European Union

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with the Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/280 of 23 February 2018 amending Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Belarus

Committees

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Hungarians will elect a new parliament on Sunday. The clear favourite in the elections is the national-conservative ruling party Fidesz, which polls predict will get around 50 percent of the vote. The opposition, however, is hoping it can win a victory by forging a cross-party alliance. Should Prime Minister Orbán be worried?

In reaction to the Cambridge Analytica scandal Facebook has pledged to provide less data on its users to third parties in future. In addition, searches for profiles using email addresses or telephone numbers will be no longer be possible. Commentators nevertheless remain sceptical that Facebook's system will undergo any fundamental changes.

The Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont is to be released on bail after judges of the district court in Schleswig, Germany, rejected Spain's extradition request. They ruled that Catalan independence had not been pursued in a violent manner and that consequently the Spanish judiciary's rebellion charges were untenable. Will this prompt Spain's politicians and judges to review the situation?

Roughly a month after the elections in Italy the first round of talks on the formation of a new government has ended without a result. Election winner Luigi Di Maio, the leader of the Movimento 5 Stelle, wants to form a coalition with the Lega Nord provided the party breaks its ties with its original alliance partner Silvio Berlusconi. Commentators are having a hard time imagining an Italy under Di Maio's leadership.

At their summit in Ankara the presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran have resolved to quickly establish peace in Syria. However, their different interests were also manifest at the meeting. Commentators criticise Europe's lack of involvement and explain why Russian and Iran have won the war twice over.