Eurotopics.net

Coalition negotiations between Austria's ÖVP and FPÖ parties have failed, with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl citing a dispute over the distribution of ministerial posts as the main reason. This comes after coalition talks between the SPÖ, ÖVP and Neos parties were also unsuccessful. Commentators analyse the causes and anticipate what will come next.

An Artificial Intelligence Action Summit chaired by France and India will take place in Paris at the beginning of next week. The goal is to develop a common scientific basis, solutions and standards for AI to ensure that it serves progress and the common good. Europe's media examine the tensions and deficits in this rapidly advancing field.

In December, the dispute over the French budget led to the fall of the government under Michel Barnier. After a fierce struggle his successor François Bayrou has now overcome that hurdle. He made it through two votes of no confidence in the National Assembly, after which the Senate approved the budget. Commentators conclude that the situation remains far from stable.

The student protests in Serbia continue unabated: demonstrators blocked a bridge on the weekend, pensioners took to the streets in support of the students and further actions are planned. Commentators explain why the public anger goes far beyond the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse that triggered the protests in the first place.

Syria's new interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has visited Ankara, where he was officially received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. An inaugural visit to Paris is also under discussion. Commentators describe a rapidly changing situation with both winners and losers.