{"id":1925202,"date":"2026-05-08T15:08:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:08:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1925202"},"modified":"2026-05-08T15:08:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:08:22","slug":"why-a-weakened-starmer-will-worry-the-eu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1925202","title":{"rendered":"Why a weakened Starmer will worry the EU"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/21\/12\/1200x675_cmsv2_aab77e2c-1793-5d2d-b528-8d5c7074cf9e-9752112.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2892307-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2892307\" data-cid=\"9752163\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892307-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/21\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_ad17534b-fd54-5bd0-8bb6-4deb29f4d002-9752163.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892219-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2892219\" data-cid=\"9751644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892219-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/16\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_b55c6d0b-6e60-5702-a40a-f0b1f6d0af81-9751644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev speaks to journalists after the polls closed in Sunday's election, in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 19, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bulgarian parliament confirms Rumen Radev as new prime minister\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892267-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2892267\" data-cid=\"9751891\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892267-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/18\/91\/189x106_cmsv2_193efd29-da11-55ab-84bc-91bfc619d0ba-9751891.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi is seen during a first meeting with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 18, 2024. (John Thy\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU clears Hungary\u2019s V\u00e1rhelyi in Brussels spying probe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892287-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2892287\" data-cid=\"9751997\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892287-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/19\/97\/189x106_cmsv2_b5ab1f78-4ff2-5b46-a580-199ce18f6b23-9751997.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"'Monumental Nature': Giant Henry Moore sculptures take over London's Kew Gardens \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Art<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Giant Henry Moore sculptures take over London&#8217;s Kew Gardens\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892307-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2892307\" data-cid=\"9752163\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892307-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/21\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_ad17534b-fd54-5bd0-8bb6-4deb29f4d002-9752163.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892219-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2892219\" data-cid=\"9751644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892219-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/16\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_b55c6d0b-6e60-5702-a40a-f0b1f6d0af81-9751644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev speaks to journalists after the polls closed in Sunday's election, in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 19, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bulgarian parliament confirms Rumen Radev as new prime minister\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892267-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2892267\" data-cid=\"9751891\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892267-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/18\/91\/189x106_cmsv2_193efd29-da11-55ab-84bc-91bfc619d0ba-9751891.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi is seen during a first meeting with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 18, 2024. (John Thy\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU clears Hungary\u2019s V\u00e1rhelyi in Brussels spying probe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892287-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2892287\" data-cid=\"9751997\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892287-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/19\/97\/189x106_cmsv2_b5ab1f78-4ff2-5b46-a580-199ce18f6b23-9751997.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"'Monumental Nature': Giant Henry Moore sculptures take over London's Kew Gardens \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Art<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Giant Henry Moore sculptures take over London&#8217;s Kew Gardens\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Why a weakened Starmer will worry the EU <\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/21\/12\/1536x864_cmsv2_aab77e2c-1793-5d2d-b528-8d5c7074cf9e-9752112.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Britain's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets Labour Party members at Kingsdown Methodist Church Hall, in Ealing, west London, Friday May 8, 2026, a day after the local elec\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Britain&#8217;s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets Labour Party members at Kingsdown Methodist Church Hall, in Ealing, west London, Friday May 8, 2026, a day after the local elec<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspLeo CENDROWICZ\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1778252902\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-08 17:08:22 +02:00\">08\/05\/2026 &#8211; 17:08 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div 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loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        After bruising local election losses, Sir Keir Starmer is preparing a renewed push for closer ties with the European Union \u2014 but Brussels worries that his political weakness could stall or derail any meaningful post-Brexit reset.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos,&#8221; British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday after local election results showed millions of voters had abandoned his Labour Party. