Eurotopics.net

The Swedish furniture group Ikea opened its first branch in Latvia on Thursday. Latvian journalists are delighted - not just at the prospect of cheap furniture and scented candles.

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán want to do more to "protect Europe" against the influx of migrants. At their meeting in Milan they announced the formation of an anti-migration alliance. Commentators express concern about the future of the EU and cite reasons for the rise of sovereigntism in Europe.

After rioting by far-right demonstrators in the city of Chemnitz in eastern Germany on Sunday and Monday, the debate about xenophobia in the country has reignited. Some commentators blame the East German legacy or the EU for the clashes. Others see them as legitimate protest against the flow of migrants.

In the wake of protests Russian President Vladimir Putin has watered down his pension reform plans. In a televised speech he said that the retirement age for women would be raised by five rather than eight years, to age 60. He stressed, however, that the reform remained necessary due to "serious demographic problems". Is this clever back-pedalling or a sign of weakness?

Sweden's ruling Social Democrats want to grant all parents of children aged four to sixteen five extra days of paid holiday per year. Parents are to use these days to take care of their children during school holidays, the idea being that the measure would mainly benefit workers who can't afford private daycare. How much sense does the plan make?