Eurotopics.net

The holiday season has begun but many people have decided to forgo long journeys this year. Infection rates are rising in many parts of southern Europe, just as the first holidaymakers are arriving. Concurring that the urge to see faraway places is an irresistible force, commentators describe the travel industry's fight for survival and hope for the emergence of a new kind of tourism.

Italy's government has launched a package of 130 measures with which it hopes to convince even the most sceptical EU member states of its will to reform. The country's ailing economy is to be stimulated through the reduction of bureaucracy, digitalisation and investments in infrastructure. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte presented the package as the "mother of all reforms", but the press clearly has its doubts about the plan.

Czech author Milan Kundera has lived in Paris for decades, writes only in French and does not authorise Czech translations of his works. Nevertheless, the first major biography about him has now appeared in the Czech Republic. The 900-page work by Jan Novák, which maintains that Kundera had close ties to the communist authorities, meets with little enthusiasm in commentaries.

Many European countries are currently seeking strategies for stopping the spread of coronavirus without having to resort to drastic measures again. After the number of cases had stabilised in many places, localised outbreaks are now occurring. Commentators discuss the reasons and discuss how states should deal with a potential second wave.

After the the poor performance of the ruling party LREM in the second round of the municipal elections, President Emmanuel Macron has redistributed key ministerial portfolios and in a surprise move appointed Jean Castex, the conservative mayor of the town of Prades and coordinator of the exit from the coronavirus lockdown, as the new prime minister. Commentators discuss whether this major reshuffle can improve Macron's position in any way.