Eurotopics.net

Part of the French yellow vest protest movement have announced plans to run in the European elections in May. Ten names are already on their list, led by Ingrid Levavasseur, a nurse from Normandy and one of the movement's best-known faces. Journalists see the move as having reshuffled the cards in French politics.

The EU Commission has warned of the security risks involved in granting citizenship without going through the proper procedures. Malta, Cyprus and Bulgaria are offering passports in exchange for cash or investments. This is facilitating money laundering and corruption, said EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos, announcing standardised regulations by the end of the year. A long overdue measure, commentators observe.

Latvian companies are trying to recruit people from Ukraine and Belarus to counter labour shortages caused not just by a booming economy but also the fact that hundreds of thousands have left the country in recent years in search of better jobs. Latvia's media call on the government to take action.

Mass protests against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have escalated into a state crisis. The opposition parliamentary leader Juan Guaidó has declared himself interim president, but the army continues to back Maduro. The US has recognised Guaidó as interim head of state and the EU has announced its support. Who will win the power struggle?