Europe – Page 18 – Prologue Journal

France Far-Right Party Embraces Jean-Marie Le Pen as a Visionary

New York Times For years, the far-right National Rally tried to distance itself from Mr. Le Pen’s racist and antisemitic remarks. But after his death Tuesday, it hailed him as a visionary. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/france-le-pen-death-national-rally.html

Italian Journalist Released by Iran, Officials in Italy Say

New York Times Cecilia Sala, 29, who was detained last month in Iran while on a reporting trip, was on a plane back to her home country, the Italian government announced. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/italy-iran-cecilia-sala-journalist-released.html

A Far-Right Government in Austria Would Be a Jolt, but Not Unexpected

New York Times The Freedom Party and its leader, Herbert Kickl, have steadily built support by demonizing immigrants, while entering Austria’s political mainstream. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/austria-far-right-freedom-party.html

With Stakes High, Lebanese Lawmakers to Try Again to Choose a President

New York Times Despite pressure by the United States and others to elect a president in order to receive financial support, a consensus candidate has yet to emerge who can clearly end Lebanon’s political gridlock. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/middleeast/lebanon-politics-president-parliament-vote.html

Wednesday Briefing

New York Times Here’s what you need to know. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/briefing/meta-fact-checking-trump.html

Denmark Updates Coat of Arms Amid Trump Push to Buy Greenland

New York Times Before President-elect Donald Trump’s latest remarks, King Frederik X signaled his commitment to the territory in a decidedly old-fashioned way. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/style/denmark-coat-of-arms-trump-greenland.html

Ireland Joins South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel

New York Times Ireland had said it would intervene in the case at the International Court of Justice, arguing that Israel’s actions in Gaza amounted to collective punishment. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/world/europe/ireland-icj-israel-genocide.html

Short of Heat and Power, the Breakaway Region of Transnistria Struggles Without Russian Gas

New York Times An energy crisis in Transnistria, a pro-Russian territory between Moldova and Ukraine, erupted on Jan. 1 when Moscow stopped supplying natural gas through a pipeline running across Ukraine. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/world/europe/transnistria-energy-crisis-russia-gas.html

What Is the U.K. ‘Grooming Gang’ Scandal Seized On by Elon Musk?

New York Times The billionaire tech mogul has been posting on his social media platform about a decade-old child sex abuse scandal in Britain. Here’s what to know. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/world/europe/uk-grooming-gangs-elon-musk.html

Jean-Marie Le Pen, Rabble-Rousing Leader of French Far Right, Dies at 96

New York Times He ran unsuccessfully for the French presidency five times, riding waves of discontent and xenophobia as the leader of the National Front party. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/world/europe/jean-marie-le-pen-dead.html