Italy’s PM Giuseppe Conte has won a crucial confidence vote in Parliament’s lower house on Monday, facing a tougher Senate test on Tuesday, news wires reported.

France began a nationwide campaign to inoculate people over 75 on Monday as officials sought to ease concerns about deliveries of coronavirus vaccines.

Germany is Europe's champion of high electricity prices. Some attribute that to the green surcharge, others say it is a sign of highly developed economy, but the common Germans are not happy at all with these conclusions. Furthermore, the unrest may shortly explode.

The Austrian government is extending the country’s lockdown until 7 February in a drive to push down still-high infection figures as officials worry about the possible impact of new coronavirus variants.

France's Muslim federations agreed on Sunday on a "charter of principles" requested by President Emmanuel Macron in his bid to eradicate sectarianism and extremism in the country, news wires reported. In November, Macron urged the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) to devise the charter, after the jihadist killing of a schoolteacher.

Italian PM Giuseppe Conte's political future is at stake as he faces a vote of confidence in the larger chamber of parliament on Monday, following a breakdown of government alliances. If he survives the vote in the Chamber of Deputies, the next hurdle awaits him on Tuesday: another vote in the Senate, the smaller chamber. The 56-year-old needs the approval of both chambers to pass the vote. If he fails, his administration could be forced out of office,dpa noted.

Slovakia is launching on 18 January a project to test almost all citizens for the coronavirus in nine days, news wires reported. The government hopes the nationwide testing will speed up a recovery from the latest wave of the infections, make it possible for students to return to school in February, help the health system and ease restrictions that harm the economy.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper that Covid-19 restrictions must be eased for citizens who have already been vaccinated against the virus. Unlike Maas, the rest of Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet opposes easing restrictions for people who have been vaccinated, fearing it will lead to inequalities in society, DW reported.

Portugal’s Finance Minister Joao Leao has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office said on Saturday, a day after he took part in an in-person meeting in Lisbon with top EU officials, including Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

In order to effectively contain the pandemic, an initiative made up of scientists, activists and members of the health staff is calling for a radical rethink in the corona crisis. The so-called #ZeroCovid initiative advocates for a Europe-wide shutdown of all non-vital areas. It also suggests the introduction of an EU solidarity tax to cushion the financial consequences of the shutdown.