Eurotopics.net

Although the violent protests have largely subsided, the shooting of 17-year-old Nahel M. by a police officer during a traffic check and the ensuing riots are still a big topic in France and Europe. At a meeting attended by 220 mayors, President Emmanuel Macron pledged to pass legislation aimed at reconstructing damaged infrastructure as quickly as possible and providing long-term solutions to the problem. Commentators are worried about the far right capitalising on the crisis.

The Hungarian parliament has passed a controversial law on the legal status of teachers. Critics are calling it a "vengeance law" against teachers who have long been demonstrating for higher salaries and education reform. The legislation provides for a salary increase, but this is linked to the receipt of funds which the EU is currently withholding due to concerns about the rule of law in the country.

Although the violent protests have largely subsided, the police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel M. during a traffic check and the ensuiting riots continue to preoccupy France and Europe. A total of 45,000 police officers and security personnel have been deployed, and President Macron will meet today with 220 mayors whose cities were affected by the violence. Commentators call for fundamental changes.

The first formal state visit by a French president to Germany in over 20 years was due to take place from Sunday to Tuesday. But due to the unrest in France, Macron decided to postpone the visit until the situation calms down. For commentators, the cancelled meeting was yet another stumbling block on what is already a rocky road.