Domestic Politics

Italians go to vote on 8 and 9 June in a referendum that is dividing the nation and will help define "Who is Italian". Until the mid-19th century Italy was "a mere geographical expression", divided in small states and parts of it occupied by foreign powers. Eventually, the Italian language brought people together, and the Italian state as we know it emerged by 1871. In todays Italy, the question of who gets to be Italian is a sensitive one. Large numbers of migrants and refugees arrive in the country each year helped across the Mediterranean from North Africa by smuggling gangs. The national referendum on Sunday and Monday proposes halving the time required to apply for Italian citizenship. Cutting the wait from 10 years to five would bring this country in line with most others in Europe. The referendum was initiated by a citizens' initiative and is supported by civil society groups. But for such a referendum to be valid, 50% of all voters in Italy have to turn up. Giorgia Meloni, the country's hard-right prime minister, has announced she will boycott the vote, declaring the citizenship law already "excellent" and "very open". Other parties allied to her are calling on Italians to go to the beach instead of the polling station.

On Wednesday (4 June), US President Donald Trump signed a new travel ban affecting 12 countries, including seven in Africa: Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. Burundi, Sierra Leone and Togo also face partial restrictions. President Trump justified the ban as a national security measure aimed at protecting the United States from foreign threats. The ban is set to take effect on Monday (9 June).

Transparency International has denounced censorship conducted by the ruling party of Georgia including attempts to intimidate critical media and suppress independent journalism in Georgia and called  for international support to defend Georgian democracy and media freedom. In a statement released on 4th June, Transparency International said independent media in Georgia must be able to ask critical questions and demand answers from the government and noted that the legal intimidation of critical broadcasters is in direct contradiction to both the Georgian Constitution and the country’s international obligations.

Today (4 June), more than 1.8 million Muslims began the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This holy pilgrimage presents one of the biggest logistical challenges for the country's authorities. This year, for the first time, the country is deploying drones and expanding the network of cooled roads to cope with the enormous crowds.

The Dutch government coalition has collapsed after far-right leader Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling four-party coalition on Tuesday in a dispute over a crackdown on migration, triggering a political crisis just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague. Wilders announced his decision in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. Prime Minister Dick Schoof called an emergency Cabinet meeting for the afternoon and new elections may be called for later this year.

The British government has announced plans to increase the size of its fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines. At least twelve next-generation vessels are set to be built.

In Poland, every vote really counts. The election turned out to be an unprecedented neck-and-neck race. Conservative nationalist Karol Nawrocki won the election. With all votes counted, the politician, who is affiliated with the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, has been declared the winner by the Polish electoral commission.

The resignation of three key figures in the Georgian leadership, who had direct access to Georgia’s de facto leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, leaves Prime Minister Irakli Kobahidze vulnerable and exposed. The Georgian political crises that started with the elections held in October 2024 which the opposition, and most of the world, considered flawed, is now in its eight month. In the meantime a large number of opposition activists and leaders have been jailed. Kobahidze and his government believed that the opposition efforts will fizzle out. They have not. Now Kobahidze and his inner circle look increasingly tired and embattled. Georgia has been in limbo for months. Young people are getting worried about their future. The crises is entering a new phase.