Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap for today!
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Emmanuel Macron has presided over his final Bastille Day parade in Paris (9:46, 10:28, 10:28) amid a searing heatwave and wildfires that forced authorities around the country to cancel traditional firework displays and balls celebrating France’s national day.
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Troops from more than 30 nations that are part of the Coalition of the Willing joined in the parade (10:44), as well as a group of Ukrainian soldiers (10:58).
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Several European leaders, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Germany’s Friedrich Merz and the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen, took part in the celebrations in Paris (9:52, 9:57, 11:12).
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Macron’s likely successor, far-right leader Marine Le Pen, chose to take part in a separate event in Nice, marking also the 10th anniversary of a deadly terrorist attack in the city (12:13).
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70,000 security personnel have been deployed across the country to protect all sorts of public events as the country marks Bastille Day and watches Les Bleus in the World Cup semi-final later tonight (13:08).
In other news,
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Ukraine’s parliament accepted the resignation on Yulia Svyrydenko, who stepped down after just a year in office at the request of president Zelenskyy (15:56).
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Lithuania’s parliament voted in favour of a government manifesto presented by Social Democrat Mindaugas Sinkevičius, clearing the way for him to become prime minister (15:49).
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The brother of Spain’s prime minister has been banned from holding public office for nine years after being found guilty of administrative misconduct relating to his hiring by a socialist-led council in the south-western region of Extremadura nine years ago (16:42).
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Spanish PM’s brother banned from public office after misconduct trial
in Madrid
The brother of Spain’s prime minister has been banned from holding public office for nine years after being found guilty of administrative misconduct relating to his hiring by a socialist-led council in the south-western region of Extremadura nine years ago.
Corruption allegations involving Pedro Sánchez’s family, his government and his Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) have triggered repeated opposition calls for a snap general election. All the accused have denied wrongdoing.
David Sánchez, a composer and orchestra conductor, was one of 11 people who went on trial in May accused of influence peddling and misuse of office.
The case originated with a complaint brought by Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), a self-styled trade union with far-right links that has a long history of using the courts to pursue those it deems to pose a threat to Spain’s democratic interests.
According to the complaint, David Sánchez was handed a bespoke job as coordinator of public music schools by the socialist-led council of the south-western province of Badajoz in July 2017, when his brother was the national leader of the PSOE but not yet prime minister.
Sánchez, who had denied the charges, was found guilty of administrative misconduct but cleared of influence peddling by a court in Badajoz on Tuesday.
Singer Dua Lipa hails 'inspiring' Albanian protests against Trump-linked resort
British singer Dua Lipa said in a podcast that the protest movement in Albania was “inspiring”, as demonstrations against a resort linked to US president Donald Trump’s family rattle the Tirana government, AFP reported.
Since late May, protests have been held against the planned construction of a luxury hotel linked to Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner in a nature reserve on the country’s coast.
Lipa, speaking on her Service95 Book Club podcast with Albanian author Lea Ypi, said she shared the protesters’ concerns about the government’s transparency in approving the development, AFP reported.
“What I actually find concerning is the principle that the government could just change the law to remove the environmental protection without any kind of public consultation,” said the 30-year-old, who has Kosovan-Albanian parents.
“I find it so inspiring to see how much people really care,” referring to the daily demonstrations.
PM Svyrydenko resigns as part of Ukraine government reshuffle
There has also been a change of the prime minister in Ukraine, as Ukraine’s parliament accepted the resignation on Yulia Svyrydenko, who stepped down after just a year in office at the request of president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The motion to accept the 40-year-old economist’s resignation passed in parliament, although some lawmakers expressed unease about such an abrupt change, Reuters reported.
“Every day this year demanded difficult decisions and decisive action. I am deeply grateful for the trust and support I received. You also know that I have always believed results matter most,” Svyrydenko said in her farewell speech.
Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is changing its political strategy and new people are needed, but has otherwise given little explanation for again changing his cabinet.
