Eurotopics.net

Following parliamentary elections in Slovenia in March which failed to deliver a clear majority, a group of MPs has proposed electing Janez Janša, leader of the conservative SDS, as Prime Minister and the formation of a centre-right coalition. If his nomination is successful, Janša will become head of Slovenia's government for the fourth time.

The US last week called off plans to deploy 4,000 US troops to Poland. According to the Pentagon, the number of US combat brigades in Europe will be reduced from four to three. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on Washington not to jeopardise its friendship with Warsaw. At the beginning of May, the US had also announced the withdrawal of around 5,000 troops from Germany.

Hot on the heels of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin has paid a two-day visit to Beijing. The Russian president and his host Xi Jinping publicly emphasised the strong ties between their countries. However, the two leaders failed to reach a deal on the construction of a new pipeline to export Russian natural gas. Europe's press analyses the international power relations.

At the University Hospital Zurich’s Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, there were around 70 more deaths between 2016 and 2020 than would be expected based on statistical estimates, according to a recently published investigative report. The document criticises poor hospital management, conflicts of interest and the inappropriate use of cardiac implants which the clinic's director at the time, Francesco Maisano, had helped to develop. The press examines causes and accountability.

A reading list for students at a religious school in Istanbul which reportedly recommended authors such as Victor Hugo and Martin Heidegger is causing a stir. Conservative social media groups expressed outrage about the list, calling it a scandal. The Istanbul Governor's Office launched an official investigation and suspended the headteacher, who claims his signature was forged.