Eurotopics.net

The EU finance ministers were unable to settle the dispute over the EU's Covid recovery fund at their virtual summit on Tuesday. In the meantime the European statistics office Eurostat has announced that economic output in the Eurozone dropped considerably in the first quarter, but less dramatically than expected. Commentators examine the outlook and make proposals for reviving the economy.

Before the second round of the municipal elections in France - postponed from March 22 to June 28 due to the Covid-19 pandemic - electoral alliances are being forged in numerous cities and towns. In many places the Socialists are joining forces with the Greens and other left-wing parties in a bid to improve the chances of their strongest candidates. Commentators speculate about the results.

After George Floyd's death, racially motivated police violence in Europe has also come under the spotlight of public debate. Commentators discuss the motives for police brutality.

The Catholic Church in Italy has spoken out against plans to ban discrimination against homosexuals. The Italian Episcopal Conference in Rome has argued that the existing legislation already provides sufficient protection against violence and persecution. Commentators take different sides on the issue.

George Floyd's killing has sent shock waves around the world, driven hundreds of thousands onto the streets and sparked a major debate about racism. But racism has many faces, commentators explain - and voice annoyance at hypocritical expressions of solidarity.