Eurotopics.net

As the Turkish army advances in Syria the country's government is cracking down on critics at home. Criminal investigations have been launched against the co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish opposition party HDP, for example, for calling the operation an invasion. All other parties have given their approval for the offensive. Commentators ask if the war will benefit or harm Erdoğan in the long term.

The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has tasked the former opposition leader of the conservative-liberal PNL, Ludovic Orban,with forming a government after the social democratic government led by Viorica Dăncilă was toppled by a no-confidence vote. Orban must now present parliament with a new cabinet within the next ten days. Commentators discuss what steps he should take.

Thousands of people joined in protests against the Spanish Supreme Court ruling in which nine leaders of the Catalan independence movement were sentenced between nine and thirteen years in prison. The demonstrators blocked important transport routes and access to Barcelona airport. Several commentators voice understanding for the Catalans' anger.

Uefa has launched an investigation against Bulgaria's football association after Bulgarian fans gave the Nazi salute and made monkey noises during the qualifying match against England. The association now faces a 50,000 euro fine and a game behind closed doors. Commentators are not surprised that racism in the stadiums is an ongoing problem.