Eurotopics.net

The confused information situation in the coronavirus pandemic is also encouraging the spread of false reports and rumours. Does the media share responsibility for panic buying and other irrational reactions to the virus?

With stringent hygiene regulations in place, the first round of the French local elections went ahead on Sunday - despite heavy criticism and the state of emergency. Voter turnout was down by almost 20 percentage points to around 45 percent. Other states also face the decision of whether to hold elections during the coronavirus pandemic. Commentators are at odds over the issue.

Ludovic Orban's liberal PNL government in Romania, which was overthrown in early February, was re-elected on Friday. Faced with the spread of Covid-19, all the opposition parties gave it their backing. Many PNL MPs are in quarantine and had to stay away from the vote. Romania's media are delighted to see the politicians displaying such a sense of responsibility.

Efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus are putting a major strain on Europe's healthcare systems and economies: hospitals are having to turn away patients, entire business sectors are crippled, and now schools are being closed. The situation is also taking a heavy toll on the people. Commentators examine the changes the virus is producing at all levels of society.