Eurotopics.net

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has resigned over a corruption probe into alleged irregularities committed by his administration. Costa's chief of staff has been arrested, and Costa himself faces legal proceedings over allegations of bribes being paid for large industrial projects in the renewable energies sector. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will decide on Thursday whether new elections will be held. Commentators are appalled.

Israel has encircled the northern part of the Gaza Strip and attacked the positions of the radical Islamist Hamas organisation there. Meanwhile Hamas is firing missiles at villages in Israel. There seems to be little prospect of a ceasefire for the time being, and commentators wonder whether and how the situation could improve.

The pro-EU PAS party has won local elections in the Republic of Moldova with over 40 percent of the vote, but pro-Russian forces took the lead in many of the country's cities. More than the actual outcome, the way it came about is being discussed. The Moldovan intelligence service has accused Russia of using 4.5 million euros to manipulate the elections, while the OSCE has criticised the exclusion of the pro-Russian Șansă party shortly before the election.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama have signed a deal aimed at reducing the number of refugees arriving in Italy. Under the agreement two reception centres managed by Italy will be set up in Albania and house up to 3,000 migrants rescued at sea. Refugees who arrive by land will not be sent there. Commentators examine the motives behind the pact.