Today's front pages

At the conclusion of a stormy session — certain MPs called for the “lynching” and “shaming” of the signatories to the memorandum of understanding with the EU/ECB/IMF troika — the Greek parliament adopted the budget for 2013, which secured the support of 167 out of a possible 300 votes. MPs are still divided over the risks represented by the bankruptcy of the state, and pressure from angry electorates elsewhere in Europe.

Parade of extremes in parliament – To Ethnos

In a surprise result in the first round of the Slovenian presidential elections, former prime minister Borut Pahor scored 40.01% of the vote, overtaking outgoing president Danilo Türk (35.8%), who had been tipped to win in all of the polls. If he is elected, Pahor, a social-democrat who has adopted a conciliatory approach with the current head of government conservative Janez Janša, could facilitate the governance of the country which is currently traversing a serious social and economic crisis.

Pohor overtakes Türk, as both go to second round – Delo

In the wake of a complaint about procedure in general elections that took place from 14 to 18 October, Lithuania's constitutional court has invalidated the election of three Labour MPs (for irregularities in the composition of candidate lists), and one social-democrat MP (for manipulation of the vote count). The complaint was submitted by President Dalia Grybauskaitė, who is opposed to a coalition that includes Labour. The formation of a social-democrat led government with Order and Justice and the Labour Party appears more complicated, notes Lietuvos Rytas.

Constitutional court sages fail to soothe political headache – Lietuvos Rytas

Angela Merkel will arrive in Lisbon today to meet President Aníbal Cavaco Silva and Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. “Portugal has fulfilled its commitments very well", said the German Chancellor on Portuguese TV, adding that "there are no grounds for [debt] renegotiation". During her five hour visit, protests will be held in the capital as well as in several other Portuguese cities.

Hail Angela, those who are about to die salute you – i

In the wake of "traumatic" cuts in 2012, the slashing of Spain's regional government budgets in 2013 will be "the greatest sacrifice" since the restoration of democracy, notes the daily. On average, next year’s cuts will reduce budgets by a further 6%. Savings of 6.7 billion euros have been made by the 12 regions who have already presented their budgets.

Regions face largest cuts in their history – El País

Two large marches “representing two visions of Poland” took place in the streets of Warsaw on November 11, Polish Independence Day. About 20,000 people participated in the Independence March organised by nationalist and far-right organisations. A few thousand less took part in a march organised by president Bronisław Komorowski. A third march by left-wing groups was much smaller. Despite fears of large-scale riots, clashes with the police occurred only at the beginning of the far-right march and were quickly put down. Over 130 people were arrested and a number of policemen injured.

Two marches, two Polands – Gazeta Wyborcza

German Greens have chosen Jürgen Trittin (with 72% of the vote) and Katrin Göring-Eckard as candidates for general elections slated for 2013. The ticket, which brings together a longstanding Green and an East German theologian with a reputation for pragmatism, marks a re-centering of the party. Both the Greens and the SPD have announced their intention to form a coalition to wrest power from Angela Merkel.

Clear vote for Red-Green coalition – Die Tageszeitung