Eurotopics.net

Compensation by the Czech state to churches for property that was seized in the 1950s may not be taxed. With this ruling the country's Constitutional Court has overturned a law passed by the minority government comprising the populist Ano and the Social Democrats together with the Communists. Commentators are delighted.

Spain's Supreme Court has sentenced nine leaders of the Catalan independence movement to prison terms ranging between nine and thirteen years after they were convicted of "sedition". The separatists had violated the country's constitution with their referendum on independence, the court ruled. Europe's press disagree over whether the judgement strengthens or weakens the rule of law.

With the help of a broad alliance Hungary's opposition won the mayorship of Budapest and other large cities in municipal elections on Sunday. What do the results mean for Prime Minister Orbán's Fidesz party?

A Citizens' Convention for the Climate convened by the French government met for the first time on the weekend. Its members, 150 French citizens selected according to demographic criteria, have until January to work out socially acceptable proposals for mitigating climate change. Commentators doubt they are cut out for the task and question their democratic legitimacy.