EUROPE

The Energy Charter Treaty: a barrier to climate action

European states must withdraw from rather than revise treaty that protects fossil fuel companies from environmental policy

ECONOMY | ENVIRONMENT

Spain: a victory in the struggle against sexual violence

The country’s first law on sexual consent comes after years of feminist demands for a new approach to gender-based violence

Bulgaria: stuck in a loop?

Fourth election in 18 months produces yet more deadlock with parties divided on Russia and corruption

NATO’s growing pains

Russian invasion of Ukraine pushes some states into NATO’s arms – but makes NATO membership a contentious issue in others

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Serbia: LGBTQI+ people the latest target of repression

Anti-rights groups find dual inspiration in US conservative Christians and Russian nationalists

Latvia: decisive election gains for pro-western parties

Government will keep standing up to Russia – but must respect rights of Latvia’s ethnic Russian population

Italy: triumph of the far right

Ascent to power of party with neofascist origins spells trouble for excluded groups

Sweden’s far right rises

Party with neo-Nazi origins holds the balance of power following immigration-dominated election

UK: new prime minister, same old problems?

Liz Truss takes over facing huge economic challenges

The four-day workweek: the future of work?

Thousands of UK workers join a six-month trial to test the viability of the four-day workweek

ECONOMY | ENVIRONMENT