Eurotopics.net

The protests against racism and police violence in the US and Europe continue - exacerbated by another incident in which a black man, 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks, was killed by a white police officer, this time in Atlanta. Commentators in Europe believe the protest movement could have a lasting impact on society.

Britain and the EU want to step up their talks in July to give "new impetus" to the faltering negotiations on a post-Brexit trade agreement. Both sides agreed to the idea at a meeting of top negotiators on Monday. London continues to reject the idea of extending the Brexit transition period. European media doubt whether the initiative can bring real progress.

The video conferencing platform Zoom has admitted to having suspended the account of Chinese human rights activists based in the US at Beijing's behest. The company announced that it would no longer restrict accounts and activities outside China, but would continue to exclude participants in China from discussions if Beijing requests it to. Commentators alternate between outrage and resignation.

Polish president Duda has presented a family charter in the run-up to the presidential elections in late June. Among other things his goal is to defend marriage as a bond between men and women and to protect children "from the LGBT ideology". Observers believe this will be the dominant topic in the campaign of the national conservative ruling PiS party. With what implications?

The presidential election in Belarus is scheduled for August 9. Several opposition candidates who seem to have considerable popular support are planning to run for office. This could mean that President Lukashenko, who has been ruling the country autocratically for 26 years, may not win so easily this time. Or is even a change of regime on the cards?

Zuzana Čaputová has been president of Slovakia for one year. Since her election the social-liberal lawyer and environmental activist has been praised for defending the rights of minorities and same-sex couples and taking a firm stance on corruption, and also for her commitment to solving the murder of Ján Kuciak. Čaputová has lived up to the high expectations, commentators say.