Eurotopics.net

After the passing of the "anti-paedophilia law", the debate over whether developments affecting the rule of law in Hungary are compatible with its EU membership has gained new momentum. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the law a disgrace, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called on Hungary to leave the bloc. Europe's press discusses whether tougher steps should now be taken.

In an effort to underline the EU's independence in foreign policy after the Biden-Putin summit, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron proposed holding a meeting with Russia shortly before the EU summit last week. However, the initiative failed mainly due to opposition from Poland and the Baltic states. Other member states also felt they were being pressured into something they didn't want.

An unusually strong tornado for European standards has swept through the south-east of the Czech Republic, leaving several people dead and many injured as well as widespread destruction in its wake. Its wind speeds were estimated at 300 to 400 kilometres per hour. Now thousands are confronted with the devastating consequences.

Romania made headlines last year with fires in hospitals. Now the government is planning reforms. It is seeking to have new state-run hospitals built, whereby a new, independent agency is to be responsible for them. At the same time, private healthcare facilities are to be able to charge more money to the public health insurance system. Commentators believe that neither proposal makes sense.

The British government has decided to permit 60,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium for the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final - which amounts to two-thirds capacity. Observers see this as a concession to Uefa, not least because there was speculation about moving the matches to Budapest. Meanwhile, Finland in particular is reporting an increase in coronavirus infections among football tourists.

Shortly before the EU summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a meeting between EU leaders and Vladimir Putin in the near future. But in Brussels, the proposal was rejected as premature, in particular by Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Europe's media are also divided on the question of what approach to take with Moscow.