Eurotopics.net

Over a hundred thousand people took to the streets in Paris and other French cities on Sunday to protest against rising antisemitism. The participation of right-wing populist Marine Le Pen was criticised, as was the absence of President Emmanuel Macron and the left-wing populist party La France Insoumise. Commentators voice dissatisfaction.

Former Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg died on the weekend aged 85. One of the Czech Republic's best-known politicians, Karel, the 7th Prince of Schwarzenberg, lived in exile in Austria for decades before returning to Prague after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Commentators pay tribute to his life's work.

The EU Commission's recommendation to start accession talks with Kyiv despite the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to occupy Europe's press. The many reforms that Ukraine has yet to complete before joining are by no means the only hurdle, observers note. The status of other accession candidates is also discussed.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the socialist PSOE could be re-elected for another term in office as early as next week after reaching an agreement with the Catalan pro-independence party Junts on Thursday. This follows agreements with the left-wing alliance Sumar and the Catalan ERC party. Commentators are at odds over potential consequences, in particular as regards the planned amnesty.