Eurotopics.net

Almost five years after Brexit, the UK wants to rebuild closer ties with the EU on trade and defence policy. On Monday Rachel Reeves became the first Chancellor of the Exchequer to take part in a Eurogroup meeting since Brexit was finalised. The British press voices scepticism for a variety of reasons.

The Swedish government's plans to promote the construction of new nuclear reactors with state subsidies and profit guarantees for participating companies have met with widespread criticism. Many experts, companies and authorities fear that the planned expansion of nuclear power will be too expensive and only hamper the development of renewable energies. The Swedish press is divided.

After the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, which was long supported by Russia and Iran, it remains unclear what direction the country's foreign policy will take. While the leader of the victorious Islamists, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, has said he does not want to lead the country into another war, Israel has already launched widespread airstrikes against military installations in the south of the country. The press spotlights the various interests at play.

The regime of Bashar Assad, whose family ruled Syria for more than four decades, has been toppled in a matter of just a few days. Armed opposition groups took power in Damascus on Sunday and opened the regime's prisons. According to information from Moscow, Assad has fled to Russia. Commentators assess Syria's prospects in the new constellation.