Quick summary: Europe wakes up on Monday, 26 October 2026, to a political earthquake in Serbia, where a student-led movement has defeated Aleksandar Vučić after more than a decade in power. Bulgaria’s presidential race goes to a run-off, Marine Le Pen has launched her campaign for France’s 2027 election, and over 1,300 people were arrested at weekend cost-of-living protests in France. Ukraine confirms new peace talks with Russia and the US in November, while two storms left 150,000 homes without power across northern Europe. Here are the 30 stories you need to know, in short.
Table of contents
- Elections and politics (1 to 7)
- Protests and unrest (8 to 14)
- Ukraine, Russia and security (15 to 19)
- Economy and business (20 to 23)
- Weather and climate (24 to 25)
- Sport and culture (26 to 30)
- FAQ
Elections and politics
1. Serbia: Student List wins, Vučić concedes defeat
In a result described as a political earthquake, the opposition Student List won Serbia’s snap parliamentary election. Vučić conceded on television, saying “it is clear that we have lost the election.” Preliminary figures he gave put the Student List on about 2.2 million votes and 135 to 140 seats, against about 1.72 million votes and roughly 105 seats for his Serbian Progressive Party. Turnout was reported to be the highest in decades, and crowds celebrated in Belgrade overnight. The new majority now faces big questions on the economy, EU membership, Kosovo and Serbia’s ties with Russia and China.
2. Bulgaria’s presidential race heads to a 1 November run-off
Exit polls show incumbent President Iliana Yotova, backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria, on 35% to 36.5%. Banker and former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov, supported by pro-Western opposition parties, took 32.2% to 32.5%. The two meet in a run-off on 1 November after a low-turnout first round dominated by the war in Ukraine, Black Sea drone attacks, energy prices and inflation.
3. Marine Le Pen launches her 2027 presidential campaign
At a rally of about 8,500 people in Orléans, far-right frontrunner Marine Le Pen promised a “rebirth of France”, tougher sentencing, expulsion of foreign offenders, “national priority” for French citizens and a “double border: French and European”. She said Jordan Bardella, re-elected National Rally president with 98.98% of the vote, would lead a “national unity” government as prime minister. The election is in May 2027.
4. UK PM Andy Burnham opens debate on EU free movement
Ahead of next month’s UK-EU summit, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he wants an “honest discussion” about a return to free movement with the EU. He ruled out joining the Schengen area or adopting the euro.
5. Trappes shooting suspect moved to psychiatric unit
The man suspected of a deadly shooting in Trappes, west of Paris, has been moved to a police psychiatric unit. President Macron, who visited the town on Friday, called it a “racist terrorist attack”. One person was killed and four were wounded.
6. Prague protest over public media funding
Thousands of people protested in Prague against the Czech government’s proposed changes to how public media are funded, which critics say threaten their independence.
7. Greek basketball chief resigns over match-fixing probe
Hellenic Basketball Federation president Vangelis Liolios resigned amid a match-fixing investigation. He denies the charges, and his lawyers say there is no solid evidence against him.
Protests and unrest
8. France: more than 1,300 arrests at cost-of-living protests
Over 400,000 people marched across France on Saturday, according to authorities, and more than 1,300 were arrested. About 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed, backed by Opération Sentinelle soldiers guarding key sites. There were clashes in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Rennes, though most marches were peaceful. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez blamed far-left groups. The Yellow Vests have called new protests for 31 October.
9. Barcelona: 128 arrests after night of looting
Protesters in Barcelona threw stones, built barricades, set fires and smashed shop windows on Saturday night, 24 October. Police arrested 128 people.
10. Italy: thousands march, nine arrested
Cost-of-living marches across Italy brought isolated clashes with police, including young protesters in Rome. Nine people were arrested nationwide. Italy had deployed hundreds of extra soldiers ahead of the protests.
11. Portugal: police clear Lisbon and Porto housing camps
Police broke up housing-protest camps in Lisbon and Porto overnight. Several demonstrators were injured and several were arrested.
12. Brussels shops board up
Shops in Brussels boarded up their windows over the weekend, fearing a repeat of the previous week’s looting.
13. Albania: anti-government protests continue
Thousands of students and opposition supporters rallied again in Tirana, where police used water cannon and deployed about 2,500 officers. Days earlier, MPs scuffled in parliament over the protests.
