President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to reform the Schengen area during France's EU Council Presidency. The interior ministers of the Schengen member states are to form a new council and in particular coordinate and improve controls of the external borders with the aim of increasing freedom of movement within the EU once more. Europe's press wonders whether the initiative can be successful.
France will elect a new president in (presumably) two rounds of voting on the 10th and 24th of April, respectively. Commentators discuss the fact that the incumbent president Emmanuel Macron appears to be already preparing for the second round and speculate on who will be pitted against whom in the run-off.
On February 6, 1952, Elizabeth II ascended the British throne as successor to her father, George IV. Seventy years later, the 95-year-old is now the longest-serving monarch in British history. She spent the day of the anniversary at her country estate, Sandringham House, without making any public appearances. Commentators focus on the news that Elizabeth wants Charles's wife Camilla to be Queen Consort.
If the Ukraine tensions continue, Russia risks severely damaging its own economy and energy future. But over the next few months, Europe’s energy scene could become very uncomfortable writes, Robin M. Mills.
European diplomacy over Ukraine puts in another gear this week with the French and Russian leaders to meet in Moscow, Germany’s Chancellor paying a visit to Washington and other European diplomats flocking to Kyiv.