IF Germany is wrestling with uncertainties about its national identity, its small southern neighbour is struggling with political and cultural questions so alike as to be identical.

The European Union should avoid any moves towards political “centralisation” or else Austria could hold a referendum on membership of the bloc within a year, a far-right candidate who almost won the country’s presidential election said.

The rise in the number of far-right MEPs who say the people should decide everything, not the EU, poses a serious threat to the work of the institution, writes Europe Correspondent Ann Cahill

France’s far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen told a Sunday paper that she expects her party to get enough votes in the May 22 to 25 European elections to form a bloc with other Eurosceptics that can stop the EU’s progress.