Eurotopics.net

Volkswagen and BMW have been ordered to pay 875 million euros in fines to the EU for colluding with Daimler to restrict the size of their urea tanks in 2009, thus hindering competition. Urea mixtures improve exhaust gas purification and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Have the companies been let off too lightly, or are they being punished for normal and desirable cooperation?

The Russian Duma has passed a law that reserves the term "shampanskoye" - as all sparkling wine is called in Russian - for Russian products only. All others, including champagne from the French Champagne region, must henceforth be declared as "Igristoye vino" (sparkling wine). Europe's press goggles, jokes and scolds.

In a referendum on Sunday, 86 percent of Slovenian voters retroactively annulled the country's new water management law introduced in March. According to the law, investors and private individuals would have been able to acquire and use land on coastlines, lake shores and riverbanks. So far, such land has remained common property in Slovenia. At 44.5 percent, the turnout was significantly higher than expected.

In Bulgaria's second parliamentary election in three months, the anti-establishment populist ITN party led by TV presenter Slavi Trifonov, which was founded just last year, and the conservative Gerb party of former prime minister Boyko Borisov are neck-and-neck in exit polls. The final results are expected at the end of the week. What is already clear, however, is that voter turnout has dropped from 50 percent in April to less than 40 percent now. Why?

The European Central Bank has introduced a new strategy for monetary policy. The inflation target is to remain at around two percent, but future fluctuations below or above will be tolerated. Two percent was previously the maximum. Next year the ECB also aims to present a plan of action that incorporates climate change into monetary policy.

Bulgaria is voting in a new government on Sunday - for the second time this year. Since elections in April produced a political stalemate the country has been ruled by an interim government. Will there be a clear result this time? And if so, will there be genuine change or just a return to power of the associates of the scandal-ridden ex-prime minister Borisov?