Eurotopics.net

Last week and again on Monday, tens of thousands took the streets in Bulgaria. The demonstrations, the largest in years, are in protest at the government's draft budget for 2026, which proposes a hike in taxes and social security contributions. Corruption allegations are also in the air. Riots have broken out in Sofia, and demonstrators have clashed with the police.

Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak has become the next top politician to hand in his resignation in connection with the corruption scandal in the Ukrainian energy sector. Investigators searched his apartment on Friday, but no charges were brought. Observers agree that his resignation was unavoidable but are divided over what the repercussions will be.

Discussions about the future of Ukraine continue in spite of the Witkoff scandal. On Sunday a Ukrainian delegation met US representatives in Florida, and this week US negotiators are flying to Moscow with the West's proposals to end the war. Europe's press points to the factors hindering and propelling the peace process.

As part of his first foreign tour since his election as Pope, Leo XIV paid a three-day visit to Turkey. His visit coincides with the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, at which the foundations for the ecumenical creed were laid. Leo XIV also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whom he praised for his peace efforts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Two referendums were held in Switzerland this week. An initiative aimed at introducing a 50-percent inheritance tax on wealth exceeding 50 million Swiss francs (53.6 million euros) was rejected, with 78 percent voting against the measure, the proceeds of which would have been used to finance climate protection measures. In the other referendum, no less than 84 percent voted against an initiative to introduce compulsory national service for women.