After the AfD's election victory in Saxony-Anhalt, a member of the party – which is classified there as far-right extremist – has, for the first time in Germany, been elected as parliamentary speaker in the state parliament. Tobias Rausch received 48 out of 82 votes during the parliament's first constituent session. In addition to the AfD and BSW parliamentary groups, four representatives from other parties also voted for Rausch. Commentators take stock and examine the possibility of the AfD forming a government.
A laboratory worker at a plague research institute in Irkutsk, Russia, has died from a suspected case of pneumonic plague. As a result, several hospitals have been placed under quarantine for at least three weeks. According to official sources, no further cases of infection have been recorded, but the Russian authorities have disclosed very little information so far. The press discusses the risk of infection and calls for more transparency.
Local elections will be held in the Czech Republic on Friday and Saturday. However, due to a scheduling error, the election date clashes with President Petr Pavel's motorbike holiday in Morocco, so he won't be able to cast his vote. The head of state has said he regrets the mistake but does not intend to cut short his trip. Czech media have criticised the fact that the president, of all people, will be absent from the election.
In the presidential elections in Brazil, the incumbent Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, are set to face one another in a run-off. The far-right Bolsonaro won the first round with 47 percent of the vote against Lula's 45 percent. The run-off will take place on 25 October. For commentators, the significance of this election extends far beyond Brazil's borders.
After failing on Friday to secure a majority for a package of measures to protect tenants, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election for 29 November. The press debates Sánchez's election campaign strategy, the opposition's prospects and the significance of the vote for the balance of power in European politics.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' United List has secured a clear victory in Latvia's parliamentary elections. Its share of the vote tripled to more than 35 percent, giving it 41 of the 100 seats in the Saeima. The pro-European centre-right party only needs one coalition partner now. The populist party Sovereign Power, which is described as pro-Russian, won 12 percent of the vote and 15 seats.
Nationalist parties have made significant gains in the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The three members of the tripartite presidency were elected at the same time: Social Democrat Bosniak Denis Bećirović, Darijana Filipović of the Croatian HDZ BiH and Željka Cvijanović of Milorad Dodik's Serbian SNSD. Voter turnout was very low at just around 42 percent. The press discusses the implications for the country on its path towards EU membership.
During a surprise visit to Kyiv on the weekend, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a new aid package of one billion euros for military operations and 350 million for the energy sector for Ukraine. On Sunday, Russia launched another attack on the capital while he was there. Europe's press discusses the significance of the visit and further support for the country.
A court in Turkey has ordered news website T24 to be blocked on the grounds that - following the "Ailem Güvende" (My Family is Safe) investigation - some of its content has been classified as "LGBT propaganda". Journalists at T24 suspect that the real goal is to prevent their coverage of the current stock market scandal and the trial of imprisoned Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Other media outlets also question the official explanations.
Brazilians will vote on Sunday on whether they want Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to serve another term - his fourth - as president. Lula's main challenger is the right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro. If none of the 13 candidates secures a sufficient majority in the first round, a second round of voting will take place on 25 October.
The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv apparently attempted to stab the pilot and take control of the aircraft with 174 passengers on board on Wednesday. The captain and passengers were able to regain control of the situation and land the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia. Commentators examine the ramifications of the incident for Israel.
An investigation is under way in Finland into a series of suspected break-ins at the homes of several members of parliament. Signs of breaking and entering were left without anything being stolen. The perpetrators and their motive remain unknown, but all eyes are on Russia, although there is no concrete evidence of Russian involvement at this stage. The press discusses how to protect politicians and democracy against intimidation.