Legal Dialogue

In Lithuania a row has broken out between the political class and the media. Plans have been announced under which media would have to pay in future for access to the national register, which among other things contains all the data on companies. Until now only companies and private users had to pay. Commentators complain that the move will impede their research, and criticise the plans as an attack on press freedom.
Source: eurotopics.net

The French Court of Cassation announced on Friday its decision to request an advisory opinion from the European Court of Human Rights in a case that could have important consequences for couples who are unable to conceive naturally.
Source: jurist.org

A court in The Hague has upheld a historic legal order on the Dutch government to accelerate carbon emissions cuts, a day after the world’s climate scientists warned that time was running out to avoid dangerous warming.
Source: theguardian.com

The EU Parliament has declared war on CO2 emissions in transportation with new limits. From 2030 the CO2 emissions limit for new cars is to be on average 40 percent lower than for 2021. Negotiations with the EU Commission and the member states are next on the agenda. Is the Parliament jeopardising the future of Europe's automotive industry with its decision?
Source: eurotopics.net

Hungary and Poland said they have gone to the European Court of Justice to challenge tighter European Union rules on the employment of workers from low-pay EU states. The issue of so-called "posted" workers has divided poor east and rich west EU states for years, with France leading efforts to tighten rules while Poland and Hungary have sought to block reforms.
Source: news.trust.org

The Parliament of Finland on Wednesday voted 178-13 to add an amendment to the constitution providing an exception to the right to privacy, providing the government with more ability to combat terrorism and foreign government spying. The amendment is specifically aimed at protecting confidential communications.
Source:  jurist.org

Vladimir Putin submitted two pieces of draft legislation to the State Duma that would partially decriminalize “extremist” offenses under Criminal Code 282, which prohibits hate speech. Besides the obvious benefit that there will be fewer felony cases against harmless Internet content, these new amendments have several drawbacks.
Source: meduza.io

The Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans has once again called on the Romanian government to renounce its planned judicial reform. The Commission sees the independence of the judges and the separation of powers in danger. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has rejected the accusations. What fate awaits Romania now?
Source: eurotopics.net

The EU Commission has referred Poland to the European Court of Justice for forcing top judges into retirement. It argues that the government in Warsaw's reform of the country's Supreme Court undermined the principle of judicial independence. Commentators welcome the step but fear it comes too late.
Source: eurotopics.net