Eurotopics.net

Electricity and gas prices have soared over the last few months in Europe. They are now roughly a third higher than a year ago and are expected to rise further in 2022. Inflation is also making food more expensive. Europe's consumers are increasingly feeling the pinch, and there are reports of people having to make the choice between going without meals or heating their homes. Europe's press warns of the social consequences and looks for energy alternatives.

The Catholic Church in Spain has admitted that 965 properties registered to its name do not rightly belong to the institution. The appropriations began in 1946 with a Franco-era law that allowed the Church to effectively register any property as its own. A year ago, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that properties irregularly registered to the Church would be returned to their rightful owners, and had a list of more than 35,000 such assets sent to the Church.

Against the backdrop of the snowstorms that paralysed parts of the country earlier this week, the largest left-wing opposition party Syriza has tabled a motion of no confidence in the Greek parliament against the conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. To topple the government 151 votes are needed, but theruling party Nea Dimokratia holds 158 of the 300 seats. Was the motion the move?

A new publication dealing with conditions in retirement homes has made waves in France. In his book Les Fossoyeurs (The Gravediggers), journalist Victor Castanet reveals that the market-leading Orpea Group cuts corners on hygienic and medical care for residents at its facilities to increase profitability. The national press calls for action.

Despite a 7-day incidence rate of more than 5,000 cases per 100,000 residents due to the Omicron variant, the government in Denmark has announced that all Covid-related restrictions will be lifted on 1 February and Covid-19 will no longer be classified as a threat to society. "We have passed the critical phase," said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, attributing this mainly to the high vaccination rate. Europe's press has its doubts about the move.