Eurotopics.net

French Prime Minister François Bayrou will ask National Assembly for a vote of confidence in his government today. After less than nine months in office, Bayrou is expected to lose the vote since the opposition has made it clear that it is no longer willing to support his minority government. The key issue is Bayrou's controversial austerity budget for combating the French debt crisis. Europe's media debate the causes, consequences and potential solutions.

After the Elevador de Glória funicular crashed in Lisbon leaving 16 people dead, the city's mayor Carlos Moedas is facing fierce criticism. Four years ago, following a political scandal during his predecessor Fernando Medina's term of office, Moedas had demanded that politicians also assume responsibility for incidents that are not directly related to their actions.

Many in the crisis-ridden British Labour Party had high hopes for her. Now Angela Rayner has had to resign from her posts as Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing because she paid too little land transfer tax on a property. UK media assess the affair also in view of her social background.

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died aged 91. He was an icon of the global fashion scene for decades. Armani started out in the 1970s as a self-taught designer and built up an empire that eventually encompassed jewellery, perfumes, interior design and luxury hotels as well as clothing. He also defined the Italian prêt-à-porter style which brought him international fame.

A "Coalition of the Willing" consisting of more than 30 countries met in Paris on Thursday to discuss future security guarantees for Ukraine. Acting as host, Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 states had pledged to provide troops. After the conference, in which some leaders took part via video link, there was a group phone call with US President Donald Trump. Europe's press takes stock.