Eurotopics.net

Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron will sign a new German-French friendship treaty today in the Coronation Room of Aachen Town Hall. The document will supplement the Elysée Treaty signed 56 years ago in Paris by then chancellor Konrad Adenauer and French president Charles de Gaulle. However, many observers are disappointed with the new version of the agreement.

The yellow vest protests of recent weeks have not only been marked by confrontation with the police. Demonstrators have also attacked journalists and blocked printing facilities to prevent newspapers from being delivered. The yellow vests accuse many media of unobjective and biased reporting. France's press voices concern about the state of freedom of opinion.

In Barcelona taxi drivers have been staging protests against online services like Uber and Cabify over the last few days. They have blocked arterial roads, demanding fair competition, and the protests have also spread to Madrid. Spanish commentators criticise the manner of the protests and stress that the entire sector needs new regulations.

Donald Trump has been US President for two years. In that time the White House resident has implemented many of his campaign promises. But commentators disagree as to whether this makes him a successful president.

More than four months after Sweden's parliamentary elections Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has been elected for a second term. He will lead a minority government consisting of Social Democrats, Greens, Liberals and members of the Centre Party. The Left Party abstained. Commentators welcome the historic alliance, but feel that the way it was achieved has harmed democracy in the country.