Jon Henley

Paris

European Affairs Writer at The Guardian

Paris-based writer on European allsorts at the Guardian; views my own, RTs not endorsements, etc.

Articles

Slovakian and Serbian leaders defy EU to attend Russian military parade

5 days ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley

Despite warnings from European Union officials, Slovakia’s Moscow-friendly prime minister, Robert Fico, shook hands with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin before becoming the only EU leader to attend Russia’s 9 May parade of military forces waging war on Ukraine.
VE Day live: UK and Europe hold ceremonies to mark 80 years since end of second world war in Europe

6 days ago | theguardian.com | Tom Ambrose |Amy Sedghi |Kate Connolly |Shaun Walker |Jon Henley |Deborah Cole | +1 more

Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureWinston Churchill’s great-great-grandson Alexander Churchill, 10, lit the VE Day 80th candle of peace during a service at Westminster Abbey today. The youngster, dressed in a suit and tie, stepped forward and made his way up the steps in front of the altar, where he was handed a flame to light the large cream church candle.
Europe marks 80 years since VE day as continent faces new security realities

6 days ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley |Deborah Cole

Solemn ceremonies will be held at war memorials in towns and villages across France on Thursday as the country honours its dead and marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, a public holiday this year, as it is every year. In Paris, the president, Emmanuel Macron, will lay a wreath at the foot of Charles de Gaulle’s statue, walk up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, rekindle the eternal flame at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and inspect the troops.
Merz and Macron to jumpstart Franco-German relations in ‘new push for Europe’

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley

France and Germany will seek to jumpstart their relationship, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz have said on the new German chancellor’s first trip abroad, working “systematically together” in a “new push for Europe”. Merz told the two leaders’ joint news conference in Paris on Wednesday that a reset in Franco-German relations was vital to help Europe become more secure, competitive and unified so it can overcome “enormous” security and economic challenges.
Many in US and western Europe think ‘third world war likely within five to 10 years’

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley

Eighty years after the second world war, polling shows many Americans and western Europeans believe an even more devastating third global conflict could break out within a decade, with tensions with Russia seen as the most probable cause. As Europe prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the YouGov polling also showed large majorities felt that events during and before the second world war were relevant today and must continue to be taught to younger generations.
‘You feel the huge weight of history’: the room where Nazi Germany surrendered

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley

For a building that witnessed one of the pivotal moments of European history, it is oddly unremarkable: a nondescript red-brick schoolhouse on an unexceptional street on the wrong side of the railway tracks in Reims, eastern France. In May 1945 it was the Collège Moderne et Technique. Students came and went. Passersby may have wondered, briefly, at the two US military police officers outside the doors, but Americans were everywhere – the city had been liberated in August 1944.
Far-right first-round win of Romanian presidential election raises prospect of EU disruption

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley

A far-right Trump admirer who opposes military aid to Ukraine has decisively won the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun, near-final results show, raising the prospect of another disruptive nationalist joining the EU leaders’ club. With 99.99% of votes counted on Monday, George Simion, 38, who sports Maga caps, pushes a sovereignist, socially conservative agenda and has called for the “Melonisation” – referring to Italy’s far-right prime minister – of Europe, scored 40.96%.
Ultranationalist wins first round of Romania’s rerun presidential election

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley

An ultranationalist who opposes military aid to Ukraine, has vilified the EU’s leaders, and calls himself Donald Trump’s “natural ally” has won the first round of Romania’s rerun presidential vote and will face a centrist in the run-off, early estimates predict.
Romanians vote in election that could propel ultranationalist Trump ally to power

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley

Romanians are voting in a presidential election rerun that could propel to power an ultranationalist who opposes military aid to Ukraine, has fiercely criticised the EU’s leadership and describes himself as a “natural ally” of Donald Trump. George Simion, 38, is comfortably ahead in the opinion polls before the first-round vote in the EU and Nato member state, nearly six months after the original ballot was cancelled amid evidence of an alleged “massive” Russian influence campaign.
Romania presidential elections: why is there another vote this year?

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Jon Henley

Romania returns to the polls in May for a rerun of its crunch presidential election after the original vote last year was annulled – and its shock far-right winner disbarred – amid widespread concerns over Russian interference and other irregularities. With another far-right candidate ahead in the polls, the vote is being watched from Brussels to Washington: a nationalist victory could result in the EU and Nato member, which borders Ukraine, veering from a pro-European path.