Eurotopics.net

Alexei Navalny's daughter Daria accepted the Sakharov Prize on her imprisoned father's behalf at the EU Parliament, but criticised the political pragmatism in the bloc's dealings with Putin and Lukashenka. Parliament President David Sassoli praised Navalny's courage and called for his immediate release before handing her the prize, which has been awarded since 1988 to defenders of human rights.

More than two years after the so-called Berlin park murder, the man accused of the crime has been sentenced to life in prison. According to the verdict, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a Georgian citizen, was murdered on behalf of the Russian state, aided by "helpers stationed in Berlin". After the verdict was handed down, the German government expelled two Russian diplomats. What must happen now?

Bulgaria's parliament has confirmed the new government. The party of incoming Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, We Continue the Change (PP), sees itself as spearheading the country's fight against corruption. The coalition comprising the protest party There is Such a People (ITN), the socialists (BSP) and the conservative-liberal party Democratic Bulgaria (DB) has its work cut out for it, the press notes.

Romania's Superior Council of Magistrates has suspended judge Cristian Danileţ from office on the grounds that he posted videos on Tiktok that were damaging to the reputation of the country's judiciary. Danileţ, who has a large following on social media, has been criticising Romania's judicial reforms and corruption in the judicial system for years.

Inflation is currently at its highest level in decades, in Europe and around the world. In the Eurozone it stands at 4.9 percent, in Russia at 8.4 percent and in Turkey at 21 percent. Consumers are being hit particularly hard by high energy costs and rising food costs. But in many countries citizens can expect little help from the politicians, commentators observe.