Eurotopics.net

The EU Commission has presented plans for reorganising the Eurozone that include replacing the emergency mechanisms created during the financial crisis with reforms. To avoid contention Brussels is avoiding the subject of a euro finance minister with his own budget for the time being and is proposing European bonds whose exact function is yet to be determined. Is the Commission's initiative too timid?

Spain's beleaguered top anti-corruption prosecutor Manuel Moix has admitted that he co-owns an offshore company in tax haven Panama but says he sees no reason for this to have any repercussions. Spanish commentators describe his behaviour as impudent and call for his resignation.

When new elections were announced in the UK it looked like Prime Minister Theresa May's victory was a sure thing. But the Tories' 23-point lead against Labour has melted away, and a week before voting day tensions are running high. Commentators point to weaknesses in May's campaign in particular.

Emmanuel Macron received Vladimir Putin at the start of the week against the magnificent backdrop of Versailles Palace. In the fight against terrorism and the Ukraine conflict the French and Russian presidents saw potential for cooperation. But Paris will not let any more chemical weapons attacks against Syrian civilians go unanswered, Macron stressed.

Nato has declared its willingness to join the US-led international coalition against the IS terror organisation. Until now only individual Nato states had been active in the coalition, a fact that US President Donald Trump had repeatedly criticised. The members have nevertheless ruled out the possibility of direct participation in combat missions for the time being. Will the war on terror now be fought more resolutely?