Elections

2025 brought mixed fortunes for the European Green Party: record election results in Norway and Portugal, historic membership surges in Germany and the UK, and the election of the first Green mayor in Copenhagen and Riga. However, the loss of governmental power in Germany was a notable setback. Tobias Gerhard Schminke from Europe Elects has the data and details.

On 29 October 2025, the Netherlands went to the polls in a much-anticipated election that could reshape the country’s political landscape – and its role in Europe. After two years of a populist government, the centrist liberal party D66, led by Rob Jetten, emerged as the winner. Meanwhile, the GroenLinks–PvdA alliance fell short of expectations, raising new questions about the future of the Dutch centre-left – and about what comes next in coalition talks. So – what happened, what’s next, and why should Brussels care? In this new Böll·Europe Podcast episode, host Joan Lanfranco upacks with Noortje Thijssen (Director of the Scientific Bureau GroenLinks, the political foundation of the Dutch green party) the election results, the prospects for coalition-building, and what this means for the Netherlands’ direction – both at home and in Europe.

After weeks of confusion and controversy around Sébastien Lecornu’s appointment as Prime Minister, President Macron faces mounting pressure at home and growing doubts abroad. Joan Lanfranco asked Marc Berthold, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Paris office, what this means for Macron, France’s role in the EU, and the wider impact on Europe.

Czechia voted for change – but what kind? Andrej Babiš makes a comeback, the Greens return to parliament, and populism takes a new shape. Adéla Jurečková, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Prague office, breaks down the results and what they mean for Czech democracy and the EU.

Moldova’s parliamentary elections on 28 September 2025 confirmed strong support for the country’s European path. With an absolute majority, the ruling PAS party now has a clear mandate to lead. Yet challenges remain, from economic uncertainty and justice reform to questions of regional security. We asked 3 questions to Robert Sperfeld, Senior Programme Officer in the East and South East Europe Division of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, on what the results reveal about voters’ priorities, the country’s reform agenda, and the implications for EU integration and relations with NATO.

After PiS' victory at the presidential election run-off in Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for and survived a confidence vote on 11 June 2025. What’s next for the country’s governing coalition, at a critical moment for Europe’s climate, democracy, and security agenda? Roderick Kefferpütz asked Urszula Zielińska, Green Vice-Minister for Climate and Environment, what the result means for the future of the ruling coalition, the Greens’ priorities in the months ahead and Poland’s role in the EU.

Karol Nawrocki of the Law and Justice party (PiS) narrowly won Poland’s presidential run-off—dealing a serious blow to Donald Tusk’s pro-European coalition government. What does this mean for Polish politics, the EU, and the balance of power in Warsaw? In this Böll·Europe Podcast episode we focus on the run-off of the presidential election in Poland, which took place on Sunday 1 June 2025. Our guest is Maciej Makulski, Head of Europe and International Politics at the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung's Warsaw office.

The failed Presidential election in Romania last year, fuelled by a wave of disinformation, triggered an unprecedented period of political instability in this EU and NATO Member State. A rerun took place on 4 and 18 May 2025, and the Mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan, was elected. We asked MEP Nicu Ștefănuță (Greens/EFA), Vice-President of the European Parliament, what this result means for the future of Romania and its role in the EU, NATO and with regards to supporting Ukraine.