Eurotopics.net

Everywhere in Europe the number of citizens who believe that 2019 will be worse than 2018 from an economic point of view is growing. The trade dispute between the US and China, the Brexit and the European elections are causing uncertainty and damping optimism. But commentators also see some hopeful signs for the coming year.

Romania's EU Council presidency remains controversial. Bucharest has been under fire for months over its legal reforms, which are also heavily criticised within the country. Commission President Juncker also recently voiced doubts about Romania in an interview. Some commentators agree, others say the country shouldn't be prejudged.

Although government business remains practically at a standstill due to the shutdown, both chambers of the US Congress convened today, Thursday, for the first time in their new configuration. The Democrats now control the House of Representatives while Trump's Republicans still hold a majority in the Senate. Commentators explain their theories about how the Democrats should wield their newly acquired power.

The government in Budapest has had the statue of Imre Nagy removed from its place in front of the Hungarian parliament. Nagy, who was Prime Minister of Hungary in 1956, was executed for his role at the head of the Hungarian Uprising against the Soviets and buried anonymously following a secret trial. Opposition media criticise the government for riding roughshod over Hungary's historical legacy.

An eventful year has begun for Europe: Britain is planning to leave the EU in March and a new European Parliament will be elected in May. Commentators offer their predictions and describe 2019 as a year that could decide the fate of the European Union.