Eurotopics.net

Martin Schulz has announced that he will not run for a third term as President of the European Parliament and will focus on German politics instead. Exactly what post he will occupy there remains an open question. Some commentators voice relief at seeing the old boy ties between Schulz and Commission President Jucker being severed. Others fear that Germany's influence in Europe will increase.

The European Parliament voted on Thursday by a large majority in favour of freezing EU membership talks with Turkey. The vote, however, is not legally binding either for the EU Commission or for the member states. What impact will it have on relations between Ankara and the EU?

The Italians will vote on a complex constitutional reform on December 4 that among other things foresees a smaller Senate. However according to observers the referendum no longer seems to be about reform but a vote for or against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the potential consequences of a government crisis for all Europe. What is really at stake in Italy?

Poland's national conservative ruling party PiS plans to cut the pensions of ex-secret service agents and police officers who were active under the communist regime and remained in service after 1990. Around 32,000 people would see their pensions reduced from high to average levels as a result. How fair is the initiative?

US president-elect Donald Trump had his first telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin on Monday. According to the Kremlin both men voiced the desire for improved relations between their countries. But this is no reason to believe Putin and Trump will work together in the future, commentators write.

Ahead of Romania's parliamentary elections on December 11 a new party is making headlines. The Save Romania Union (USR) is a coalition of young activists from the private sector and the NGO scene. Although the party was formed only four months ago the USR is hitting the double digits in the polls. What can the country expect of the new party?