Eurotopics.net

Sweden's Social Democratic minority government plans to extend its domestic ban on the purchase of sexual services and also criminalise such transactions abroad. Not only Swedes but also foreigners living in Sweden who buy sex abroad would be punishable under the law. Swedish commentators are unanimous in their criticism of the measure.

A member of the transitional team of US president elect Donald Trump has been fired for posting fake news on Twitter. There were more false news stories than serious reports on Facebook in the run-up to the US elections, according to Internet media company Buzzfeed. Commentators discuss how to counteract fake news.

Latvia's president has signed an education law allowing schools to dismiss teachers who are disloyal to the country and its constitution. The government hopes this will curb Russian influence in the country's Russian-language schools. Is Latvia making a laughing stock of itself or is this the right way to combat Russian propaganda?

The resignation of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi after the failed referendum in Italy has been delayed. At the request of President Mattarella, Renzi is to remain in office until parliament passes the budget for 2017. Some commentators are delighted that voters clearly rejected Renzi's reform. Others fear a new phase of political instability.

Young voters and people in southern Italy in particular voted against Renzi's constitutional reforms. Some commentators say Italy's prime minister made certain grave mistakes. Others argue that the Italians are simply too conservative to go along with reforms.

The UK's Supreme Court on Monday began hearing the appeal against the High Court ruling that parliament must have a say on the Brexit plans. The most senior judge stressed at the start of the four-day hearing that the court was dealing only with legal and not political issues. Not true, some commentators object. Others point out that parliament wouldn't block Brexit anyway.