While the official results of the EU elections are not yet in, the trend is clear: the liberals, greens and social democrats left have lost considerable ground, while the conservatives, right-wing populists and far right have made strong gains. This means a clear shift to the right in the balance of power in Strasbourg. Commentators in Europe's press take different views of how significant the shift is and what impact it will have.
Twelve months after the boat tragedy off the south-west coast of Greece many questions remain unanswered. What is clear is that on 14 June 2023 an overloaded fishing trawler capsized on its way from Libya to Italy. According to the UN it was carrying more than 750 migrants. Some 104 were rescued and 82 bodies were recovered. Serious accusations were levelled against the Greek coast guard in the aftermath. The press takes stock.
Ursula von der Leyen's European People's Party (EPP) remains the strongest group in the EU Parliament and, together with its previous social democratic and liberal partners, still has a majority despite considerable losses. But von der Leyen's confirmation for a second term as EU Commission President is by no means a mere formality, Europe's press stresses.
France is in turmoil following the dramatic victory of the right-wing nationalist Rassemblement National (RN) in the European elections. President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly on Sunday and announced a snap election for 30 June and 7 July. Then on Wednesday the conservative Les Républicains (LR) party announced the expulsion of their leader Eric Ciotti after he announced his intention to work with the RN.
The nationalists of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), who want more autonomy for Flanders, have won the general election in Belgium, with the far-right Vlaams Belang (VB) party coming in second. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced his resignation after his liberal party Open VLD suffered considerable losses. Now N-VA leader Bart De Wever has the task of forging a coalition government. What lies ahead for the country?
Spain's government has proposed a legislative package aimed at protecting children from online threats. The measures include raising the age for opening social media accounts from 14 to 16, banning access to video games with random rewards (loot boxes) for under-18s, and internet addiction tests. Device manufacturers would be required to incorporate parental control tools and age verification as standard.
Bulgaria held its sixth parliamentary election in three years together with the European elections. Former prime minister Boyko Borisov's conservative Gerb party won, securing just over a quarter of the vote, followed by the Turkish minority party DPS. The reform-oriented PP, the party that formed the last government, only came third. Commentators still don't see an end to the deadlock.
The votes are still being counted but the winners and losers of the EU elections are already emerging: the conservative EPP and far-right groups ECR and ID have gained seats in the single-digit range, while the Greens and Liberals have lost seats in the double-digit range. Commentators focus on the weak performance of the ruling parties in Paris and Berlin.
Benny Gantz has resigned from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government. With this step the popular former military chief made good on his threat to withdraw his support from the war cabinet formed after the Hamas terrorist attack if the head of government failed to present a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip. But even without Gantz's party Netanyahu still commands a parliamentary majority.
Turkey wants to join the Brics economic community, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during his visit to China last week - the first by a high-ranking Turkish politician in 12 years. Fidan is now due to travel to a meeting of Brics foreign ministers in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on Tuesday. Commentators examine what this means for relations between Ankara and Brussels.