Eurotopics.net

One hundred days before the US presidential elections take place, the Democratic challenger and former vice president Joe Biden has a significant lead of around 10 percentage points against the Republican incumbent Donald Trump in the polls. But a lot can still happen before November 3, international commentators stress.

After the dismissal of Szabolcs Dull, chief editor of Index, the media outlet's entire editing staff has resigned in protest. Index is Hungary's most influential independent news website, but in March a media entrepreneur with close ties to Orbán acquired 50 percent of the company that handles the outlet's advertising business. Thousands gathered in Budapest on Friday to demonstrate for press freedom. Commentators also voice their concern.

Following Theresa May's resignation Boris Johnson became British Prime Minister a year ago today, on July 24, 2019. Since then he has led the country out of the EU and survived new elections. The negotiations on the UK's post-Brexit trade relations continue, as does the fight against Scottish independence. 2020 has brought the coronavirus pandemic and most recently a major row with China. What do commentators think of Johnson's performance so far?

"You are ours from all eternity, and we are yours", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced in a video message posted on the occasion of the reopening of the Hagia Sophia as a mosque. Today, for the first time in more than 80 years, Friday prayers will be held in the building that was first a basilica, then a mosque, and most recently a museum. Commentators are unconvinced by the ceremonious reopening.

Shortly before the presidential election in Belarus on August 9, three women have formed an alliance against Alexander Lukashenko, who has been president for 26 years. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Maria Kolesnikova and Veronika Zepkalo are running in place of their husbands, who were either not admitted as candidates or are in prison. Their election campaign events have turned into protest rallies. Observers see big changes ahead.