On 16 July, the European Commission published two sets of binding measures for Google, to ensure the company complies with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The first set aims to ensure fair competition among artificial intelligence services by ensuring that competitors to Google's AI services have equal access to the features of Android devices. The second set of measures broadens access to search engine data, which only Google Search is currently able to collect on a large scale.

On 17 July, the European Commission presented its Electrification Action Plan, which aims to make Europe the first electrified continent and to strengthen the European carbon market. Recent geopolitical shocks have highlighted Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels. In light of this and to accelerate the continent's clean energy transition, the Commission plans to assess an indicative electrification target of 46 per cent by 2040 as part of the post-2030 Energy Union package. Similarly, it intends to review and modernise the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Until 27 July, the 35th Patrimonio Guitar Nights are taking place at the Théâtre de Verdure in the wine-growing village of Cap Corse. Established in 1990, this festival has become one of the Mediterranean's major summer music events whilst retaining its unique identity: bringing together the world's leading guitarists with artists from the worlds of chanson, rock, jazz, blues, flamenco, reggae and world music in an intimate setting.

Until 3 October, Seville is hosting the Flamenco Biennial, an unmissable event for lovers of this artistic form that blends traditional Andalusian song and dance. The programme, which runs for a month, includes performances as well as classes, talks and discussions.

On 11 August, the judge András Baka was elected President of the Republic by the Hungarian Members of Parliament. A former President of the Hungarian Supreme Court, he was removed from office in 2012 for his opposition to the judicial reform sought by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. His appointment by the new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, follows the removal from office of President Tamás Sulyok, and forms part of a wider effort to curb the influence of Fidesz, Viktor Orbán's party, on the Hungarian political system. He took office on 19 August for a five-year term.

On 31 August, the Commission designated ChatGPT as a "very large online search engine" within the meaning of the European Digital Services Act (DSA). As such, ChatGPT will now have to comply with stricter obligations, particularly regarding the assessment and mitigation of systemic risks associated with its activities. ChatGPT is also already subject to the European AI Act, which came into force in August 2024.

French President Emmanuel Macron travelled to Eindhoven in the Netherlands on 2 September to meet Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten to discuss their shared priorities for strengthening European sovereignty, against an international backdrop characterised by significant imbalances and profound economic and technological transformations.

On 14 July, the National Day parade celebrated the "Strategic Awakening of Europe", highlighting the synergy between the armed forces and internal security forces in protecting the nation and its allies. Attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the guest of honour, the event also brought together the 35 member states of the Coalition of the Willing, a Franco-British initiative that aims to pave the way for lasting peace in Ukraine.

On 6 July, on his first overseas visit, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu travelled to Rabat accompanied by twelve ministers. During his meeting with his counterpart Aziz Akhannouch, they described their bilateral relations as "extremely positive". In addition to signing eleven cooperation agreements (covering security, the economy, transport and culture), the Prime Minister announced the drafting of a groundbreaking bilateral treaty, which would be the first of its kind signed by France with a country outside the European Union.

On 19 July, Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok promulgated the 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law, officially bringing his term of office to an end upon the text's entry into force. Elected in March 2024, he stated that he was legally obliged to sign this reform, whilst denouncing it as an attack on the rule of law and democratic principles. Driven by Péter Magyar's government, this amendment forms part of a wide-ranging programme to dismantle the legacy of the Orbán era. It provides for a twelve-year limit on parliamentary terms of office, an age limit of 70 for judges of the Constitutional Court, and paves the way for the election of a new head of state. On 20 July, Prime Minister Péter Magyar nominated Judit Polgár, a renowned chess player, as president.

On 23 July, the Council adopted the 21st round of sanctions against Russia. Seeking to increase economic pressure on Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine, the European Union is, in particular, tightening restrictions targeting the Russian financial and energy sectors. In particular, the package introduces new bans on transactions with Russian financial institutions and certain banks in third countries. It strengthens measures targeting the oil sector and the Russian 'ghost fleet', and extends restrictions on the export of dual-use goods and technologies to new entities. The package also includes new individual sanctions targeting persons and entities linked to Russia.

On 19 July, Spain were crowned world champions after beating Argentina 1–0 in extra time. La Roja have thus secured their second World Cup title, sixteen years after their first victory in South Africa in 2010, and have cemented their status as the best team of the moment following their victory at Euro 2024. This final also marked Lionel Messi's last World Cup appearance, which ended with a second-place finish for Argentina, the defending champions since their victory in Qatar in 2022.

On 10 July, Frontex published its latest statistics on irregular crossings of the European Union's borders, reporting a 37 per cent fall during the first six months of 2026. This first half of the year was marked by the entry into force of the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum. Among the key findings, the agency recorded a 67 per cent fall in detections along the West African route, whilst the western Mediterranean was the only major route to see an increase of 17 per cent.

On 17 July, the European Commission published its seventh annual report on the rule of law, which provides an assessment of all Member States and four candidate countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. This latest edition confirms a generally positive trend, with the completion and further development of substantial reforms in the areas of justice, the fight against corruption, media pluralism and institutional checks and balances.

On 17 July, the European Commission adopted a communication on the competitiveness of the European Union's banking sector, setting out measures aimed at strengthening the sector and supporting its growth. In response to the challenges hampering the growth of the banking system, the measures aim to achieve three objectives: removing barriers to cross-border banking, applying international standards whilst taking into account the specific characteristics of the EU, and simplifying the regulatory framework for banks.

On 20 July, Andy Burnham became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeding Keir Starmer, after being elected leader of the Labour Party. A former minister and Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, he is the seventh head of the British government in ten years, set against a backdrop of significant political instability. In his first speech at Downing Street, he pledged to restore confidence in the institutions, improve the standard of living for the British people and boost economic growth, whilst continuing to support Ukraine and strengthening relations with European partners. He is also expected to carry out a cabinet reshuffle and introduce a number of reforms relating to devolution, transport, housing and public services.