Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap from me, Jakub Krupa.
Here are the three things to take away from today’s blog:
French president Emmanuel Macron pledged to expand and modernise the Louvre museum in Paris, with a new entrance and a separate room for the Mona Lisa (16:53) to inspire a new generation of artists with “passion for France and Europe” (17:11). The expansion, expected to be completed by 2031, should be “a part of the national narrative, … but … also part of the message that France wants to deliver to the world,” he said. But in a controversial move, he suggested that the cost would be partially covered by higher ticket prices for non-EU visitors (16:30).
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen with German, French and NATO leaders to discuss European security, including the suggestions from US president Donald Trump that he could try and take control over Greenland. Speaking this afternoon, she said that Europe’s security situation remains difficult and urged Europe to step up to the challenge, but sought to play down the risks of any conflict over Greenland (16:36). Her foreign minister was more blunt, saying: “Trump will not have Greenland” (14:46).
Serbian prime minister Miloš Vučević resigned from his post, just a day after Serbian students staged a daylong blockage of a major traffic intersection in Belgrade with the support of farmers, stepping up pressure on the president, Aleksandar Vučić. (12:10) The wave of student-led demonstrations began as a protest against government corruption after the collapse of a roof of a railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad on 1 November, which killed 15 people. Vučić is due to address the nation later today, amid speculations about the country’s future path with potential further protests or snap elections (13:29).
That’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today. See you tomorrow.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected].
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Updated
Macron hints at differentiated pricing for non-EU visitors
In a line that is likely to raise some eyebrows, Macron also announces plans for differentiated pricing for EU and non-EU visitors.
He told culture minister, Rachina Dati, to “prepare a higher, differentiated pricing for foreign visitors from non-EU countries” from 2026.
The new measure will be one of multiple sources of funding for the revamp, including further contribution from the museum’s own resources, ticket sales, and partnerships, as well as the income from the Louvre Abu Dhabi license.
The “new Louvre” will be able to handle up to 12 million visitors, up from just under 9 million at the moment.
