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Cameroon opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary is adamant that he's the winner of the presidential election.

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

The October II plenary session featured a formal address by Sergey Tihanovski and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, laureates of the 2020 Sakharov Prize, just after the announcement of the award of this year’s prize to imprisoned journalists, Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli. Members also debated the European Commission’s 2026 work programme and the preparations for the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025. Members held debates, inter alia, on the rule of law in Malta; intimidation of journalists; International Day for the Eradication of Poverty; policing’s central role in the EU’s internal security strategy; allegations of espionage by the Hungarian government; polarisation and repression in Serbia; combating violence against women and girls; and the anniversary of the DANA floods in Spain. Parliament also discussed the need for united support of Ukraine and for a just and durable peace; the use of Russian frozen assets; and ending energy imports from Russia.

Sakharov Price for Freedom of Thought

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Sergey Tihanovski – recently freed after five years of imprisonment for his political views and his defence of democracy in Belarus – made a formal address to Parliament. The 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded to the Belarusian democratic opposition, led by Tsikhanouskaya following her husband’s imprisonment. Members debated the current situation in Belarus, where human rights have deteriorated since the fraudulent 2020 presidential elections.

2026 EU budget

Parliament debated and adopted amendments to the Council’s position on the draft EU budget for 2026. The EU borrowed heavily to support recovery after the COVID‑19 pandemic, and now needs to finance the repayments for the Next Generation EU instrument. At the same time, funding is urgently needed for the EU’s new competitiveness, research and defence priorities. The Committee on Budgets (BUDG) proposed to increase the 2026 budget for these priorities. The vote sets Parliament’s position for conciliation talks.

Discharge for the 2023 budget

In its role in ensuring the EU budget is spent according to the rules, Parliament again refused to grant budget discharge for 2023 to the European Council and the Council, criticising the Council’s continued refusal to cooperate. As for the postponed discharge for the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA), Members granted discharge to the agency for its 2023 accounts. while nevertheless noting criticism of its financial and general management and concerns about accountability at the agency

COP30 climate change conference in Brazil

In advance of the COP30 climate change conference in Brazil, Parliament adopted a resolution urging the parties to reaffirm their commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C and a maximum of 2°C. To maintain this ambition, it recommends more frequent stocktakes. It regretted that the Council failed to agree an EU nationally determined contribution (NDC) before the deadline set by the United Nations.

Statute and funding of European political parties and foundations

Members adopted a provisional agreement on revising the rules regarding the statute and funding of European political parties and political foundations. Lengthy negotiations resulted in a text that reinforces safeguards against foreign interference and ensures financial stability, improving transparency and visibility.

New GDPR rules for cross-border cases

Members also adopted a provisional agreement on additional procedural rules for treating cross-border enforcement of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The text retains the proposed early-scoping exercise to speed consensus between supervisory authorities on cross-border GDPR cases, and new rules on hearing parties to the procedure. To settle issues quickly, an early resolution procedure and a simple cooperation procedure are also introduced.

European forests

Members voted on Parliament’s position on a proposed forest monitoring law and to renew the standing EU expert group on forests and forestry. Parliament’s ENVI and Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committees, jointly, proposed to reject the proposed increased monitoring of forests and forestry activity, on the grounds that it duplicates existing systems and would increase red tape. However, the committees supported the continuation of the expert group, but would nevertheless clarify its role.

Driving licences and Union-wide effect of driving disqualifications

To reduce reckless driving and impunity from disqualification for offences committed in other Member States, Members adopted a provisional agreement on EU-wide enforcement of driving disqualifications. The text aims at disqualifying drivers across the EU for drink-driving, speeding, drug-impaired driving, and conduct causing death or serious injury. The revised Driving Licences Directive would enable digital driving licences and an EU-wide accompanied driving scheme for young drivers. All professional drivers will have to undergo a medical check to obtain or renew a licence.

Soil monitoring and resilience

Healthy soils are the basis of most agricultural production, as well as providing carbon storage, yet EU soils are in poor condition. Parliament approved the agreement reached by the co-legislators on a proposed soil monitoring law that should ensure the good health of this essential element for life in the EU therefore stands. The new law would allow EU countries to support those who work on the land, with flexibility to take account of local conditions. It also addresses contamination, notably pollutants such as pesticides and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and requests a public register of contaminated sites within 10 years.

