Front National

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the top candidate of the centrist European People's Party, EPP, for the post of European Commission President, Manfred Weber, will participate in the central election conference of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, on Saturday in Zagreb.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has named a group of relative unknowns to senior government cabinet posts over traditional allies after a series of high-profile resignations.

As a spokesman announced the names of ministers appointed, political analysts said many voters would be left asking: “Who?”

With Britain's decision to leave the European Union - Brexit - on one side, and U.S. President Donald Trump's defiance of transatlantic ties on the other side, have Europeans finally awakened to the urgency that they need to take matters into their own hands, face the root of their problems, devise strategic solutions and eventually give new shape to their union?

Three Serbian right-wing organisations presented a joint conservative populist platform, claiming to represent a 'third way' between the current government and the opposition, although their appeal to voters remains unclear.

Yet another new political force has emerged in France, Emmanuel Macron, sending a frisson of relief through the European establishment after he managed to snatch the first round of the French presidential election from Front National leader Marine Le Pen.

In a victory speech Sunday evening, Front National anti-mass migration candidate Marine Le Pen called on patriots in France to support her against Emmanuel Macron, who she called the heir of unpopular French President Francois Hollande.

A FEMEN protestor attempted to storm the stage during Marine Le Pen’s speech to Front National supporters in Paris.
A woman tried to protest whilst Ms Le Pen was speaking on stage to the party faithful during a rally by the far-right party ahead of Sunday’s first round of presidential voting.
However, the woman  was dragged off the stage by bodyguards.

French far-right lawmaker Marion Marechal-Le Pen has responded to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's call on Turks in Europe to "have five children," saying "the future of Turks in Europe is Turkey." 

"Dear Erdoğan, the future of Turkish people living in Europe is Turkey," Le Pen posted on her Twitter account, tagging Erdoğan's account. 

The year 2017 is set to be a crucial one for Europe, with key elections ahead in the Netherlands, France and Germany. The outcome of these elections will indicate whether or not the U.K.'s Brexit decision, along with the rise of populist parties, will trigger the subsequent unraveling of the union. 
 

Marine Le Pen has overtaken French presidential favourite François Fillon to become the frontrunner in the latest first round election poll.

The Front National leader is now polling at 26.5 per cent, a lead of 1.5 per cent over former Conservative Prime Minister Fillon.