Talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine have so far failed to produce any tangible results. Russia continues its airstrikes on Ukrainian cities with undiminished intensity, and Ukraine has responded by shelling Russian oil facilities while the fighting continues on the front. Europe's commentators discuss the prerequisites for peace and assess the chances of achieving it.
Thousands of teachers and students took to the streets of Bucharest on Monday to protest the government's austerity measures in the education sector and demand the resignation of Education Minister Daniel David. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan maintains that Romania "can't afford" any more investments in the sector at present.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou will ask National Assembly for a vote of confidence in his government today. After less than nine months in office, Bayrou is expected to lose the vote since the opposition has made it clear that it is no longer willing to support his minority government. The key issue is Bayrou's controversial austerity budget for combating the French debt crisis. Europe's media debate the causes, consequences and potential solutions.
After the Elevador de Glória funicular crashed in Lisbon leaving 16 people dead, the city's mayor Carlos Moedas is facing fierce criticism. Four years ago, following a political scandal during his predecessor Fernando Medina's term of office, Moedas had demanded that politicians also assume responsibility for incidents that are not directly related to their actions.
Many in the crisis-ridden British Labour Party had high hopes for her. Now Angela Rayner has had to resign from her posts as Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing because she paid too little land transfer tax on a property. UK media assess the affair also in view of her social background.