European Union

The EU executive is expected to finally get to the heart of its five-year health agenda with the unveiling of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and the much-awaited pharmaceutical strategy. The launch of both initiatives was confirmed for the fourth quarter of 2020 in the Commission's latest working programme.

EU candidate Montenegro is holding a crucial parliamentary election on Sunday (30 Aug). Slovak MEP Vladimír Bilčík, who leads the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the country, said it is "essential" that they are conducted safely, peacefully and freely, recalling a coup d'etat attempt that marred the previous ballot in 2016.

Growing concern about rising infection numbers is prompting European governments to issue more and more travel warnings and classify regions as high-risk areas. Scientists are warning that the Covid-19 pandemic could spiral out of control again this autumn. While some commentators also stress that action must be taken, others warn against overreacting.

EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan stepped down from his position on Wednesday. The Irish government had pushed for his resignation after the country's agriculture minister also quit his post amid a scandal over the two politicians attending a dinner party with 80 guests in violation of Ireland's coronavirus rules. Did the government do the right thing?

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks were the first team to boycott a game in the National Baskeball Association's (NBA) playoff series. Now other teams and athletes from other sports are joining the strike in protest against racism and police brutality. The strike comes after Jacob Blake, an African American, was shot seven times in the back by a police officer in the state of Wisconsin on the weekend.

After weeks of protests following the Belarusian elections, Aleksander Lukashenka asked Russia for help. Putin has now set up a reserve force for the neighbouring country. Commentators fear a Russian invasion and demand that the EU take a more decisive stand to defend the Belarusian opposition against Kremlin intervention.

In Switzerland, a referendum will be held at the end of September on an initiative launched by the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party (SVP) that aims to end the country's Freedom of movement agreement with the EU so that Switzerland can manage its immigration policy independently of the bloc. If the initiative is accepted, six other agreements would also be terminated, including the agreement on single market access. How dangerous is this course?