Lithuania's parliament approves manifesto of new government led by Sinkevičius
Lithuania’s parliament voted in favour of a government manifesto presented by Social Democrat Mindaugas Sinkevičius, clearing the way for him to become prime minister and for his proposed cabinet to take office, Reuters reported.
Nato and European Union member Lithuania, which borders both Russia and Belarus, is the top defence spender in Nato as a share of the country’s economy, devoting an estimated 5.33% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to the military this year.
Sinkevicius’ government manifesto pledged to keep the spending above 5% of GDP and to seek a continued US troops presence in the Baltic nation as a key deterrent against Russia, while continuing to support Ukraine.
He replaces Social Democrat Inga Ruginienė, prime minister since last year, who is moving aside for the party leader to take over amid recent turmoil in her coalition government.
The next election in Lithuania is scheduled for October 2028.
Updated
Let’s take a quick look at other news in Europe today.
Bastille Day celebrations in France tempered by fear of more wildfires
in Paris
Emmanuel Macron has presided over his final Bastille Day parade in Paris amid a searing heatwave and wildfires that forced authorities around the country to cancel traditional firework displays and balls celebrating France’s national day.
The French president was joined for the annual military procession and flypast by his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and two dozen other national leaders.
The parade, which marks the 1789 storming of the Bastille fortress, followed a meeting in Paris on Monday of the western allies supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia. About 500 soldiers from those countries marched alongside French troops.
However, many local authorities cancelled Bastille Day firework displays because of concerns about the high risk of more forest fires as France suffers its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures in the high 30s across much of the country.
About 850 firefighters and four water-bombing planes using water from the Seine continued to battle two wildfires ravaging the Fontainebleau forest, a former royal hunting ground popular with hikers and climbers about 40 miles (60km) south-east of Paris.
And if you want a longer video recap of the Bastille Day parade, here it is:
Firefighters continue to fight wildfire in Fontainebleau near Paris
We also have an update on the wildfire in Fontainebleau, south of Paris, which is raging into its third day today.
French firefighters battled through the night to tackle the blaze that tore through the historic forest of Fontainebleau, home to one of France’s best-known royal palaces. More than 1,000 people were evacuated.
At least two people were arrested on suspicion of having started the fire, Reuters reported.
France’s interior minister Laurent Nuñez admitted last night that the war was still not under control, adding that the main blaze in Fontainebleau and another one nearby that started on Monday afternoon had scorched 1,300 hectares.
Nunez said the Fontainebleau blaze is contributing to what will likely be a record year for fires in France, with 32,000 hectares burned already this year, more than the total in 2025.
Scientists say climate change is making such events more frequent and intense, leaving forests and scrubland across the continent primed to burn, Reuters said.
Bastille Day parade in Paris - in pictures
Okay, go on, let’s bring you some more pictures from today’s Bastille Day parade in Paris.
France on heightened alert for Bastille Day, World Cup semifinal public events
The Bastille Day parade in Paris is now over, but this is not the end of big events in France today as by a coincidence Les Bleus will play in the World Cup semi-final against Spain later tonight.
70,000 security personnel have been deployed across the country to protect all sorts of public events yesterday and today, including tonight’s game in Dallas, Le Figaro reported.
French interior minister Laurent Nuñez told BFM TV that the authorities are “maintaining a high level of vigilance,” and are ready to “put an immediate stop to any disorder.”
Nuñez confidently said that the authorities will monitor celebrations – “and France will win, so there will be celebrations” – and act whenever needed. “No unruly behavior will be tolerated,” he said.
Updated
There is something very stark in the way some French media are framing today’s event as a “wartime parade,” repeatedly asking if France is ready for a potential conflict with Russia.
In this sense, today’s show was meant to be a show of force and a display of determination and unity with European partners.
As the parade ends, Macron is not on his phone, but deep in conversation with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy, before turning to other departing leaders, including Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen.
Oh, to be a fly on Champs-Élysées!
