Eurotopics.net

In the French local elections the Green Party won several large cities, including Lyon, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. Conservative commentators are irked by the new accents they are setting in politics: the mayor of Bordeaux recently announced that the traditional Christmas tree in the city centre would be abolished for environmental reasons, and his counterpart in Lyon has criticised the Tour de France as a macho event.

In Romania a traffic light system based on the number of coronavirus infections per region has been set up to regulate children's return to school after the holidays: in the green zone lessons take place as normal. In the yellow zone half of the class has in-person lessons while the other half attends online. In the red zone all lessons are online. Commentators say virtual teaching won't work.

While the mass protests continue unabated in Belarus, the country's long-time President Alexander Lukashenka is flying to Sochi today to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Europe's press speculates on whether the two will discuss joint action against the opposition movement or whether Putin is paving the way for major change in the neighbouring country.

The EU has responded to London's plans to override certain elements of the Brexit withdrawal agreement with an ultimatum. If the British government does not withdraw its proposed legislation by the end of September, the Union will refuse to continue negotiations on a trade deal. Europe's press is outraged at Johnson's move - but sees opportunities nonetheless.