Eurotopics.net

France's Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer has proposed plans for schools to offer more voluntary classes in the Arabic language, saying that among other things this could "restore its prestige". The proposal has drawn harsh criticism from conservatives and the far right. French commentators explain why they believe this is a sensible plan.

The people of Romania will decide on October 6 and 7 whether marriage will be defined in the constitution as a union between a man and a woman - effectively ruling out gay marriage. Proponents and adversaries of the referendum do their best to get readers on their side.

Italy's Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi has cancelled a bilateral meeting with his Austrian counterpart in response to anger over Vienna's plans to offer Austrian passports to German-speaking inhabitants of South Tyrol. The scheme has been on the table in Vienna since the government took office in late 2017. Italian and Austrian commentators rake the idea over the coals.

The head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency Hans-Georg Maaßen has been stripped of his current post but is to become state secretary of the Interior Ministry. He recently came under fire over his statements regarding the incidents in Chemnitz. Commentators see this as a compromise solution, but will it end the row within the government and appease the opposition?