Eurotopics.net

The EU has agreed on a legislative package in the fight against violence, including harsher penalties for sexualised and domestic violence. However, the lack of agreement on a standardised definition of rape is causing problems. A consensus-based regulation on sexual offences based on the principle "only yes means yes" is a major sticking point, also in the commentaries.

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution raising the alarm about the "worrying" state of the rule of law in Greece. Among other things it criticises the wiretapping of political opponents, restrictions on press freedom, corruption and systematic pushbacks of migrants. The non-binding text calls on the EU Commission to initiate investigations.

Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was against Nato members benefiting from full protection if they fail to meet the alliance's spending targets and would not support such states if they were attacked by Russia. He added that in such cases he would encourage Moscow to do "whatever the hell they want". Europe's press voices concern in light of Trump's chances of re-occupying the White House.

The far-right US journalist Tucker Carlson conducted a two-hour interview with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on February 6. There had been much criticism ahead of the interview, while Russian state media reported euphorically on the visit by Carlson, who has been broadcasting via the X platform since he was fired from Fox News in 2023. For commentators, neither the interviewer nor the interviewee cut a good figure.

Hungarian President Katalin Novák has announced her resignation after pardoning a criminal who was an accessory in a case of sexual abuse of minors at a children's home. Former Justice Minister Judit Varga, who signed off on the pardon, has announced that she will no longer stand as Fidesz's top candidate in the European elections. Can the resignations calm the troubled waters?