The leaders are now back on their social media, with Macron (his team, more like) joining in special thanks for the French firefighters who were involved in the parade amid continuing wildfires in different parts of the country (11:48).
He said:
“A special thought for all our firefighters and rescue services who are battling today in the face of the fires, and the nation’s gratitude.”
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We are now listening to la Musique de la Marine nationale with a special medley celebrating the 400th birthday of the French Navy, combined with a very complex and pretty impressive choreography and ending with a moving rendition of La Marseillaise – with Macron now joining in singing (10:26).
Updated
Meanwhile, the French media are reporting that a 101-year-old French veteran of the Special Air Service, Col Achille Muller, is also involved in today’s parade.
He is aboard a helicopter flying over Paris during today’s commemorations.
Earlier this year, he performed a tandem skydive to mark the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944, because why not?
I mentioned earlier that this is Emmanuel Macron’s last Bastille Day parade in office (9:46, 10:28, 10:28).
His most likely* successor, far-right leader Marine Le Pen, has chosen to attend the Bastille Day celebrations in Nice instead.
Nice’s parade is also being held 10 years after a terrorist ploughed into crowds after a Bastille Day fireworks display there, killing 86 and wounding more than 400. Macron is expected to travel there later today to also mark the anniversary.
* subject to the resolution of the ongoing court cases
Updated
Bulgaria pulls out from Coalition of the Willing
For all the signs of European unity in Paris, there are also some slight exceptions.
Bulgaria’s prime minister Rumen Radev used yesterday’s meeting of the Coalition of the Willing to tell partners that he will be taking Bulgaria out of the group.
“We’re not participating in a coalition that insists on continuing financial and military aid to Ukraine,” Radev told reporters in comments reported by Bloomberg (£).
“The solution to this conflict is not in prolonging it by military means, but in a strong diplomatic mission that will finally put an end to the escalation.”
For a bit more background on Radev, see our story from April here:
But Radev is attending the Bastille Day celebrations today.
During the parade you could also see some members of the firefighter brigade.
Their presence this year is even more important than usual given the massive wildfires the country has been battling with in the last few weeks.
The fire in Fontainebleau, a one-time royal hunting preserve about 40 miles (60km) from the French capital that today is dotted with villages, began late on Sunday afternoon. The blaze, which is unusual in its proximity to Paris, raced across about 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of forest by last night.
The mayor of Fontainebleau, Julien Gondard, said he was shocked and angered. “This exceptional area is consumed by flames, we’ve never seen anything like this,” he told the local TV station ICI Paris Île-de-France. “The forest is fragile and it’s in a critical condition.”
The June heatwaves that hit Europe would have been “virtually impossible” without climate change, the World Weather Attribution group of scientists has said.
Human-caused climate breakdown is supercharging extreme weather across the world, driving more frequent and more deadly disasters such as heatwaves and wildfires.
Updated
I mean, you can’t really get tired of these pictures, can you?
France marks Bastille Day with military parade in Paris - in pictures
Ukrainian troops march down Champs-Élysées as part of Bastille Day parade - in pictures
Updated
Just a reminder that you can watch it all live with us here:
We can also see the multinational Nato batallion stationed in Estonia, including the French 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, among others.
Troops from Coalition of the Willing march down Champs-Élysées
And we now have the troops from the Coalition of the Willing marching down Champs-Élysées.
Flags of Albania and Australia at the front, but I can also see Austria, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden among others…
A group of Ukrainian troops march at the end, saluting the leaders, and getting very warm applause.
Macron, Zelenskyy and other leaders are watching on from the tribune.
Updated
Patrouille de France fly over Champs-Élysées
Et voilà! Patrouille de France are now in the air, flying over the Champs-Élysées to release colourful vapors that form a French flag.
(Yes, of course I will show you pictures as soon as we have them!)
They are flanked by two Mirage 2000 aircraft, piloted by French pilots, but accompanied by Ukrainian pilots undergoing training with the French air force.
