A Paris appeals court is set to deliver a verdict on Tuesday in Marine Le Pen's embezzlement case, determining whether the far-right National Rally leader can run in France's 2027 presidential election. Le Pen is appealing her 2025 conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds, with Jordan Bardella positioned to become the party's candidate if she is barred.
The European Union officially began membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on June 15, 2026, marking a decisive step forward in both countries' bids to join the bloc. The process was delayed by Hungarian vetoes but has now advanced to the first substantive phase of negotiations.
At an EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, European leaders unveiled a Franco-German proposal for gradual integration of candidate countries, with Commission President von der Leyen stating Montenegro is on track for membership by 2028. The initiative aims to accelerate the accession process for six Western Balkan nations amid ongoing debates over EU enlargement.
