Eurotopics.net

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron plan to sign a new German-French friendship treaty known as the Aachen treaty. The agreement is set to be signed on January 22 in the city where 31 Holy Roman Emperors were crowned. Journalists find fault with the plan for various reasons.

On Thursday Italy's government approved the implementation of two central election promises: the citizens' income, a scheme that could benefit millions of people. And a pension reform that could lower the age of retirement for around 350,000 Italians. The Italian press is sceptical.

Russian president Vladimir Putin was received in Belgrade by Serbian head of government Aleksandar Vučić on Thursday. In view of mass demonstrations against Vučić's government that have gone on for several weeks, commentators suspect that the visit was a diversionary tactic and advise the EU to take the visit seriously.

After the fatal knife attack on Gdańsk mayor Paweł Adamowicz, tens of thousands of people have gathered for silent marches in Poland's cities to protest against political hatred. A man rushed on stage during a charity gala on Sunday and stabbed Adamowicz several times.

After winning a no-confidence motion Theresa May has met with leaders of the opposition parties to hash out a Plan B for her Brexit deal. The EU has signalled willingness to make compromises if London gives up certain "red lines", in particularly on the question of freedom of movement for workers. It shouldn't be too accommodating, commentators warn.