Eurotopics.net

The US's largest city will be governed by Democrat Zohran Mamdani. The 34-year-old politician describes himself as a "democratic socialist" and has promised free buses, free childcare and to freeze some rents. In his victory speech he addressed the US president directly, presenting himself as his new major rival. For the European press, the significance of the election goes far beyond the Big Apple.

The EU Commission has presented its annual EU enlargement report, which assesses the progress made by the ten EU candidate countries in implementing reforms. Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine were commended for their efforts, whereas Georgia was criticised for regressing. Commentators look closer.

Spain's top prosecutor, Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz, is on trial before the Supreme Court over allegations of leaking an email to the media which implicates Alberto González Amador, the partner of the president of the Community of Madrid Isabel Díaz Ayuso (PP), in tax fraud. García Ortiz, who was appointed by the Sánchez government in 2022, is suspected of using his office to harm an opponent of the ruling PSOE party.

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein has opened its first brick-and-mortar store in France. Frédéric Merlin, head of the Société des Grands Magasins (SGM), which owns the BHV Paris department store where Shein is establishing its retail space, hailed the move as a "revolution". Merlin's decision to enter a partnership with Shein triggered a storm of protest because the latter has been repeatedly been accused of disregarding social and environmental standards.

The Dutch elect a new parliament today, Wednesday. The snap general election became necessary after the previous government collapsed at the beginning of June. Europe's press focuses on the future role of right-wing populist Geert Wilders.