Microplastic pollution from plastic pellet loses

Microplastic pollution has reached much of our environment, from the sea to our own bodies. Parliament approved the agreement reached between the co-legislators on proposed action to halt the loss of plastic pellets that contribute to this pollution, especially at sea. Parliament’s negotiators have succeeded in imposing pictograms and warning statements when handling plastic pellets, and the agreement sets penalties for endangering people’s health.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

A decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations on phasing out Russian natural gas imports and improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies was approved without vote. A second decision, from the Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee on corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, was rejected by Parliament, and will be placed on the agenda of the November I part-session.

Read this ‘at a glance note’ on ‘Plenary round-up – October II 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

La Commission européenne a fait savoir qu’elle était disposée à renégocier l’accord mondial sur la neutralité carbone dans le transport maritime après le blocage des États-Unis à l’Organisation maritime internationale (OMI) la semaine dernière.

The post Transport maritime : l’UE prête à renégocier l’accord sur la neutralité carbone après le blocage américain à l’OMI appeared first on Euractiv FR.

If Pakistan truly wants to protect its women, it must first dismantle the silence and shame that surround their bodies.

Il aimait la nuit, celle des rencontres et des plaisirs illicites. Homosexuel et toxicomane, oui. Il ne le dissimula jamais. L'imaginer comme l'un de ces dandys qui brillent dans les films et séries hantés par les cabarets berlinois ne serait pas faux, mais pire. Ce serait effacer, sous le cliché (...) / France, Nazisme, Personnalités, Allemagne - 2025/10

Hintergrund ist, dass der Plan, Katalanisch, Baskisch und Galicisch in die Liste der EU-Amtssprachen aufzunehmen, im Juli ins Stocken geraten war – unter anderem, weil Deutschland und andere Mitgliedstaaten Vorbehalte äußerten.

Les autorités ont déclaré que la fraude "hallucinante" impliquait des dizaines de millions de dollars et incluait des membres du crime organisé.

Can Malaysia's ASEAN Community Vision 2045 succeed in reversing the region’s fragmentation?

VIENNA, 27 October 2025 – The Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting (EEDIM), held annually to review the implementation of the commitments undertaken by OSCE participating States through various Ministerial Council decisions, will take pace in Vienna on 28 and 29 October.

EEDIM provides a framework to enhance dialogue and co-operation on key thematic areas within the second dimension of security on economic and environmental issues. The focus of this year’s EEDIM is on disaster risk reduction in the OSCE area.

The opening session of the meeting will take place from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. Vienna time and will be livestreamed on https://www.osce.org/live.

For more information, visit the 2025 Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting (EEDIM) event page.

Human suffering and unchallenged radicalization open the door for a security crisis of cataclysmic reach.

As the U.S. pursues “de-risking,” China is charting its own course from reliance to autonomy.

Their neighbours, who raise livestock, told the family to get rid of the wild animal.

The smart move now is to prepare for a world divided into two systems: one American, the other Chinese.

600220 Marina Živaljević

Two parallel training courses on firefighting and first aid were organized for members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, focusing on fire suppression techniques, the use of specialized vehicles and modern equipment, and the provision of first aid. The courses were supported by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB).

From 13 to 24 October, instructors from the Armed Forces of Montenegro, previously trained and certified by MSB experts, conducted an in-house firefighting training course for 12 members of the Armed Forces, at the “Knjaz Danilo” military airport firefighting training area. Ahead of the training course, the Mission and MSB provided the Armed Forces with firefighting equipment in order to enhance the capacities in firefighting and fire prevention.

In parallel, from 20 to 24 October, a first aid training course was organized for 26 participants, conducted by the Armed Forces instructors who had been trained and certified by MSB earlier this year.

This comprehensive training programme represents an important step towards strengthening the preparedness of the Armed Forces in responding to emergency situations, as well as increasing the safety and protection of all citizens. The importance of such training is underscored by the severe wildfires experienced during the summer and the growing risk of similar incidents in the years ahead.

These activities were part of the Mission’s extra budgetary project “Mitigation of Safety and Security Risks related to SALW/SCA in Montenegro”, funded by Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Montenegro, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland with substantial in-kind support from Sweden.

MSB strengthens Sweden’s preparedness for major accidents, crises, and war-related emergencies, while also supporting international partners such as the OSCE through co-operation and civil protection and peace-support efforts.

