European Union

Six Hungarian opposition parties have signed a joint declaration stating that they will run together in the next parliamentary election in 2022. The agreement stipulates that they will run with one list and field only one joint candidate per constituency. What are the chances of this alliance replacing the Orbán government?

A few weeks ago media reports revealed that the EU border agency Frontex had not only covered up illegal pushbacks of refugees by Greek border guards, but was also actively involved in the practice. MEPs are now calling for the resignation of Frontex director Fabrice Leggeri. But commentators say the scandal goes far beyond misconduct by individuals.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has apparently obtained a confession from one of the agents involved in the poison attack against him. Last week the media had talked of a murder plot involving eight FSB agents. Posing as an advisor to the Russian Security Council chief on the phone, Navalny learned details of the attack and posted a recording of the conversation on YouTube.

Russia will be excluded from the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and the 2022 Olympics in Beijing for manipulating doping data. But in what counts as a success for Russia, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), halved the four-year ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency Wada on appeal. In addition, those athletes who were not implicated will be able to compete as neutral contenders - much to the displeasure of observers.

Critics of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy’s (CAP) for its effect on developing African countries have an exaggerated view of its importance outside Europe, although some specific areas and particular products remain a cause for concern, according to a CAP expert.

The Council adopted conclusions on the Commission's new customs action plan.

Member states can start vaccination programmes in the next few days, after EU approved the use of Pfizer and BioTech's Covid-19 drug.