Today's front pages

On the eve of the 18/19 October European Council, France calls for more solidarity, as Berlin proposes that Brussels has increased control over taxation in member states. Two slogans clash: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" against "No taxation without representation."

Solidarity or austerity: the gulf widens – Die Presse

As the European Council, French daily Libération journeys through three countries affected by the crisis. In Greece, where a 24 hour general strike is to take place today. And also in Spain and Portugal, hit hard by the economic downturn, but given one more year to get their deficit below 3% of GDP. Opposition to Brussels' insistence on restructuring public finances is particularly vociferous in the South.

Southern Europe: austerity killed me – Libération

During a speech at the College of Europe in Bruges, Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said that "the 17 countries of the eurozone must now create closer economic and fiscal ties and other countries must agree to follow a less influential path." On this point, Denmark is close to Sweden, as affirmed by Thorning-Schmidt and his Swedish counterpart Fredrik Reinfeldt in a joint statement published by the daily.

Denmark and Sweden in a new EU alliance – Politiken

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas has threatened to veto the creation of a European banking union if the project is not amended. He joins countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden. A decision on banking union must be taken unanimously by the EU27.

Czech Republic warns it will sink banking union – Hospodářské Noviny

Hungarian Economy Minister György Matolcsy has announced for 2013 tax increases which will bring in an extra 367 billion forints (1.3 billion euros). This is in order to maintain a budget deficit within the 3% limit imposed by the EU. On 7 November, the European Commission will decide whether to continue or not its excessive deficit procedure against Hungary. The penalty would be a cessation of payments of EU funds, worth 50 billion forints (€541 million) and crucial for the country's development.

A 150 billion florint fight – Népszabadság

European trade unions, meeting at the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) in Brussels, have decided to organise a "day of action and solidarity" on November 14. A general strike will be followed by Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Spain. The main Spanish trade unions UGT and CCOO, propose to extend the strike "to many countries."

14 November/Eurostrike – El Periódico de Catalunya

In a report submitted to the Dutch Minister of Justice Ivo Opstelten, the country's courts have announced that cases of human trafficking will now be heard by specialist judges. The paper notes that the provision on the subject — the longest in the Dutch Penal Code — is considered very complex, and that judges often lack sufficient legal knowledge. The announcement was made on the occasion of the European Day of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, October 18.

Special judges for human trafficking trials – Trouw