Eurotopics.net

Thousands of people across Bulgaria have protested against violence against women. The demonstrations were triggered by a brutal attack on an 18-year-old girl and the mild sentence handed down to her aggressor. Although she had been cruelly abused by her ex-partner, a court classified the act as "slight bodily harm" and released the perpetrator.

In Spain, the conservative People's Party has emerged as the strongest party in the snap general election. With almost all the votes counted it secured 136 (89 seats four years ago) out of a total of 350 parliamentary seats. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialists have 122 seats, the right-wing populist Vox won 33 and the left-wing alliance Sumar has 31. With these results neither the left nor the right has a real chance of achieving an absolute majority, which leaves commentators wondering what will happen now.

Since Russia suspended the grain agreement the Ukrainian port city of Odessa has been massively targeted by Russian missile and drone strikes. Civilian buildings in the old town, which is a protected Unesco World Heritage Site, have also been hit, and the Orthodox Transfiguration Cathedral has been severely damaged. What do these attacks mean for the course of the war?

The final vote on Israel's controversial judicial reform will take place in the Knesset today, Monday. Last night tens of thousands once more gathered to demonstrate against legislation that could limit the powers of the Supreme Court and give the government more power. Europe's press voices its concern but also sees hopeful signs.

The conflict over Koran burnings in Sweden has escalated. In protest at an announced burning, angry demonstrators stormed and set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday, with Iraq expelling the Swedish ambassador. In Stockholm, a demonstrator trampled on a copy of the Koran outside the Iraqi embassy. Protests have also taken place in other predominantly Muslim countries.

Viktor Orbán, Hungary's right-wing nationalist prime minister, has once again stoked tensions between his country and Romania with his traditional speech at the Bálványos Free Summer University in Transylvania. Addressing citizens of the Hungarian minority, he poked fun at Romania's political system and mocked the EU. His speech elicits annoyed comments from the press in both countries.