United Kingdom
British papers led with coverage of Chancellor Philip Hammond’s latest warning that a no-deal Brexit would have significant financial consequences for the U.K. The Daily Telegraph focused on the backlash to his comments, writing that Hammond was “under fire” and noting that Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab had assuaged concerns just “hours” before Hammond’s intervention. Tabloid Daily Express asked: “What does Hammond think he’s playing at?” The paper wrote that the chancellor’s comments were “firmly rebuked by Downing Street.” The Times referred to a Cabinet split over Brexit “laid bare” by Hammond.
France
The French press covered a knife attack in the Paris suburb of Trappes, which investigators believe was related to domestic violence. Libération mocked the Islamic State terror group for taking credit for the incident. “ISIS claims responsibility for a non-story?” was the paper’s headline. Libé noted that ISIS was “losing momentum.” Le Figaro’s front page questioned whether the incident was “Islamic terror or fit of madness.” The paper also featured a story on the government’s tax reforms. Le Monde focused on the beginning of the literary year, hailing the start of the season when French publishers release their most anticipated works.
Spain
El País focused on coverage of Spain returning to Morocco 116 migrants who’d jumped the fence in Spain’s African enclave of Ceuta the day before. The paper noted that the government had relied on a 1992 agreement with Morocco that had only been executed in exceptional circumstances. Papers also covered a breakthrough in budget negotiations between Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias. El Mundo called it a “legal fraud,” writing that the government had used a decree to bypass the PP’s majority in the senate, but due to its “open illegality,” Sánchez was forced to postpone its approval.
Germany
Der Tagesspiegel led with news that carmaker Volkswagen was launching a car-sharing program in Berlin with 2,000 electric vehicles in 2019. Die Welt featured a report on officials wanting to abolish the rental price ceiling. The paper noted such a move by Economy Minister Peter Altmaier would be “provocative.”
