Eurotopics.net

There are just 25 days to go before the Brexit transition period ends on December 31. If the EU and the UK fail reach an agreement by then, the result would be a no-deal Brexit. The remaining sticking points are free trade, fisheries and jurisdiction. While some commentators call for concessions to be made to London, others accuse the British of annoying delaying tactics.

The availability of the first vaccine doses and Britain's rapid approval are fueling debate across Europe as to how individual states can protect their populations from coronavirus as quickly and safely as possible. Many commentators talk of unnecessary delays, which they put down to political factors.

With 95 percent of the votes counted the opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) has a narrow lead in Romania's parliamentary elections held on Sunday. Prime Minister Orban of the centrist National Liberal Party (PNL) wants to continue to govern the country, preferably with the eco-liberal party alliance USR-Plus. But he would still need a third partner. For commentators, this result comes as no surprise.

A fierce dispute has broken out between Ukraine and Hungary. In the run-up to Ukraine's local elections, Budapest's representative for the Hungarian minority in the country, István Gerzsa, visited the Hungarian party KMKSZ. Kiev protested, saying this was interference, and denied Gerzsa entry for his next visits. Orbán's Fidesz party has now accused Ukraine of trying to start a civil war. Journalists also level serious accusations.