Eurotopics.net

Keir Starmer, the new British Prime Minister, has spoken out in favour of closer ties with the EU at the European Political Community (EPC) summit at Blenheim Palace. He declared his commitment to renewing the bonds of trust and friendship that hold together the fabric of European life. Some commentators approve while others react with frustration.

Aemet, the Spanish state meteorological agency, has forecast the first heatwave of the year for the end of this week. Highs of up to 44 degrees are expected in Andalusia. The entire Iberian peninsula is affected, with the exception of the north and north-west. The Spanish press voices concern about the impact and demands action.

The European Parliament will vote on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a second term this Thursday. To secure re-election she needs an absolute majority of votes from the 720 MEPs. As the Parliament gets ready to vote, eurotopics takes a look at a selection of commentaries in the European press.

The EU Commission and several northern European countries are reacting to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's unilateral moves in the area of foreign with boycotts. Orbán visited Putin, Xi and Trump at the beginning of his country's EU Council Presidency. EU commissioners and representatives of several EU states have now said they won't attend ministerial meetings in Budapest. Europe's press debates whether this is the right approach.