Drones shut down Brussels airport overnight with further sightings reported over military airbases – Europe live | Belgium
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Koolmees chooses to ‘spy on’ early coalition talks in Netherlands
inside Hollandformer senior minister Wouter Koolmees, of the centrist D66 party, was chosen as a “spotter” to lead early exploratory talks on the formation of the next Dutch government.
It was Koolmees had previously been involved in negotiating coalition arrangements In 2017 and 2021, he joined Mark Rutte’s governments as social affairs minister and briefly deputy prime minister.
In a formal letter containing instructions, Rob Jetten, leader of D66, which won the election last week, said he wanted a “stable cabinet” with “broad support” for him.
Room He stated that a broad coalition consisting of D66, liberal-conservative VVD, centre-left GL-PvdA and centrist CDA was preferred, It will have 86 seats in the 150-seat parliament.
In the letter sent to X, Jetten, a possible future prime minister, said: “After a long period of stagnation and instability, [the Dutch people] We long for a politics of determination and connectionsomething that resonates with as many Dutch people as possible.
Outlining some of the new government’s key priorities housing, education, climate, migration and economy – he said, “It is up to this generation of politicians to restore the Dutch people’s confidence that politics can really improve their lives.”
Scout will now begin talks to see what’s possibleThe VVD was expected to be the most difficult party to join, having previously been seen as ruling out a coalition with the centre-left GL-PvdA.
But as part of his role, Koolmees will also look beyond the preferred scenario and talk to eight party leaders today, NOS reported. Its preliminary report will be presented to parliament by 11 November, and a debate on next steps is planned for 13 November.
Latvia postponed its decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention on violence against women
In other news Latvian parliament postponed its decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention against violence against women, After the reaction of the country’s president and the protesters.
In a repeat vote on Wednesday morning, after the president Edgars Rinkēvičs Having sent the original bill back to parliament, MPs agreed to postpone the decision on this issue until November 2026.
Parliament originally voted to withdraw late last month. The agreement introduces a definition of gender that goes beyond biological sex, Reuters said he framed it as a social construct.
MPs also argued that: National protections in Latvian law are sufficiently stringent, and withdrawal will not significantly change the legal situation.
But today’s move effectively means:The decision will be made by the next parliament. Latvia is expected to hold parliamentary elections in October 2026, potentially making the issue a major election issue.
Prime minister Evika Siliņa He welcomed the move and said it was “a victory for democracy, the rule of law and women’s rights”.
“This is a victory for the Latvian people. Latvia is a reliable partner and ally and remains committed to European values,” he said.
In another drone incident The local mayor of the city of Diest confirmed that four more drones were spotted over the Schaffen military base in the city last night.
Geert Cluckers he said A post on Facebook “There is no reason to panic, but of course our security services remain very vigilant.”
It has been confirmed that the meeting of the Belgian national security council on drones will be held on Thursday
Meeting of Belgium’s national security council on drone blackouts was confirmed on Thursday Morning, Nieuwsblad and De Standaard reported.
Morning opening: Drones again
Yakup Krupa
Brussels airport was forced to close on Tuesday night after drone sightings were reportedIt disrupted dozens of flights and the journeys of thousands of passengers.
like that The latest example of drones affecting civil airports in Europe There is growing unease about the disruption they cause and the potential reasons behind their use.
Flights resumed on Wednesday morning. However, some disruptions continued as planes were reported to be out of position due to the closure of the airport. Niuewsblad reported. Due to the images, approximately 400-500 passengers had to spend the night at the airport.
Separately, Drones were also reported to be seen near the Kleine-Brogel and Florennes military air bases and a regional airport Liège.
Belgian interior minister Bernard QuintinHe said the country “cannot accept the disruption of our airports due to unauthorized drone flights” and called for a “coordinated and national response”.
Belgium’s national security council may meet today or tomorrow See you to discuss the incident.
However did not want to jump to conclusions about who could be behind these imagesVRT flew their drones, saying “It could be Russia or it could be a hobbyist” and left it open to investigation. reported.
Let’s see what updates we will get about this incident during the day. There is no doubt that the European Commission, as well as the NATO secretary general, will be asked questions about this issue in their daily briefings Mark RutteWhat’s happening in Romania today.
His Wednesday, November 5, 2025, his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
