Summary of the day
France’s new government gathered for the first time. Michel Barnier, the prime minister, has set budget and migrant issues as top priorities.
Bruno Retailleau, France’s newly-named interior minister, gave a speech stressing that his priority will be to “restore order”.
Germany’s Social Democratic party (SPD) narrowly won yesterday’s election in Brandenburg.
The SPD’s co-leader, Lars Klingbeil, said “yesterday’s election gives us courage that we can do it, but of course I also know that the challenges and the questions we have to deal with at national level are far from dealt with as a result of yesterday evening.”
The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party had made considerable gains among young people in Brandenburg.
Sahra Wagenknecht has celebrated her party’s performance in the Brandenburg state election, writing that there’s no way around it.
Three women died after their boat sank off the island of Samos, the Greek coastguard said.
Michel Barnier, the French prime minister, has told his new ministers to work together as a team, BFMTV reports.
He also asked them to be modest.
🔴 EN DIRECT
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) September 23, 2024
Avant le Premier conseil des ministres, Michel Barnier appelle ses ministres "à jouer collectif"https://t.co/cjTKQdt8Hc pic.twitter.com/RNqFwHFmwM
Germany’s Social Democratic party (SPD) narrowly won yesterday’s election in Brandenburg – and the party leadership is now downplaying questions about Olaf Scholz’s candidacy in next year’s national election.
“Yesterday’s election gives us courage that we can do it, but of course I also know that the challenges and the questions we have to deal with at national level are far from dealt with as a result of yesterday evening,” the party’s co-leader, Lars Klingbeil, said today, the Associated Press reported.
Klingbeil reiterated that that Scholz’s candidacy isn’t in question.
“There is absolutely no wobbling,” he said. “In the leadership of the party, the parliamentary group, among the state governors and ministers, there is no discussion about this in any place.”
France's new government meets amid budget challenge
France’s new government gathered for the first time today.
Michel Barnier, the prime minister, has set budget and migrant issues as top priorities, the Associated Press reported.
In a televised interview on Sunday, Barnier said a key challenge for his government will be the 2025 budget bill and called for a “national effort required to redress the situation”.
“I’m not going to further increase the tax burden on all French people,” the prime minister said, while also suggesting that “the wealthiest contribute to this national effort.”
In addition, Barnier vowed to “control and limit immigration” and said numbers of migrants coming to France “has become unbearable.”
Updated
The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party had made considerable gains among young people in the state election in Brandenburg yesterday, according to analysis by Infratest dimap and ARD.
The AfD saw a 16.5 point increase in support among the 16 to 24 year olds, and an increase in support across every age bracket, decreasing the older the voter.
The Greens lost support in every age bracket, in particular among the 16-24 year olds (minus 25 points).
While the the Social Democratic party (SPD) was able to win the support of those who had previously voted for the Greens, the newcomer BSW of Sahra Wagenknecht, mainly took its support from the Linke.
The AfD’s gains mainly came from people who had previously voted for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Three dead after boat sinks off Greek island
Three women died after their boat sank today off the island of Samos, the Greek coastguard said, Reuters reported.
More are feared missing. At least 30 people were believe to be on board the boat. Five have been rescued.
Updated
Sahra Wagenknecht has celebrated her party’s performance in the Brandenburg state election, writing that there’s no way around it.
BSW came in third place.
Nach #Thüringen und #Sachsen ist das #BSW nun auch in #Brandenburg drittstärkste Kraft, noch vor der #CDU. An uns führt kein Weg mehr vorbei! Mein herzlicher Dank an alle, die uns unterstützt, die für uns kandidiert und uns ihre Stimme gegeben haben!#Brandenburgwahl2024
— Sahra Wagenknecht (@SWagenknecht) September 23, 2024
Meanwhile, only 25% of French people say they are satisfied with Emmanuel Macron as president.
Etude@IfopOpinion pour @leJDD : Les indices de popularité : Septembre 2024
— Ifop Opinion (@IfopOpinion) September 23, 2024
👉25% des Français se déclarent satisfaits d’Emmanuel Macron comme président de la République, son plus mauvais score enregistré depuis décembre 2018, en pleine crise des Gilets jaunes (23%) pic.twitter.com/DRCl12fvOT
45% of French citizens say they are satisfied with Michel Barnier as prime minister, according to Ifop.
👉45% des Français se disent satisfaits de Michel Barnier comme Premier ministre, contre 49% pour Gabriel Attal lors de sa nomination en janvier 2024 pic.twitter.com/PUzbOnxGSa
— Ifop Opinion (@IfopOpinion) September 23, 2024
The far right National Rally’s Laure Lavalette said that the new French interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, gave a “positive” speech but that “we expect rapid measures and priority action on immigration.”
Le ministre Retailleau évoque les législatives et les demandes des électeurs RN. Un discours positif sur le rétablissement de l’ordre.
— Laure Lavalette (@LaureLavalette) September 23, 2024
Mais parce qu’il y en a eu beaucoup trop avant celui-ci, nous attendons des mesures rapides et une action prioritaire sur l’immigration.…
New French interior minister vows to 'restore order' amid criticism from left
Bruno Retailleau, France’s newly-named interior minister, gave a speech stressing that his priority will be to “restore order”.
Over the weekend, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, named a new government led by the prime minister, Michel Barnier.
Retailleau, a conservative, got the interior ministry post, which includes the immigration portfolio. He has previously called for France to take a tougher stance on immigration.
Jean-Noël Barrot, a centrist, was named foreign minister. Meanwhile, the current defence minister, Sébastien Lecornu, is staying.
The newly-formed government has faced significant criticism from left-wing lawmakers.
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome back to the Europe blog.
Send thoughts and tips to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
