Eurotopics.net

Hungary is due to take over the EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2024. However in a non-binding resolution, more than two-thirds of MEPs in the EU Parliament voted to call on member states not to allow the country to hold the rotating presidency due to deficits regarding the rule of law and non-compliance with European values. The move has sparked a lively debate in the press.

The election campaign for Spain's general election, which has been brought forward to 23 July, has begun. The conservative Popular Party (PP), which was the big winner of the recent local elections, remains silent on whether it would form a coalition with the far-right Vox. Its main focus is to topple Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the Socialists. Sánchez is seeking to rally the support of left-wing voters with warnings about Vox.

The teachers' strike in Romania continues - despite an emergency decree passed by the government last week announcing an immediate raise in their salaries and further increases in the coming years. Many strikers still see their demands as unmet and distrust the government's promises. Comments from the national press show understanding for this position.

Fighting continues in the Russian region of Belgorod, where Russian opposition paramilitary groups are combating the Russian army. The rebel groups have reportedly taken control of the locality of Novaya Tavolzhanka. The regional governor has called for people to leave towns near the border. Commentators discuss the significance of these battles in Russia.