November 12, 2025: Starmer defends against internal coup; France delays retirement age; EU stealth migration data; Merz fights power over pensions; Democracy Shield launches; ECB leadership begins.

November 12, 2025. In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a significant leadership crisis dubbed "Keir and present danger". Allies of the prime minister have brought weeks of speculation into the open by briefing that he expects a leadership challenge and intends to fight it. This internal turmoil has been described as "Keir and loathing in downing street". The immediate political danger is highlighted by claims that Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is publicly denying plotting, has up to 50 frontbenchers willing to resign if the budget goes poorly and Starmer remains. Additionally, a key decision looms regarding the "D-day for the two-child cap?", as the government's child poverty task force meets to draw up plans for scrapping the welfare cap.In Germany, the pension issue is intensifying, becoming a definitive "power struggle" (Die Rente wird für Merz zur Machtfrage) for Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The coalition faces resistance, particularly from the Junge Gruppe, who oppose the 120-billion-euro pension package proposed by Bärbel Bas. Meanwhile, Berlin celebrates "70 years of Bundeswehr" (70 Jahre Bundeswehr) with a solemn ceremony involving around 280 recruits. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt also revealed a "hot lead on drone origin" (Heiße Spur zur Herkunft der Drohnen?), suggesting that the sightings might originate from Russia’s shadow fleet.In France, the headline "vote to postpone" (Voter décaler) refers to the critical vote in the National Assembly on the social security budget (Budget de la Sécu). This measure specifically involves suspending or delaying the application of the 2023 retirement reform, an action the government took to secure support and avoid a vote of no confidence from the Socialists.In Brussels, migration is the "driving the day" topic, after the Commission released a sensitive migration package, known as the "commission’s stealth migration drop", on a bank holiday. The package includes the first annual report on migration and decisions about which EU countries are classified as facing acute or future migratory pressure, determining eligibility for the Solidarity Pool. Furthermore, there is "crunch time for the firewall" (Crunchtime für die Brandmauer) as the European Parliament votes on a bureaucrat reduction omnibus, potentially testing the EPP’s willingness to seek majorities with factions further to the right. Finally, the "ECB succession" race is underway, with eurozone finance ministers meeting to begin discussions on filling the European Central Bank Vice President role, marking the start of a major leadership reshuffle.