Eurotopics.net

The liberal Estonian government has announced plans to cut the country's generous parental allowance. Under the current rules, one parent receives his or her full salary until the child reaches the age of 18 months. The scheme was introduced in 2003 to address the low birth rate in the post-Soviet years, which in the meantime, however, has risen to around 1.6 children per woman, roughly the European average. The plans have triggered fierce debate in the national press.

Eleven MPs who recently left the main opposition party Syriza have formed a new group in the Greek parliament. It is to be called Nea Aristera (The New Left). Group leader Alexis Charitsis said on Monday that they wanted to do politics differently. Commentators have different opinions on the new group's chances of success.

Israel resumed the fight against radical Islamic Hamas on Friday. There have been air strikes across the Gaza Strip and Israeli ground troops have apparently also advanced into southern Gaza. Meanwhile, Washington has upped the pressure on Israel to minimise the impact on the civilian population. Europe's press examines different aspects of the war.