Eurotopics.net

Romania's new, pro-European government was confirmed by the country's parliament on Monday. In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced a harsh austerity programme to tackle the budget deficit, which is the highest within the EU. A reduction in public sector staffing, caps on civil servants' salaries and the rollback of privileges are the agenda, as well as increased investments in healthcare and education.

The US airforce has dropped 'bunker buster' bombs on Iranian nuclear sites. The extent of the damage inflicted is not yet clear, particularly with regard to the Fordo facility, which is surrounded by mountains. The aim of operation, which was ordered by President Donald Trump, was to incapacitate the Iranian nuclear weapons programme, whose existence Iran denies. Europe's press assesses the situation.

The Hague is on tenterhooks in the run-up to the Nato summit that begins on Tuesday. The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez surprised everyone by announcing that his country was rejecting the US demand to raise defence spending to 5 percent of GDP. As a result, Spain has been singled out from the 32 Nato members and granted an exemption. Europe's media are impressed by Spain's bold stance.

After four weeks of negotiations with parliamentary parties, Romania's new President Nicușor Dan has nominated the pro-European politician Ilie Bolojan as prime minister. He described Bolojan as "the person best fit to carry out the necessary reforms of the Romanian state apparatus". The liberal politician has yet to be confirmed by parliament. Commentators discuss the tasks he faces.

A majority in the lower chamber of the British parliament, the House of Commons, has voted in favour of making assisted dying accessible to the terminally ill in England and Wales. The law allows adults with less than six months to live access to medical assistance in ending their lives. The decision will now be put to a panel of experts. The national press is divided.