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>It is a far cry from the general election less than two years ago that saw Labour win one of the largest majorities in British parliamentary history. <\/p>\n<p>Starmer admitted that the elections \u2014 which saw hundreds of Labour councillors lose seats amid massive gains for Nigel Farage\u2019s Reform UK party \u2014 were painful. \u201cThe results are tough, they are very tough, and there&#8217;s no sugarcoating it,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p>He is already planning a reboot of his premiership, starting on Monday, with a major speech that is expected to promise closer ties with the European Union. <\/p>\n<p>That ties in with the political mood. Almost ten years on from the Brexit referendum, voters see the decision to leave the EU as a mistake by a two-to-one margin. <\/p>\n<h2>Brussels sees opportunity \u2014 and danger<\/h2>\n<p>In Brussels, officials will welcome improved relations, after a decade defined by Britain\u2019s rancorous divorce from the EU. Global events, from the war in Ukraine to the re-election of Donald Trump, have already brought the UK and EU closer, particularly on defence issues. <\/p>\n<p>Starmer has played a vital role in rallying the so-called coalition of the willing behind Ukraine, which last year pledged strengthened support as the US pulled back its aid for Kyiv. He has also aligned with the EU\u2019s cautionary tone on the war in Iran, calling for restraint despite fierce criticism from US President Donald Trump for not joining the conflict. <\/p>\n<p>However, the EU will be wary too. <\/p>\n<p>Starmer is historically weak. National polls show Labour support hovering under 20%, sometimes behind both the Conservatives and the Green party. They are well behind Reform, at around 25%. <\/p>\n<p>Starmer\u2019s personal ratings are catastrophic: polls show just 19% of voters approve of his leadership, and his net approval is minus 45%. Betting markets now have his exit as an effective coin-toss before the end of June. <\/p>\n<p>Rivals within the Labour are circling. Rumours abound in Westminster about potential challenges from the likes of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham. <\/p>\n<p>That matters in Brussels, where there is little appetite for reopening difficult negotiations only to see a weakened UK government retreat under domestic pressure or be overtaken by events. \u201cAnything that comes up would still need to be negotiated \u2014 and we\u2019ll be careful about going all in with Starmer if he\u2019s out in a few months,\u201d said one EU diplomat. <\/p>\n<p>And what about the longer term? Reform UK has been leading the polls since early 2025, and bookmakers have them odds-on to win the next general election, which must take place by 2029. <\/p>\n<p>Even if voters have warmed to the EU, the likeliest next prime minister is Nigel Farage, who also led Reform\u2019s previous incarnation, the Brexit Party. He has pledged a harder approach to the EU, including a renegotiation of the post-Brexit trade deal to strip EU citizens of benefit rights. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cEver since Brexit, there has been a concern in Brussels about Britain making commitments that it cannot fulfil, especially if they could be reversed by a Farage government,\u201d says Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the European Policy Centre. <\/p>\n<h2>Slow reset, lingering suspicion<\/h2>\n<p>But even beyond political questions about the fate of Starmer and Labour, the EU has found it hard to measure the UK\u2019s engagement. Despite Starmer\u2019s much-vaunted \u201creset\u201d after entering Downing Street, progress has been slow and heavily constrained by Labour\u2019s own red lines: no return to the Single Market, customs union or freedom of movement. <\/p>\n<p>Negotiations have advanced in some areas, notably on defence cooperation, energy links and a veterinary agreement aimed at reducing post-Brexit trade friction. Yet many of the headline ambitions remain bogged down in technical disputes over funding, regulatory alignment and youth mobility schemes. <\/p>\n<p>Talks on UK participation in the EU\u2019s \u20ac150 billion SAFE defence fund have already run into arguments over financial contributions, while negotiations on student fees and mobility caps have become politically toxic in London. <\/p>\n<p>In Brussels, there is also frustration that Britain still appears uncertain about what kind of long-term relationship it actually wants. <\/p>\n<p>EU officials increasingly argue that London cannot simultaneously demand deeper access to parts of the Single Market while rejecting many of the obligations that come with it. The old Brexit-era suspicion of British \u201ccherry-picking\u201d has never fully disappeared. <\/p>\n<p>For now, European leaders still see Starmer as serious, pragmatic and infinitely preferable to the chaos of Boris Johnson, one of his predecessors. <\/p>\n<p>But privately, officials worry that his weakening political position could make even modest agreements harder to deliver. <\/p>\n<p>Few in Brussels want to spend political capital negotiating sensitive deals with a British prime minister who may not survive long enough to implement them \u2014 or whose successor could unravel them all over again. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  PM Keir Starmer says he will not quit after UK local elections show losses for Labour<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Local elections across UK test Starmer as Reform UK eyes major gains<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Voting under way in UK local elections seen as a verdict on Keir Starmer&#8217;s leadership<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Keir Starmer<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  United Kingdom<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2891398-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891398\" data-cid=\"9747487\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891398-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/74\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_9e28c1df-6fbc-5b66-837f-03100b5133fc-9747487.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vladimir Putin has admitted difficulties in the Russian economy.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    After 20 rounds of sanctions, the EU sees cracks in Russia&#8217;s economy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2892199-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892199\" data-cid=\"9751538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892199-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/77\/03\/320x180_cmsv2_8cbb56d8-3297-5041-92a3-1641674e2727-9747703.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Russian servicemen march towards the Red Square prior to the Victory Day military parade rehearsal in Moscow, Monday, May 4, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who is coming to Putin\u2019s Victory Day parade \u2014 and who is not?