Eurotopics.net

The Delta variant of the coronavirus is causing a spike in infection rates in several countries. In Europe, Britain, Russia and Portugal are the hardest hit so far. But even in countries with a low incidence, the proportion of those infected with the variant is steadily rising, and vaccinated people are reportedly becoming infected with it as well. Commentators discuss what measures should be taken and ask whether politicians and the population are taking the threat seriously enough.

Europe's press is grappling with the second round of the regional elections in France. The turnout was once again very low at about 34 percent. Marine Le Pen's right-wing nationalist Rassemblement National did not prevail in any region, while Macron's LREM party was in single digits. The conservatives are considered the winners. What does this mean for next year's presidential elections?

Young people in Greece will now receive pre-paid cards worth 150 euros after their first covid jab. The cards can be used to pay for ferry tickets, accommodation, or tickets to concerts and museums, for example. The programme is directed towards roughly 940,000 people between 18 and 25, and the government has budgeted 141 million euros. It aims to reach a vaccination rate of just under 60 percent by the end of July.

Sweden's Social Democratic Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has decided to resign rather than call a snap election after last week's vote of no confidence. The speaker of parliament must now appoint a candidate to form a new government. Sweden's commentators suspect it will be Löfven again. Meanwhile their colleagues in Finland find the whole situation baffling.

The federal government in Bern is planning to set up its own Instagram account and has created ten new posts to run it. This has sparked a debate in the country's press, not only about whether it is even necessary, but also about potential negative consequences of this attempt to reach out to young people.