Eurotopics.net

The European Commission has also rejected a slightly modified draft of Italy's 2019 budget on the grounds that it violates EU rules, and is initiating an Excessive Deficit Procedure against the country. For Rome this could mean fines of up to 3.4 billion euros. Some commentators praise Brussels for its firm stance. Others say both sides will end up losing.

Stores in the US traditionally offer goods at heavily reduced prices on the Friday after Thanksgiving, ushering in the Christmas shopping season. Black Friday has also been exported to Europe and taken up by e-commerce. Commentators discuss the commercial and spiritual repercussions of the mega sale.

The opposition in the Czech parliament wants to try to topple Prime Minister Andrej Babiš with a vote of no confidence in the wake of a subsidies scandal. The police are investigating Babiš on charges of misusing EU subsidies for a health resort, and his own son has accused him of having had him abducted to prevent him from giving testimony. Commentators believe the no-confidence vote won't succeed and explain why.

The European Commission has also rejected a slightly modified draft of Italy's 2019 budget on the grounds that it seriously violates EU rules, and wants to launch an Excessive Deficit Procedure against the country. For Rome this could mean a fine of up to 3.4 billion euros. How can the confrontation be defused?

For millions of women in Europe their home is a dangerous place. Domestic violence mainly affects women and is prevalent across the social spectrum. Prompted by the latest statistics or International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, media in many countries are honing in on the problem.

People are living longer and having fewer children - in almost all European countries this trend is putting pension funds under pressure. Governments and societies are having to deal with the fact that ever fewer young people are financing ever more older people. Commentators in different countries propose different approaches to the problem.