Eurotopics.net

Italy's four-party government has collapsed. On Wednesday evening, Italia Viva leader Matteo Renzi pulled out of the centre-left coalition, claiming that Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was unfit to lead the country in these difficult times. The dispute was sparked mainly by disagreements over the distribution of EU coronavirus funds. Commentators examine the repercussions beyond Italy's borders.

Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (of the Centre Party) has tended his resignation after his party came under investigation for corruption in connection with the granting of a government loan for a real estate project. Kaja Kallas - leader of the liberal Reform Party, leader of the opposition, and the real winner of the elections two years ago - has been tasked with forming a new government.

This year the EU states joined forces to combat the pandemic and the economic crisis, they introduced a mechanism for enforcing the rule of law and - in the last minute - negotiated a post-Brexit agreement with the UK. Is 2020 the start of a phase of greater unity?

When the pandemic first took hold, people everywhere said that only through a joint effort could humankind overcome such a crisis. But not much seems to remain of the initial solidarity and willingness to make sacrifices. Commentaries give an idea of the extent to which the sense of disillusionment and exhaustion are the result of political failures.

In this year dominated by the coronavirus, women have played an instrumental part in getting European politics back on track. Commentators praise this development but also note that in other areas gender equality has lost ground rather than advanced.