Eurotopics.net

France's government wants to reform the state-owned railway company SNCF and push through the abolition of privileges for railway employees by decree should the move fail to receive a parliamentary majority. Several trade unions have threatened with massive strikes. Commentators hope the government will get its way, to the benefit of railway transport throughout Europe.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wants to make the EU more accessible to the people of Europe, proposing on Wednesday a bicameral system consisting of the EU Parliament and a council of member states. The presidents of the EU Commission and perhaps also the EU Council would be directly elected, and in the long term the two presidencies would be fused into one. Journalists ask if this will take the EU in the right direction.

An unspecified number of Russian mercenaries fighting in units loyal to President Assad are said to have been killed by US airstrikes in the governorate of Deir ez-Zor last week. The incident marks the first fatalities in direct confrontations between US and Russian forces in Syria. Russian media seize the opportunity to examine the Russian mercenary army system.

Turkish warships have been blocking gas exploration activities in Cypriot waters since Friday, after an Italian energy company confirmed the discovery of a massive gas field in the area. The rights of Turkish Cypriots to the resources must be defended, pro-government Turkish media assert. Greek Cypriot journalists feel left in the lurch by the EU.

Oxfam workers have been accused of sexually abusing women in Haiti. The aid organisation is said to have long been aware of accusations that the men demanded sex from vulnerable women in return for help. How can Oxfam win back the trust of society and donors?

The Netherlands is to make all adults potential organ donors unless they explicitly opt out of the system. Up to now people have had to register as potential organ donors. With this step the so-called "presumed consent" policy will apply in 18 European states - but not all commentators agree with it.