11/12 – Today’s headlines from across the EU

EUROPEAN HEADLINES

FT Europe – Brussels plans new force to police external EU borders. Drastic response to refugee crisis. Agency to be able to override states.

WSJE – Merkel’s open door becomes a harder sell. Angela Merkel had just returned to her apartment here after meeting critics of her policy of welcoming Middle East refugees, when aides phoned her with news of terrorist attacks in Paris.

INYT – Liberia’s “Ebola burners.” Young men called upon to cremate bodies during epidemic are now reviled.

BBC Europe – COP21: Climate deal due Saturday after more all-night talks.”Things are moving in the right direction,” said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who is chairing the summit. But more compromise is needed if an agreement is to be reached, say analysts.

FRANCE

Le Monde – Right undecided on strategy to counter Front National. Once again, the question is dividing the right. In order to stop the rise of the FN, must the party adopt a very right-wing policy or a centrist policy?

Les Echos – Regional elections: France faces the unsolvable FN issue. The far-right party is expected to win the elections in several key regions, with narrow results. The FN candidates’ proposals are closely examined.

GERMANY

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) – Turkey restricts flow of refugees to Europe. Frontex: only 5,300 illegal entries in Greece. CDU against ceiling limit.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) – No concessions to Merkel’s rivals. Despite the criticism levelled against her, the CDU has decided to rally behind the Chancellor’s refugee policy. The main motion for the party’s congress does not refer to the limits of the EU and border controls.

ITALY

La Repubblica – The EU accuses the government and Bankitalia: “Treasury bonds unsellable to customers.” The European Union accuses Italian government institutions of selling “inappropriate products to people who do not necessarily know what they are buying.”

Il Sole 24 Ore – Banks: a solidarity fund and arbitration for each case. The EU accuses four banks of selling inappropriate products and Renzi gives the go-ahead for a commission of inquiry.

POLAND

Gazeta Wyborcza – “Citizens for democracy” march. Gazeta Wyborcza calls on those who care about democracy and freedom of speech to join a march at noon on 12 December in Warsaw. Similar marches will also be organised in other cities across Poland.

SPAIN

El País – TV shows take control of the campaign. Candidates attend popular TV shows in order to get the attention they do not get during meetings.

Expansión – Inditex to create 3,000 jobs in Spain and raise its turnover by 20%. Pablo Isla: “we will raise dividends regarding results.”

The Times – BA threat to abandon Heathrow. Third runway will double charges, owner warns.

The Guardian – Sport Direct: “the firm that is a scar on British business.” IoD, investors and MPs react to pay revelations. Over £400m wiped off value as shares nosedive.