Eurotopics.net

In the UK, almost all coronavirus restrictions will be lifted today, Monday, which the media have therefore dubbed "Freedom Day". Prime Minister Boris Johnson is counting on the citizens' sense of responsibility - against the advice of many experts, who point to the recent surge in infections, especially among young people. Is the government acting irresponsibly or is this a far-sighted approach?

Turkish President Erdoğan is travelling to Northern Cyprus on Monday to mark the anniversary of the invasion by Turkish troops in 1974 and the occupation that has lasted ever since. He also wants to visit Varosha, the ghost town from which Greek Cypriots fled at the time and which is considered a symbol of the division of the island. Observers expect him to reiterate his call for a two-state solution.

The EU Commission has downgraded Switzerland to the status of a non-associated third country in its Horizon Europe research funding programme. Researchers in Switzerland will now cease to receive funding from the EU for the time being, and will be partially excluded from academic exchange projects. Swiss media see the move as revenge for Bern's breaking off negotiations on the Framework Agreement.

The European Commission has launched three infringement actions for discrimination. Two are against Hungary for its "anti-paedophilia law" and compulsory labelling of books depicting new gender roles. One is against Poland after some of its regions and municipalities declared themselves "LGBT-ideology free zones". Commentators see a dispute that has been simmering for some time coming to a head.

Journalist and crime reporter Peter R. de Vries died of his injuries on Thursday after he was shot in Amsterdam last week. Members of organised crime are suspected of being behind the attack. Prime Minister Mark Rutte and many politicians and colleagues expressed their condolences and shock, while people flocked to the site of the shooting to lay down flowers.