The opposition in the Slovakian parliament tried to table a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday, but he prevented this by presenting an intelligence report accusing the opposition of planning a "Maidan", a coup along the lines of the 2014 protests in Ukraine, to seize power.

The initial six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into force on Sunday. The terrorist organisation handed over three Israeli hostages, with 95 reportedly still being held. On 7 October 2023, Hamas abducted around 250 hostages in total. As agreed, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Europe's commentators voice relief, but also scepticism.

Shortly after his inauguration, US President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders in front of his supporters. With some 80 orders, he rescinded many measures introduced by his predecessor Joe Biden and announced more to come. Among other things, he plans to fire numerous government employees, seal off the border with Mexico and pardon the Capitol attackers. Commentators see major repercussions.

Elon Musk, billionaire and close confidant of US President Donald Trump, has caused a stir by making a gesture that closely resembles the Nazi salute. Speaking to supporters at the Capitol One Arena in Washington after Trump's swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Musk slapped his right hand on his heart and then extended his arm. European commentators offer explanations for how the gesture is to be understood.

Greece's conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has proposed the speaker of the Greek parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, for the office of president. The parliament in Athens will vote on a new head of state on 25 January since Katerina Sakellaropoulou's term in office is coming to an end. Greek commentators discuss Tasoulas's political orientation.

In his inaugural address on Monday, Donald Trump promised a "golden age" and promised that "America's decline" was over. He then signed 78 decrees rescinding measures taken by the Biden administration. The US will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organisation. What changes will the re-elected US president bring, and how should Europe react?