Eurotopics.net

Securing as many town halls as possible will be the top priority for the national liberal PNL government and PSD, the largest opposition party, in Romania's local elections on Sunday. Romanian commentators explain why heading to the polling station is far more important for voters than the term "local elections" might suggest.

The Johnson government has failed entirely when it comes to Brexit and the coronavirus, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said during the party's virtual party conference, which ended on Tuesday. Starmer also took aim at the left-wing course of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn - under whom Labour had the worst election result since 1935. Will his moderate line put Labour back on the road to success?

Lukashenka has been sworn into office for a sixth term in an unannounced ceremony. The event was not broadcast live on television, as is usually the case, and the announcement that it had taken place only came afterwards. Was this confirmation of his status as a dictator alienated from his people or a clever move that prevented violent excesses?

Italy's governing coalition has emerged stronger from a referendum and regional elections which ended on Monday. Although the Partito Democratico (PD) lost one region to the right-wing Lega, it didn't suffer the predicted crushing defeat. In addition, 70 percent of voters were in favour of the reduction in the size of the Italian parliament proposed by PD's coalition partner M5S. International commentators discuss whether the vote heralds a new phase of political stability.

Conflict in the EU persists over sanctions against Minsk in light of the human rights violations in Belarus. While the list of those whose accounts have been blocked and who have been banned from entering the EU now comprises 40 people, Cyprus is blocking the necessary unanimous decision. Observers agree that this is a tricky situation - and blame different sides for the impasse.