Eurotopics.net

On Monday the majority of the members of the German parliament withdrew its confidence in Chancellor Olaf Scholz, officially clearing the way for new elections on 23 February. Scholz will be running again as the top candidate of the SPD, but the leader of the opposition Friedrich Merz (CDU) is ahead in the polls. Europe's press takes stock.

Former professional footballer and far-right politician Mikheil Kavelashvili has been appointed as Georgia's new president thanks to the parliamentary majority of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The main opposition parties boycotted the vote on the basis that the parliamentary elections in October were rigged and are refusing to recognise the result. Europe's press comments.

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged member states to drastically increase their defence spending to guarantee Europe's security. Two percent of GDP will not be enough to function as a deterrent in the long term, the head of the military alliance admonished in his inaugural speech in Brussels. Commentators analyse his statements.

If Vienna fails to get its finances under control, it could face penalties from Brussels. With its deficit at 3.9 percent of GDP and set to rise to 4.1 percent next year, it is in breach of the Maastricht criteria which stipulate an upper limit of 3 percent. In addition, Austria's debt ratio could rise to over 80 percent, although according to the rules it should not exceed 60 percent. The national press is divided on how to avert a crisis.