Eurotopics.net

Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel have announced plans for the creation of a rescue fund that would provide 500 billion euros for reconstruction in EU member states after the coronavirus crisis. The fund would be financed with shared EU loans. Countries in the south welcome the initiative, but Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden in particular have voiced criticism. While some commentators have high hopes for the plan, others are sceptical.

In a letter to the WHO on Monday, US President Donald Trump threatened to rethink the US's membership if the body failed to undertake "major improvements" within 30 days. Trump had already frozen US payments to the organisation, which he accuses of being too close to Beijing and bearing partial blame for the coronavirus crisis, more than a month ago. What to make of this latest initiative?

The European Court of Justice has declared Hungary's migrant transit zones to be incompatible with EU law. Asylum seekers are forced to wait in these fenced-off camps on the border with Serbia until their asylum procedure is completed, sometimes for months on end. The ECJ said this was tantamount to unlawful detention. What should be changed, Hungarian practices or EU laws?

Protests against the restrictions imposed amidst the coronavirus pandemic are taking place in a growing number of European countries. Last weekend saw demonstrations in Germany, the UK, Poland, Spain and Switzerland. Commentators voice understanding for some of the protesters concerns and demands, but warn of the dangers of various different groups coming together at the rallies.

Over 100 children born to surrogate mothers are currently stranded in Ukraine because their new parents are not allowed to enter the country due to the pandemic. Using the services of surrogate mothers in Ukraine is a popular option for many Western European couples who can't have their own child, also because of the low costs. Media criticise the way the surrogate mothers are being treated not just in the current crisis.