Eurotopics.net

Austria has softened its stance in the debate on Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen area and proposed allowing a partial accession limited to the area of air traffic, dubbed the "Air Schengen" solution, in exchange for tougher controls on migrants. Romanian and Bulgarian commentators discuss whether such a deal is acceptable.

Parliamentary and local elections will be held in Serbia on Sunday. The broad pro-European multi-party alliance Serbia Against Violence is running against the Progress Party (SNS) of incumbent President Aleksandar Vučić. Following several mass shootings, thousands took to the streets in Belgrade to protest against increased levels of violence in the country. Is a turnaround on the cards?

Poland is on the verge of a change of government: former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki (PiS) failed in a vote of confidence on Monday, after which the Sejm tasked election winner Donald Tusk with forming a government. His cabinet is to be presented and sworn in today, Tuesday. Commentators see this as a turning point for all Europe - but also point to numerous hurdles.

The EU has rejected the current draft of the final text of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai after a pledge to phase out coal, oil and gas was cut. Instead, the 21-page document merely calls for reductions in the consumption and production of fossil fuels. Environmental organisations and countries especially threatened by the climate crisis have expressed dismay. Europe's press also lambastes the text.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has voted to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2024 Summer Games in Paris under certain conditions. Individual athletes are to be allowed to compete with "neutral" status and without anthems or flags. In addition, they must not be members of the military or have been known to support the War in Ukraine. Criticism abounds in the commentaries.