A growing number of official bodies are warning of the possibility of Russia launching military operations against Europe. Germany's Federal Intelligence Service said on Monday that there was an increased risk of hybrid attacks by Moscow, and Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has said the continent faces a "dark winter" and called for drone defence to become top priority. Denmark's intelligence service has also warned of the growing risk of a limited military attack on a Nato country in the coming months.
Children at secondary schools in France have been protesting against the deplorable conditions in their schools since September. In several towns, school blockades have led to riots and clashes with the police, who have arrested hundreds of young people. On Tuesday, large-scale demonstrations backed by trade unions were held across the country. The media shed light on the political, social and economic background to this wave of protests.
Two weeks after her eviction from the home she lived in for seven decades, 87-year-old Spanish pensioner Maricarmen Abascal has died. Her eviction sparked nationwide protests against the country's housing crisis, and a general strike has now been called for 11 November. For the Spanish press, Maricarmen has become a key symbol for the housing protests.
After the collapse of the government of Ilie Bolojan in May this year, President Nicușor Dan is now making a fourth attempt to form a new government. He has nominated the diplomat Luca Niculescu, who has been coordinating Romania's accession process to the OECD, as a candidate for the post of PM. Opinions in the national media are divided as to Nicolescu's chances of success.
Portuguese whistleblower Rui Pinto is facing the prospect of losing his state witness protection. The founder of the website Football Leaks exposed illegal practices in professional football, but was found guilty of cybercrimes and attempted extortion in 2023 and given a four-year suspended sentence. The Portuguese press debates whether or not the state should continue to protect him.
On the third anniversary of the Hamas attack, Israel is commemorating the victims. On October 7, 2023, terrorists from the Gaza Strip invaded Israel, murdering 1,221 people and taking 251 hostage. Israel reacted with a war which has claimed at least 70,000 lives in the Palestinian territories. Commentators explore how that day changed the country and its people.
After the AfD's election victory in Saxony-Anhalt, a member of the party – which is classified there as far-right extremist – has, for the first time in Germany, been elected as parliamentary speaker in the state parliament. Tobias Rausch received 48 out of 82 votes during the parliament's first constituent session. In addition to the AfD and BSW parliamentary groups, four representatives from other parties also voted for Rausch. Commentators take stock and examine the possibility of the AfD forming a government.
A laboratory worker at a plague research institute in Irkutsk, Russia, has died from a suspected case of pneumonic plague. As a result, several hospitals have been placed under quarantine for at least three weeks. According to official sources, no further cases of infection have been recorded, but the Russian authorities have disclosed very little information so far. The press discusses the risk of infection and calls for more transparency.
Local elections will be held in the Czech Republic on Friday and Saturday. However, due to a scheduling error, the election date clashes with President Petr Pavel's motorbike holiday in Morocco, so he won't be able to cast his vote. The head of state has said he regrets the mistake but does not intend to cut short his trip. Czech media have criticised the fact that the president, of all people, will be absent from the election.
In the presidential elections in Brazil, the incumbent Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, are set to face one another in a run-off. The far-right Bolsonaro won the first round with 47 percent of the vote against Lula's 45 percent. The run-off will take place on 25 October. For commentators, the significance of this election extends far beyond Brazil's borders.
After failing on Friday to secure a majority for a package of measures to protect tenants, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election for 29 November. The press debates Sánchez's election campaign strategy, the opposition's prospects and the significance of the vote for the balance of power in European politics.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' United List has secured a clear victory in Latvia's parliamentary elections. Its share of the vote tripled to more than 35 percent, giving it 41 of the 100 seats in the Saeima. The pro-European centre-right party only needs one coalition partner now. The populist party Sovereign Power, which is described as pro-Russian, won 12 percent of the vote and 15 seats.