Eurotopics.net

The situation at the EU's external borders with Belarus remains tense. Poland wants to build a wall, and Lithuania is also turning away most migrants. In these countries' media discussion of how to deal with the people who are besieging their countries' borders as a result of dictator Alexander Lukashenka's "hybrid warfare" continues.

The French newspaper Ouest-France has announced that it will not conduct any polls for the 2022 presidential election on the grounds that they distract from the essential issues. With the exception of the free papers, Ouest-France is the French daily with the highest circulation. Can this move strengthen democracy and the culture of debate?

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed last week that he will present a law abolishing prostitution in Spain by the end of this legislative period. The ruling parties plan to introduce a version of the so-called "Nordic model" which makes using sexual services a punishable offence. Commentators call for a broadbased debate.

Diplomatic relations between Turkey and the West have reached a new low. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has instructed his foreign minister to prepare the expulsion of ten ambassadors of Western countries including the US, Germany and France. Commentators take very different views on the repercussions.

Despite the pressing problems, Angela Merkel's last EU summit brought no concrete decisions. The member states were unable to agree on joint measures either in the judicial dispute with Poland or on the question of migration via Belarus. A decision on the Spanish proposal to secure lower energy prices through joint gas purchases was also postponed. Commentators voice their disappointment.