Southern Europe

Politics

In Spain, post-election negotiations saw the center-right Popular Party attempting to form regional governments, requiring support from the far-right Vox, which is also experiencing internal conflict. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni advanced a judicial reform referendum and new immigration measures. Internationally, US Vice President J.D. Vance met with Meloni in Milan, while diplomatic rifts emerged within the EU, with Spain accusing Italy and Germany of undermining solidarity and Meloni forming a closer alliance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Information

The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics featured significant success for Italian athletes, including multiple gold medals. A separate controversy involved a restored church fresco in Rome, whose angel was painted to resemble Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, prompting a Vatican-ordered investigation and removal of the likeness. Other regional developments included severe weather forecasts, archaeological discoveries, and Portugal's move to restrict social media access for users under 16.

Economy

Southern European economies showed varied trends. Cyprus saw falling unemployment but a sharp drop in bank deposits, while advancing regulations on foreign property buyers. Italy reported annual inflation dropping to 1 percent. Significant protests occurred, with Greek farmers driving tractors into Athens. A severe storm caused catastrophic crop damage in Spain and Portugal, leading to a $3 billion aid package from Portugal.

Humanitarian

A severe storm named Leonardo caused extensive flooding in Spain and Portugal, resulting in fatalities, evacuations, and catastrophic crop damage. Migration policy debates intensified, with Italy preparing new anti-immigration measures and Greece facing condemnation from NGOs over proposed immigration code amendments. A fatal collision between a migrant boat and the Greek coast guard near Chios resulted in fifteen deaths.

Security

The Italian government approved a new security decree following violent clashes at a Turin protest where over 100 police officers were injured. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the violence as attempted murder and proposed a bipartisan security resolution. Separately, Italian officials stated they prevented a series of Russia-linked cyberattacks aimed at disrupting the Winter Olympics and targeting Italian diplomatic facilities.

Energy

International energy exploration renewed tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. A Chevron-led consortium signed contracts to explore for natural gas off the Greek island of Crete. Turkey declared this activity unlawful, asserting that Greece does not have the right to explore in that part of the sea.