Eurotopics.net

The British province of Northern Ireland turns 100 today. With the Government of Ireland Act, which came into force at the beginning of May 1921, a border was drawn on the island of Ireland for the first time and the southern and northern parts were each to form an independent government. Commentators on both sides of the border comment on past and present developments.

Joe Biden has completed 100 days in office as US President. While at the start of his term he focused on getting the Covid crisis under control, now he is making waves with government investment schemes, tax hikes, climate policy and foreign policy statements. Europe's media assess his initiatives on the basis of credibility and aptness.

The European Parliament on Thursday approved the introduction of EU Covid-19 certificates, which are intended to facilitate travel this summer. The member states, which are expected to align the certificates with their own national vaccination certificates and systems, are discussing the details of the scheme in the European Council. Commentators avidly discuss whether the document could result in discrimination against those who haven't been vaccinated.

The Socialist Party under Prime Minister Edi Rama has won the election in Albania and can now continue to govern with an absolute majority. According to the country's Central Election Commission, the Socialists received about 49 percent of the vote. International observers and Albanian media report incidents of pressure being put on officials and potential vote buying in the run-up to the election.