La Géorgie postsoviétique n'a eu que dédain pour les édifices modernistes bâtis au temps de l'URSS. Ils manifestaient pourtant une réelle inventivité architecturale, un souci esthétique souvent aigu, une attention au bien commun et à l'utilité sociale. Aujourd'hui, quelques passionnés s'emploient à (...) / Géorgie, Architecture, Identité culturelle - 2025/10

L'Espagne et l'Allemagne ont convenu vendredi 24 octobre d'ouvrir un "dialogue" sur la reconnaissance des trois principales langues co-officielles de l'Espagne dans les institutions de l'UE, selon une déclaration commune des deux pays.

The post Berlin et Madrid relancent le débat sur le statut des langues régionales espagnoles au niveau de l’UE appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Chinese state media recently popularized an old video of Taiwanese legislator Wang Shih-cheng, The twist? Wang is pro-independence.

A press conference was organized in Brussels in front of the European Parliament by a coalition of International and European organizations as well as human rights and women’s rights advocates to shed the light on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan which is one of the biggest crises of our times and to call on the international community to act now to stop the war and implement a peace plan in the region.

The press conference stressed the fact that the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese Armed forces against civilians must stop now and that foreign support of the Islamist army must end, particularly by Egypt.

Ramon Rahangmetan Co-Founder of circle of Sustainable Europe, mentioned that “The use of chemical weapons is not only a war crime, it is a moral red line that defines whether humanity still governs.”. He highlighted that the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese government was determined by US department of State, independent journalists of France 24 and reports from humanitarian organizations and that we should demand accountability and strengthen sanctions against enablers.

Amina Nsenga ,author and women’s rights advocate, mentioned the threat that women and children go through in Sudan and the suffering of civilians under this conflict which is unfortunately not highlighted in the media. Sudanese women are victims of rape, physical and psychological traumas and they are completely excluded from decision-making. The EU leaders must act now to protect women and girls and protect their mental health and well-being.

Journalists and human rights defenders pointed out that after the Arab spring, Sudan fought for freedom and democracy and hoped for a better future for young people and women. However, the rise of Muslim Brotherhood to power destroyed the dream of the Sudanese people of a free and a democratic society. It is regrettable that Egypt which has been fighting against Muslim Brotherhood is now supporting Islamists in Sudan which is contradictory and hypocritical. Islamists should be eliminated everywhere and there is a need to protect the lives of Sudanese people as well as their fundamental freedoms and rights.

Jamil Maqsoud, head of the UKPNP reminded that the world should stand by women and girls fighting against oppression and dictatorship as well as extremism which is the case in Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as Sudan.

 Women rights activists highlighted the need to end violence against women and girls and stop using rape as a war weapon as well as starvation as a tool of pressure on civilians which the SAF uses constantly by blocking humanitarian aid and calls on international community to act to facilitate humanitarian aid which is blocked by countries which support the Sudanese army.

Representatives from Bangladesh, Iran, and Afghanistan in Europe mentioned the need to support secular voices and women’s rights in conflict zones and particularly in Sudan as well as stop Islamist extremism which threatens peace and security not only in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia but also worldwide.

 

