Eurotopics.net

Skyrocketing infection figures and the simultaneously increasing availability of various types of coronavirus tests are fuelling the discussion about the role of the proper testing strategy in the struggle against the pandemic. Slovakia's plans have attracted attention in this regard. But the commentators are already at odds over the wisest approach to testing.

Whether the topic is coronavirus, terror or immigration policy: fake news, filter bubbles and targeted disinformation have become a fixture in the media - via video channels and social media and even established publications at times. Commentators seek suitable countermeasures and examine why so many people are being duped by fake news.

The Estonian government, a coalition of the Centre Party, the Fatherland Party (Isamaa) and the far-right party Ekre, has decided to hold a referendum next spring on the constitutional definition of marriage. The referendum will not be binding - otherwise the government would have to resign if it loses. Ekre is the driving force behind the initiative; it wanted the law on registering same-sex partnership which was adopted in 2015 to be revoked.

The protests in Poland against the tightening of abortion legislation took a new turn on Wednesday, with the women's movement calling for a nationwide strike and paralysing traffic in Warsaw. The protests come after the Constitutional Court declared abortion illegal even in the case of severe foetal defects, further tightening one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. Will the PiS government soften its stance?

Much has been done to avoid it, and there have been urgent warnings against it, but in the face of a surge in infection rates lockdowns have been reimposed in many European countries. Unlike six months ago, however, daycare centres and schools are remaining open in most cases - which is why the talk is now of "partial lockdowns". Nevertheless, just like in the spring, opinions differ about the measures and whether they are necessary.