Eurotopics.net

As tensions mount between Poland's national-conservative PiS government and the opposition, the polarisation between government-friendly and anti-government media has likewise increased. An appeal from a pro-PiS commentator for the government to crack down on critical media has caused a major stir.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is to visit Greece on December 7 and 8, becoming the first Turkish head of state to do so in the past 65 years. In view of the two countries' tense relations there is no shortage of topics for discussion. The expectations of the various media in the region regarding the visit differ widely.

The UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn attended by almost 200 states comes to an end today, Friday. One main bone of contention was whether industrial countries should support poorer, developing states. Commentators have harsh words for the rich nations' lack of solidarity and take differing views of the coal phase-out initiative proposed by some countries.

The EU is questioning the rule of law in Poland and has tasked an EU Parliament committee with examining whether to launch infringement proceedings. The Polish government's judicial reforms are the main source of concern. For some commentators the debate has taken on hysterical proportions; others want to see tough action against Warsaw.

At the New York auction house Christie's a painting by Leonardo da Vinci has been sold for the record sum of 450 million dollars. The name of the purchaser of the portrait of Jesus entitled Salvator Mundi is unknown. The former record price at a public auction was previously held by a painting by Pablo Picasso, sold for 180 million dollars in 2015. What determines the value of a work of art?