Eurotopics.net

Poland and the US have invited representatives from 60 countries to Warsaw to discuss the situation in the Middle East at a two-day conference. The event is controversial because critics are calling it an anti-Iran conference. But the fact that representatives from Tehran aren't attending isn't the only disappointing aspect as far as commentators are concerned.

Germany's Social Democrats want to overcome their plunge in the polls with new concepts for the social welfare state and a reform of the Hartz IV unemployment benefit system introduced under former chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Some commentators see the measures as a key move to raise the party's profile. Others say they don't go far enough.

The Turkish government has started selling vegetables directly to citizens at discount prices in a bid to control inflation. While President Erdoğan has blamed inflation on "foreign powers", critics see the measure as an election tactic. The Turkish press discusses the psychological impact of queuing up for cheap vegetables.

The Spanish parliament on Wednesday rejected Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's draft budget. The Catalonian regional parties, on whose support the Socialist minority government depends, opposed the plan. New elections are now likely. Has the Catalonian crisis made Spain ungovernable?