Eurotopics.net

The Romanian parliament on Monday evening passed a controversial amendment to the code of criminal procedure. Critics fear that it will favour the head of the governing social-democratic PSD, Liviu Dragnea, who is being investigated on corruption charges. The Romanian media are highly critical.

German Chancellor Merkel and French President Macron met on Tuesday at the chancellor's retreat Schloss Meseberg, where they agreed on reforms for the EU - including a Eurozone budget. Commentators note that the meeting was overshadowed by Germany's row over refugee policy, but draw different conclusions as to the impact this will have on the Franco-German motor.

Two positions in Europe's refugee policy appear to be growing increasingly irreconcilable: the appeal for countries to assume humanitarian responsibility on the one hand and the demands for secure borders on the other. The rift is apparent not just across Europe and within individual governments, but also in the commentary sections.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini of the far-right Lega Nord wants to carry out a census of all Roma living in the country and expel those without an Italian passport. Prime Minister Conte of the Movimento Cinque Stelle and EU Commission have countered that such a move is anti-constitutional. Journalists are incensed and hope that the provocateurs in Rome won't win out.