Eurotopics.net

The EU heads of state and government have started talks aimed at selecting the next Commission president. A proposal must be put forward by the end of June. While Merkel supports EPP lead candidate Manfred Weber, Macron favours Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager or Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Commentators assess the candidates' chances.

The parties of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) has suffered heavy losses in many countries and the parliamentary group as a whole has lost 34 seats. Only in Spain and Portugal did they take first place - the MEPs of Spain's PSOE will now be the biggest faction within the group. Commentators analyse their success and the failure of their sister parties.

Belgium faces a difficult process of forming following its parliamentary elections. While the Flemish-nationalist N-VA and the far-right Vlaams Belang won in Flanders, the leftist parties took the day in Wallonia. N-VA leader De Wever has insisted that his party must lead the new coalition and threatened to push through a confederation if it doesn't. The press looks to the future with concern.