Eurotopics.net

Within the space of a few days both Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel have spoken out in favour of a European army. Macron wants independence from the US. Merkel talked of sending a signal that there will never be another war between European countries. A look at the press shows what kind of response the initiative is eliciting in other countries.

Macedonia's former prime minister Nikola Gruevski has fled to Hungary and has applied for asylum there, as he announced on his Facebook page. In his home country he had been found guilty of corruption and sentenced to two years in prison. Hungarian media explain why Gruevski has sought refuge in not exactly refugee-friendly Hungary.

The formation of a new government in Sweden has failed. The leader of the conservative Moderate party, Ulf Kristersson, was set to become prime minister, but because his government would have had to rely on votes of the Sweden Democrats, the Liberals and the Centre Party decided to leave the alliance. How should Sweden's political leaders handle the right-wing populists?

The son of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has caused uproar by claiming he was abducted in Russia-annexed Crimea at his father's behest in a bid to prevent him from giving evidence in subsidy fraud investigation against the Babiš family. Is the Czech Republic slipping into a government crisis?

The European Commission has harshly criticised Romania on the rule of law and the fight against corruption in its latest Cooperation and Verification Mechanism report - just six weeks before the country is due to take over the rotating EU presidency. Neighbouring Bulgaria received a far more positive assessment. Commentators explain what is at stake for Romania and voice doubts that the country is currently in a position to lead Europe.

The UK and the EU have agreed on a draft Brexit deal. The agreement foresees a two-year transition period during which Britain would remain in the single market and customs union. A hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would be avoided. Commentators speculate on whether May will be able to push the deal through her cabinet and parliament.