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Polish President Andrzej Duda has signed into law divisive legislation that allows judges to be punished for questioning and criticising the national judicial system. Judges can now be made to pay fines, be demoted or fired if they go against the authority of other judges or courts. The European Commission is going to analyse whether the Polish law complies with EU law.

Source: Deutsche Welle

A lucrative citizenship for investment scheme run by Cyprus has been under scrutiny both in Cyprus and abroad after the disclosure that some of the beneficiaries were high-ranking officials from foreign countries. In recent years, more than 3,500 people have gained citizenship under this scheme.

Source: Euractiv

The State Duma deputies and Federation Council senators included in the Russian government’s working group for constitutional amendments have proposed giving the country’s former presidents the right to join the Federation Council for life.

Source: Meduza

The German government does not plan to recognise the 'flight from climatic conditions and changes' as a reason for asylum and to make a corresponding change in the law.

Source: Euronews

The ECHR has ruled that Spain did not violate the European convention on human rights six years ago when it deported two men who tried to climb the fence separating Morocco and Spain. Human rights groups now accuse the ECHR of “ignoring the reality” on the ground, and they worry that the ruling will set a dangerous precedent in the European Union.

Source: The Guardian

The reserve around Mont Blanc, which will be created by the end of 2020, will have rules restricting the number of visitors, especially during the summer. Other new environmental measures, announced by France, include the creation of the French Office of Biodiversity and stopping the government’s purchase of single-use plastics from July.

Source: BBC

A nationwide vote is going to be held in Russia, perhaps on April 22, following Russian president Vladimir Putin’s proposal last month of important constitutional changes. In an unprecedented move, voters will be allowed to vote from home or, in select locations, from their workplace.

Source: Meduza

The European Commission has launched three new infringement proceedings against Germany for failing to correctly implement EU law. This brings the total of such proceedings against Germany to 76, making the country the fifth worst offender in the EU, behind Spain (93 proceedings), Greece (89), Italy (82) and Poland (78).

Source: Euractiv

In Spain, the left-wing government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has promised a number of social reforms, including the so-called Rhodes Law. The latter seeks to improve the Spanish system of protection against child sexual abuse by facilitating the procedure to report abuse, focusing on prevention and education and changing the statute of limitations. The law has been named after British pianist and Madrid resident James Rhodes who has campaigned for such a law since 2018.

Source: BBC