Eurotopics.net

The Russian currency is experiencing severe turbulence: since early August the rouble has lost almost a quarter of its value, and yesterday it dipped to a low of 115 roubles to the dollar. Although its exchange rate recovered a little afterwards, the downward trend continues. The press takes a look at the causes.

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire for an initial period of 60 days. Both sides must now withdraw their units from southern Lebanon, with the Unifil peacekeeping force and the Lebanese army taking over protection of the border area. Europe's media greet the agreement with a combination of relief and scepticism.

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that as soon as he takes office in January he plans to impose tariffs of 25 percent on imports from neighbouring Mexico and Canada and increase the current tariffs on Chinese imports by 10 percent. With these measures he aims to boost the US economy and exert pressure on these countries to combat illegal migration and drug trafficking. Europe's press is not convinced.

The far-right candidate Călin Georgescu scored a surprise victory in the first round of Romania's presidential elections. He will now go into the runoff on 8 December against the centre-right politician Elena Lasconi. One week before that, the country will elect a new parliament. Commentators examine how outsider Georgescu, who was mostly active on Tiktok before the first round, was able to secure so many votes, and what this means for the country.

As German Chancellor she steered the fate of her country from 2005 to 2021. On Tuesday, Angela Merkel published her memoirs. European commentators eagerly scrutinise the contents of the 700-page book, which has been translated into 30 languages and is called "Freedom: Memoirs 1954-2021".