Eurotopics.net

Oil and gas producers are profiting from the rising prices in the energy crisis. The governments of Belgium and Spain have decided to levy a special tax on these excess profits. In France, however, president Emmanuel Macron has spoken out against such a move, sparking controversy in the nation's press.

The government in Riga has decided to stop the use of peat as an energy source as of 2030 - despite the fact that Latvia is the world's biggest peat exporter. The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions so the country qualifies to receive 184 million euros from the EU's Just Transition Mechanism. The national press is not happy about the decision given the current situation on the energy market.

Russia has cut off gas supplies to several EU countries, and Germany remains concerned about how much gas will be delivered by Nord Stream 1. The gravity of the situation prompted the EU Commission to present an emergency plan on Wednesday. The member states are required to reduce their gas demand by 15 percent by March next year and to help out in case of shortages. Can the plan work?

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has failed to patch up his crumbling government alliance. In a Senate vote on Wednesday, three major coalition partners - Lega, Forza Italia and Cinque Stelle - refused to give him their vote of confidence. The press examines what the prime minister's imminent resignation means for Italy and Europe.

After several rounds of voting by Tory MPs, only two candidates are left in the race to succeed Boris Johnson as British prime minister: former chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. Conservative Party members have until September to decide which of the two will lead the party and consequently the government. Commentators see few signs of a fresh dynamic in the Tory party.