Eurotopics.net

Just a month after the Brexit transition period ended, Northern Ireland is once again a bone of contention. First of all the EU had considered checks at the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland to prevent exports of the Astrazeneca vaccine from the EU. Then Brussels temporarily withdrew its inspectors from Northern Irish ports in response to threats of violence from pro-British unionists who oppose checks of shipments from the UK.

Speaking at a press conference, Turkish President Erdoğan has hinted at plans for a new constitution. He already had the constitution amended in 2017, converting Turkey into a presidential system. Now, according to observers, he may try to introduce changes that allow him to stay in office beyond 2028. But journalists suspect this is not his only motive.

President Sergio Mattarella tasked the former head of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi with forming a new government of independent experts on Wednesday. The step came after the various political parties were unable to agree on a coalition government following Giuseppe Conte's resignation. Some observers have reservations about the move.

Following the verdict against Alexei Navalny and the arrest of thousands of mostly peaceful protesters across the country, commentators are discussing what comes next in Russia. Some see the protests as ineffective and fear the country will now definitively slide into dictatorship. Others see the end of Putin's rule approaching.