Eurotopics.net

Spain is facing a severe housing shortage and the government has now approved a housing plan that aims to triple the number of affordable homes and protect them from property speculation. Meanwhile, Ireland is taking a different approach: under a proposed bill, garden sheds could soon be built and rented out without planning permission. The media in both countries take a closer look at the initiatives.

Romania's four-party governing coalition has collapsed after six ministers and the deputy prime minister from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) resigned over austerity measures planned by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and his PNL party. Bolojan has rejected the PSD's demands for his resignation and said that he will lead a minority government. Bucharest is under pressure to reduce its budget deficit and debt, and it faces the prospect of cuts to EU funding if it fails.

This year, for the first time, the French government is allowing bakeries and florists to let their staff work on 1 May, provided they do so voluntarily and are paid double their usual rate. While employers, particularly butchers and fishmongers, are pushing for labour legislation to be further relaxed, trade unions are up in arms.

After Ukraine announced that it had repaired the Druzhba pipeline, Hungary has lifted its months-long blockade of a 90-billion-euro loan for Kyiv. Ousted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán supported the EU decision. Brussels also gave the green light for a new sanctions package against Russia. Commentators examine motives and connections.