Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Ian Traynor

Creator

Ian Traynor

Devastated: The earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia’s Sulawesi in September left more than 1?600 dead and 70?000 homeless. This woman lost her three children. (Jorge Silva/Reuters)

Greece faces Schengen boot

EU says the country is not following the rules in its processing of thousands of refugees

EU split over refugee crisis

European countries are turning on one another as growing border chaos tests the limits of diplomacy.

People’s Democratic Party supporters celebrate the party’s election wins that will prevent the Justice and Development Party of President Recep Tayyip ­Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu from dominating Parliament.

An embryonic new Turkey is born

In a surprise victory for the opposition, the tables have been turned on the president’s plans.

This might be Turkey’s last election

Will the country’s voters have the power to clip the wings of their enthusiastic president?

EU to impose migrant quotas forcing states to ‘share’ burden of influx

A proposal to divide up numbers between EU states in the wake of the Mediterranean crisis could pit Germany, which backs the scheme, against the UK.

Little comfort: A Turkish soldier carries a refugee baby from Kobani. The Turkish president has refused any help to the stricken town.

Erdogan fiddles while Kobani burns

A looming bloodbath is spurring a Kurdish revolt in Turkey that could spin out of control.

Scotland’s independence could take EU into uncharted territory

A "Yes" vote to Scotland’s independence will pose baffling questions for the EU, and could see Scotland clamouring to join while England leaves.

(Mychele Daniau/AFP)

Hollande fails the De Gaulle standard

The beleaguered French leader came into office in 2012 as the supposed anti-Merkel. Now she is as strong as ever and he has never looked weaker.

The Soviet Army monument in Sofia is illuminated with the European Union symbol. The Ukrainian crisis has sharply divided Bulgarians.

Europe’s compromised political centre bleeds left and right

A lack of trust in the mainstream leadership is driving EU voters to look at more radical options in this week’s polls.

Kiev burns as Ukrainians rise up

Kiev burns as Ukrainians rise up

Protests were peaceful until government security forces launched an unexpected assault on Maidan square. But now protesters are fighting back.

Greek riot police clashed with protesters in Athens on January 8 during ceremonies marking Greece’s official takover of the six-month European Union presidency.

War over Europe’s economic future heats up

Resentment is growing over German chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership and fiscal austerity measures.

Anti-Europe Yanukovych opts for Putin power tactics

The president weathered the Orange Revolution, but will need Moscow’s support to survive this year’s protests. But the opposition says its time to go.

Erdogan reveals split personality

Turkey’s prime minister can’t seem to decide whether he wants to be a reformer or a tyrant.

Trump also weighed in on Italy’s new conservative regime

Merkel’s victory vindicates her tough-love policies

Angela Merkel’s triumph in winning a third term with such an improbably high margin sets her and Germany apart in Europe.

Tensions flare over EU solar-panel tariff

The European Commission’s move may spark tit-for-tat retaliation from the world’s second largest economy.

Europe in limbo as economic chiefs debate the future

The European Union’s focus on austerity has hit the limits of public acceptance, says the head of the trading bloc’s executive arm.

Malta and Luxembourg squirm as Cyprus burns

The Bank of Cyprus will become a shadow of its former self.

Italy shatters eurozone’s uneasy peace

As the country tries to form a government, the region’s leaders are again sniping at each other.

Greece is under pressure to work a six-day week.

No rest for debt weary Greeks

The Greek government has been ordered to implement draconian measures to reform the labour market by introducing a six-day working week.

The presidential run-off in France may very well leave Nicolas Sarkozy in the dust.

Election epic offers test for European incumbents

Europe is braced for an election bonanza this that will determine the politics of the increasingly contested campaign to save the single currency.