Eurotopics.net

The Catalan government has declared a state of emergency in 200 municipalities in the Barcelona metropolitan area and part of Girona due to persistent drought. Water consumption in these areas is now restricted to 200 litres per person per day, while agricultural businesses must reduce their consumption by 80 percent and industry by 25 percent. Commentators call for far-reaching, coordinated measures.

Turkish human rights activist Can Atalay was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022 for his role in the anti-government Gezi Park protests. In 2023 he was elected to parliament for the opposition party TIP. Following a legal dispute between the Constitutional Court and the Court of Cassation, the judgment has now become final and the parliament has stripped Atalay of his mandate and immunity. The decision was read out in parliament amid boos from the opposition.

According to media reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has attempted to dismiss Valerii Zaluzhnyi as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Several newspapers reported that Zelensky had offered the general the post of defence minister instead, but Zaluzhnyi refused. The Ministry of Defence and the Presidential Office have denied the allegations. Zaluzhnyi had warned of a deadlock on the front in November. The press takes a closer look.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague has called on Israel to better protect the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, but did not order an immediate end to the military offensive. The ICJ has not yet ruled on the claim of genocide brought by South Africa, but has declared that the matter does fall within its jurisdiction. Commentators debate the potential consequences for all the involved parties.