Eurotopics.net

In reaction to the arrest of Deniz Yücel, Turkey correspondent for Die Welt newspaper, several German politicians have demanded an entry ban for Turkish President Erdoğan, who wants to campaign for his referendum in Germany in March. The 43-year-old reporter is accused of spreading propaganda for a terrorist association. What are Ankara's motives and how should Berlin react?

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker plans to present his ideas for the future of Europe today in preparation for the EU summit at the end of March. Last week he endorsed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's proposal for a multi-speed Europe. Commentators take a critical view of the idea.

Two of the candidates in France's presidential election, Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, want France to leave the Eurozone if they win. Coming from the far right and far left of France's political spectrum, these plans draw scathing criticism from observers.

US President Donald Trump wants to increase his country's military spending by 54 billion dollars - or 10 percent. According to his plan cuts in the areas of environmental protection and foreign aid programmes will free up the necessary extra cash. Observers doubt whether Trump will be able to finance his plan and explain the origins of the close ties between politics and the military in the US.

From this Wednesday on, same-sex couples can get married in Finland. The new law, which was approved by the Finnish parliament two years ago, has sparked a debate in the Church. Its highest decision-making body, the General Synod, has ruled that despite the new law its clergy can only perform marriages between a man and a woman. The Church is behind the times, the Finnish press concludes.