European Union

The people of Madrid elect a new regional parliament tomorrow. The current president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso of the conservative People's Party (PP), ordered a snap election after ending a coalition with the liberal Ciudadanos party. Ayuso is the favourite according to the polls and has said she would be willing to form a coalition with the far-right Vox party. Commentators focus on the way the election campaign was conducted.

In Sweden's discussion about migration policy and the honour and clan culture the focus has shifted to cousin marriages. In Gothenburg, the Social Democrats and the Sweden Democrats are calling for a nationwide education campaign on the associated medical risks. Commentators lay out historical and social arguments.

The British province of Northern Ireland turns 100 today. With the Government of Ireland Act, which came into force at the beginning of May 1921, a border was drawn on the island of Ireland for the first time and the southern and northern parts were each to form an independent government. Commentators on both sides of the border comment on past and present developments.

Prime Minister António Costa is making the right choice. The European Pillar of Social Rights is a message of hope at a time when people need it most. The Porto Social Summit on 7 May will be a decisive step towards a fairer EU that works for all.

The EU issued a declaration paying tribute on World Press Freedom Day to the essential role of journalism in upholding freedom of expression in democratic societies, and stressing the need to promote and protect it everywhere in the world.

EU institutions are holding a series of events in the run-up to Europe Day on 9 May so that people across the EU and beyond can find out more about the EU and what it does.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

EU institutions are holding a series of events in the run-up to Europe Day on 9 May so that people across the EU and beyond can find out more about the EU and what it does.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The Week Ahead 03 – 09 May 2021

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

According to an EU official, in the first week of June, the majority of EU countries should be technically ready for COVID-19 certificates which should be officially rolled out to citizens by the end of that month.