Eurotopics.net

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presented 15 anti-corruption measures on Wednesday, after several leading members of his PSOE party have been placed under investigation in recent weeks. The measures include the establishment of a new supervisory authority and the use of advanced data analyses to detect fraud. Commentators question the effectiveness of the proposed action plan.

Bulgaria has the final green light to introduce the euro on 1 January 2026 after the EU finance ministers passed the necessary legislation on Tuesday. The European Commission and the leaders of the EU member states had already given their approval in June. Commentators in the national press encourage euro advocates and critics alike to make the best of the conversion.

Elon Musk has announced he is forming a new political party. The tech entrepreneur was a presidential adviser in the initial months of Trumps’s second tenure and head of the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Then the two fell out over Musk's criticism of a recently approved tax bill. Europe's press assesses the potential impact of Musk's America Party on the mid-term elections in November 2026.

Indirect negotiations between Israel and the radical Islamic organisation Hamas are currently underway in the Qatari capital, Doha. Together with international mediators, representatives of the two conflict parties are discussing a ceasefire and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. US President Donald Trump, who is meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, is pushing for a 60-day ceasefire.

In a referendum held on 5 July 2015, Greek voters overwhelmingly voted against the austerity measures imposed by the country's creditors. Just a few days later they were signed off nevertheless. Ten years on, commentators look back at the austerity policy and its consequences.