Eurotopics.net

Amid a wave of new and partial lockdowns in countries across Europe, the economic consequences of these drastic measures are under scrutiny again. There is a consensus in Europe's press that additional support measures are needed, but not on whether more recovery funds are the right solution or on who should receive funding.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused European politicians of Islamophobia and described them as "links in the chain of the Nazis". He said that Muslims in Europe were subject to a lynching campaign comparable to the persecution of Jews before the Second World War. Just a few days before, he had said that Macron "needs mental treatment" in response to the latter's statement after the killing of teacher Samuel Paty that Islam was in crisis.

The cabinet of Spain's left-wing government on Tuesday adopted a draft budget which foresees a sharp increase in public spending and tax hikes for large corporations and the rich. Commentators discuss whether this is the right way to cushion the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

In Belarus, opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's ultimatum to President Lukashenka has expired. She had called a nationwide strike if he did not resign by 25 October, and since he failed to comply there has been a surge in the demonstrations, which Lukashenka described as "terrorism". Commentators are at odds over who is under more pressure now.

European governments are alarmed by the dramatic increase in corona infections. In some countries, such as Ireland or the Czech Republic, shops have been closed again, in Spain a curfew has been in force since Monday, and Italy is trying to deal with the situation by, among other things, closing restaurants from 6 p.m. However, these measures are meeting with increasing opposition from the press.