Eurotopics.net

The fall of Bashar Assad's regime has also put the question of whether and when Syrian refugees can return to their home country on the agenda. Millions of Syrians have fled it since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. In Europe, right-wing populist parties have adopted a hostile stance towards refugees. Commentators discuss their chances of returning home.

A runoff vote for the presidency that was due to take place in Romania on Sunday was cancelled because the Constitutional Court has annulled the first round of voting which the far-right candidate Călin Georgescu won due to suspected manipulation. According to intelligence reports, there was an "aggressive Russian hybrid attack". The Romanian and European press discuss whether or not this was a wise decision.

A quarter of a century after the negotiations began, the EU and the Mercosur states of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay have reached an agreement on a free-trade zone. The deal aims to boost trade by lowering customs duties and facilitating investments. France, Italy and Poland expressed reservations until the very end. Commentators are also at odds over the merits of the project.

After the French government was toppled in a vote of no confidence, President Emmanuel Macron has rejected calls for his resignation. In an address to the nation, he said he would fulfil his mandate until the end of his term of office in 2027 and appoint a new prime minister to form a 'government of the general interest'. Commentators discuss what should be done to stabilise the country.

Five years ago, images of the burning Notre-Dame Cathedral went around the world. The cause of the fire has still not been established. Now the cathedral, a key Parisian landmark, will reopen on the weekend. The embattled French President Emmanuel Macron, will give a speech in the presence of numerous heads of state and government. The press takes stock.