Eurotopics.net

British Prime Minister Johnson has suffered two defeats in the House of Commons this week: MPs said no to a no-deal Brexit and opposed his plans for a snap election. Johnson has also lost his majority in parliament. But how stable is the alliance that opposes him?

Greek authorities have registered a substantial increase in the number of refugees arriving in the islands of the Aegean Sea over the last few weeks. Turkey's President Erdoğan has now threatened to let more people flee across the Mediterranean into Europe unless the EU supports his plan to set up a "safe zone" in the north-west of Syria. Can the refugee deal with Ankara still be saved?

The EU Parliament's Economics and Monetary Affairs Committee has recommended Christine Lagarde for the post of ECB president. Commentators criticise the fact that Lagarde, currently IMF chief, has defended current ECB head Mario Draghi's low-interest policy. Others see her embarking on a tricky balancing act.

Estonia's Finance Minister Martin Helme wants to finance the construction of new motorways and bridges through so-called Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP). Commentators warn that the conservative politician's plan aimed at easing the burden on the public budget and avoiding bureaucratic delays won't work.

The British House of Commons has passed a bill against a disorderly Brexit. If the House of Lords also approves the bill it could become effective before the prorogation of parliament on 9 September. Johnson may then call for a snap election, a proposal which the parliamentarians rejected on Wednesday. Does the House of Commons now have the control over Brexit?