Eurotopics.net

The dispute over the annulled presidential election continues in Romania. Călin Georgescu, the right-wing populist who came first in the cancelled first round, has been detained and questioned. Criminal proceedings launched against him include charges of election campaign irregularities, plans to attack the constitutional order and links to the Wagner Russian mercenary group.

A man drove his car into the crowd at a demonstration organised by the German trade union ver.di in Munich on Thursday, injuring at least thirty people. The suspect, a 24-year-old Afghan who has both residence and work permits, has been arrested. Commentators voice concern about the situation in Germany ahead of the federal elections and discuss causes.

The new US defence secretary Pete Hegseth did not mince words at the Nato meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. He ruled out both Ukraine's accession in the near future and the deployment of US troops to secure a ceasefire. He also called on Europe to assume more responsibility for its own security through various measures. Commentators see a clear break with the past.

US President Trump has had a phone call with Russian leader Putin. In Trump's words, they agreed that peace talks to end the war in Ukraine would happen 'immediately'. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed Moscow's willingness to negotiate. Trump then spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky - a 'good and detailed discussion', the Ukrainian president later commented. Europe's press questions whether Kyiv and Europe will have enough say in the outcome.