14. Why Europe is protesting
The wave of demonstrations from France to Albania, Italy, Spain and Portugal is driven mainly by rising living costs, fuel and energy prices, housing and education funding. Analysts also link higher energy costs to the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Ukraine, Russia and security
15. Ukraine, Russia and US to hold talks in November
President Zelenskyy confirmed a new round of trilateral talks with Russia and the US in November. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin agreed “in principle” to restart talks after 10 November. “We are ready to talk,” Zelenskyy said. “If it’s a territorial issue, it must be addressed at a leadership level.” Earlier rounds in Abu Dhabi and Geneva produced little beyond prisoner exchanges.
16. Russian strikes kill four, injure 28
Russian attacks on Ukraine killed four people and injured 28, authorities said. Zelenskyy said Russia launched about 1,600 guided aerial bombs, 48 missiles and nearly 2,300 attack drones over the past week.
17. Ceasefire for occupied Oleshky due on 29 October
A local ceasefire for the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, which the White House says Melania Trump helped broker, is due to start on Thursday to allow aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
18. Starlink back to normal for Ukraine’s drones
Kyiv says its Starlink connection is stable again, with terminals working at speeds above 400 km/h after a speed cap had disrupted drone missions. Background: Starlink restrictions hit Ukraine’s drones.
19. Romania blames Russia for deadly Black Sea ship strike
The cargo ship Khoryv capsized after a drone strike about 13 nautical miles off Constanța. One sailor died and three are missing. Romania and the European Commission called it a Russian escalation.
Economy and business
20. Audi to build its first US car plant
Audi plans to invest billions in its first US factory, in Georgia, after reaching a deal with the Trump administration. The move comes as US tariffs push European carmakers to build locally.
21. Central banks reshuffle gold
Russia and Kazakhstan have been selling some central-bank gold, while Poland and China are buying more.
22. ECB decision on Thursday
The European Central Bank meets on 29 October and is expected to keep its key rate at 2.65%. France’s high borrowing costs and weak growth are in focus. More: France slips into contraction.
23. Key data this week
Watch French consumer confidence and Spain’s Q3 unemployment rate (forecast 10.1%) on 27 October, German consumer confidence on 28 October, and the ECB on 29 October.
Weather and climate
24. Storms Austen and Boelo cut power to 150,000 homes
Two storms in two days hit the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Around 82,000 homes lost power in Britain, nearly 60,000 in France and at least 10,000 in Germany. Gusts reached 135 km/h in western Scotland. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or diverted, including at Amsterdam Schiphol, and ferries and some trains were suspended. Four people were hurt by falling trees in Brussels and two near Frankfurt when scaffolding blew over. Tip: UK’s 72-hour emergency checklist.
25. Should Europe ban meat adverts?
As climate scientists push for plant-rich diets, a debate is growing over whether meat advertising should be banned, similar to past curbs on tobacco ads. A climate psychologist told Euronews how such a ban might change behaviour.
Sport and culture
26. El Clásico: Real Madrid win 2-1 at Camp Nou
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou, halving the gap to the La Liga leaders.
27. Manchester United crisis deepens
Manchester United lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth and have now gone eight Premier League games without a win. Manager Michael Carrick said he does not know if he will be sacked.
28. Ballon d’Or 2026: Kane, Yamal or Mbappé?
The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is between Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. World Cup winner Yamal could become the youngest player ever to win it.
29. 1,400 sheep take over Madrid
More than 1,400 sheep and goats paraded through central Madrid for the 33rd Transhumance Festival, which celebrates ancient livestock migration routes. Organisers changed the route to avoid a housing protest.
30. Clocks went back on Sunday
The UK and most of Europe moved clocks back one hour on Sunday, 25 October. Scientists say permanent standard time would be better for health than changing twice a year.
Missed yesterday’s roundup? Read Top 30 Europe News Today (25 October 2026).
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Serbian election 2026?
The opposition Student List won, with an estimated 135 to 140 seats. President Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat.
When is Bulgaria’s presidential run-off?
On 1 November 2026, between Iliana Yotova and Andrey Gyurov.
When is the next French presidential election?
In May 2027. Marine Le Pen is currently the frontrunner in polls.
When are the next Ukraine-Russia peace talks?
Trilateral talks with the US are expected in November, after 10 November.
Who won El Clásico on 25 October 2026?
Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou, with two goals from Kylian Mbappé.
Sources: Euronews, Al Jazeera, Rio Times Europe Intelligence Brief (24 to 26 October 2026).
