Eurotopics.net

The Czech Republic takes over the European Union's rotating presidency from France on July 1. The country's first EU presidency in 2009 went down as a fiasco due to the fall of the country's government at the time. Commentators wonder how things will turn out this time round.

The Bulgarian government has ordered 70 Russian diplomats to leave the country by Sunday. Kiril Petkov, acting prime minister after a vote of no confidence, explained the move saying the diplomats were working against Bulgaria's interests. Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova has threatened to close the embassy in Sofia. Bulgaria's national press is not impressed.

The US Supreme Court has limited the Biden administration's powers to implement policies against climate change. It ruled that Congress rather than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to set CO2 standards for coal-fired power plants. Commentators see this as an ominous development.

Hunger levels around the world have reached a new high. The number of people facing severe food insecurity has risen from 135 to 276 million in just two years, according to the UN. The war in Ukraine has escalated the situation, in part because Russia is blocking grain exports. The Kremlin has a powerful weapon in its hands, Europe's press notes with dismay, and casts about for solutions.

The EU Commission on Wednesday presented its RepowerEU plan, which aims to reduce dependence on Russian energy and accelerate the green transition. The EU plans to invest up to 300 billion euros in the form of loans and grants in the initiative. Massive investments, energy savings and a joint procurement mechanism similar to that for vaccines are also in the pipeline. An inspired project for the future or too much too fast?