Eurotopics.net

In reaction to soaring electricity prices, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a package of measures that will apply until March 2022 and includes "redirecting" profits (some 2.4 billion euros) of companies such as nuclear power suppliers that are not affected by the higher costs of natural gas but are benefiting from the higher prices. The companies have announced plans to take legal action against the measures.

Germany will elect a new parliament in just under two weeks' time. With 26 percent in the first major poll after Sunday's second TV debate between the three top candidates the SPD still has a clear lead against the CDU/CSU (20.5 percent) and the Greens (15 percent). Europe's press takes stock and discusses what should come next for Germany and Europe.

The Russian people will elect their representatives to the State Duma from September 17 to 19. All opposition members who had good chances have been excluded from the election, and the OSCE has decided not to send observers because of Moscow's strict requirements. But even if the balance of power is likely to remain unchanged, observers see the pressure on Putin and his United Russia party mounting below the surface.

Although Europe has plenty of Covid vaccines, demand for them is dropping. Vaccination rates are stagnating and politicians are upping the pressure on those who haven't yet been vaccinated. Although the vaccinated can still infect others with the virus, they are almost completely exempt from testing, while the unvaccinated are forced to fork out for tests - as of Wednesday a negative test will be required even at filling stations in Slovenia.