European Union

The triumph of Eurosceptic parties, a controversial decision by the president, nervous financial markets, and all this against the backdrop of the Greek crisis. The political crisis in Rome prompts commentators to ask to what extent the problems are a result of EU and European strutures.

Romania's Constitutional Court has instructed President Klaus Iohannis to fire Laura Codruta Kövesi, head of the anti-corruption authority DNA. The Ministry of Justice had accused her of improper investigation methods and called for her dismissal, but Iohannis refused to comply. Now he must respect the ruling, Romania's press explains.

A solution is emerging in the 27-year-old dispute between Athens and Skopje over the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). According to media reports in future the country will be called the Republic of North Macedonia if its population agrees to this in a referendum to be held in the autumn. Commentators are delighted and praise the participants in the negotiations.

According to an ECB report published last week Bulgaria is not yet ready for accession to the Eurozone. Although the country fulfils the formal criteria it is lagging behind regarding so-called soft factors such as the independence of its central bank and success in the fight against corruption, the report concluded. Commentators explain why Bulgaria can forget its dream of Eurozone membership for the time being.

Transparency, collaboration & finally taking responsibility. EU & US experts at the 2018 Brussels DisinfoLab share their views on the role of social media platforms in countering fake news and disinformation.

The European Parliament is trying to reach out to young people, particularly those who don’t see the benefits of being part of the EU, writes  Ramón Luis Valcárcel and Sylvie Guillaume.