Eurotopics.net

In its longest ever session, the Scottish Parliament on Thursday passed a new bill which will allow transgender people aged 16 and older to apply for legal recognition of their gender without the need for a medical diagnosis. On the same day, the government of Switzerland, the Federal Council, opposed the introduction of the category "Diverse" on identity documents. A fierce debate over the issue is raging in both countries.

There are festive meals to be planned, and gifts and Christmas trees to be bought, while at the same time war and inflation are weighing on our minds. Many people in Europe will no doubt find it especially hard to be merry over this festive season. But the pre-Christmas stress will still pay off, some commentators predict.

On his first trip abroad since the Russian war of aggression against his country began, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the US. After a meeting with Biden, he addressed Congress, where he was greeted with a long round of applause. Europe's press sees a lot of symbolism in the meeting.

Almost 150 years after slavery was abolished in Dutch colonies, Prime Minister Mark Rutte has officially apologised to the descendents of the estimated 600,000 people who were enslaved. Commentators discuss what should follow after this apology.