Eurotopics.net

Robert Fremr will not become a Czech constitutional judge. As Vice-President of the International Criminal Court in The Hague from 2018 to 2021, he was considered a top candidate for the post. Now it has emerged that before 1989 he convicted opponents of the communist regime, and he has withdrawn his candidacy. According to the national press, the case shows how sensitive issues related to the communist past remain for countries like the Czech Republic.

Despite fierce criticism, also from within his own party, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer is sticking to his plan to enshrine the right to pay with cash as a fundamental right in the constitution. He reaffirmed his proposal to this effect in a video message addressed to the nation on the weekend. The national press weighs in on the issue.

The counter-offensive launched by Ukraine on June 4 in its defensive war against Russia seems to be faltering, with the country failing to make significant territorial gains so far. European countries are discussing further weapons deliveries, including the German Taurus cruise missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometres that Kyiv has requested. A sense of impatience predominates in the commentaries.

An AEK Athens fan was stabbed to death on August 7 in violent clashes ahead of a Champions League qualification match between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb. Between 150 and 200 Croatian hooligans had travelled to Athens despite a ban on visiting fans. While the Greek press voices outrage at the violence and the authorities' lack of action, a debate has flared up in Croatia over the treatment of the 105 detainees.