Eurotopics.net

A dispute is brewing between the EU and Switzerland over the immigration controls the Swiss voted for in a referendum in February 2014. At stake is whether limits on immigration are compatible with the EU freedom of movement agreement. With Brexit negotiations looming the EU won't be willing to make any concessions, some commentators say. Others warn against making an example of Switzerland.

The Council of State in Greece is examining the legality of a law governing the allocation of TV broadcasting licences. Under the new law these were put to tender this year, and in a controversial auction licences were awarded to just four of the eight private channels in operation. The opposition is accusing the Syriza government of trying to gain control of the media - and criticism also comes from the Greek press.

At the start of the week the Iraqi army and its allies launched an offensive on Mosul aimed at regaining control of the most important Iraqi city currently in IS hands. The carefully prepared offensive is being commentated across Europe - with a view to the geography of the city and comparisons between the fighting in Mosul and Aleppo.

The EU's trade ministers failed to reach an agreement on signing the Ceta trade deal on Tuesday and have therefore postponed the decision. Opposition comes above all from the French-speaking part of Belgium, without whose consent the federal government cannot approve the agreement. Are the Walloons spoiling a major opportunity for Europe or are they the voice of the people?

The US musician Bob Dylan has won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. This is the first time the Swedish Academy has chosen an artist who isn't primarily a writer. Some commentators lament the decision to award a representative of pop culture. Others applaud the jury's understanding of what literature is.

The EU and Canada want to sign the Ceta free trade agreement at the end of October, but its ratification by the EU is uncertain as the deal has met with considerable opposition in several states. Germany's Constitutional Court has now given the green light for the agreement to go ahead, rejecting several emergency appeals against it on Thursday. The press believes this decision points the way ahead.