Eurotopics.net

In a keynote speech on the nuclear weapons doctrine, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised the importance of nuclear deterrence. He called on the European partners to engage in a strategic dialogue and to participate in French military exercises. Commentators disagree on whether Paris can replace Washington as Europe's security guarantee.

The film Parasite and its director Bong Joon-ho are the big winners of the 2020 Oscars. For the first time in the history of the world's most coveted film awards, a non-English-language film won in the main category of best picture. European media discuss whether the political message behind the decision is hitting home and how Netflix and co. have changed the way we watch films.

Around 435,000 babies were born in Italy in 2019 - only half as many as 45 years ago and the country's lowest birth rate since 1861. With the number of births at just 1.29 children per woman, the country is now at the bottom of the list in Europe, according to new data from ISTAT. Commentators look enviously at France.

The likelihood of a direct confrontation between Assad's army and Russia on the one hand and Turkey on the other is increasing. Turkish soldiers were once again killed in strikes carried out by the Syrian regime on Monday. Ankara said that it had "neutralised elements of the Syrian troops" in retaliation. Media from Russia and Turkey hope the situation won't escalate further.

After the shock political development in Thuringia, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announced on Monday that she will step down as CDU leader and not seek to be chancellor candidate in the next general election. She said she could not accept cooperation with either the AfD or the Left Party. Europe's press discusses what direction the CDU will now take - and what a post-Merkel power vacuum could mean.