The European Commission's new president-elect has laid out an ambitious vision for the bloc's future. A challenging economic and political environment, however, will likely keep most of her proposals from ever seeing daylight.
After years of uninterrupted growth, Lisbon's high debt levels and an influx of trade uncertainty risk bringing Europe's economic slowdown closer to Portugal's shores.
Just as the factors driving Berlin's economic malaise extend far beyond its borders, the impact of Germany's slow growth will reverberate across Europe.
The Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party have agreed to govern together. But should they fail to bridge their policy differences, the alliance could be short-lived.
The League tried to force an early election by scuttling the ruling coalition. But some political horse trading could thwart the right-wing party's aims -- and shut it out of a new government.
Failure to appoint a new government could still mean new elections.
The collapse of the coalition between the right-wing League party and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement seems imminent now that League leader Matteo Salvini has asked for an early general election.
After more than four years of left-wing leadership, Greece's government is now under the control of a conservative party. But the lingering effects of the long Greek economic crisis will dampen the incoming administration's pro-business ambitions.
Significant negotiations will probably take place in the coming days to make sure that Continental lawmakers ratify the nominations for the top spots in the European Union.
Greece's next government will inherit an economy still reeling from the aftermath of a decadeslong crisis, delaying its recovery.
