Eurotopics.net

Romania needs a new prime minister after Ilie Bolojan of the National Liberal Party (PNL) was ousted by a vote of no confidence. Bolojan had announced his intention of naming his successor. However, President Nicușor Dan appointed a second candidate at the weekend, Adrian Veștea, without consulting the parties, after it became clear that the first candidate would be unlikely to secure a majority. Romania's media call for an end to the president's unilateral moves.

With a valuation of around 1.8 trillion US dollars, the space technology company SpaceX is going public today, June 12. Founder and majority shareholder Elon Musk – already the richest person in the world by far – is expected to become the first ever trillionaire. The staggering figures provoke some admiration and a lot of consternation in Europe's press.

After ten years of negotiations and preparations, the Common European Asylum System comes into force today. The system is meant to centralise data collection, distribute the burden more fairly among EU member states and limit immigration overall – for example by setting up centres for fast-track asylum procedures at the EU's external borders. Media reactions are for the most part sceptical.

The rape and murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna has sparked a wave of outrage in France. Despite the fact that her alleged killer had been reported to the police on several occasions in the past, the judicial authorities failed to take action. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin is now rushing to have 70,000 cases of sexual violence against minors reviewed.

The Estonian Parliament has passed a law that fundamentally changes its Penal Code on sexual offences after total of 69 members of parliament voted in favour with only 8 against. The basic principle of the 'yes model' is that sexual contact without clear consent is considered rape. This brings Estonian law into line with the Istanbul Convention on preventing violence against women.