Eurotopics.net

The Iran war has put an end to the popularity of the Gulf states as a tourist destination, social media checks for visa applications in the US are provoking protests and people are tightening their purse strings. European commentators examine what the global political and economic situation means for tourists and holidays.

Croatia has faced a flood of bomb threats over the past week. Hospitals, shopping centres, editorial offices, airports, schools and kindergartens have had to be evacuated and searched more than 700 times – but in each case no explosives were found. The national press talks of a systematic attack on state and society.

Just hours before his ultimatum expired, US President Donald Trump has prolonged the ceasefire with Iran for an indefinite period. At Pakistan's request, Trump said that there would be no more attacks until the "seriously fractured" government in Tehran had put forward a "unified proposal" and talks had been concluded. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, no final decision has been reached about participating in the negotiations.

Since 2021 Hungary has had a law – typical of the Orbán era – prohibiting access to information on homosexuality, trans identity and gender reassignment for the under-18s. The European Court of Justice has now ruled that the law is discriminatory, and that it violates European fundamental rights as well as contradicting the EU's core values.

Former President Rumen Radev's centre-left coalition Progressive Bulgaria won a clear victory in the parliamentary elections, securing around 45 percent of the vote. Radev has affirmed that Bulgaria will continue its European path, but that a strong Europe needs critical thinking and pragmatism. Commentators ask what the election result means for European cohesion.