Meanwhile In Europe June 10th, 2025: UK government spending review, EU rising security concerns with Russia, and restructuring within the German government

In UK politics, particularly the final, tense day of the Labour government's spending review led by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Key points include heated internal conflicts between the Home Office and Treasury over funding, potentially leading to cuts. A significant "red-on-red" conflict is brewing over the anticipated elimination of London's £144 million funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund after 2026. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner may miss her housing targets. The government performed a politically damaging U-turn on Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners, encouraging calls to scrap other welfare cuts. There was a major announcement of £14.2 billion investment in Sizewell C nuclear plant. Opposition news includes Reform UK's new chairman and polling on merging with the Conservatives, and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch acknowledging that losing control of immigration under Boris Johnson will "forever have... hung around our necks". Other UK developments include warnings against raising family visa income thresholds and a potential free vote on decriminalizing abortion after 24 weeks.We also cover EU foreign policy, security, and the rise of nationalist parties across Europe. India's Minister for External Affairs is in Brussels discussing trade, with a free trade agreement on track despite sticking points like the CBAM. He also commented on Ukraine and warned India would pursue terrorism into Pakistan. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte issued a stark warning that Russia could attack a NATO country within five years, a concern echoed by Germany's intelligence chief. NATO allies are expected to agree to a new defense spending target of 5% of GDP. Top nationalist leaders like Marine Le Pen, Viktor Orbán, and Matteo Salvini held a rally, highlighting their European election success but also internal divisions shown by Orbán's pro-Kremlin remarks. Dutch politics saw the liberal VVD party ruling out a coalition with Geert Wilders' far-right party. Other EU issues include the interception of a Gaza aid yacht carrying an MEP, concerns in Brussels over Poland's new populist president despite government assurances, and an EU report noting growing online hate speech and gender-based violence.We also take a look at the German government, hypothetically led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. A new Chancellery organizational chart reveals a difficult and ongoing restructuring. Criticisms include the leadership being described as a "Merz Boyband" due to a lack of women in top roles and many positions remaining unfilled. New processes are being implemented to prevent Germany from abstaining on EU votes due to internal disagreements, which conflicts with the goal of reducing government staff. Domestic issues include warnings of increasing radicalization among young people. The debate over banning the AfD party continues, with a state minister arguing legal conditions are met but no political majority exists federally. State interior ministers are discussing strategies against organized crime, including potentially lowering the cash transaction limit. Defense discussions include the NATO warning about Russia (mentioned again) and growing momentum for reintroducing compulsory military service.These briefings collectively highlight significant political and security developments across various European nations and the EU institutions, covering domestic challenges, foreign policy interactions, and responses to geopolitical threats and political trends.