Eurotopics.net

Parliamentary elections will take place in the Czech Republic this Friday and Saturday. Former prime minister Andrej Babiš's populist ANO party has a ten-percentage-point lead against Prime Minister Petr Fiala's liberal-conservative governing coalition in the polls. Commentators observe a tense mood in the country and examine the reasons.

US President Donald Trump has lambasted the United Nations in a speech to its General Assembly, telling the organisation that it was "not even close to living up to" its potential. He said that he himself had ended seven wars without any support from the UN. He also criticised Europe's climate and migration policies, among other things. Commentators debate what it all means.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's recognition of Palestine as an independent state at a UN conference in New York. He described the move as a necessary step towards peace. Canada, the UK, Australia and Portugal had already recognised Palestine shortly before France, while Belgium, Malta and Luxembourg went on to do so shortly afterwards. The discussions at the meeting in New York were focused on the Gaza war and the goal of a two-state solution.

Incursions by drones of unknown origin left the airports in Copenhagen and Oslo crippled for several hours on Monday. These incidents come after various violations of Polish, Romanian and Estonian airspace by Russian drones and jets. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that the alliance will only combat aircraft if they pose an "immediate threat" to the population or infrastructure.