Eurotopics.net

Fuel tanker drivers in Portugal began another open-ended strike on Monday after negotiations with the government for more pay and better working conditions collapsed. As a result many filling stations have run out of fuel and the government has imposed restrictions on sales. Portuguese media take the trade union representing the hazardous materials drivers to task.

The protests against Beijing's influence on the Hong Kong government continue to escalate. The police used violence against demonstrators on the weekend, after which more than 5,000 protesters occupied the airport. The demonstrations were initially sparked by an extradition law that has since been put on hold, but they have now snowballed into a movement for more democracy.

This weekend tens of thousands of people once again demonstrated in Moscow against the exclusion of opposition candidates from the Moscow City Duma elections at the start of September. This time, however, the rally was authorised. On the two previous weekends hundreds of demonstrators were arrested. Commentators discuss why the protests could mark a turning point in Russia.

Opposition is growing in Italy to Lega leader Matteo Salvini's plans to hold snap elections as soon as possible. Former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi has called for a transitional government supported across party lines. On Friday Lega called for a vote of non-confidence against independent Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Will Salvini succeed with his plan for Lega to rule Italy alone?