Eurotopics.net

Estonia's LGBT community has been the target of attacks in the city of Pärnu in recent weeks. First people attending the screening of a film were insulted and filmed and then an LGBT outreach event was disrupted. The local branch of the far-right Ekre party, which forms part of the goverment in Tallinn, organised the demonstrations. Estonian media are deeply concerned.

This Monday, the British parliament may reach a decision on Brexit agreement between the UK and the EU after the House of Commons postponed the vote on Saturday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who promised that Britain would leave by October 31, has now been forced to ask the EU to extend the Brexit deadline. Commentators attempt to unravel the events.

The Green Party and the Green Liberal Party have made historic gains in Switzerland's parliamentary elections. The national conservative SVP remains the strongest party but lost four percentage points. Commentators explain the reasons for the green parties' success and describe the challenges that lie ahead for these now stronger parties.

The EU summit in Brussels has not reached agreement on the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. France, the Netherlands and Denmark are opposing the launch of EU accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. The French government has demanded that the entire accession process be reformed before it gives its consent for accession negotiations to begin. Commentators discuss the consequences.

US diplomats have negotiated a five-day ceasefire in northern Syria with the Turkish government. Under the agreement the Kurdish militia YPG is to leave the security zone Turkey is seeking to establish and Turkey is to end its offensive in the region. Not only because Turks and Kurds accuse each other of violating the ceasefire, some commentators remain skeptical of the agreement.