Eurotopics.net

The pro-Kurdish HDP will not field its own candidate in the Turkish presidential elections on 14 May. Without it being explicitly stated as such, this is seen as a move in support of the opposition Nation Alliance and its candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The national press is divided in its reaction.

During his state visit to Moscow, Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed his twelve-point plan for Ukraine with Vladimir Putin and emphasised Beijing's "impartial position". Russia's president praised the initiative as the basis for a peaceful solution. On Monday, Xi had said that China would continue to work with Russia in the name of "true multilateralism". Europe's press tries to decode the signals.

The French government has pushed through its controversial pension reform by decree, bypassing a parliamentary vote. It narrowly survived two no-confidence motions on Monday, but strikes and mass protests against the reform continue. Europe's press observes the rifts in French society with concern.