Eurotopics.net

After the collapse of the traffic light coalition between the the Social Democrats (SPD), Liberals (FDP) and Greens, Germany seems to be heading for new elections. Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to wait until January to call a vote of confidence and put other important decisions to parliament in the meantime, but opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) is pushing for elections as soon as possible. Europe's press looks on in concern, but also sees opportunities.

During the election campaign, Donald Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine in just 24 hours if elected president, but gave no indication of how he intended to keep this promise. Europe's media examine the next US president's options for bringing about a peace deal and what consequences it could have.

The European Parliament in Brussels has been interviewing candidates for the new European Commission since 4 November. The hearings end on 12 November. So far all candidates have been confirmed apart from Olivér Varhélyi from Hungary, who has to go through a second round. Once the individual hearings conclude the Commission as a whole must be confirmed. Commentators take a look at their country's nominees, as well as the entire procedure.

In January 2025, Donald Trump will take over as US president. Many Europeans have major reservations about him and surveys show that a large majority of EU citizens would have voted for Kamala Harris. The press examines what the election result means for Europe.