Eurotopics.net

In response to shortages of petrol and foodstuffs, the British government plans to ease visa regulations for lorry drivers. The UK will issue 5,000 temporary visas for lorry drivers and and 5,500 for poultry processing workers. Commentators say misguided and delayed political decisions are to blame for the current situation.

There was a lot of anger in Paris when Australia let a planned submarine deal collapse two weeks ago. Now Macron has reason to smile once more. Despite high government debt, Greece is purchasing three French frigates as part of a 'strategic partnership'. Greece's press is ambivalent about the deal.

Since Belarus began allowing migrants to cross the border into Lithuania and Poland, the situation in the border area has steadily deteriorated. In Lithuania, asylum seekers are protesting the poor living conditions, and several people were found dead in the area between Poland and Belarus a few days ago. The Lithuanian press is divided over how to deal with the migrants.

After the Bundestag elections, SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz has spoken out in favour of a "traffic light" (red, green and yellow) coalition with the Greens and the FDP. But CDU leader Laschet has not given up yet and is seeking to form a government with his party at the helm. European commentators are for the most part optimistic about the situation.

The Social Democrats (SPD) have won the German election with 25.7 percent of the vote, but the CDU/CSU (24.1 percent) is not out of the running yet. A three-party coalition involving the Greens and the FDP is the most likely constellation. European media examine the prospects and see both opportunities and risks for their own countries as well as for Europe as a whole.