Eurotopics.net

The Congo is set to witness its first peaceful transfer of power in five decades. In a surprise turn of events the electoral commission has announced that opposition leader Félix Tshisekedi won the elections held at the end of December. But this announcement has raised questions because according to the Catholic Church's count the second opposition candidate Martin Fayulu had won. What will happen now?

A change in Russian export and taxation laws has led to significantly higher oil and gas prices for Belarus, which had benefited from special conditions until now. Belarusian president Lukashenko is demanding compensation for the higher costs, but according to observers he will only receive it if he consents to a closer alliance with Russia. How much resistance should Moscow expect?

Leading politicians at home and abroad have lambasted Trump's decision to withdraw US troops from Syria. There are currently around 2,000 US soldiers stationed in the war-torn country. Although it now seems likely that the withdrawal will be postponed, commentators observe a strengthening of radical Islamist forces and expect another shift in the balance of power in Syria.

With just days to go before the vote on the Brexit agreement with the EU, Prime Minister May has suffered another blow in the House of Commons. MPs decided by a narrow margin that she must present a plan B within three days if her current proposal is voted down next Tuesday. Europe's press sees the PM on the brink of an abyss.

The refugees who spent the last few weeks waiting on rescue ships off Malta's coast were able to disembark on Wednesday. From there they will be distributed to eight EU states. But for many commentators the affair is far from over.