Romania and Bulgaria are set to become full members of the Schengen Area as of 1 January 2025. Austria has given up its opposition and the EU interior ministers gave the green light for the accession of both countries today, Thursday. Currently, for Romanians and Bulgarians freedom of travel only applies for air travel. Commentators debate the significance of this step.
After the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, which was long supported by Russia and Iran, it remains unclear what direction the country's foreign policy will take. While the leader of the victorious Islamists, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, has said he does not want to lead the country into another war, Israel has already launched widespread airstrikes against military installations in the south of the country. The press spotlights the various interests at play.
Ten days after the Romanian parliamentary elections, the Social Democrats (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the liberal Save Romania Union (USR), the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) and a faction consisting of 19 representatives of other ethnic minorities have agreed to form a pro-European coalition. The alliance also plans to put forward a joint candidate in the re-run of the annulled presidential election. Is this a viable strategy?
In the wake of Assad's fall from power, several European states have suspended asylum proceedings for Syrians and plan to rethink their policies regarding refugees from the country. Around six million people have fled Syria since the outbreak of civil war in 2011. Commentators question whether the conditions for a safe return are in place - and whether this is the debate Europe should be focusing on right now.
Almost five years after Brexit, the UK wants to rebuild closer ties with the EU on trade and defence policy. On Monday Rachel Reeves became the first Chancellor of the Exchequer to take part in a Eurogroup meeting since Brexit was finalised. The British press voices scepticism for a variety of reasons.
The Swedish government's plans to promote the construction of new nuclear reactors with state subsidies and profit guarantees for participating companies have met with widespread criticism. Many experts, companies and authorities fear that the planned expansion of nuclear power will be too expensive and only hamper the development of renewable energies. The Swedish press is divided.
A quarter of a century after the negotiations began, the EU and the Mercosur states of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay have reached an agreement on a free-trade zone. The deal aims to boost trade by lowering customs duties and facilitating investments. France, Italy and Poland expressed reservations until the very end. Commentators are also at odds over the merits of the project.
Argentina's ultra-liberal President Javier Milei has been in office for a year and, as announced, has imposed a tough austerity programme on the country. Thousands of public sector jobs have been axed, the national budget has shrunk and millions in subsidies have been scrapped. Commentators' views on his policies are mixed.
A runoff vote for the presidency that was due to take place in Romania on Sunday was cancelled because the Constitutional Court has annulled the first round of voting which the far-right candidate Călin Georgescu won due to suspected manipulation. According to intelligence reports, there was an "aggressive Russian hybrid attack". The Romanian and European press discuss whether or not this was a wise decision.
After the French government was toppled in a vote of no confidence, President Emmanuel Macron has rejected calls for his resignation. In an address to the nation, he said he would fulfil his mandate until the end of his term of office in 2027 and appoint a new prime minister to form a 'government of the general interest'. Commentators discuss what should be done to stabilise the country.
Five years ago, images of the burning Notre-Dame Cathedral went around the world. The cause of the fire has still not been established. Now the cathedral, a key Parisian landmark, will reopen on the weekend. The embattled French President Emmanuel Macron, will give a speech in the presence of numerous heads of state and government. The press takes stock.