European Union

According to media reports, Volkswagen is planning to reduce its global workforce of 657,000 by around 100,000 jobs over the next few years. In Germany, four plants belonging to Europe's largest car manufacturer could be closed in the restructuring. Other companies are also planning to axe jobs in Germany. Europe's media voice concern about Germany's future as an industrial hub and examine the causes.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced his resignation and called for early presidential and parliamentary elections. His second and final term would normally have gone on until the end of May 2027. Vučić has offered to help his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in the elections. Commentators discuss the strategic considerations behind this step by the head of state.

Andy Burnham, Britain's likely next prime minister, has set out plans for a major overhaul of the British system of government. They include local authorities being given more control over water supply services and other utilities and measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and promote social housing. The media look at whether the strategy could work.

The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on bolstering the management and funding of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

The Council has approved the resolution on the second cycle of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area (2026-2030), which sets out the work programme for cooperation at EU level in the areas of education and training over the next five years.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1363 of 15 June 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia.