Left Party

Sweden's center-left bloc has failed to form a government, leaving the country in a political deadlock after elections. The impasse means parties must now find another path to a working majority, with the prospect of renewed elections or prolonged negotiations looming over Stockholm as no clear governing coalition has emerged.

Sweden's Magdalena Andersson has failed to form a government following a dispute with the Left Party. The breakdown leaves the country facing continued political uncertainty over who will lead it, with coalition talks among parties having collapsed and questions now mounting over the path to a new government.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, has promised to tone down criticism of Jean-Luc Mélenchon during the presidential campaign. His campaign director, senator Ian Brossat, told La Tribune that 'we will not fall into aggression.' The pledge comes as left-wing rivals position themselves for the election, with lingering tensions between the PCF and La France Insoumise.

France's far right has achieved a historic victory in elections to the French Senate, a result with no precedent in the chamber's history. The win marks a significant breakthrough for the nationalist right in an institution long dominated by mainstream conservative and centre-left groups, and is being closely watched for what it signals about the party's growing national strength.

Merseyside Police left the scene outside the Labour Party Conference at around 5am on Monday, following a 16-hour standoff in which more than 150 people were arrested on terrorism charges. According to the group Defend Our Juries, those detained were still displaying their signs described as 'terrorist' when police withdrew. The mass arrests and the standoff are drawing attention to the policing of protest at the conference.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is mapping out the chamber's final run of votes before the midterm elections, Politico reports. The scheduling choices he makes in the coming weeks will determine which priorities reach the floor and which are left until after voters go to the polls, with control of Congress at stake.

A lawmaker from La France Insoumise has responded to criticism of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's celebratory message to party members after two LFI candidates won seats in the French Senate. In the exchange, the elected official argued that the Rassemblement National is fully exploiting its growth to build momentum for 2027, and that the left must respond with the same dynamics. The spat reflects wider debate on the French left's strategy after the Senate results.

A new poll shows New Zealand's Green Party at a record high level of support, raising the prospects of a centre-left coalition forming after the country's next election. Stronger Green numbers could prove decisive in whether Labour and its allies can command a parliamentary majority, making the party's surge a key factor in campaign calculations.

Magdalena Andersson, leader of Sweden's Social Democrats, has handed back the government mandate to the Speaker after the Left Party shifted position, ending her attempt to form a government. The move deepens Sweden's political deadlock following an election that left no bloc with a clear majority, and attention now turns to whether the Speaker will give Ulf Kristersson of the Moderates the next chance to form a government.

Centre-right leaders are meeting to choose a joint candidate for the upcoming Milan municipal elections, but remain divided. Forza Italia and Fratelli d'Italia are pushing for Matteo Perego, while the Lega and Maurizio Lupi resist. Other names in play include Silvia Sardone and Lupi himself, with only one candidate set to face the centre-left.

Germany's Left Party (Die Linke) held a press conference on 25 September that drew heavy attention online, with discussion centring on figures named Potter and Poschardt. WELT, whose editor-in-chief is Ulf Poschardt, carried the broadcast, and the footage drew a large audience. Details of what was announced at the conference remain limited in circulating reports.