Eurotopics.net

Portugal will elect a new parliament in early elections on 30 January. According to polls, the far-right populist Chega party led by André Ventura has good chances of becoming the third strongest force in the country. So far Chega has been represented by just one MP in parliament - its leader. The national press complains that Ventura and his empty promises are receiving far too much attention.

The EU wants to phase out climate-damaging energy sources. However, particularly on the issue of nuclear power the member states face huge challenges and are pulling in opposite directions. The debate has intensified as northern Europe is hit by a cold spell and the new German government presents its ambitious climate policy. Europe's press asks questions and struggles for answers.

Before taking office as Germany's new finance minister on Wednesday, FDP leader Christian Lindner praised Greece's post-debt crisis reform policy and said that Germany should follow its example. Athens' impressive reform policy had succeeded in "putting the Greek economy on a new successful course", Lindner said on Tuesday. Commentators are dubious.

Germany has a new government. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and his cabinet comprising members of the coalition with the Greens and FDP were sworn into office on Wednesday. Europe's press is eager to see how the change of leadership in Berlin will impact the EU's course.

On Wednesday the EU Commission presented a new "anti-coercion instrument". In future Europe will be able to respond to trade boycotts or punitive tariffs by third countries against a member state or the EU as a whole with counter-sanctions. The aim of the instrument is to prevent such aggressive actions from the outset. In view of recent developments, commentators approve of Brussels' approach.