Eurotopics.net

George Floyd's killing has sent shock waves around the world, driven hundreds of thousands onto the streets and sparked a major debate about racism. But racism has many faces, commentators explain - and voice annoyance at hypocritical expressions of solidarity.

Whether deliberately or involuntarily, during the anti-racism demonstrations of the last two weeks protesters have not always adhered to social distancing rules. The same problem was also observed at rallies against the pandemic restrictions in some European countries. What can be done when the exercise of a fundamental right poses risks to public health?

After protesters toppled a statue of the British slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol, England, dozens of English cities are considering taking down monuments commemorating controversial figures. The statue of the Belgian king Leopold II in Antwerp has already been removed because of his brutal colonial rule in the Congo. Not all commentators believe this is the right approach to dealing with history.

The EU finance ministers were unable to settle the dispute over the EU's Covid recovery fund at their virtual summit on Tuesday. In the meantime the European statistics office Eurostat has announced that economic output in the Eurozone slumped in the first quarter, but less dramatically than expected. Commentators are confident that Europe will recover.

Croatia is to elect a new parliament on July 15 instead of in October, as originally planned. The conservative government justified the change of plans pointing to the uncertainty of the epidemiological situation in autumn. The opposition has complained that the government is simply trying to capitalise quickly on its current approval ratings after the election of a left-liberal president indicated that the mood could be turning against it. Which topics are in focus in the campaign?