Eurotopics.net

In the Republic of Moldova there have been several large demonstrations against the government's pro-Western policy. In particular, supporters of the pro-Russian ȘOR party are demanding neutrality regarding Russia's war against neighbouring Ukraine, as well as energy subsidies. Europe's press discusses how much of a threat Russian troops stationed in the breakaway region of Transnistria pose.

Just ten weeks before Turkey's presidential election, the Turkish opposition alliance split up on Friday due to disagreement over who should be its joint candidate. Five parties had previously agreed on CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, but İyi Party leader Meral Akşener has rejected his candidacy and is instead backing the mayors of Istanbul and Ankara, also members of the CHP. Commentators are appalled for different reasons.

Italy is still shaken by the deaths of 67 refugees who drowned off the coast of Calabria last weekend. According to the port authority they could have been rescued. The Italian press criticises both the authorities and the government in Rome, in particular Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Matteo Salvini, Minister for Infrastructure. Europe's press points to an EU-wide failure.

The Chinese video and social media app Tiktok has come under attack in the West. Citing security concerns and questionable data protection, the EU Commission and the governments of the US and Canada have ordered their employees to delete it from their official mobile phones. Other countries are now following suit. Europe's press points to additional problems with the app.