Eurotopics.net

As of 19 July, virtually all remaining Covid restrictions are to be lifted in the UK. Although infection numbers have surged, with the seven-day incidence reaching 259, the number of hospital admissions and deaths has remained relatively low. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "We need to learn to live with the virus." Is the British government doing the right thing?

On Thursday 130 countries - China among them - signed off on a tax reform stipulating a global minimum tax of 15 percent for large companies, as recommended by the G7. It is aimed at reducing tax dumping and, according to the OECD, will result in 126 billion dollars of additional income annually. Only companies with an annual turnover of 750 million Euros will be affected. Europa's press is divided.

Sixteen right-wing and far-right parties have signed a declaration on reforming the EU. They are demanding that Europe respect the "freedom of nations" and accuse the Commission of imposing rules on member states. They also state that this is part of their plan to form a large alliance in the EU Parliament. As things currently stand, the various parties still belong to separate groups within the Parliament.

Now it's a fact: Turkey is no longer part of the Istanbul Convention for the protection of violence against women. President Erdoğan announced the withdrawal by decree in March. On 1 July, the day it went into effect, large demonstrations were held in several Turkish cities. The highest administrative court has rejected a lawsuit filed against the decree. The disillusionment in Turkey and outside the country is real.

In countries throughout Europe, concern over not having sufficient vaccine supplies has been eclipsed by the large number of people not turning up for their vaccination appointments. Commentators discuss the reasons behind this hesitancy, how governments might combat it, or whether they should just not bother.