Eurotopics.net

The Hungarian government has issued a decree extending its "national card" immigration programme, which had previously applied to citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine, to Russians and Belarusians. The national card allows holders to stay in Hungary, bring their family, extend their stay as often as they like - and potentially gain access to the Schengen Area. Europe's press calls for consequences.

On the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier travelled to the Polish capital to ask the population for forgiveness. The rebellion of 1944 lasted 63 days and was brutally crushed by the Nazi occupying forces. Around 200,000 resistance fighters and civilians were killed and the city almost totally destroyed before the Russians moved in.

The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has provoked harsh reactions and concerns about escalation. Iran has vowed to take revenge on Israel, which it blames for the deadly bombing. Russia, China and Turkey have also condemned the attack. Commentators analyse the events and potential consequences.

The EU Commission has published its fifth Rule of Law report. It concludes that many of the 27 member states have made good progress but harshly criticises Hungary. The report makes eight recommendations to Budapest in all four areas of the rule of law: the justice system, anti-corruption measures, the separation of powers and press freedom. Slovakia was also admonished for shortcomings in the latter area.