Eurotopics.net

Carles Puigdemont is demanding amnesty and an end to proceedings against Catalan separatists in exchange for supporting a new socialist government. The Socialists (PSOE) would need the votes of his party Junts per Catalunya to piece together a majority and form a new government. Puigdemont himself is also facing legal proceedings for organising an independence referendum in 2017 as Catalonia's regional president. He wants the secession attempts to be recognised as politically legitimate.

According to the US government, Vladimir Putin plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Vladivostok this month. Apparently, he wants Pyongyang to supply Moscow with weapons for its war against Ukraine. European commentators see this as a sign of Russia's weakness and note that it will give North Korea's leadership new leverage.

Cyprus is in shock after an anti-migrant march in the port city of Limassol turned violent on Friday night, with hundreds of protesters wearing hoods attacking people and ransacking shops. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis expressed indignation, and on Saturday hundreds of people took to the streets to demonstrate against racism. Commentators voice dismay.

The Turkish team has won the Women's European Volleyball Championship for the first time, triggering a wave of euphoria. Previously the team and its openly gay player Ebrar Karakurt were the targets of ridicule and fierce criticism by conservative and Islamist circles. For anti-government Turkish media, this makes the team's success all the sweeter.