Eurotopics.net

The pro-Western, conservative Gerb party won Sunday's early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, taking the lead against the pro-Russian Socialists. With this outcome it is highly likely that Boyko Borisov will become prime minister for the third time. Commentators explain why the Bulgarians put their trust in Borisov despite all his shortcomings rather than in the Eurosceptic parties.

The conflict over Turkish ministers speaking at campaign rallies in Europe is coming to a head: President Erdoğan has said he will press charges before the European Court of Human Rights in response to the Netherlands' ban on AKP rallies. The EU member states must join forces to defend themselves against Turkey's provocations, some commentators urge. Others recommend a calm response.

In view of an impending hard Brexit, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to give the Scots another chance to vote on independence from the UK. British Prime Minister Theresa May promised to take into consideration the interests of the Scots, who want to remain in the EU, but she has done nothing of the sort, Sturgeon maintains. For the press both sides are taking excessive risks.

After the Brexit vote and Trump's election victory, observers have their eyes trained on Geert Wilders and his xenophobic PVV in the run-up to the Dutch parliamentary elections on March 15. For months the right-wing populist was ahead in the polls, but now Prime Minister Mark Rutte's right-wing liberal VVD has regained the lead. The press is eager to see how the Dutch will vote in this first key ballot in a year packed with important elections.

Artur Mas, the former Catalan president, has been banned from holding public office for two years. A court in Barcelona convicted him of defying the constitutional court by organising a referendum on the region's independence from Spain in 2014. Spanish commentators see the judgement as unconstructive for various reasons.

Following Donald Tusk's all but unanimous re-election as president of the European Council against fierce opposition from Poland, commentators ask what consequences the scandal will have for the country. While some complain that Poland's opposition is failing to capitalise on the PiS's defeat, others voice their anger at Warsaw.