Eurotopics.net

Following the victory of right-wing populist Geert Wilders and his PVV in the Dutch election it is still not clear who will form the new Dutch government. But Europe's press already sees the right-wing populist's success as part of a wider trend which, among other things, will also impact next year's European elections. What this means for democracy and the EU is the subject of heated debate.

The ceasefire agreed between Israel and the radical Islamic organisation Hamas has been in place since Friday and will continue until Tuesday morning. Hostages were handed over on each of the first three days, as agreed, and Palestinian prisoners were released in return. The pressure on Israel to extend the ceasefire is now increasing within the country and internationally. Europe's press comments on what this means.

The trade unions in the Czech Republic have called for a major day of protest today, Monday. The focus of the labour actions will be a one-hour warning strike against the government's austerity package and planned education reforms. Most schools are also to remain closed. Commentators take different views on whether the strike, described by the unions as the biggest since 1989, is justified.

The summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the defence alliance of six CIS states, took place in Minsk last week. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not attend, but nor has he announced his country's withdrawal from the Russian-dominated alliance, which remained inactive during Armenia's recent conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. What do these signals mean?

Following his victory in the Dutch election, right-wing populist politician Geert Wilders has announced his intention to form a government and become prime minister. Commentators examine whether his Party for Freedom could form an alliance with the liberal VVD, which has been in government for several years, the Farmer-Citizen Movement BBB and the centrist NSC - and what this could mean for Europe.