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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Graham Snowdon

Europe’s nul-point politicians: inside the 22 May Guardian Weekly

The cover of the 22 May edition of the Guardian Weekly magazine featuring an illustration of Keir Starmer, Emmanual Macron and Friedrich Merz in a sinking boat
The cover of the 22 May edition of the Guardian Weekly magazine. Illustration: Guardian Design

After a week like Keir Starmer just had, what could one possibly do to cheer up the beleaguered UK prime minister? (Aside from his beloved Arsenal winning the Premier League title, that is.)

Perhaps remind him he’s not Friedrich Merz or Emmanuel Macron. Starmer may not be flavour of the month with UK voters or his own Labour MPs right now, but both the German and French leaders have barrel-scraping approval ratings that make the British PM look popular in comparison.

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