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Commentators look ahead to the next twelve months: which people, trends and debates will shape the new year?

In Austria the conservative ÖVP and The Greens have agreed on a government coalition. ÖVP leader Sebastian Kurz is to become chancellor once more. Media in Austria and neighbouring countries view the new alliance as a model for other countries and are eager to see how it performs.

The Turkish parliament has brought forward the decision on whether to launch a military offensive in Libya to today, Thursday. Erdoğan says the goal of the mission is to aid the Sarraj government, which is recognised by the UN. The step puts him at loggerheads with Russia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which support General Haftar and whose troops are marching on Tripoli. What does the escalation portend?

Greece, Cyprus and Israel want to sign an agreement on the construction of the Eastmed gas pipeline today, Thursday. The 2,000-kilometre pipeline is to transport Israeli gas to Italy and Europe via Cyprus, Crete and the Greek mainland. The deal targets not just economic but also political objectives, commentators explain.

The Spanish parliament is expected to elect caretaker head of government Pedro Sánchez as prime minister on 5 January. To secure the votes they need from their coalition partner Unidas Podemos and the abstention of the Basque regionalists and Catalan separatists, the Socialists have presented clearly leftist measures including a rent cap. The press is sceptical about the developments.