Eurotopics.net

For his second term in office President Macron has promised to focus on "environmental planning". His new Prime Minister for Ecological Planning is to be in charge of strengthening and accelerating efforts to combat climate change in France. The idea has also been championed by Macron's left-wing populist rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The press takes different views of the plan and its potential.

The war in Ukraine has prompted a historic shift in Finland's foreign policy: Prime Minister Sanaa Marin and President Sauli Niinistö said on Thursday that their country should join Nato 'without delay' on the grounds that membership would boost Finland's security. What does the move mean for the future of the European continent?

After more than six years of a zero-percent interest rate policy, ECB chief Christine Lagarde has now indicated that a hike in the base interest rate in the Eurozone could come as early as July. In its move away from an ultra-lax monetary policy, the ECB also plans to stop financing government debt. Commentators see hard times ahead.

The Swiss will go to the polls this weekend to vote in a referendum on the opt-out solution for organ donation. Until now, organs have only been available from deceased persons who explicitly gave their consent to donate during their lifetime. If the referendum passes, consent would be presumed unless the potential donor had stipulated otherwise. The nation's press voices ethical concerns.