Eurotopics.net

The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) triggered a fierce debate at the start of June with the assertion that students are the only segment of the population that doesn't get paid holidays. The Union initially came under fire for its claims but now more and more voices are siding with the students and complaining about the growing pressure they face.

The British ambassador to the US, Kim Darroch, has resigned from office. His move came in response to the scandal triggered at the weekend by the publication of confidential memoranda in which Darroch called the Trump administration "inept". Trump responded furiously on Twitter. How much damage has the incident caused?

Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday made her pitch to the parliamentary groups of the Greens, the Liberals and the Social Democrats, whose backing she needs to be elected as the new EU Commission President. After her hearing, many MEPs criticised her answers to many of their questions for being short on specifics. In the end, the Greens decided to reject her bid. Does she still stand a chance of being elected?

A close associate of Italy's deputy prime minister and Lega leader Matteo Salvini is said to have met with as yet unidentified Russians in Moscow in order to negotiate a deal for illegal funding for the party. This was revealed by audio recordings passed on to website Buzzfeed News. Apparently the sum under discussion amounted to more than 60 million dollars. Italy's media appear unsurprised by the whole affair.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has demanded a second Brexit referendum and says he will campaign to remain in the EU. Both opponents and supporters have repeatedly accused the party of not adopting a clear position on Brexit for fear of alienating voters. But in the elections to the European parliament Labour lost votes to parties that oppose leaving the EU. What impact will this clear stance have?

With effect from next year France will introduce an eco-tax on flights ranging from 1.50 to 18 euros on the ticket price, depending on the distance flown. Flights to France's overseas territories are to be exempt from the tax. The revenue of around 180 million euros thus generated is to be used to expand the French railway company SNCF, the government said. Commentators are not impressed by the measure.