European Union

The groundwork is being laid and candidates are being selected across Europe for the European Parliament elections 2019. Not just since the announcement by US right-wing extremist Steve Bannon that he would support Europe's right-wing populists have fears been mounting that illiberal parties will make major gains. Journalists discuss what can be done to counter this trend.

In his annual speech in the Romanian spa town of Băile Tușnad Viktor Orbán called on the people to vote the "liberal elite" out of office in next year's elections to the European Parliament. In 2014 Orbán had already announced his commitment to the "illiberal democracy" that has spread in Europe. How programmatic are his statements this time?

Eight months before the deadline for the UK leaving the EU, fears about the impact of a hard Brexit without a deal with Europe are growing. The media must refrain from creating panic among the people with horror scenarios, some commentators criticise. Other warn that not just the British should be worried about underestimating the consequences.

Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated in Russia against a planned pension reform. Moscow wants to raise the retirement age progressively, from 60 to 65 for men and from 55 to 63 for women. While some commentators see the reform as crucial, for others it's pure cynicism.

The danger of an imminent escalation of the trade dispute with the US seems to have been averted in the wake of the agreement reached between US President Trump and EU Commission President Juncker. But Trump's attacks will continue because they are justified, some commentators believe. And Europe must take care not to alienate Asia through its compromises with the US, others warn.

The Commission is satisfied with its Western Balkans strategy, as it has triggered a new dynamic in the region. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, however, pleads for realism.

Back in Belgium after Spain lifted a European Arrest Warrant against him, the separatist former leader wants to be the real power behind the region's government and a new push for independence.

The Financial Times on Monday reported that Miguel Arias Canete, the EU energy commissioner, wants EU states to set new carbon reduction targets for this year. He wants the EU to increase its carbon reduction target to 45 per cent by 2030, up from the current target of 40 per cent, relative to 1990 levels."We have to press the throttle," he said.