European Parliament in the balance
The two largest blocs in the European Parliament lost their majority after results in EP elections across Europe saw the centre-right European People's Party and centre-left Social Democrats suffer significant losses. Reuters leads by saying the nationalists did not gain as many seats as feared but that liberals and Greens, who both made significant gains, will want to play a role in any discussions over cooperation in the parliament; the BBC says that voter turnout at just under 51% bucked a long trend of decline; The Guardian says the results will trigger tortuous negotiations over the key jobs in the EU institutions; while the FT claims that the pro-EU parties largely held their ground.
Luxembourg: DP gains seat at CSV expense
In Luxembourg the DP won a second seat in the European Parliament with both its lead candidates, Charles Goerens and Monica Semedo, placing in the top 5 winners of the night. The CSV lost 1 of its 3 seats, while the Greens and the LSAP held on to their single seats.
Brexit party wins in UK
The BBC reports from the UK results where it says Nigel Farage’s new Brexit party humiliated the governing Conservative party. But The Guardian says that with the pro-EU Liberal Democrats gaining strongly, parties in favour of holding a second referendum polled more than unambiguously pro-Brexit parties.
Far right gains in France and Italy
Marie Le Pen’s National Rally looks set to have won the most seats in France, ahead of against president Emmanuel Macron’s centrist grouping, The Guardian reports. In Italy, Matteo Salvini’s far-right League surged past its 5-Star Movement coalition partner, says Reuters.
Socialists triumph in Spain and Portugal
But in the Iberian peninsula left of centre parties performed well, In Spain the Socialist Party polled close to 33% and gaining 6 more seats than in 2014, says The Local. In Portugal, the Partido Socialista won 33.5%.
Euro holds firm
Reuters says the fact that pro-European Union parties withstood more fragmentation than expected meant the Euro was trading near its highest levels in 10 days as markets opened in Asia on Monday morning.
Japan-US deal likely
CNBC cites a former senior trade official claiming that a trade settlement between Japan and the United States could be reached in 6 to 9 months. Glen Fukushima said that US president Donald Trump, who was on a state visit to Japan, has established a good relationship with prime minister Shinzo Abe.
China unlikely to retaliate against Apple
Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei has told Bloomberg that Chinese retaliation against Apple “will not happen first of all and second of all, if that happens, I’ll be the first to protest.” He said that while US action against his company would hit hard, it would find alternatives to stay ahead in smartphones and 5G.
Palme d’Or for Bong Joon-ho
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho won the Palme d’Or at Cannes for his black comic thriller “Parasite”. The Guardian says it was a popular win. Antonio Banderas won best make actor for his role in Pedro Almodóvar’s latest and Emily Beecham was named best actress for “Little Joe”
Later today
The Cluster for Logistics will present its annual report as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. An exhibition of the seven science comics produced by doctoral candidates of the University of Luxembourg opens at the Luxembourg Learning Centre.
Coming up
Tuesday 28 May: the Centre de Compétences Digitaalt Handwierk presents its one-stop shop for the digital transformation of craftsmanship businesses. Thursday 30 May: Kockelscheuer hosts its traditional Ascension bank holiday family sports day.
Sports roundup
Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton won the Monaco Grand Prix in what the BBC says was a thrilling race. Football: F91 completed a domestic double by beating Etzella Ettelbrück 5:0 in the final of the Coupe de Luxembourg. Tennis: the French Open got underway and saw both Venus Williams and Angelique Kerber exit in the women’s draw.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts