Jul 18, 2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition pushed through a series of divisive laws that undermine legal oversight by allowing ministers to reject the Attorney General's binding positions and granting government control over AG appointments. The legislation also includes measures benefiting ultra-Orthodox parties and allied media outlets as Israel heads toward October 27 elections.
European Parliament members warned Albania that EU accession talks are at risk over plans for a Jared Kushner-backed luxury resort on protected shorelines, as anti-government protests turned violent and investigations emerged into alleged money laundering by a land seller involved in the development.
A Spanish court ruled that Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, must stand trial by jury on corruption charges including embezzlement and influence peddling, and banned her from leaving the country. The case involves allegations she used her position to secure work contracts.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced plans to amend the constitution or launch legal proceedings to dismiss President Tamás Sulyok, an appointee from the previous nationalist administration, after Sulyok refused to resign by a Sunday deadline. Magyar's government came to power in April 2026.
South Africa's parliament will set up an impeachment committee to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa over allegations involving bundles of foreign currency stolen from a sofa at his ranch. Ramaphosa has refused to resign and says he will legally challenge the report that paved the way for impeachment proceedings.
Péter Magyar, Hungary's incoming prime minister, traveled to Brussels to meet with EU leaders in an effort to unlock billions of euros in frozen EU funds ahead of an August deadline. The visit marks a potential reset in Hungary-EU relations after years of tension under Viktor Orbán.
The European Court of Justice found that Hungary's 2021 law restricting LGBTQ+ content is discriminatory and breaches Article 2 of the EU Treaty, which sets out the bloc's fundamental values. The ruling comes as an early test for Hungary's new Prime Minister Péter Magyar.