Eurotopics.net

Donald Trump will be sworn in today as the 45th president of the United States. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the ceremony at the Capitol. With dubious deals this businessman and inexperienced politician could destroy the existing world order, some commentators fear. Others warn against drawing hasty conclusions about his presidency.

The Greek government and opposition are at odds over plans to help the ailing Lambrakis Press Group. Prime Minister Tsipras has announced a new law aimed at providing support for the company. In addition former Syriza MP Moulopoulos is to act as the group's new head. Journalists take differing views of the government's plans.

Observers expect the race for the presidency in France to be a tight one. The latest polls put Marine Le Pen, the candidate of the far-right Front National, in the lead with 25 to 26 percent of the vote. The conservative candidate François Fillon follows close behind with the leader of the En Marche! movement, Emmanuel Macron, in third place. Which issues will dominate the election campaign and who will be able carve to out the best position ahead of the election at the end of April?

The Italian conservative Antonio Tajani has become the new president of the European Parliament. Tajani, a former spokesman for Silvio Berlusconi and ex-EU commissioner, won the runoff against the Socialist Gianni Pittella with the support of the Liberals. While some columnists see Tajani's influence as extremely limited, others believe his election will strengthen the role of the EU Parliament.

Romania's new government on Wednesday presented a draft bill for a series of emergency decrees that would restrict criminal investigations against corrupt politicians and see thousands of prisoners released. President Iohannis, however, intervened and the legislation was not passed. The public learned of the proposals and thousands of people took to the streets to demonstrate against the plan.