Croats have ratified by referendum their country's treaty of accession to the EU. Although 66.27% voted in favour, turn-out was 42%, one of the lowest ever in comparable EU referendums.
Croatia has voted for EU! – Večernji list
The second round of Finland's presidential election will be a run-off between conservative Sauli Niinist, who topped the poll in the first round with 36.9% of the vote, and environmentalist Pekka Haavisto (18.7%). Paavo Lipponen's Social Democrat's obtained only 6.7%, with Timo Soini's populist True Finns movement garnering 9.4%.
The battle has now begun – Lapin Kansa
After the killing of four French soldiers by an Afghan soldier, Nicolas Sarkozy is openly considering an accelerated withdrawal of French troops.
Afghanistan, the temptation to withdraw – La Croix
French socialist Francois Hollande, the frontrunner in this year's presidential election according to polls, has made his first major campaign speech. He wishes to reform the banking sector, renegociate the European fiscal union project, and sign a new friendship treaty with Germany.
"My enemy, the world of finance" – Libération
Today, for the first time, the pharmaceutical industry must negotiate the cost of patented drugs with mutual health insurance companies, an event considered as the dawning of a new era in Germany.
Our dear pills – Frankfurter Rundschau
The Italian government is considering amending a provision in the national labour code which prohibits lay-offs, arguing that it is seeking to promote youth employment. Waves of protests are expected in the coming days after a January 20 decree liberalising certain employment sectors.
Employment: clash over article 18 – La Repubblica
Assets belonging to Prague City Hall, including landmark monuments Charles Bridge and Old Town Hall, have been frozen over a 163,000 crown (€6,400) debt the city owes to the Prague 6 Housing Cooperative. City Hall will be unable to administer the properties until the dispute is resolved.
Charles Bridge to be auctioned? – Mladá Fronta DNES
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