They are then followed by aircraft from the French and other allied forces, including an absolutely massive plane with an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) radar.
Updated
Bastille Day parade's guest list shows evolution of Macron's thinking - snap analysis
As Macron climbs up the honorary tribune and joins other leaders attending the parade, let me make one observation.
There is something symbolic in how Macron approaches his last parade as he nears the end of his term next year compared to the first one in 2017.
Back then, he was keen to impress the freshly inaugurated US president Donald Trump, just starting his first term, who was invited as his guest of honour. He even got the French army band to play Daft Punk’s Get Lucky to woo his counterpart!
Ten years on, he oversees his last parade surrounded by mostly European leaders – Zelenskyy, Merz, Starmer, Frederiksen, Tusk and others – in an attempt to send a clear signal about Europe’s re-emerging power.
The Élysée Palace says the parade will be “a powerful symbol of Europe that is becoming aware of how dangerous the world is and that it must take its destiny into its own hands”.
Macron reportedly hates talking to his entourage about his “lasts” as he is now well into the last year of his presidency, but surely it’s a moving personal moment for him too as he takes part in this ceremony in this role for the final time.
Updated
Here is the first big moment of the day as the Garde républicaine plays the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise”.
Macron is not singing, but Lecornu behind him – very much is.
Back to Paris this morning, Macron has now gone the full length of Champs-Élysées inspecting the troops and enthusiastically waving to the gathered crowds and got to the end, where he is formally welcomed by his PM, Sébastien Lecornu.
Updated
The Bastille Day celebrations started already last night, with a big firework display near the Eiffel Tower.
But as France continues to battle extreme temperatures and raging wildfires, authorities in several regions banned the broader use of fireworks by the general public.
Temperatures are expected to hit 35C in Paris later today, but for now it’s a cool 27C.
Macron is here, welcomed by the French chief of defence, among others.
He’s off to inspect the parade driving around the Arc de Triomphe in his role as the commander in chief.
Updated
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is expected imminently, travelling in an armoured car with bright French flag-coloured lights adorning its grille.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy arrives next, to warm applause from the public and the other leaders.
Updated
Britain’s outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer is the latest leader to arrive just now, in a black Range Rover.
He gets a warm welcome from Brigitte Macron and PM Sébastien Lecornu.
Updated
Leaders arrive for Bastille Day parade in Paris - in pictures
Bastille Day parade in Paris - watch live
You can watch our live stream of the Bastille Day parade in Paris here, with final preparations now under way before the event starts soon.
Most leaders are already in their premium seats, including French PM Sébastien Lecornu, with France’s Emmanuel Macron expected shortly before the start at 10am (9am UK).
Updated
Morning opening: Bastille Day
Over 300 vehicles and 6,500 soldiers will march down the iconic Champs-Élysées in central Paris this morning as part of today’s Bastille Day celebration in Paris, which is set to “send a strategic signal” about France and Europe’s military awakening.
Marking the importance of international cooperation, the parade will also include 500 troops from the countries involved in the Coalition of the Willing, including Germany, and 25 soldiers from Ukraine.
It will be Emmanuel Macron’s tenth – and final – parade ahead of next year’s presidential election. He has a strong guest list this year, though, with many leaders staying overnight after yesterday’s talks on Ukraine, including Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.
The parade begins 10am local time (9am BST) and we will show it here, bringing you all the key updates.
Elsewhere, we are expecting some news from Brussels with Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine all making progress in their accession talks with the European Union.
Marta Kos, the EU’s enlargement commissioner, called it a “Super Tuesday.”
“In the for more than two decades, we have not had four accession conferences in one day, and this will happen today,” she said.
Montenegro is the frontrunner to join the EU next with more than half of “clusters” closed, Kos said, but all four countries are making good progress in delivering the reforms requested of them.
Lots for us to cover.
I will bring you all the latest here.
It’s Tuesday, 14 July 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
