On 8 April, the European Public Prosecutor's Office announced the dismantling of an organised crime group involving civil servants suspected of irregularities in procedures for awarding grants intended for the reconstruction of research facilities. On 10 April, the Office conducted an investigation into suspicions of large-scale customs fraud and tax evasion linked to the importation of textiles, footwear and e-commerce goods from China into the European Union.

On April 10, the Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational in all Schengen countries at all external border crossing points of the European Union. This technological system digitally records the personal and biometric data of third-country nationals traveling to the 29 countries of the Schengen Area for short stays. Its phased rollout began on October 12, 2025, replacing the former passport stamping system.

Green Light for SAFE Assistance to the Czech Republic and France On April 10, the Council adopted two decisions to make financial assistance available to two EU Member States, the Czech Republic and France, under the SAFE program. For the Czech Republic, the Commission allocated a maximum loan amount of €2.06 billion, while France is expected to receive a maximum loan amount of approximately €15.09 billion.

On April 10, the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) published an evaluation report on the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity at the local level in Estonia. It commends Estonia for its well-developed anti-corruption and pro-integrity framework and highlights several best practices worthy of sharing with other member states. In addition, GRECO made twelve recommendations regarding additional measures in the areas of anti-corruption policy, ethics, transparency, and accountability. Estonia is invited to submit a report on the measures taken to implement these recommendations by September 30th 2027.

Until 6 September, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is hosting an exhibition dedicated to the 18th-century Venetian painters Giovanni Antonio Canal, known as Canaletto, and his nephew Bernardo Bellotto. Bringing together major works from international collections, the exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of their views of Venice, London, Dresden and Vienna. The exhibition highlights their unique approach to urban representation during the Age of Enlightenment, combining scientific precision — notably through the use of the camera obscura — with spectacular staging of urban landscapes.

On April 8, the European Commission and Morocco launched the Digital Dialogue, an initiative aimed at strengthening their cooperation. This partnership will promote cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), support for digital startups, and the development of secure and reliable digital infrastructure. As part of this dialogue, an agreement on AI ecosystems for innovation was signed, marking a major milestone in strengthening digital relations between the European Union and Morocco.

Peter Magyar's Tisza Party won 53.07% of the vote and 138 seats, securing a two-thirds majority to dismantle Viktor Orbán's illiberal system, which was rejected with 38.43% of the vote and 55 seats. This election, marked by high voter turnout (77.80%), particularly among young people, signals a genuine appetite for change to restore the rule of law and media pluralism in order to unlock €18 billion in European funds. The challenge is to bring Hungary out of its diplomatic isolation and difficult economic situation while stabilizing relations with the European Union and Ukraine. Our Homeland (5.83%, 6 seats) completes the future Parliament, in which only three parties will be represented.

On 8 April, the European Public Prosecutor's Office announced the dismantling of an organised crime group involving civil servants suspected of irregularities in procedures for awarding grants intended for the reconstruction of research facilities. On 10 April, the Office conducted an investigation into suspicions of large-scale customs fraud and tax evasion linked to the importation of textiles, footwear and e-commerce goods from China into the European Union.

On April 6, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged European judicial authorities to act without delay to determine responsibility in the case of fraud involving European Union agricultural subsidies, which is undermining the country's political stability. A few days earlier, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) had asked the Greek Parliament to lift the immunity of 11 sitting MPs, while five former MPs are also under investigation. The case involves embezzlement estimated at at least €23 million, based on a system of false declarations of agricultural land, which allowed for the improper receipt of European funds. This stance underscores the government's commitment to strengthening transparency and restoring the credibility of Greek institutions in the management of European funds.

On April 12, the resounding victory of the Tisza Party, led by Péter Magyar, signaled a rejection of Viktor Orbán's illiberal model and his Euroscepticism. Among the lessons to be drawn from these Hungarian elections, several points stand out: this defeat reflects, beyond external influences, a renewed aspiration among citizens for the rule of law and European integration, confirming that the European Union remains a protective framework against authoritarian excesses. European citizens do not want autocracies and find in the European Union a legal, political, and solidarity-based framework. Finally, these elections serve as a reminder that any authoritarian endeavour, from Trumpism to Russian revisionism, inevitably comes up against the enduring will of the people and the universal demand for the rule of law and democracy.

On 8 April, the heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group and the World Food Programme sounded the alarm over the impact of the war in the Middle East on global food security. According to their declaration, rising energy prices, combined with disrupted supply chains, will lead to a sharp increase in food prices and reduce governments' ability to protect the most vulnerable households.

On April 7, in Madrid, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met with the leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, to reiterate Spain's support for civil society and democratic forces in Belarus. During the meeting, he condemned the repression by Alexander Lukashenko's regime and called for continued international pressure in support of fundamental rights, the release of political prisoners, and a democratic transition.

On April 9, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released its report titled "The Foundations of Growth and Competitiveness," providing countries with a tool to implement reforms that foster productivity gains. Noting a weakening of economic growth prospects, it identifies three priorities: catalysts, market incentives, and allocative efficiency, as well as targeted and sector-specific measures.

On 10 April, the OECD published an analysis reporting a historic drop in official development assistance (ODA) in 2025, down 23.1% compared to 2024 – the sharpest decline ever recorded. According to the organisation, international funding for developing countries has fallen significantly, particularly among the world's leading donors; the five main providers—Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and France—have all reduced their ODA. Despite this overall decline – mirrored by that of the United States, which alone recorded a fall of 56.9% – four countries still exceed the UN's target of 0.7% of Gross National Income: Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden.

On April 10, President Emmanuel Macron was greeted for the first time by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Reference was made to the good relations between the Holy See and France, and the focus then shifted to important international issues, with an exchange of views on conflict situations around the world, particularly in the Middle East, in the hope of restoring peaceful coexistence through dialogue and negotiation.