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2892260-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892260\" data-cid=\"9751848\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892260-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/18\/48\/320x180_cmsv2_c460c88d-7535-5eb0-b773-3a3b64179bb0-9751848.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EU and the US concluded a trade deal in July 2025 which still needs to be enforced.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Parliament&#8217;s trade chief pushes back against Trump tariff threats<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2892267-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892267\" data-cid=\"9751891\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892267-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/18\/91\/320x180_cmsv2_193efd29-da11-55ab-84bc-91bfc619d0ba-9751891.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi is seen during a first meeting with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 18, 2024. (John Thy\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU clears Hungary\u2019s V\u00e1rhelyi in Brussels spying probe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2892117-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892117\" data-cid=\"9750990\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892117-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/59\/69\/70\/320x180_cmsv2_6a005379-9767-5e6a-bf98-9b36c407fcd2-9596970.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV exits the Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after his election as Pontiff (8 May 2025)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pope in Pompeii one year after election: &#8216;So many Christians offend God&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2891783-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891783\" data-cid=\"9749372\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who pays more tax? See where you fall in Europe\u2019s income tax divide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2891877-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891877\" data-cid=\"9749778\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Where in Europe is tap water the most and least safe?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2892070-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892070\" data-cid=\"9750758\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UAE reports missile attack as Iran war ceasefire is challenged<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2891398-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891398\" data-cid=\"9747487\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    After 20 rounds of sanctions, the EU sees cracks in Russia&#8217;s economy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2892136-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892136\" data-cid=\"9751118\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    White House calls out Star Wars actor Mark Hamill for dead Trump image<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891398-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891398\" data-cid=\"9747487\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891398-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/74\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_9e28c1df-6fbc-5b66-837f-03100b5133fc-9747487.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vladimir Putin has admitted difficulties in the Russian economy.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    After 20 rounds of sanctions, the EU sees cracks in Russia&#8217;s economy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892199-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892199\" data-cid=\"9751538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892199-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/77\/03\/320x180_cmsv2_8cbb56d8-3297-5041-92a3-1641674e2727-9747703.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Russian servicemen march towards the Red Square prior to the Victory Day military parade rehearsal in Moscow, Monday, May 4, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who is coming to Putin\u2019s Victory Day parade \u2014 and who is not?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892260-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892260\" data-cid=\"9751848\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892260-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/18\/48\/320x180_cmsv2_c460c88d-7535-5eb0-b773-3a3b64179bb0-9751848.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EU and the US concluded a trade deal in July 2025 which still needs to be enforced.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Parliament&#8217;s trade chief pushes back against Trump tariff threats<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892267-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892267\" data-cid=\"9751891\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892267-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/18\/91\/320x180_cmsv2_193efd29-da11-55ab-84bc-91bfc619d0ba-9751891.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi is seen during a first meeting with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 18, 2024. (John Thy\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU clears Hungary\u2019s V\u00e1rhelyi in Brussels spying probe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892117-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892117\" data-cid=\"9750990\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892117-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/59\/69\/70\/320x180_cmsv2_6a005379-9767-5e6a-bf98-9b36c407fcd2-9596970.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV exits the Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after his election as Pontiff (8 May 2025)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pope in Pompeii one year after election: &#8216;So many Christians offend God&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891783-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891783\" data-cid=\"9749372\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who pays more tax? See where you fall in Europe\u2019s income tax divide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891877-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891877\" data-cid=\"9749778\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Where in Europe is tap water the most and least safe?