Xi Jinping is visiting the EU for the first time since the pandemic this week. French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting him in Paris today, Monday, together with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. China's stance on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is expected to play a major role in their talks. Brussels is not on Xi's itinerary, but he will be visiting Serbia and Hungary.

The Tories have suffered a crushing defeat in local elections in England and Wales, losing around half of their seats, while Labour made gains in key areas. Commentators take stock with an eye to the general election, which will be held in January 2025 at the latest.

The EU plans to pay one billion euros in aid to Lebanon in exchange for its help in curbing the illegal immigration of Syrians to Europe, in particular via Cyprus. The agreement follows similar deals with Egypt, Tunisia and Mauritania. Commentators criticise the choice of partner and the timing, as well as this type of deal in general.

Mass protests against the adoption of a "foreign agent" law, which stipulates that media and organisations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad must disclose their income, are gaining momentum in Georgia. In March 2023, protests against a similar bill ultimately led to its withdrawal. What to make of the current developments - not least in light of Georgia's recently acquired EU candidate status?

To mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, Reporters Without Borders has published a report with a ranking comparing the situation for journalists in 180 countries in areas such as safety, independence and access to information. Commentators warn of potential dangers but also see cause for optimism.

On 1 May 2004, the European Union gained ten new member states when Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus joined. What are the results?

For more than 130 years people have demonstrated for better working conditions and wages every year on 1 May. Europe's press looks at the significance of the public holiday, the importance of work today, and how to improve the situation for workers.

Dublin has blamed the controversial Rwanda deal in the UK for a surge in the number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak categorically rejected any discussion about their returning from Ireland to the UK, pointing out that Paris has also been intransigent towards London on this issue. Commentators see a dispute in which there are many losers and no winners.

The negotiations between Israel and the radical Islamic organisation Hamas are apparently making progress. According to the British Foreign Office, Israel has made an offer of a 40-day ceasefire in return for the release of Israeli hostages. Commentators discuss whether the impending offensive in Rafah can still be prevented.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf announced his resignation on Monday - just over a year after taking office. He was facing a vote of no confidence in the Scottish parliament after his Scottish National Party (SNP) terminated its power sharing deal with the Scottish Greens over a dispute about climate targets. The press blames Yousaf and his SNP for the government's collapse.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will not be stepping down. After suspending his official duties last week he announced on Monday that he would continue as head of government "with more energy if possible". Sanchez had said he was considering resigning after the right-wing organisation Manos Limpias filed a lawsuit accusing his wife, Begoña Gómez, of corruption. Thousands of Spaniards took to the streets over the weekend calling on him to remain in office.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has called for his country to pay reparations to its former colonies, for example by cancelling their debts. Of all the colonial powers, Portugal is the European country with the longest involvement in the slave trade. The topic is sensitive, as a glance at the commentaries shows.