Eurotopics.net

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are the two last remaining candidates in the contest to succeed Theresa May. In a TV debate Hunt accused Johnson of showing 'blind optimism' with respect to Brexit. Johnson countered by saying his rival wanted to delay leaving the EU. How will the debate effect the decision of the 160,000 members of the Tory party?

With effect from the coming year France will introduce an eco-tax on flights. It will range from 1.50 to 18 euros on the ticket price, depending on the distance flown. Flights to France's overseas territories are to be exempt from the tax. The revenue of around 180 million euros thus generated is to be used to expand the French railway company SNCF, the government said. Commentators are not convinced by the concept.

On its path to Eurozone membership Croatia has taken the important step of filing a formal application to join the EU's Exchange Rate Mechanism, or ERM II. Both Croatia and the EU will benefit from the country's conversion to the euro, some commentators believe. Others fear a long wait.

The Danish influencer Fie Laursen posted a suicide note on Instagram at the weekend. The 23-year-old was found in time to prevent her death but the note, which received more than 30,000 likes and 8,000 comments, was left online for several days until Laursen herself removed it. Denmark's government and the media are discussing appropriate steps after the incident.

A major overhaul is to lead Deutsche Bank out of its crisis. By 2022, 18,000 jobs are to be cut and the bank will also withdraw from the equities business. CEO Christian Sewing spoke of a 'reboot', saying that the bank would return to its roots. Some commentators praise the strategy, others see little hope of the bank being rescued.