Eurotopics.net

Debate over the slave-like working conditions of African and Eastern European agricultural workers has reignited in Italy after 16 harvest workers perished in two car crashes. Hundreds of farm workers have taken to the streets in protest, and the government has announced that it will crack down on illegal harvesting. The press sees the need for action, and not just in Italy.

In many cities of Europe tenants are complaining about rising rents and housing shortages - the downside of cheap holiday flats and of people short-letting their homes via Airbnb. The former start-up has long since become a tourism sector giant that generates billions. What limits should be set for the accommodation platform?

The diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and Canada seems likely to escalate. Riyadh has instructed all Saudi students and patients to leave Canada. The crisis was triggered by a tweet by Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland in which she called for civil rights activist Samar Badawi to be freed. Commentators criticise Europe for not supporting Ottawa in the row.

In Slovenia Marjan Šarec is to lead a minority government consisting of five parties and supported by the eco-socialist Left Party. His newly founded LMS came second in the election at the start of June. The conservative winner, Janez Janša, was unable to form a majority. Journalists doubt that Šarec, a former comedian, will be able to successfully manage the centre-left government.

In the row over the American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been in custody in Turkey since 2016 and is currently under house arrest, the US has imposed sanctions against two Turkish ministers. Ankara accuses the pastor of supporting the Gülen movement which it claims was responsible to the attempted coup. The US insists that Brunson is innocent. Will the dispute escalate?

Pope Francis has toughened the Catholic Church's stance on the death penalty. From now on the Church would campaign "resolutely" for its abolishment across the globe, he said. Up to now the catechism did not on principle rule out the death penalty as a final resort. Most commentators are delighted by this move.