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Summary
Domestic
Following regional elections in Spain, the center-right Popular Party (PP) is attempting to form regional governments, requiring support from the far-right Vox, which gained significant seats. Negotiations are tense, with Vox demanding inclusion in governing coalitions while the PP resists adopting its more radical policies. Concurrently, Vox is experiencing internal conflict, as its leadership moved to expel founder Javier Ortega Smith. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is advocating for a judicial reform referendum criticized as weakening oversight, announced aid for cyclone-hit Sicily, and saw her government approve new immigration measures. A separate controversy involved a restored church angel painted to resemble her, which was later ordered painted over.
In Portugal, center-left Socialist candidate António José Seguro won the presidential election by a wide margin over far-right rival André Ventura. In Spain, a political debate emerged over banning full-face coverings, with Vox and the PP proposing a ban rejected by the coalition government of Pedro Sánchez; the Catalan party Junts also registered its own separate proposal. On the left, several Spanish parties announced a new electoral alliance excluding Podemos, which dismissed the coalition.
International
US Vice President J.D. Vance traveled to Milan for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, where he met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a visit described as confirming strategic ties. The ceremony saw protests, including booing directed at Vance and the Israeli team. In diplomatic developments, the Vatican declined to join a 'Board of Peace' for Gaza proposed by Trump, citing a preference for UN leadership, with Italy also confirming it cannot join. Greece indicated it would participate as an observer.
Disagreements surfaced within the European Union, with Spain accusing Italy and Germany of undermining solidarity and France set to clash with them at a leaders' retreat. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a 'two-speed Europe' model. Separately, Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are forming a closer political alliance, creating a rift with French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron also publicly criticized Meloni for commenting on a French judicial case, which Meloni denied was interference.
Domestic and International Topics
43 topics | 902 sources
GR/IT/PT+3Following regional elections in Spain, the center-right Popular Party (PP) is trying to form governments in several regions, requiring support from the far-right party Vox, which gained significant ground. Concurrently, a political debate has emerged about banning full-face coverings like the burka and niqab, with Vox proposing the measure and the PP offering support. These developments highlight the growing influence of the far-right in Spanish politics and the policy negotiations shaping regional governance.
person:feijooperson:sanchezperson:guardiolaperson:abascalperson:ortega smithorg:voxorg:pporg:psoe
Feb 23 — Feb 28
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is pushing for a 'yes' vote in an upcoming judicial reform referendum, which critics argue would weaken judicial independence, with one Italian politician controversially stating that Putin would vote no. Simultaneously, Italy's foreign minister is facing criticism in parliament over the government's stance on Gaza. These domestic controversies highlight the political debates surrounding Meloni's policies and international positioning.
person:meloniperson:schleinperson:tajaniperson:nordioperson:mattarellaorg:legaorg:vaticantopic:peace talks
Feb 24 — Feb 28
Italian skier Federica Brignone won multiple gold medals at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, including the women's Super-G event. Meanwhile, fellow Italian skier Sofia Goggia fell during a team event at the same Games. The Olympics showcased both triumphs and setbacks for Italian athletes.
person:brignoneperson:lollobrigidaperson:voetterperson:oberhoferperson:vittozziorg:interorg:torinotopic:gold
Feb 16
USItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with US Vice President J.D. Vance in Milan during the opening of the Winter Olympics. The meeting was described as confirming the strategic relationship between Italy and the United States, with both leaders talking about shared values. Separately, Meloni announced Italy would participate as an observer in a 'Board of Peace' initiative related to Gaza, which is associated with Donald Trump. She also disagreed with criticism from another European leader, Friedrich Merz, about Trump's political supporters.
person:meloniperson:vanceperson:trumporg:icetopic:diplomacyplace:milanplace:milano
Feb 17
Real Madrid had a successful week on the field, beating Real Sociedad and Valencia to stay at the top of the Spanish league. The team also condemned a fan who appeared to perform a Nazi salute before a match, with player Aurélien Tchouameni saying the subsequent win was for everyone who stands against racism. Meanwhile, star forward Kylian Mbappé is out with a knee injury, creating uncertainty for both Real Madrid and the French national team. The team's domestic rivals, Barcelona, lost to Girona, which helped keep Real Madrid in first place.
person:mbappeperson:viniciusperson:tchouameniorg:real madridorg:barcelona
Feb 26 — Feb 27
EUA diplomatic dispute has broken out between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Macron told Meloni to stop commenting on French affairs after she made remarks about the killing of a right-wing activist in Lyon. Meloni responded by saying she had not interfered. The disagreement comes as Meloni and Chancellor Friedrich Merz are forming closer ties, with some headlines calling the pair 'Merzoni.' Spain has accused Italy and Germany of undermining European Union solidarity.
person:meloniperson:macronperson:merzorg:euplace:lyonplace:berlin
Feb 27
GR/IT/PT+3A recently restored fresco of an angel in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome has drawn attention because its face resembles Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Vicariate of Rome, which oversees the church, has launched an investigation into the restoration work, stating the painting was not originally like that and that sacred art should not be used in this way. Meloni made a joke about the situation, while the Vatican reportedly ordered the removal of her likeness from the artwork.
person:meloniorg:vaticantopic:restorationplace:rome
Feb 24 — Feb 27
The Vatican announced it will not participate in a 'Board of Peace' for Gaza proposed by Trump, citing a preference for United Nations leadership on the issue. Italy has also confirmed it cannot join the initiative, and Malta similarly stated it will not attend the meeting. These refusals represent diplomatic pushback against the Trump administration's approach to Middle East peace efforts.
person:trumpperson:tajaniperson:kombostopic:peace talksplace:greeceplace:cyprusplace:gaza
Feb 7 — Feb 19
António José Seguro, a center-left Socialist candidate, has won Portugal's presidential election. He defeated his far-right populist rival, André Ventura, by a wide margin, with many reports describing the victory as a landslide.
person:seguroperson:venturatopic:electiontopic:electionsplace:portugal
Feb 9
GR/IT/PT+3A cold front is bringing storms, hail, and dust across Greece, with scattered rain forecast. In Italy, heavy rain and gale-force winds are expected to persist, with a new weather front forecast to arrive later in the week. Separately, archaeologists in Greece have discovered 430,000-year-old wooden tools. In Italy, an ancient Roman shipwreck was found off the southern coast, and a famous natural rock arch known as the Lovers' Arch collapsed into the sea.
place:italyplace:greeceplace:portugal
Feb 21 — Feb 22