Eurotopics.net

The new British government plans to boost public spending by taking out bigger loans and raising taxes, particularly those on companies, the wealthy and financial investors. The roughly 48 billion euros in additional tax revenues will be used to boost the economy and improve public services, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves explained when presenting her budget. The press reacts with a mixture of scepticism and praise.

Pumpkins lit up with candles, children begging for sweets and spooky costumes: American Halloween, celebrated on the eve of the Catholic All Saints' Day on 1 November, has been gaining ground in European countries for some time now. Commentators are confident that the trend does not portend the West's downfall.

The VW works council has announced that the carmaker plans to shut at least three factories in Germany and lay off thousands of workers. The carmaker has not yet confirmed these plans, but it has spoken of a 'serious situation' and reported a massive 64-percent drop in profits in the third quarter of 2024 on Wednesday. The press analyses the causes of the crisis in Germany's key industrial sector.

Israel has banned the Palestinian relief organisation UNRWA from operating on Israeli territory as of next year. The Knesset's decision could make life even more difficult in the Palestinian territories, since Israel controls the borders there. Commentators question the allegations that the agency is a terrorist organisation and shed light on the background to these developments.

The Social Democratic Party has won the second round of voting in the Lithuanian parliamentary elections, claiming 52 seats in the Seimas, well ahead of the incumbent ruling party TS-LKD (conservative, 28 seats). The Social Democrats now plan to form a three-way coalition with Vardan Lietuvos (centre-left/green) and a yet-to-be-determined third partner. The nationalist-populist Nemuno aušra came in third. How did this result come about and what will happen next?