Eurotopics.net

Central Italy was once again rocked by a severe earthquake on Sunday, the worst in Italy in 36 years and the fifth destructive tremor in the region since August. The press draws attention to the tens of thousands of people left homeless and stresses that Italy cannot shoulder the costs of emergency aid and reconstruction on its own.

After its surprise victory in Lithuania's parliamentary elections, the Peasant and Greens Union has presented its first plans for government. These include a state alcohol monopoly meant to curb alcoholism in the country. Lithuanian commentators show little enthusiasm for the proposal.

A trial against Geert Wilders, the leader of the xenophobic Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), began on Monday in Amsterdam. He is accused of inciting hatred because of a speech in which he made derogative remarks about Moroccans. The Dutch press comments on the trial and asks how the Netherlands should deal with Wilders.

Shortly after the cancellation of the EU summit with Canada, Belgium on Thursday reached a consensus on the free trade agreement. This has stopped Ceta falling through for now. Some commentators see no cause to celebrate an agreement that they believe undermines national sovereignty. Others praise Canada’s conduct during the altercation as exemplary.

Nato plans to boost its military presence in eastern Europe as of 2017. Alliance defence ministers discussed the details of the plan at a meeting in Brussels this week. A total of 4,000 troops are to be stationed in the Baltic states and Poland. For some commentators this is a clever preemptive move in the context of Russian aggression. Others fear an escalation in the conflict with Moscow.