Eurotopics.net

People are living longer and having fewer children - in almost all European countries this trend is putting pension funds under pressure. Governments and societies are having to deal with the fact that ever fewer young people are financing ever more older people. Commentators in different countries propose different approaches to the problem.

Despite the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi US President Donald Trump has expressed his unstinting support for the Saudi royal family. The US remains a "steadfast partner" to Saudi Arabia, he declared on Tuesday. According to media reports the CIA has concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was behind the crime. Commentators explain why Trump won't break the ties with Riyadh.

The controversial forced retirement of Poland's most senior judges is to be revoked. The national-conservative PiS government has presented a draft law in parliament to that effect. In October the European Court of Justice had ordered an end to the forced retirements. Is the PiS's grip on power starting to loosen?

One week after escaping to Hungary, Macedonia's former prime minister Nikola Gruevski has been granted asylum there. In his home country he had been found guilty of corruption and sentenced to two years in prison. Further legal proceedings are pending. While some commentators agree that Gruevski should receive asylum, others don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Shortly before the EU leaders are due to meet on Sunday to sign the Brexit deal Spain has called for last-minute changes to the agreement. It has threatened to block the deal unless bilateral talks are held on the future of Gibraltar. France, too, is calling for more concessions on fishing rights. Are changes to the 600-page Brexit deal imminent?