Eurotopics.net

The constitutional amendments and government reshuffle announced by Vladimir Putin are the subject of intense discussion. Commentators try to decipher what role the new prime minister Mikhail Mishustin - previously head of the tax authority - will play. Among the many sceptical voices there are also those who take a rather positive view of Putin's plans.

The German parliament on Thursday voted against a law aimed at alleviating organ shortages in transplantation medicine. The draft stipulated that all those who do not explicitly refuse to donate their organs should be automatically treated as potential donors. Now the opposite situation will remain unchanged: there can be no donations without explicit approval. The highly controversial nature of the issue is reflected in the German-language press.

Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met the leaders of the Visegrád states in Prague on Thursday. Among other topics they discussed energy policy and climate protection, with Kurz saying that under no circumstance would Vienna agree to the EU providing funds for the expansion of nuclear energy to achieve its climate goals. Commentators in Prague and Bratislava see trouble ahead.

The US and China on Wednesday signed a trade agreement which at least partially resolves the trade dispute that has been dragging on for months. Tariffs on both sides are to be lowered and China is committing itself to purchasing 75 billion dollars worth of US manufactured goods. But the deal shouldn't be overrated, Europe's press advises.