European Union

Obama allegedly pledged that Washington would “intervene behind the scenes if required” to prevent a political ejection of Greece from the single currency

Discussions about the future of Ukraine continue on several levels. The 28-point plan presented by the US president has been amended in negotiations with Ukraine and European states. However leading figures in Moscow described the proposals from Europe as "completely unconstructive" on Monday. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have also had a phone conversation on the issue. Europe's press examines the interests at play.

The European Commission's Digital Omnibus legislative package aims to simplify EU regulations in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data protection and data management in response to tech industry demands. Commentators discuss whether the legislation is detrimental to civil rights.

The ratification process for the EU-Mercosur trade agreement has triggered protests by citizens and farmers' associations, as well as in the European Parliament, where 145 MEPs had planned to challenge the deal in court until this was blocked on procedural grounds. The Parliament is due to vote on the agreement in December. Commentators see criticism of the deal as justified to a certain degree.

Slovenians rejected a new law on assisted dying in a referendum on Sunday. With a turnout of 41 percent, around 53 percent of those who cast their ballots voted against it. The law would have legalised assisted dying for terminally ill patients in certain circumstances. Conservative and religious groups campaigned against it.

Across Europe, governments are facing a new reality. Disasters are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more costly. The question is no longer whether the next emergency will come, but how prepared will we be when it does.