Eurotopics.net

First it was hundreds, then thousands and finally tens of thousands of GDR citizens who took to the streets in 1989. This culminated on 9 October in a demonstration in Leipzig of at least 70,000 people. Contrary to what was feared, the security forces did not intervene. Europe's press commemorates the peaceful revolution, which a month later culminated in the fall of the Berlin Wall, and takes a critical look at the world today.

Parliamentary elections will take place in Poland at the weekend. All indications are that the governing PiS will once again emerge as the strongest party. The European press discusses why the national conservatives are so popular and whether the opposition might have a chance after all.

The European Court of Human Rights has exhorted Rome to reform its law on life imprisonment. Currently, prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment for particularly grave crimes can only be released early if they cooperate with the judiciary. The court has now ruled that this practice contravenes the European Human Rights Convention. But is the ruling compatible with Italy's reality?

The US has begun to withdraw its troops from Northern Syria. At the same time the Turkish army has announced that it has completed preparations for an offensive in the area. Until now Washington had opposed a Turkish invasion of Syria in order to protect allied Kurdish militias. Commentators fear a further destabilisation of the region and criticise Trump.

The US has begun to withdraw its troops from Northern Syria. At the same time the Turkish army has announced that it has completed preparations for an offensive in the area. Until now Washington had opposed a Turkish invasion of Syria in order to protect allied Kurdish militias. In view of the latest developments commentators also take Europe to task.