Eurotopics.net

In France, over 800,000 people protested on Thursday in a general strike against the planned pension reform - the biggest protest since Macron became president. The reform aims to simplify the current system, which comprises over 40 different pension groups, and to raise the retirement age in certain sectors. What do the protests mean for Macron and his political future?

Poland's Supreme Court has ruled that the newly created Disciplinary Chamber, which is tasked with evaluating judges and prosecutors and if necessary dismissing them, is unlawful. Its members are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary, which is in turn elected by Parliament. As a result, the body is not sufficiently independent from the government, according to the ruling. What are the consequences?

The Czech Republic's Chief Prosecutor Pavel Zeman has reopened the investigation fraud investigation against Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš which was closed in September. But the country's president has offered Babiš a pardon, and the prime minister also has good connections in the judiciary. Commentators discuss whether Pavel Zeman's initiative is doomed to fail.

After his election victory on 10 November, Spain's caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was able to quickly agree on a coalition with the left-wing party Unidas Podemos (UP). But for the formation of a stable government, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) party must abstain from voting at the very least. Spanish media discuss the left-wing coalition's chances of success.

The US at loggerheads with Europe, diagnoses of brain death and an unruly Turkey - there was little expectation that this week's Nato summit would be a success. Now that the meeting is over the key problem is no longer internal discord, commentators note.