Germany
German media focused on the race to succeed Angela Merkel as head of the CDU, with Health Minister Jens Spahn taking most of the limelight.
— Tagesschau said criticism of the U.N. migration pact had become a sticking point in the race to succeed Merkel. Jens Spahn called for a vote on the pact, saying “the right-wing of the CDU is now mobilizing against it.”
— Spiegel Online had a different take, reporting that CDU politicians “opposed” Spahn on the issue of the U.N. migration pact and warned against questioning Germany’s approval of the deal.
— Süddeutsche Zeitung said the CSU’s leader in Bavaria, Markus Söder, had “come to an arrangement” with EPP leader and Spitzenkandidat for the EU election Manfred Weber, after the latter agreed not to challenge him to succeed Horst Seehofer as CSU chair. Questions had been asked about whether Weber could hold both the post of Commission president and the CSU leadership at the same time.
France
French papers focused on a weekend of impassioned — and fatal — protests against a hike in fuel tax.
— Libération pointed to the dangers of “populism” and “social despair.”
— Le Monde said Prime Minister Edouard Philippe reaffirmed his commitment to the planned taxes on TV Sunday night.
— Le Figaro said the “high-vis jacket” protesters were trying to turn themselves into an official movement in order to keep up the pressure on the government.
— Ouest France said President Macron is making a “rare” state visit to Belgium in a bid to “deepen good Belgian-French relations.”
United Kingdom
With Theresa May facing the specter of a will-they-won’t-they leadership challenge, British papers previewed a crucial week for Brexit.
— The Financial Times reported the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier was willing to allow the Brexit transition period to go on until December 2022, which would also mean extended free movement of people.
— The Telegraph had a column by former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in which he labeled the draft Brexit deal “a total defeat” and called on the PM to scrap the Northern Irish backstop.
— The Express was supportive of May, saying she was championing a “Brexit deal for the people.”
— The Guardian reckoned May would focus on immigration in order to sell her deal to parliament.
Czech Republic
Czech media considered Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’ chances of survival, after tens of thousands protested in Prague against corruption allegations.
— iDNES reported that Babiš has reiterated he will not step down despite the protests.
— CTK said Babiš would meet President Miloš Zeman Monday as a no-confidence vote brewed.