Eurotopics.net

Many schools in Latvia offer only Russian as a compulsory second language from the fourth grade on. Parents are now demanding more options, but schools say they lack the teachers for other languages. State education plans envisage discontinuing Russian as a second language, but not until 2026.

Slovakia's parliamentary elections on Saturday could bring former prime minister Robert Fico back into power. The populist politician, who is under investigation on suspicion of criminal activities, has vociferously positioned himself against support for Ukraine. Fico's Smer party has a narrow lead in the polls over liberal Progresívné Slovensko led by MEP Michal Šimečka. Europe's press stresses the importance of this vote.

French President Emmanuel Macron this week presented his long-awaited climate plan. The national strategy is intended to make the country less dependent on foreign energy sources and be socially equitable. Commentators are at odds as to whether Macron has hit the nail on the head.

Six young people from Portugal are suing 32 European countries before the European Court of Human Rights in their fight for stronger climate protection measures. They accuse politicians of leading humanity towards a climate catastrophe through their inaction. The commentary columns welcome the lawsuit.

The conservative opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo failed to obtain the parliamentary majority he needed to form a government on Wednesday. The second attempt on Friday is considered hopeless. Pedro Sánchez, leader of the socialist PSOE, is now courting the votes of separatist regional parties in a bid to continue governing with his left-wing coalition. In return for their support the separatists demand amnesty for the organisers of the 2017 Catalan independence referendum.

Following the most serious confrontation between Kosovo and Serbia in recent years, Europe's press is debating the future of the region. Under EU mediation the two countries are engaged in talks aimed at normalising their tense relations, but so far without results. Pristina is not willing to extend self-government rights for the predominantly ethnic Serb communities in Kosovo. Commentators examine the situation, also as regards Serbia.