Eurotopics.net

President Sergio Mattarella tasked the former head of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi with forming a new government of independent experts on Wednesday. The step came after the various political parties were unable to agree on a coalition government following Giuseppe Conte's resignation. Some observers have reservations about the move.

Following the verdict against Alexei Navalny and the arrest of thousands of mostly peaceful protesters across the country, commentators are discussing what comes next in Russia. Some see the protests as ineffective and fear the country will now definitively slide into dictatorship. Others see the end of Putin's rule approaching.

Tensions in Northern Ireland have increased as a result of Brexit. The EU Commission temporarily withdrew its inspectors from the ports over security concerns triggered by threats of violence from pro-British unionists who oppose checks of shipments from Britain. What is the best solution for Northern Ireland? commentators ask.

Even after the row between the EU and Astrazeneca has for the most part been settled, criticism of Europe's approach to vaccine procurement - including calls for EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to resign - continues. Commentators examine the underlying reasons for the delays in getting vaccines to EU countries, but there are also those who praise Europe's coordinated action.

Mario Draghi is to lead Italy out of its current crisis. President Sergio Mattarella asked the former president of the European Central Bank to form a new independent technocratic government on Wednesday, after the various political parties were unable to agree on a coalition government following Giuseppe Conte's resignation. Observers see Draghi as the right man to tackle what promises to be a huge challenge.