poll of Polls and how does it work? Read more.
Washington
Brussels
Make the single market ‘sexy,’ Italy’s ex-PM urges EU leaders
Italy’s former PM acknowledged that finding the political will could be an uphill battle as financial issues are “not very sexy” for voters.
US slams Georgia’s ‘Kremlin-inspired’ foreign agent bill
Draft law “goes against the wishes of the overwhelming majority” of country’s citizens, Washington warns.
China is a threat to Europe’s gunpowder supply, defense boss warns
Saab chief cautions that Beijing dominates supplies of a key component to make powder to fire shells, and metal for submarines and warships.
France
Germany
Poland arrests Zelenskyy assassination plotter linked to Russia
There have been numerous attempts to assassinate Zelenskyy since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
How Japan beat Europe to become America’s BFF on the moon
Geopolitics explains why the astronaut that lands on the moon with NASA in 2026 will not be French, German or Italian.
Germany detains 2 men over alleged plotting of attacks in complicity with Russia
The suspects targeted military infrastructure and industrial sites in Germany as well as facilities of the US forces, according to German prosecutors.
Most read
Ukraine is heading for defeat
Why Donald Trump ‘hates Ukraine’
France is ‘overwhelmed with propaganda,’ minister says
Russia announces total withdrawal of troops from Nagorno-Karabakh
Putin is bombing Ukraine into darkness — and leaving Europe short of power
Opinion
Cancel culture comes to Brussels
Time to ban TikTok in the EU
POLITICO Live: The extension of POLITICO’s unmatched political and policy journalism
Pro Workshop – Two months ahead of the European Parliament election 2024: trends and expectations
Join this Pro Workshop to evaluate the latest findings regarding the potential course of the European election
Energie & Climat France | Evénement de lancement
Rencontrez notre équipe de journalistes spécialisés ainsi que des acteurs influents, des professionnels de la politique et des affaires publiques concernés par ces enjeux, à l'occasion de notre événement de lancement de notre couverture Energie & Climat France. C'est événement est sur invitation uniquement.
POLITICO 2024 Election Debate Watch Party
Join the Watch Party of the unmissable Maastricht Debate and get insights from reporters and peers.
Ukraine is heading for defeat