Eurotopics.net

Poland has missed out on billions of euros in EU funds because of its controversial judicial reform. The Disciplinary Chamber, established in 2019 at the Polish Supreme Court to punish unruly judges, was at the centre of the dispute. Poland's parliament has now voted to dissolve the body and replace it with a new one. But this doesn't mean the controversy is over, commentators stress.

The Judge Section of the Romanian Supreme Council of Magistrates has expelled Cristi Danileț, a judge and popular public figure, from the magistracy for the second time for disciplinary offences including involvement in two political formations. He is no longer allowed to work as a judge and his salary has also been suspended. Commentators suspect the move is aimed at deterring judges like Danileț who are committed to bringing about change in the judicial system.

An 18-year-old killed 19 children and two adults in a mass shooting at a Texas primary school in Uvalde on Tuesday. US President Joe Biden expressed shock over the tragedy and called for stricter gun laws. "I'm sick and tired of it. We have to act," he said. How can such attacks be prevented?

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger talked about ways to end the war in Ukraine. A humiliating defeat for Moscow would be dangerous, whereas territorial concessions to Russia would be an investment in long-term peace on the continent, he said. This elicits fierce reactions from Europe's commentators.