Eurotopics.net

Next week, US President Joe Biden will hand over the office of president of the United States to Donald Trump. In his final address to the nation, he warned that "an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy." Commentators take stock of his four years in office.

In Bulgaria, the conservative Gerb party led by former prime minister Boyko Borisov has agreed on a governing coalition with the socialist BSP, the right-wing populist ITN and the party of the Turkish minority DPS. Gerb MP Rossen Zhelyazkov is to become prime minister. Will this put an end to the protracted political crisis that has led to seven successive elections?

After a controversial election which the opposition claims was rigged, Portugal, the former colonial power, sent its foreign minister rather than its president to the swearing-in ceremony of the new president of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo. Protests against Chapo's election have been ongoing for months and more than 300 people have died in clashes with security forces, according to reports by civil society organisations.

Ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, lack of progress in the fight against climate change, uncertainty over the new US presidency: Europe will also face major challenges in 2025. Commentators discusses how the EU should position itself.