Eurotopics.net

In the run-up to Christmas it has become apparent in many European countries that the measures taken so far are not enough to keep the infection numbers down. So Germany, among others, is going into full lockdown this week. Many commentators voice dismay at the political failures and conflicting announcements of recent months. But some have pointed out that there is now an opportunity to celebrate according to the true Christmas spirit.

The execution of Iranian opposition journalist Ruhollah Zam has sparked international outrage. Zam had been living in France as a fugitive since 2009, but was lured back to Iraq last year and kidnapped there, according to media reports. He was sentenced in June and hanged near Tehran on Saturday. Europe's press also discusses the future of the nuclear deal against this backdrop.

Pointing out that fewer and fewer people read newspapers, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen informed the country of the planned measures to combat the Covid pandemic via Facebook. The Danish press sees this as an attempt to avoid uncomfortable questions.

The final hurdles to the implementation of the EU's 1.8 trillion euro budget for the next seven years and the disbursement of the coronavirus recovery fund have been cleared. There was a fierce struggle over the recovery fund in the summer and then the budget was blocked by a weeks-long dispute with Hungary and Poland over the new rule of law mechanism. Now a compromise has been reached at this week's EU summit. Commentators breathe a sigh of relief.