Eurotopics.net

The Republic of Moldova will hold parliamentary elections on Sunday. The pro-European PAS party led by President Maia Sandu has been at the helm of this country of 2.6 million inhabitants over the past four years. Sandu and her party have warned repeatedly in the election campaign that Russia may try to influence the vote. Commentators see the people of Moldova facing a choice between Europe and Russian paternalism.

US broadcaster ABC has cancelled the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live. On Monday's programme Kimmel commented on the killing of Charlie Kirk and suggested that Trump's allies were trying to exploit the murder. The US president himself praised the move, which leading Democrats have criticised. Commentators take a look at how freedom of expression is faring in the land of liberty.

Hundreds of thousands of people went on strikes and demonstrated across France on Thursday to protest the government's austerity plans. Local transport was severely disrupted, many schools and pharmacies remained closed and blockades were organised at companies. Commentators see the country facing major problems.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and nuclear power Pakistan have signed a mutual defence pact, whereby an attack on one of the countries will be considered an attack on both. The agreement comes days after Israel's attack on Hamas representatives in Qatar. Commentators see potential power shifts across the region.