Eurotopics.net

French President Emmanuel Macron received Vladimir Putin at his summer residence on Monday. During the meeting he made the case for a new European security architecture to integrate Russia. He also expressed his desire for a revival of the Normandy format after the elections in Ukraine. Commentators see the meeting as a sign of a rapprochement - but not everyone is pleased at the prospect.

The deputy leader of the ruling Social Democrats in Finland, Sanna Marin, explained at an event marking the 120th anniversary of the founding of her party that the working week could be reduced to four days in the future. She called on Social Democrats to put the issue on their agenda. How realistic is this idea?

The days of Italy's right-wing populist Lega-Cinque Stelle government are numbered. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will make a statement today, Tuesday, after which new elections could be called. According to the polls the far-right Lega under Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has good chances of becoming the strongest party in the country. While some commentators fear for Europe's stability, others believe Salvini's victory is anything but certain.

Artificial intelligence has created huge expectations for the future of the economic system, the labour market, mobility and day-to-day life. At the same time over and above concerns about data protection and cyber security, fears are growing that robots could replace people. Commentators in Europe look at how AI can be developed in such a way that everyone can benefit.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has started out on her voyage across the Atlantic from Plymouth, in southern England. In roughly two weeks't time the yacht will reach New York, where Thunberg will participate in the UN Climate Change Summit in September. Commentators increasingly criticise the hype surrounding the 16-year-old and explain who stands to benefit from it.