Oct 26, 2026, 04:30 AM UTC

Former French presidential candidate Ségolène Royal has secured the required endorsements to participate in the left-wing primary ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Organised jointly by the Socialist Party and Place Publique, the primary will be held across two rounds in October. Seven declared candidates are set to compete, including Socialist Party First Secretary Olivier Faure. Upon qualifying, Royal remarked that she had "kept many friendships within the PS," though her recent criticisms of rival contender Raphaël Glucksmann have drawn scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the French left remains divided, as Communist Party National Secretary Fabien Roussel announced a standalone presidential bid outside the primary process.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération.

Portugal's parliament has rejected a motion of censure submitted by the far-right Chega party against the country's minority government. The initiative targeted controversies surrounding the Ministry of Internal Administration.

The motion failed following a three-hour parliamentary debate, with the governing coalition voting against the measure while the opposition Socialist Party chose to abstain.

Closing the session, Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro criticized Chega for bringing forward a parliamentary action destined to fail and faulted the Socialists for abstaining. Leitão Amaro stated that voters would pass a "political judgment" on Chega's conduct. He added that the minority administration will maintain its strategy of negotiating support in parliament on a case-by-case basis without establishing any preferred partner.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Monetary policy tightening expectations are escalating across the United States and Sweden as inflation risks and economic growth persist.

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Lorie Logan noted that the U.S. central bank needs to increase short-term interest rates by at least 50 basis points to achieve a "slightly restrictive" policy stance and guide inflation back to its two percent target.

In Sweden, financial institutions are accelerating their rate hike projections for the Riksbank. Commercial lender Nordea adjusted its forecast, expecting the policy rate to reach 2.25 percent earlier than previously anticipated and remain there through December 2028, citing domestic growth and international monetary trends. Meanwhile, state-owned lender SBAB projected three consecutive rate increases, driving the benchmark rate from 1.75 percent to 2.50 percent by February.

Sources: Dagens Industri, Svenska Dagbladet, Sydsvenskan.

Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat in Sunday's snap parliamentary elections following a record voter turnout. Preliminary projections indicate that the opposition Student List movement won between 135 and 140 seats in the 250-member parliament, securing an absolute majority, while Vučić's coalition captured around 105 seats. Following the announcement, crowds gathered in the streets of Belgrade to celebrate the election result.

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar contacted the leaders of the Student List to offer congratulations and promise support. Magyar stated on social media that student representatives cited his own party's victory in Hungary earlier this year as inspiration for their campaign against Vučić's ruling movement.

Sources: Telex, HVG, 444, Avaz, Klix.

Relations between Serbia and the European Union face renewed strain ahead of upcoming elections following international scrutiny surrounding the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić.

European Parliament Rapporteur Tonino Picula noted that Brussels is re-evaluating its stance toward Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, describing the approaching vote as a critical moment for Serbia's European integration. Reports indicate Vučić is attempting to balance his nationalist political base with ongoing EU accession efforts.

Vučić dismissed EU-funded opinion polls favoring the opposition, expressing confidence that citizens will deliver a different result at the ballot box. Meanwhile, opposition parties continue to deliberate their election strategies and potential alliances.

Sources: Beta, Danas, Index, N1