In an era when global alliances are shifting faster than treaties can keep up, the relationship among Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan has become a rare example of strategic continuity. Born from cultural kinship and historical friendship, the “Three Brothers” partnership has gradually evolved from emotional solidarity into a working platform of political coordination. Yet its newest dimension — parliamentary cooperation — also invites a closer look at how ideals, institutions, and interests intersect across three very different political systems.   The parliamentary meeting in Islamabad in October 2025 marked a symbolic milestone but also a practical test. For years, cooperation among the three states had been driven by presidents, generals, and ministers. The adoption of the Islamabad Declaration extended that cooperation into the legislative sphere, aiming to translate diplomatic intent into law and oversight. It was less a revolutionary step than a cautious institutionalization of a friendship that already had strong foundations. Each parliament promised to promote joint initiatives in defense, trade, energy, and culture, but the real measure of success will lie in sustained implementation rather than declarations.   To make parliamentary oversight truly effective, the Islamabad framework now envisions several concrete mechanisms: joint parliamentary monitoring committees, annual progress reviews, and performance benchmarks aligned with national development goals. These tools are designed to ensure that resolutions on trade, education, and defense cooperation produce verifiable results—such as the growth of trilateral trade volumes, the establishment of educational exchange programs, and transparent reporting to a standing trilateral parliamentary secretariat. Such benchmarks convert symbolic alignment into measurable governance, making institutionalization not only aspirational but operational.   The roots of this trilateral bond run deep. During the 44-Day Patriotic War, Turkey and Pakistan supported Azerbaijan’s defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity, aligning their voices at international forums. Since then, cooperation has matured beyond wartime solidarity. Votes at the UN, consultations on security, and shared positions on international law now reflect an evolving alignment based on principle. As President Ilham Aliyev once noted, these nations “stand together for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and justice.” That sense of justice continues to frame their partnership, though it operates within the realities of modern geopolitics.   Those realities are complex. The three countries approach the world from distinct strategic positions: Turkey balances its NATO commitments with regional autonomy; Pakistan navigates a fragile relationship with India and periodic tensions with Western partners; Azerbaijan maintains a delicate equilibrium among Russia, Iran, and the West. Their “brotherhood” provides political comfort but not automatic policy alignment. Economic competition, defense-procurement limits, and external pressures all shape what is possible. The real strength of the alliance lies in coordination despite differences, not in the absence of them.   The economic and structural asymmetry among the three also matters. Turkey’s industrial base and diversified economy give it natural leadership capacity. Azerbaijan’s energy wealth provides leverage and connectivity, while Pakistan’s size and strategic location bring demographic weight but also fiscal fragility. Far from undermining the partnership, these imbalances define its realism: each country contributes a distinct asset—technology, energy, or human capital—that complements the others.   Parliamentary diplomacy, though modest in influence compared with executive authority, has a role to play. In states where foreign policy remains executive-driven, legislatures can still build continuity, exchange expertise, and support legal frameworks for long-term projects. Through oversight tools such as budget reviews, inter-parliamentary working groups, and thematic hearings, lawmakers can track the implementation of trilateral projects and recommend adjustments. The success of parliamentary engagement can thus be evaluated through concrete indicators — including the number of joint resolutions enacted, cooperative educational programs launched, or defense-industrial initiatives monitored through shared reporting.   External reactions to this trilateral format are mixed, and any honest analysis must acknowledge them. India views Pakistan’s participation with suspicion; Iran and Russia, both central actors in the region, watch cautiously as transport and energy corridors develop that may bypass their traditional routes. Western partners, including the EU and the US, see opportunities in expanded connectivity but remain alert to new geopolitical groupings that might complicate their own regional initiatives. The success of the “Three Brothers” therefore depends on diplomacy that is inclusive rather than exclusionary — cooperation that complements rather than competes with wider networks such as the OIC, ECO, or SCO.   Historically, the bond among the three has not always been linear. Periods of close solidarity have alternated with moments of limited coordination, shaped by domestic change and shifting power balances. The post-2020 environment—after Azerbaijan’s restoration of control over its territories—offered new momentum. The meetings in Lachin and Islamabad symbolize a transition from symbolic friendship to structured engagement, yet the continuity of that process will depend on how deeply societies, not just states, remain involved.   Looking forward, the sustainability of this brotherhood will hinge on institutional depth. Permanent parliamentary commissions, youth exchanges, and academic cooperation could anchor it beyond the political cycles of each country. Engaging women legislators and civil organizations would broaden its base and translate strategic narratives into social understanding. Success, ultimately, should be measured by outcomes — tangible increases in cross-border trade, defense cooperation, and legislative harmonization — tracked annually by the trilateral secretariat. In this sense, parliamentary diplomacy is not the engine of foreign policy but the conscience of it — a reminder that alliances endure only when citizens recognize their value.   Ultimately, the partnership among Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan is best understood not as an exclusive bloc but as a case study in adaptive regionalism. It shows how nations with distinct alignments can find convergence through shared history, pragmatic interests, and respect for sovereignty. Its success will not be measured by rhetoric but by its ability to navigate friction, expand trade, and contribute to stability from the Caucasus to South Asia. The “Three Brothers” story, now entering a new institutional chapter, reflects the enduring truth of modern diplomacy: real friendship is tested not by comfort, but by complexity.

Alors que son influence est dénoncée ou rejetée dans nombre de pays africains francophones, la France conserve des liens étroits avec la Côte d'Ivoire de M. Alassane Ouattara. Briguant un quatrième mandat présidentiel, dont la constitutionnalité est sujette à caution, ce dernier peut compter sur le (...) / Côte d'Ivoire, France - 2025/10