Mykolaivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine: two residents walk past a hospital that was attacked in August 2025. (© picture‑alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com / Tommaso Fumagalli)

12 December 2025

Elections in Ukraine: is it realistic?

In response to US President Donald Trump's comment that it was time for elections in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the country is ready to hold elections if the United States and Europe can guarantee its security. Commentators examine the prospects for a fair vote – and see the ball in Trump's court now.

Vladimir Fesenko (UA)

**Vladimir Fesenko**
Country of media outlet	Ukraine
Language of media outlet	Ukrainian
Frequency of publication	Updated on an irregular basis

US politicians should go to the war zone

Polityka (PL)

**Polityka**
Country of media outlet	Poland
Language of media outlet	Polish
Type of media outlet	Magazine
Frequency of publication	Weekly on Wednesdays
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Liberal
Circulation	88,864 (2022)
Publisher	POLITYKA Sp. z o.o. S.K.A
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

People can't vote from cellars and ruins

Echo (RU)

**Echo**
Country of media outlet	Russia
Language of media outlet	Russian
Type of media outlet	Website
Frequency of publication	Daily
Political orientation	Critical of the government
Online payment model	All content for free

This plan won’t pan out

Espreso (UA)

**Espreso**
Country of media outlet	Ukraine
Language of media outlet	Ukrainian
Type of media outlet	Website
Frequency of publication	Daily

Gross interference in Ukraine's internal affairs

tagesschau.de (DE)

**tagesschau.de**
Country of media outlet	Germany
Language of media outlet	German
Type of media outlet	Website
Frequency of publication	Daily
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Visits	100.000.000 – 150.000.000
Publisher	NDR / Redaktion ARD-aktuell
Online payment model	All content for free

Trump must enforce a ceasefire

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Debates

12 December 2025

US seizes oil tanker off Venezuelan coast

(© picture-alliance/ASSOCIATED PRESS/Uncredited)

Süddeutsche Zeitung (DE)

**Süddeutsche Zeitung**
Country of media outlet	Germany
Language of media outlet	German
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	several times a week
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	284,503 (2022)
Visits	50.000.000 – 100.000.000
Publisher	Süddeutscher Verlag / Südwestdeutsche Medien Holding
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

A shameful act

Lidové noviny (CZ)

**Lidové noviny**
Country of media outlet	Czech Republic
Language of media outlet	Czech
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Conservative
Circulation	25,000 (2021)
Visits	500.000 – 1.000.000
Publisher	Mafra a.s.
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

"Peacemaker" Trump playing with fire

De Volkskrant (NL)

**De Volkskrant**
Country of media outlet	Netherlands
Language of media outlet	Dutch
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Daily
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	206,000 (2023)
Visits	500.000 – 1.000.000
Publisher	De Persgroep Nederland
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Predictable chaos

12 December 2025

A Greek takes over Eurogroup presidency

ECB President Christine Lagarde and Kyriakos Pierrakakis before the Eurogroup election meeting on December 11. (© picture alliance / Anadolu / Dursun Aydemir)

Naftemporiki (GR)

**Naftemporiki**
Country of media outlet	Greece
Language of media outlet	Greek
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Visits	1.000.000 - 5.000.000
Publisher	Irini und Marietta Athanasiadou, Aggela Kontogouri
Online payment model	All content for free

Multiple advantages for Greece

Efimerida ton Syntakton (GR)

**Efimerida ton Syntakton**
Country of media outlet	Greece
Language of media outlet	Greek
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	Montag-Freitag 4,600 , Samstags 11,700 (2023)
Visits	1.000.000 - 5.000.000
Publisher	Anexartita Mesa Mazikis Enimerosis
Online payment model	All content for free

Why Belgium lost out

12 December 2025

Lithuania: controversial public broadcaster reform

People protest against planned broadcasting reforms on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, on Independence Square in front of the Parliament Palace in Vilnius, Lithuania. (© picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS Mindaugas Kulbis)

Kauno diena (LT)

**Kauno diena**
Country of media outlet	Lithuania
Language of media outlet	Lithunian
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Regional
Political orientation	Liberal
Circulation	19,510 (2022)
Visits	< 500.000
Publisher	UAB Diena Media News
Online payment model	All content for free

Preserve the cornerstones of democracy

Verslo žinios (LT)

**Verslo žinios**
Country of media outlet	Lithuania
Language of media outlet	Lithunian
Type of media outlet	Weekly newspaper
Frequency of publication	several times a week
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Liberal
Circulation	11,985 (2022)
Visits	500.000 – 1.000.000
Publisher	UAB Verslo žinios
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Hungarian-style press freedom?

11 December 2025

After the US criticism: how can Europe become stronger?

