Eurotopics.net

The emergency escape capsule of a Soyuz rocket on its way to the International Space Station ISS was forced to return to Earth shortly after lift-off due to technical problems on Thursday. The two astronauts, one from Russia and one from the US, landed safely. Some commentators say the emergency landing fits into a series of Russian failures. Others see it as proof that Russia's space technology is superior.

The Christian Social Union, which has dominated Bavarian politics practically uninterrupted since the Second World War, looks set to lose its absolute majority in state elections on Sunday. Polls give the party just 34 percent of the vote, followed by the Green Party with 19 percent. In its campaign the CSU sought to win back votes from the far-right AfD by criticising refugee policy. Commentators say the strategy has failed.

Spain's social democratic minority government has reached an agreement with the left-wing party Podemos on a joint draft budget. The budget ends the austerity policy and foresees an increase in minimum wages. But the support of the regional parties in the Basque country and Catalonia will be needed for the budget to be passed in parliament. Is the plan good for Spain and Europe?

The UK's Supreme Court has ruled that the refusal of a Belfast baker couple to make a cake for gay activist Gareth Lee with the slogan "Support Gay Marriage" was not discriminatory. The bakers had rejected the slogan and not the customer, the court said justifying its decision. Not all commentators agree with this line of argument.