Eurotopics.net

In France, the appointment of Pap Ndiaye, a historian specialised in race relations, as the new minister of education has been strongly criticised by conservatives and the right. For them, Ndiaye champions US identity politics and attacks the values of the Republic. The debate about Ndiaye as an individual misses the point, says the national press.

Hunger levels around the world have reached a new high. The number of people facing severe food insecurity has risen from 135 to 276 million in just two years, according to the UN. The war in Ukraine has escalated the situation, in part because Russia is blocking grain exports. The Kremlin has a powerful weapon in its hands, Europe's press notes with dismay, and casts about for solutions.

The EU Commission on Wednesday presented its RepowerEU plan, which aims to reduce dependence on Russian energy and accelerate the green transition. The EU plans to invest up to 300 billion euros in the form of loans and grants in the initiative. Massive investments, energy savings and a joint procurement mechanism similar to that for vaccines are also in the pipeline. An inspired project for the future or too much too fast?

The Nato accession applications of Sweden and Finland have also reignited the debate about neutrality in non-aligned Switzerland and Austria. Seventy-five percent of Austrians still reject Nato membership, according to a survey put out by Austria's Institute for Public Opinion and Data Analysis. Commentators see the need for more debate.