Eurotopics.net

Elon Musk, Big Tech billionaire and future head of the US Department of Government Efficiency, is increasingly interfering in European politics. Only weeks before the German parliamentary elections he has endorsed the AfD and called Chancellor Olaf Scholz an "incompetent fool". He also accused British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to properly investigate an abuse scandal when the latter was the UK's Director of Public Prosecutions.

After Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost his majority in the German Bundestag with the collapse of the coalition government, early elections have been called for 23 February. The rise of the right-wing populist AfD and economic policy are the main themes in election campaign. The media take a critical look at the parties' economic agendas and reform proposals: will they be able to convince voters?

Spain is commemorating its transition from dictatorship to democracy after the death of General Francisco Franco in November 1975 under the motto "Spain in freedom: 50 years". Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday launched a series of events that will take place over the next few months. A glance at the opinion sections shows that even after all this time the topic is still controversial.

US President-elect Donald Trump has again laid claim to Greenland and has not ruled out military action to take control of the country. Furthermore, his oldest son is currently paying a 'private visit' to the Arctic island. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has rejected the idea of a takeover, affirming that Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. Commentators discuss the ramifications of Trump's initiative.