Eurotopics.net

In political Berlin speculation that the head of the domestic intelligence agency Hans-Georg Maaßen will have to resign continues. He recently came under fire for playing down the violence at the protests in Chemnitz and claiming that a video showing foreigners being hunted down was faked. Journalists in and outside Germany are galvanized by the affair.

In 2017 a court of arbitration ruled that most of the Bay of Piran belonged to Slovenia. But because Croatia refuses to recognise the ruling Slovenia lodged a complaint with the European Court of Justice in July. So far, however, EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, who from a legal point of view should side with Slovenia, has remained silent on the issue. Slovenian media vent their anger.

The Christian Democratic MEP Michaela Šojdrová from the Czech Republic has proposed that her country take in 50 Syrian war orphans. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, however, has rejected the proposal on the grounds that he is in principle against taking in refugees. The commentaries in the Czech papers say a thing or two about the views of their owners.

The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers investment bank ten years ago sent a shock through the world of finance. The global economy collapsed, states became massively indebted, and the euro came under pressure. While some commentators worriedly anticipate further crises, others are confidant that the world is better protected today.

Italy's Interior Minister Salvini and Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Asselborn have engaged in a battle of words at a ministerial meeting in Vienna. The catalyst was the migration issue. To the delight of his supporters, Salvini posted the altercation on Facebook and Twitter - although it took place behind closed doors. Commentators voice understanding for Asselborn's frustration.