Eurotopics.net

The EU is to take out 450 billion euros in loans for the recovery programme proposed by the EU Commission. To finance the debt new taxes are foreseen, including a digital tax for Internet companies and taxes on plastic waste and CO2 consumption. Europe's media discuss whether the plan is economically sound and how the money should be allocated.

French President Macron announced a multi-billion-euro aid package for his country's crisis-stricken automotive industry on Tuesday. The goal is to save hundreds of thousands of jobs in the sector and make driving more environmentally friendly. Among other things purchases of electric cars by private buyers and companies are to be subsidised. Will the plan work?

China's National People's Congress has approved the proposal for a new security law for Hong Kong. The precise wording of the law will now be drafted, but it is already clear that it will punish "subversive", "separatist" and "terrorist" activities - terms that Beijing also uses for the mass protests that have been going on since 2019. What does the law mean for Hong Kong, and how should Europe react?

After Twitter subjected two messages from Donald Trump to a fact check and labelled them with fake-news warnings, the president has struck back. On Thursday he signed a decree that restricts the rights of social networks and accused online platforms of censorship. Observers point out several reasons for Trump's harsh reaction.

Latvia is launching a covid tracing app for tracking chains of infection today - the first EU state to do so. The state-run app is based on a new programming interface jointly developed by Google and Apple in the the pandemic. Commentators are divided about whether the app will bring Latvia's citizens more health and freedom.