…and back in Sweden, the country’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson has just been speaking to the SVT television after attending the memorial service in Örebro.

He spoke of “silent dignity” of the service, and acknowledged that there are “so many questions, so few answers,” before adding that “today is not the day for answers, but that day will come.”

He said police were “working intensively” to progress the investigation, repeated calls to avoid speculation or disinformation, and insisted that for now the focus should be on victims and supporting others affected by the attack.

French prime minister Bayrou almost certain to survive vote of no confidence

Kim Willsher

in Paris

François Bayrou, the French prime minister, is almost certain to survive a vote of no confidence on Wednesday after the move that threatened to topple the government – for the second time in two months – lost the support of socialists and the far right.

The decision by the Socialist party (PS) not to support the censure motion infuriated leftwing partners in the New Popular Front (NFP) and could torpedo the alliance that collectively won the most seats in the last general election.

The hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) submitted two no confidence motions on Monday immediately after Bayrou used a constitutional clause known as “49.3” to pass key budget bills in the Assemblée Nationale without a vote.

Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was “a little more optimistic today compared to yesterday” about the situation in Santorini and neighbouring islands, but cautioned that he was not in a position to make definite predictions.

Speaking at a meeting with leading scientists, he said there were three separate issues, with the most worrying phenomenon linked to the Andyros fault near the islet of Andyros, but insisted these were being monitored in real time.

He also repeated the call for islanders to remain calm and follow directions from local authorities.

German prosecutors said Wednesday they are probing incidents of cars being damaged, with a media report suggesting a link to Russian interference in the country’s election campaign aiming to discredit the Greens party, AFP reports.

Prosecutors in the southern city of Ulm said four people aged between 17 and 29 were being investigated for “damage to property”. The suspects come from countries including Romania, Serbia and Bosnia.

They are suspected of involvement in more than 100 incidents in which car exhaust pipes were blocked with construction foam, leaving thousands of dollars worth of damage.

In December prosecutors in the northern state of Brandenburg said they were also investigating incidents in which 43 cars were damaged with construction foam and had “stickers with political content” left on their windows.

According to the Spiegel news site, similar acts of vandalism have been reported across the country, with stickers attached to car windows reading: “Be greener!”

The incidents were initially reported in some media as being the work of radical climate activists. According to the Spiegel news site, suspicion has now fallen on Russia-linked election meddling.

According to Spiegel, one suspect told police that a Russian man had commissioned the vandalism and given detailed instructions.

He is said to have asked for photos of the damaged cars as proof and promised the suspects a 100 euro ($104) bonus per car.

Germany’s intelligence services have been sounding the alarm for months about possible Russian attempts to meddle in German politics, particularly ahead of a national election on 23 February, AFP notes.

Ireland is setting up an advisory panel of senior US-based businesspeople to “ensure that the government hears directly from senior US-based business people,” foreign minister Simon Harris announced.

Separately, a new Consultative Group on International Trade Policy will help to discuss broader trade issues such as “protectionism, national security concerns and geo-strategic considerations are increasingly shaping national policies on international trade, including in some of Ireland’s largest trade partners.”

(Who could he possibly be thinking about?)

My colleague Lisa O’Carroll reported last week that there was a heightened sense of nervousness in Ireland that Trump’s rhetoric could translate to an attempt to repatriate jobs and taxes from the 950 US companies there.

Mostly US-owned foreign multinationals employ about 11% of Irish workers and the funding of public services is hugely reliant on the corporate tax they pay. Just three big U.S. companies account for about one in every eight euros of total tax collected in Ireland, Reuters noted today.

Jakub Krupa

As the memorial service comes to an end, let us take a quick look at what else is happening in Europe today.

But don’t worry: I will keep an eye on Sweden and bring you the latest if there are any further updates.

“A city in shock, a country in shock” – memorial service under way

Miranda Bryant

Nordic correspondent

A memorial service is now under way at St. Nicolai Church in Örebro, with the royals and the prime minister with his wife sitting in the front pew.

The priest opens with the words: “A city in shock, a country in shock.”

The royals led candle lighting, alongside the prime minister and other party leaders, including former prime minister Magdalena Andersson.

The service is attended by representatives of multiple faiths, who also lit candles.

‘Where did the beautiful Sweden go?’ Queen Silvia says

Miranda Bryant

Nordic correspondent

Speaking to the media after the visit, Queen Silvia said:

I have a big wish for the whole of the Swedish people. Where did the beautiful Sweden go? I really want to ask everyone to help build it up again. To strengthen, I don’t want to say the reputation, but the name. What it means to be Swedish.

Both royals were visibly upset when at the scene and speaking with the media, with Silvia admitting that she was “finding it a little bit difficult to talk at the moment”.

‘The whole of Sweden is mourning,’ Swedish monarch says

Miranda Bryant

Nordic correspondent

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia are visiting a memorial near the scene of yesterday’s shooting in Örebro.

The king told reporters that he and the queen are “extremely upset” by what happened in Örebro as he visited the site of the school.

He said: “We want them to feel that they are not alone in their mourning”. “The whole of Sweden is in mourning.”

But, he added: “There is always hope for the future.”

Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristerssen is also there.

In other news, we’re getting more details on US vice-president JD Vance’s European tour this month, his first since taking office in January.

Trump’s No.2 is expected to attend the AI Action Summit in Paris (10-11 February), and then the Munich Security Conference in Germany (14-16 February).

A French diplomatic source told Reuters plans about his Paris trip yesterday, and the German leg has just been confirmed by chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit, AFP said.

At this early stage of investigation, there is no indication of a terrorist motive for the Brussels shooting, the Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to the Guardian.

In an emailed statement, it confirmed that the police was alerted to the shooting around 6am local time.

Several shotgun cartridges were secured at the scene.

The investigation is continuing after CCTV cameras showed two suspects fleeing into the metro tunnels.

No arrests have been made at this stage. No one was injured.

Örebro attack ‘forever mark a dark day in Swedish history,’ PM Kristersson says

Miranda Bryant

Nordic correspondent

Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson has said Tuesday will “forever mark a dark day in Swedish history” as he urged the country to come together as a nation.

He invited party leaders to a meeting on Thursday where the justice minister and the police authority will update them on the latest information about the shooting. The meeting will begin with a minute’s silence.

Kristersson said:

Tuesday, 4 February, will forever mark a dark day in Swedish history.

Today, people have woken up to unimaginable sadness and pain. For those who have lost a loved one, life will never be the same again.

We are a country in mourning and we must all come together – as a nation, as fellow human beings and as leaders of the parties in the Riksdag.

Together, we must help the injured and their families to bear the grief and weight of this day. That is why it is important for me to invite the party leaders of the Riksdag to the meeting tomorrow.

He also said that a national minute silence will be held at a later stage, with further information to follow.

Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson and justice minister Gunnar Strömmer will visit Örebro today, the government has confirmed.

Just like the royals, they will also take part in a memorial service at a local church.

Belgian Le Soir daily is reporting there are no injuries after the Brussels shooting, quoting a local police spokesperson. Officers are searching the area as they try to find the suspects.

Local media are suggesting the shooting could be linked to drug gang activities in the area.