Eurotopics.net

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has rejected the appointments of two cabinet members proposed by the government. One of them is the candidate for the Ministry for Regional Development, a key portfolio. According to observers the head of the ruling party Liviu Dragnea wanted loyal supporters in these ministerial posts. Was the president right to block the appointments?

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Turkey must release the politician Selahattin Demirtaş from prison. The Erdoğan critic and former leader of the pro-Kurdish HDP has been behind bars for two years on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda. President Erdoğan, however, has roundly rejected the ruling. Will Ankara come under pressure now?

The Ukrainian government stopped the signing of the association agreement with the EU on November 21, 2013. Spontaneous protests led to the fall of president Yanukovych in February 2014 and Russia's annexation of Crimea, and continue to strain relationships between Russia and the West today. Ukrainian media take stock.

A scandal has rocked the Swedish Social Democratic Youth League following reports that Muslim members in the Skåne region who represented anti-Semitic and homophobic positions were tolerated for years. The League's collaboration with Muslim organisations is also causing a stir. Despite resignations the problem is far from resolved as far as Sweden's press is concerned.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was able to persuade the cabinet to back her Brexit plans but it is far from certain that she will be able to get it through parliament. On top of this she is facing a vote of no confidence from fellow Tories. Observers believe a second Brexit referendum may now be on the cards. While some commentators pin their hopes on a new vote, others find the idea utterly absurd.

Creating a special budget for the Eurozone is widely known to be one of French President Emmanuel Macron's pet projects. At a Eurogroup meeting on Monday the finance ministers of France and Germany presented a joint plan - although according to observers Berlin got its way on most points. Commentators examine whether the initiative brings the EU forward.