Eurotopics.net

The CDU and its Bavarian sister party the CSU are to meet today to discuss who should become their candidate to succeed Angela Merkel in the 2021 parliamentary elections. The leaders of the two Christian Democratic parties, Armin Laschet and Markus Söder, have both declared their willingness to run for the post of German chancellor. Europe's press discusses Söder's chances.

Police reporter and blogger Giorgos Karaivaz was murdered in broad daylight in an Athens suburb on Friday. Two hooded perpetrators on a moped shot the 52-year-old dead. Karaivaz was an investigative journalist specialising in covering organised crime and its links to politics. Commentators see problematic dynamics in play that go beyond this case.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passed away last Friday aged 99. Obituaries across the world paid tribute, stressing his modest stance at the Queen's side, which was unusual for a man of his generation, and his sometimes questionable sense of humour. Europe's press takes the opportunity to reflect on the status and future of the British monarchy.

Commenting during a press conference on Thursday on the missing third chair when EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Ankara, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called Turkish President Erdoğan a dictator. Observers find his choice of words neither wise nor accurate.

For the fourth night in a row, Northern Ireland has been rocked by rioting. Over a hundred young people in west Belfast threw Molotov cocktails and stones at each other and the police, who responded by using water cannons. Heightened tensions between pro-British and pro-Irish forces since Brexit are not the only factor behind the clashes, commentators say.