European Union

Efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus are putting a major strain on Europe's healthcare systems and economies: hospitals are having to turn away patients, entire business sectors are crippled, and now schools are being closed. The situation is also taking a heavy toll on the people. Commentators examine the changes the virus is producing at all levels of society.

Public transport in Luxembourg has been free of charge since the beginning of March. With this step the country hopes to convince its citizens - many of whom are car lovers - to use buses, trains and trams instead. But the media are less than enthusiastic and criticise the government's self-congratulatory attitude.

The Latvian parliament decided this week to stop adoptions of Latvian children by individuals or couples from other countries. A change in the law is intended to prevent such adoptions completely in the future. Around 1,400 Latvian children have been adopted by non-Latvian parents living abroad in the past ten years. A debate has broken out in the country about whether this is a disgrace for Latvia or a necessity in terms of child welfare.

After the dissolution of the Romanian minority government under PNL leader Ludovic Orban at the beginning of February, there should finally be a new government. But on Thursday, Prime Minister designate Florin Cîțu withdrew his mandate shortly before the parliamentary vote. Do President Klaus Iohannis and the PNL want early elections at any cost, as some commentators in Romania suspect, or what is behind the move?

The Romanian government has entered auto-isolation mode after a senator was confirmed positive with novel coronavirus, COVID-19.