But, DRL only make sense if they are mandatory (and, preferably, automatic)

OK, I've mentioned automatic lights, but you're the only other person who has mentioned them. What is your definition?

If DRL are hurting your eyes in broad daylight, then there's something clearly wrong with them. As I said, we use regular low beams here, and they seem (to me) to be just brigh enough to make car visible sooner

OK, that's fine with me, as long as they aren't as bright as what I've seen. And Bruno, I must strongly disagree that it is a good idea to make DRLs use high beams at any intensity. That's just insane to me.

I still think it would not be good to make them mandatory.