Eurotopics.net

Several hundred gathered in Budapest on Saturday to protest against a change to Hungary's education legislation. Among other changes the controversial amendments put the decision about whether a child is ready for school in the hands of the authorities and place more restrictions on non-state schools regarding curriculums. Commentators discuss whether the protests are justified.

Italy's ex-prime minister Giuseppe Conte has been tasked with forming a government comprising Cinque Stelle and the Democratic Party (PD). Conte had resigned ten days ago in the confrontation with Lega leader Salvini. The press asks whether he can unite the two unequal partners and prevent Salvini's return.

New parliaments will be elected in the East German states of Saxony and Brandenburg on Sunday, followed by Thuringia in October. The AfD looks set for a strong showing in all three states, according to the polls. Commentators focus on living conditions in East Germany 30 years after the Fall of the Wall - and the sense of disappointment that has taken hold there since Germany's reunification.

According to reports in the media in the event of a recession the German government is prepared to abandon the "Black Zero" policy of maintaining a balanced budget without deficit spending which has enabled Germany to avoid making any new debt in the last five years. Gaps in the budget resulting from lacking tax revenues could be plugged through the move. Commentators are at odds over whether this is the right course.