Several opposition representatives told Euractiv they expect the EU to respond with measures once the mass protest "shows the will of the people".

The response from other leaders and European politicians has largely been one of concern and hesitance.

"We noted cases of vote buying and double voting before and during elections, especially in rural areas," they said.

The European Commission is expected to present its so-called enlargement package in the coming week.

If the left-leaning Social Democrats (SD) succeed in forming a government, they are expected to maintain Lithuania's hawkish stance against Russia and hefty defence spending.

This is yet another call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Ukraine's Western allies to step up shipments of long-range weaponry and air defence systems to protect the country's cities.

Six consecutive votes so far in just three years have failed to yield a stable government. In the meantime, support for the ultra-nationalist and pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party has increased.

Rival exit polls, however, had given markedly different projections, giving each side a win.

In the months leading up to the election, the Georgian government’s anti-corruption bureau has accused election monitors of partisanship and falling under the category of 'foreign agents'.

Kyiv was enraged by Guterres's appearance at the event in the city of Kazan on Thursday and his handshake with its host, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iranian media reported multiple explosions over several hours in the capital and at nearby military bases, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The Commission gives around €9 million a year to health NGOs through EU4Health, a budget that is expected to be halved by 2025.

Renewable hydrogen projects were among the winners of a €4.8 billion grant from the European Commission’s Innovation Fund, but Germany has requested market rules are adjusted for renewable hydrogen.

Euractiv’s team of healthcare journalists reports daily on health-related stories from the Member States - one of our key thematics is the EU Pharma Package. Read health news and coverage of current events within the EU pharmaceutical industry.

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un has realised that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could bring him benefits.

The arbitration tribunal will rule within six months whether the UK's decision is in line with the EU-UK trade agreement.

If confirmed as commissioner, the Portuguese nominee will pursue full application of the 'Basel 3 Endgame.'

“There is the potential to open a new phase with our British friends, but it’s not down to use to define what this ‘reset’ means in practice: it’s on them," Gozi told Euractiv in an interview.

Any softening of sanctions by Washington would leave Europe in a difficult position, as it is the United States, with sweeping powers to punish sanctions busting globally, that primarily enforces the rules.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres comes under fire from many quarters for his Moscow visit, but the EU defended his move.