Eurotopics.net

Former prime minister Boyko Borisov's Gerb party has suffered heavy losses in local elections in Bulgaria. In the run-off votes in the major cities of Sofia and Varna on Sunday, candidates from the reform alliance PP-DB won the mayoral posts. A warning signal for the coalition in Sofia?

In a historic step, the EU Commission has recommended the opening of accession talks with Ukraine, notwithstanding the ongoing war. However, Kyiv must first complete ongoing reforms such as the fight against corruption, the Commission stressed. Accession talks are also to be initiated with the Republic of Moldova. Europe's press praises the initiative but still sees many hurdles - not least because all EU states must agree to the recommendation.

85 years after the Kristallnacht of 9 November 1938, when synagogues were burned and Jewish shops destroyed, there is growing concern about rising antisemitism in Europe, and especially in Germany. Commentators warn against forgetting the past and emphasise the importance of solidarity with Israel and Jewish people in view of the current war in the Middle East.

The German government and the 16 state leaders have agreed on an asylum reform to reduce the number of refugees coming to Germany. Under the reform, the pace of bureaucratic procedures and deportations ist to be stepped up and refugees will receive a payment card instead of cash and reduced social benefits for a longer period. In addition the possibility of outsourcing asylum procedures will be examined. Does this mark another turning point for the country?