US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the White House. (© picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS Alex Brandon)

La Repubblica (IT)

**La Repubblica**
Country of media outlet	Italy
Language of media outlet	Italian
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Daily
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	137,000(2022)
Publisher	Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso SpA
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Build up European defence now

Aftonbladet (SE)

**Aftonbladet**
Country of media outlet	Sweden
Language of media outlet	Swedish
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Daily
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	76,000 (Mai 2017)
Visits	5.000.000 – 10.000.000
Publisher	Schibsted
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

United North as a bulwark

11 December 2025

France: social security budget approved. What comes next?

(© picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com / Sadak Souici)

Ouest-France (FR)

**Ouest-France**
Country of media outlet	France
Language of media outlet	French
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Daily
Area of distribution	Regional
Political orientation	Liberal
Circulation	637,000 (2022)
Visits	150.000.000 – 200.000.000
Publisher	SIPA Ouest France
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Far from a done deal

NRC Handelsblad (NL)

**NRC Handelsblad**
Country of media outlet	Netherlands
Language of media outlet	Dutch
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Daily
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Liberal
Circulation	145,000 (2019)
Visits	500.000 – 1.000.000
Publisher	NRC Media
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Positioning themselves for 2027

11 December 2025

Council of Europe plans to reform Human Rights Convention

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. (© picture-alliance/dpa)

The Times (GB)

**The Times**
Country of media outlet	United Kingdom
Language of media outlet	English
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Conservative
Circulation	360,000 (2020)
Visits	30.000.000 – 40.000.000
Publisher	News UK & Ireland Ltd (Rupert Murdoch)
Online payment model	All content fee-based

Adjust to current circumstances

The Guardian (GB)

**The Guardian**
Country of media outlet	United Kingdom
Language of media outlet	English
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	127,000 (2020)
Visits	> 200.000.000
Publisher	Guardian News & Media Ltd
Online payment model	All content for free

Non‑negotiable fundamental rights

11 December 2025

Five countries boycott ESC over Israel

(© picture alliance / PIXSELL / Sanjin Strukic)

Le Soir (BE)

**Le Soir**
Country of media outlet	Belgium
Language of media outlet	French
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Daily
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Liberal
Circulation	68,000 (2023)
Visits	10.000.000 – 20.000.000
Publisher	Groupe Rossel
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Fulfil moral responsibility

The Irish Times (IE)

**The Irish Times**
Country of media outlet	Ireland
Language of media outlet	English
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	54,147 (2019)
Visits	10.000.000 – 20.000.000
Publisher	Irish Times Trust
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

A reflection of Europe's division

10 December 2025

Australia's social media ban: should Europe follow suit?

Seventy percent of Australians support the ban according to a recent survey. (© picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS Rick Rycroft).

The Daily Telegraph (GB)

**The Daily Telegraph**
Country of media outlet	United Kingdom
Language of media outlet	English
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Conservative
Circulation	309,000 (2020)
Visits	50.000.000 – 100.000.000
Publisher	Telegraph Media Group
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Worse than nicotine addiction

The Irish Times (IE)

**The Irish Times**
Country of media outlet	Ireland
Language of media outlet	English
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Monday to Saturday
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	54,147 (2019)
Visits	10.000.000 – 20.000.000
Publisher	Irish Times Trust
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

An interesting experiment

10 December 2025

Czech Republic: what lies ahead with Babiš as PM?

Babiš (left) and Pavel on Tuesday, 9 December 2025. (© picture-alliance/dpa)

La Repubblica (IT)

**La Repubblica**
Country of media outlet	Italy
Language of media outlet	Italian
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	Daily
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Centre-left
Circulation	137,000(2022)
Publisher	Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso SpA
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Horror scenario looming

Hospodářské noviny (CZ)

**Hospodářské noviny**
Country of media outlet	Czech Republic
Language of media outlet	Czech
Type of media outlet	Daily newspaper
Frequency of publication	several times a week
Area of distribution	Nationwide
Political orientation	Liberal
Circulation	30,034 (2021)
Visits	< 500.000
Publisher	Economia a.s.
Online payment model	Content partially fee-based

Hopefully it won't go beyond grumbling

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Our database provides information on more than 500 print and online media published from over 30 countries. It also gives a detailed description of the media landscape in each country in Europe.

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12 December 2025

euro|topics is now on WhatsApp

Debates

12 December 2025

US seizes oil tanker off Venezuelan coast

12 December 2025

A Greek takes over Eurogroup presidency

12 December 2025

Lithuania: controversial public broadcaster reform

11 December 2025

After the US criticism: how can Europe become stronger?

11 December 2025

France: social security budget approved. What comes next?

11 December 2025

Council of Europe plans to reform Human Rights Convention

11 December 2025

Five countries boycott ESC over Israel

10 December 2025

Australia's social media ban: should Europe follow suit?

10 December 2025

Czech Republic: what lies ahead with Babiš as PM?

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