Eurotopics.net

The EU-Africa Forum on the subject of digitalisation begins this Monday in Vienna. Leaders from African and EU states will come together with around 800 companies there to inject fresh impetus into the economic ties between the two continents. But not all observers are convinced that investing in Africa makes sense.

The European Central Bank has announced that it won't put any more money into its bond-buying programme starting January. While some commentators believe the decision is dangerous in view of the current economic situation, others criticise the bank for not stepping harder on the monetary brake.

Theresa May won the vote of no-confidence triggered by Tory MPs by 200 votes to 117. But the fate of her Brexit deal with the EU is still unclear. While some commentators fail to understand why she is defending her position so doggedly, others find this commendable.

The EU Commission has announced that it is suspending all subsidies to the Agrofert conglomerate, which formerly belonged to Andrej Babiš, due to a conflict of interest. It has concluded that via the company he has profited from EU subsidies allocated by the government of which he is head. But Czech papers doubt the decision will prompt Babiš to give up any power.

This week a draft law was presented to the Russian Duma that would make derogatory statements about the state and its representatives and the deliberate spreading of socially relevant fake news punishable offences. Russian commentators discuss what goals the government is pursuing with this legislation.