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892070-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892070\" data-cid=\"9750758\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UAE reports missile attack as Iran war ceasefire is challenged<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891398-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891398\" data-cid=\"9747487\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    After 20 rounds of sanctions, the EU sees cracks in Russia&#8217;s economy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892136-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892136\" data-cid=\"9751118\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    White House calls out Star Wars actor Mark Hamill for dead Trump image<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">&#8220;I&#8217;m not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos,&#8221; British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday after local election results showed millions of voters had abandoned his Labour Party.\u00a0It is a far cry from the general election less than two years ago that saw Labour win one of the largest majorities in British parliamentary history.\u00a0Starmer admitted that the elections \u2014 which saw hundreds of Labour councillors lose seats amid massive gains for Nigel Farage\u2019s Reform UK party \u2014 were painful. \u201cThe results are tough, they are very tough, and there&#8217;s no sugarcoating it,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u00a0He is already planning a reboot of his premiership, starting on Monday, with a major speech that is expected to promise closer ties with the European Union.\u00a0\u00a0That ties in with the political mood. Almost ten years on from the Brexit referendum, voters see the decision to leave the EU as a mistake by a two-to-one margin.\u00a0\u00a0Brussels sees opportunity \u2014 and danger\u00a0In Brussels, officials will welcome improved relations, after a decade defined by Britain\u2019s rancorous divorce from the EU. Global events, from the war in Ukraine to the re-election of Donald Trump, have already brought the UK and EU closer, particularly on defence issues.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Starmer has played a vital role in rallying the so-called coalition of the willing behind Ukraine, which last year pledged strengthened support as the US pulled back its aid for Kyiv. He has also aligned with the EU\u2019s cautionary tone on the war in Iran, calling for restraint despite fierce criticism from US President Donald Trump for not joining the conflict.\u00a0However, the EU will be wary too.\u00a0\u00a0Starmer is historically weak.\u00a0National polls show Labour support hovering under 20%, sometimes behind both the Conservatives and the Green party. They are well behind Reform, at around 25%.\u00a0Starmer\u2019s personal ratings are catastrophic: polls show just 19% of voters approve of his leadership, and his net approval is minus 45%. Betting markets now have his exit as an effective coin-toss before the end of June.\u00a0Rivals within the Labour are circling. Rumours abound in Westminster about potential challenges from the likes of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham.\u00a0That matters in Brussels, where there is little appetite for reopening difficult negotiations only to see a weakened UK government retreat under domestic pressure or be overtaken by events. \u201cAnything that comes up would still need to be negotiated \u2014 and we\u2019ll be careful about going all in with Starmer if he\u2019s out in a few months,\u201d said one EU diplomat.\u00a0\u00a0And what about the longer term? Reform UK has been leading the polls since early 2025, and bookmakers have them odds-on to win the next general election, which must take place by 2029.\u00a0\u00a0Even if voters have warmed to the EU, the likeliest next prime minister is Nigel Farage, who also led Reform\u2019s previous incarnation, the Brexit Party. He has pledged a harder approach to the EU, including a renegotiation of the post-Brexit trade deal to strip EU citizens of benefit rights.\u00a0\u201cEver since Brexit, there has been a concern in Brussels about Britain making commitments that it cannot fulfil, especially if they could be reversed by a Farage government,\u201d says Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the European Policy Centre.\u00a0Slow reset, lingering suspicion\u00a0But even beyond political questions about the fate of Starmer and Labour, the EU has found it hard to measure the UK\u2019s engagement. Despite Starmer\u2019s much-vaunted \u201creset\u201d after entering Downing Street, progress has been slow and heavily constrained by Labour\u2019s own red lines: no return to the Single Market, customs union or freedom of movement.\u00a0\u00a0Negotiations have advanced in some areas, notably on defence cooperation, energy links and a veterinary agreement aimed at reducing post-Brexit trade friction. Yet many of the headline ambitions remain bogged down in technical disputes over funding, regulatory alignment and youth mobility schemes.\u00a0\u00a0Talks on UK participation in the EU\u2019s \u20ac150 billion SAFE defence fund have already run into arguments over financial contributions, while negotiations on student fees and mobility caps have become politically toxic in London.\u00a0\u00a0In Brussels, there is also frustration that Britain still appears uncertain about what kind of long-term relationship it actually wants.EU officials increasingly argue that London cannot simultaneously demand deeper access to parts of the Single Market while rejecting many of the obligations that come with it. The old Brexit-era suspicion of British \u201ccherry-picking\u201d has never fully disappeared.\u00a0For now, European leaders still see Starmer as serious, pragmatic and infinitely preferable to the chaos of Boris Johnson, one of his predecessors.But privately, officials worry that his weakening political position could make even modest agreements harder to deliver.Few in Brussels want to spend political capital negotiating sensitive deals with a British prime minister who may not survive long enough to implement them \u2014 or whose successor could unravel them all over again.\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/08\/why-a-weakened-starmer-will-worry-the-eu&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/21\/12\/1200x675_cmsv2_aab77e2c-1793-5d2d-b528-8d5c7074cf9e-9752112.jpg&#8221;] Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | May 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening Europe News Bulgarian parliament confirms Rumen Radev as new prime minister Europe News EU clears Hungary\u2019s V\u00e1rhelyi in Brussels spying probe Art Giant Henry Moore sculptures take over London&#8217;s Kew Gardens Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1925202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1925202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1925202"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1925202\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1925202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1925202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1925202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}