The European Council has announced innovations aimed at increasing the EU's competitiveness. A controversial report put forward by former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta proposes extending the single market to energy, telecommunications and finances and authorising Brussels to grant direct subsidies to companies. Concrete measures are to be agreed after the EU elections. Europe's press suspects that reaching a consensus won't be easy.
According to a new Eurobarometer survey, 81 percent of citizens believe that voting is more important than ever in view of the current geopolitical situation. 60 percent indicated interest in the upcoming European elections - an increase of 11 percentage points compared to surveys before the last EU elections in May 2019. Europe's press comments.
Sweden passed a more liberal law on gender self-identification on Wednesday. Under the new law trans people will no longer be required to undergo a complex psychological diagnosis to change their gender in their passport; a medical report will suffice. In addition, the age for a legal gender change has been lowered to 16, although parental permission is still required, and adults will no longer need the approval of the National Board of Health and Welfare to undergo gender reassignment procedures.
Mass protests have been taking place in Georgia against the adoption of a "foreign agent" law targeting institutions that receive funding from abroad. In March 2023, protests against a similar bill ultimately led to its withdrawal. Commentators discuss the motives behind the legislation and point out parallels with Russia.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's conservative ruling HDZ party has won the parliamentary elections in Croatia. With almost all the votes counted it had secured 60 of the 151 seats in parliament. President Zoran Milanović's social democratic SDP came in second. In third place with 14 seats was the right-wing populist Homeland Movement, with which Plenković may have to form a coalition to stay in power.
Following the internationally coordinated and effective air defence against the Iranian attack on Israel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the West to show similar resolve in protecting Ukrainian airspace against Russian attacks, arguing that the example of Israel shows that Nato membership is not necessary for a country to be defended in this way. Europe's press compares the situations of the two countries.
How will Israel react to the drone and missile attack launched by Iran on the weekend? US President Joe Biden has urged restraint. Iran has warned that its response to a counterattack would be ten times stronger. Israel has said there will be a response, without offering any details. Europe's press weighs up options and scenarios.
Donald Trump became the first former US president to stand trial in criminal proceedings on Monday. He is accused of manipulating business records with the aim of covering up a hush money payment to pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump's motion for recusal against Judge Juan Merchan has been rejected. Commentators discuss the ramifications of the trial.
The UK's House of Commons on Tuesday voted 383 to 67 in favour of a bill banning future generations from buying tobacco products. The minimum age for purchase is to be gradually raised, making it illegal for anyone born after 2009 to purchase cigarettes and other such products. The bill has reignited the debate about a 'nanny state'. Where are the limits for state intervention in citizens' private lives?
A fire at the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen on Tuesday night has destroyed one of the oldest and most striking buildings in the Danish capital. In a post on X, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the fire as "our Notre Dame moment". The reactions in the Danish press reflect how shocked the country is.
In March, against the backdrop of the current war, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia declared their intention to recognise a Palestinian state. Now they are taking concrete steps: Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said he aims to achieve recognition by the end of June and is campaigning for further support for the initiative. Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheál Martin is set to present his government with a proposal for recognition. Opinions are divided.
At a humanitarian conference in Paris the international community has pledged over two billion euros in aid for Sudan. The country has been ravaged by a year of conflict between government troops and rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Millions of people are starving and on the move. Will the money be enough?