European media reacted with confusion and derision to Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister on Monday, with an Italian newspaper slamming his 'zero charisma'. Across the continent, newspapers delivered harsh verdicts on the departing British leader, who was forced out by his own party.
German and Italian press lead the criticism
In Germany, the centre-left newspaper Der Spiegel took aim at the revolving door of Downing Street, dubbing Number 10 an 'ejector seat' as Britain prepares to welcome its seventh Prime Minister in a decade. The paper highlighted the political farce of the rapid turnover in leadership.
Italy's left-wing La Repubblica did not hold back, attributing Starmer's downfall to 'zero charisma, poor decisions, scant vision of the future'. The assessment was echoed by France's Le Figaro, which noted his 'lack of charisma' and absence of the 'flamboyance of Tony Blair'.
Italian confusion over Starmer's unpopularity
Italy's most popular newspaper, Corriere della Sera, reacted with confusion at the state of British politics, asking readers: 'How is it possible that Starmer has become the most unpopular prime minister in modern history, more than the clown-like Boris Johnson, more than Liz Truss, who brought the UK to the brink of bankruptcy in seven weeks?' The question underscores the scale of Starmer's unpopularity compared to his predecessors.
Spanish and French tie turmoil to Brexit
In Spain, the socialist-leaning El País linked the turmoil in Downing Street to the UK's 2016 referendum on EU membership, arguing that Britain had endured 'the ten years of Brexit that installed misgovernment in the United Kingdom'. The paper suggested that the political instability is a direct consequence of the Brexit vote.
French President Emmanuel Macron offered a more diplomatic response on X, thanking Starmer for his 'contribution to strengthening the Franco-British relationship, his commitment within the coalition of volunteers for Ukraine, as well as to the revival of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.'
International leaders offer thanks
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky also praised Starmer on X, writing: 'Keir, thank you for all our cooperation, your support, and the joint decisions that have helped make our Europe and our protection of life stronger.' He added that Starmer was 'always a welcome guest in Ukraine'.
Despite the international thanks, the overwhelming tone from European media was one of criticism and confusion over how Starmer's leadership ended so abruptly, with many pointing to his lack of charisma and poor decision-making as key factors.
