The bitter defeat of the SPD in two state elections will also have repercussions for the ruling coalition in Berlin. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) declared that the "working rhythm" would be resumed and announced reforms. SPD leader Bärbel Bas wants to discuss whether her party leadership is on the right course. Commentators debate how social democracy might reinvent itself.
US President Donald Trump on Monday extended his ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by five days, claiming that 'productive talks' with the Iranian regime were underway, although Iran has denied any form of contact with Washington. Meanwhile, attacks by both sides on targets in Iran and Israel continued into Tuesday morning.
Left-wing coalitions have emerged victorious in several major cities in the French municipal elections. Socialists Emmanuel Grégoire and Benoît Payan won in Paris and Marseille, and in Lyon, the Socialists, Communists and LFI helped the Green mayor Grégory Doucet secure re-election. The far-right populist party Rassemblement National (RN) won in some 30 municipalities.
Parliamentary elections are due to take place in Denmark on Tuesday. Mette Frederiksen, the Social Democratic Prime Minister, has been leading a centre-left coalition – an unusual arrangement for the country – since the end of 2022. Her recent success in fending off US ambitions regarding Greenland earned her international respect. Local commentators, however, are more focused on taxes and education policy.
Several thousand people – far more than the 500 announced – demonstrated on Sunday in Berlin against virtual and real-life violence against women. They were responding to a call for action by actor Collien Fernandes, who in Spiegel accused her ex-husband of humiliating her using fake online profiles and porn. In Spain, the public is in shock after a brutal femicide that took place at the weekend.
Mutual attacks on production and processing facilities at South Pars, the world's largest gas field, have caused natural gas prices to skyrocket. There are now fears that the shortages on global gas markets resulting from the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will be further exacerbated. The media paint a dire picture of an emerging global energy crisis.
A wiretapping scandal is rocking Slovenia ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections. Videos have surfaced on social media showing people belonging to Prime Minister Robert Golob's inner circle speaking candidly about alleged corruption among politicians in the ruling coalition. An Israeli company with ties to intelligence services is reportedly behind the videos. Representatives of the company had previously met with opposition leader Janez Janša, who has openly admitted this.
Following a heated debate, the Swiss Parliament has rejected an initiative submitted by animal rights activists for a ban on imports of foie gras and voted instead for labelling declaring painful procedures performed on animals. Production of foie gras, a traditional French speciality, is already banned in Switzerland. Commentators explain why the debate has been so heated.
During a visit to an exhibition in Madrid on the role of women in indigenous Mexico, King Felipe VI acknowledged that "a great deal of abuse" had been committed during the Spanish conquest of the Americas. The remark was made during a conversation with the Mexican ambassador, Quirino Ordaz. Commentators discuss whether the move was appropriate and whether an official apology might follow.
The US is working hand in hand with Israel in the war against Iran. Most recently, the Israeli Air Force has claimed credit for killing Iranian Security Council chief Ali Larijani. Israel, which has been repeatedly attacked by Iranian missiles, is currently also launching attacks on southern Lebanon, from where the Shiite Hezbollah militia has fired missiles at Israel. The media assess Israel's role and tactics on both fronts.