European Union

At least 80 people have died in wildfires in the Athens area. Firefighters now have the blazes for the most part under control. Several EU countries have offered help, and Italy and Romania have sent in fire-fighting planes. Commentators list the causes for the fires and reflect on ways to prevent such disasters.

As a result of Poland's judicial reform, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Wednesday that EU member states can refuse to enforce Polish arrest warrants if they have grounds to believe that suspects extradited to Poland would not receive a fair trial. Commentators view the decision as both a source of relief and a disaster.

Ryanair cabin crews in Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal started a two-day strike on Wednesday, demanding better pay and working conditions. Across Europe roughly 500 of the low-cost carrier's flights have been cancelled. Commentators back the employees' demands.

Migration to the cities and deserted rural areas can be observed in many countries of Europe. According to a recent survey, 79 percent of Finns believe the state should invest more in rural regions to counter rural exodus. But commentators doubt that trying to repopulate rural areas is a sensible strategy.

As the EU puts together a mid-century climate strategy, Carlos Calvo Ambel explains how the Commission’s choice of modelling could be severely underestimating what emission cuts can be gained from the transport sector.

In the next EU budget period, Germany is set to receive around 20% less funding from the EU’s structural funds. Instead, more regions will be entitled to funds. EURACTIV Germany reports.