Eurotopics.net

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has given the green light for continued use of the Astrazeneca vaccine. It had launched a review after various EU countries stopped using it because a link to very rare cases of cerebral vein thrombosis could not be ruled out. Commentators welcome the review process and its outcome, but also warn against overreactions.

On Monday, the European Union initiated infringement proceedings against the UK for violation of the Brexit agreement. The move comes amid a row over checks on goods passing between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. London had unilaterally extended an exemption rule on this and complained that Brussels was trying to establish a new border within its national territory. How can the tensions be defused?

Denmark is seeking to toughen its laws to prevent 'parallel societies' in 'particularly vulnerable neighbourhoods'. The proportion of residents of 'non-Western' background in each neighbourhood is to be limited to no more than 30 percent within the next 10 years, according to a draft presented by the government on Wednesday. Commentators see this as unworthy of a humanistic country.

Prime Minister Rutte's VVD has, as expected, emerged as the strongest party from the Dutch parliamentary elections, winning 22 percent of the vote. But its coalition partner, the social-liberal D66 under Sigrid Kaag, made the biggest gains, securing second place - up from fourth place in 2017. Commentators believe the new government could offer a surprisingly broad spectrum of opinions.

Marian Kotleba's far-right party L'SNS has presented a constitutional amendment to "protect the traditional family" to the Slovak parliament under which same-sex couples would be denied any right to raise children. The motion was rejected, but the national press is dismayed to see that the L'SNS secured the votes of 26 MPs from parties in the governing coalition.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the long-awaited concept for the "Digital Green Certificate" on Wednesday. The document will serve as proof of vaccination, a negative test, or recovery from Covid, and will be issued from June 1 to facilitate travel. Member states are free to decide for themselves what advantages holders will have. Europe's press views the plans with scepticism.