Eurotopics.net

Two weeks ago it emerged that Spain's National Intelligence Centre (CNI) spied on Catalan politicians belonging to the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) party using Pegasus software. Now Prime Minister Sánchez has announced that he and other members of government members were also targeted. Since the ERC is one of the most important partners in Sánchez's minority government the question is why he announced this now of all times - and whether it can help him out of the current predicament.

The coalition negotiations in Slovenia have been in full swing ever since Robert Golob, a newcomer to politics, beat the incumbent Janez Janša, whose government stands for xenophobia and nationalist rhetoric, almost two weeks ago. Golob wants to form a centre-left government. A glance at Slovenian media reveals high expectations.

The EU Commission plans to further tighten its sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a sixth package on Wednesday, which also includes an oil embargo. Transitional periods are intended to make it easier for skeptical member states to agree to the measures. European commentators pose questions about the potential consequences.

On 9 May, Russia traditionally celebrates the victory of the Soviet Union over Hitler's Germany with a large parade on Red Square. The Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic countries also commemorate the victims on this day, and celebrate the end of the Second World War. The press examines the significance of 9 May this year in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov repeated Russia's claims that the war in Ukraine is a denazification operation on the Italian TV channel Rete4 on Sunday evening. Referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he drew a comparison with Hitler and his purported Jewish ancestry. Israel reacted indignantly. Commentators warn of dangerous tendencies that also affect specific EU countries.