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German security sources say Russia has intensified disinformation campaigns ahead of next month’s state elections, with online content reportedly targeting political rivals of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Authorities believe the campaign aims to deepen political divisions and undermine Germany’s governing parties, including the CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP.

German officials said the operation, known as the “Matryoshka” campaign, spreads fabricated videos on social media using the branding of well-known news organisations to make false allegations against politicians. While the Interior Ministry says the campaign has not gained significant online traction, it continues to monitor the situation closely, calling it a serious threat.

Russia’s embassy in Berlin rejected the accusations, describing them as “anti-Russian hysteria” and denying any interference in Germany’s internal affairs. German security officials, however, maintain that the campaign is centrally coordinated from Russia, adding that the country remains alert to foreign influence attempts ahead of the elections.

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Russian anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin has announced that he is temporarily outside Russia after being labelled a “foreign agent” and barred from contesting the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections. In a video posted from Paris, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, Nadezhdin said he was “alive and free” and would share his future plans later.

The 63-year-old former lawmaker has been a vocal critic of Russia’s war in Ukraine while attempting to remain active within the country’s political system. His political ambitions were halted after the Justice Ministry designated him a “foreign agent” in July, followed by police questioning and a court fine over alleged display of extremist symbols on social media, accusations he rejected.

Nadezhdin’s departure adds to the growing number of prominent Kremlin critics who have either left Russia or been imprisoned since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022. Russian authorities say such measures are necessary to protect national security, while opposition figures argue they are part of a broader crackdown on political dissent.

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Thousands of people marched through central Kyiv, calling on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to reinstate former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was removed during a government reshuffle in mid-July. Protesters questioned the government’s decision and expressed concern over the impact of his dismissal on Ukraine’s wartime military reforms.

Fedorov, widely credited with driving military innovation, has refused to accept another government role, while Zelenskiy has appointed an acting defence minister and shown no sign of reversing the decision. The protests come as Ukraine continues its war with Russia and intensifies military operations on the frontline.

Demonstrators said the rallies reflect Ukraine’s democratic values even during wartime, with many vowing to continue protesting until their demands are addressed. Analysts noted that the public demonstrations highlight growing concern over transparency, defence reforms and confidence in the country’s leadership.

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A Moscow court has ordered the arrest in absentia of Zhanna Nemtsova, the daughter of slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, over her involvement with an organisation that Russia has designated as “undesirable.” Nemtsova, who has lived outside Russia since 2015, co-founded the Germany-based Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, which was banned in Russia in 2024.

Responding to the ruling, Nemtsova dismissed the court’s decision in a social media post, noting that the foundation operates legally from Germany. Under Russian law, participation in or support for organisations labelled “undesirable” can result in prison sentences.

Boris Nemtsov, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, was assassinated near the Kremlin in 2015. Although five men were convicted for carrying out the killing in 2017, his supporters have long argued that those who planned and ordered the murder have never been brought to justice.

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Elon Musk has sparked fresh controversy after promoting Citizen Vigilante, a violent film starring Armie Hammer, by making it free to watch on X for 48 hours. The film, directed by German filmmaker Uwe Boll, depicts a vigilante targeting migrants, police, and government officials, and gained widespread attention after Musk’s endorsement despite initially receiving little recognition.

The promotion has renewed scrutiny of Musk’s growing support for right-wing political figures and anti-immigration movements across Europe. Critics argue that his activity on X has amplified far-right narratives, including support for the concept of “remigration,” while some researchers claim his platform has become influential in spreading extremist viewpoints.

Musk has defended his actions by describing the film as worth watching and denying that Europe is beyond repair, though he continues to express concerns about immigration and public safety. Supporters view his stance as a defense of free speech, while critics warn that his influence is helping normalize divisive and extremist rhetoric across Europe.

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Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar has declined the nomination to become Hungary’s next president, a day after Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced his intention to nominate her for the largely ceremonial role. Polgar thanked the government for its confidence but said she did not feel capable of taking on the responsibility of uniting a divided nation.

The nomination came as part of the new government’s broader political reforms following Peter Magyar’s election victory, which ended the 16-year rule of Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party. Hungary is also preparing to draft a new constitution, and parliament is expected to elect an interim president until the new constitutional framework takes effect.

Widely regarded as the greatest female chess player in history, Polgar is the only woman to have been ranked among the world’s top 10 players and the only female player to surpass the prestigious 2700 Elo rating. Her decision keeps the search for Hungary’s next president open as lawmakers move ahead with the country’s political transition.

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The European Union’s highest court has ruled that Spain’s controversial amnesty law for those involved in Catalonia’s independence movement does not violate EU law. The decision strengthens Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government, as the legislation was central to securing the support of Catalan separatist parties after the 2023 election.

The Court of Justice of the European Union said the amnesty is within Spain’s legal authority and can help reduce political tensions and promote reconciliation. However, it rejected one part of the law that required Spanish courts to suspend certain financial liabilities and legal proceedings within a fixed two-month period while awaiting broader EU decisions.

The ruling could benefit former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium, though a final decision on whether the amnesty applies to him still rests with Spain’s Constitutional Court. While Spain’s government welcomed the judgment, separatist leaders said the law has yet to be fully implemented for many eligible individuals.

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Schools in Germany’s eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt have become a major political flashpoint ahead of the September 6 regional election, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is leading opinion polls. The debate intensified after teacher Max Heckel received a formal warning for telling a student he had not voted for the AfD, citing its classification as extremist by security authorities. Heckel says the incident has led to online abuse, threats, and vandalism, while raising concerns about freedom of discussion in classrooms.

The AfD argues that teachers must remain politically neutral and has pledged sweeping education reforms if it wins power in the state. Party leaders say schools should focus on traditional values, German history, and academic standards while removing what they describe as political influence and ideological teaching. The party also proposes reducing social support and integration programmes in schools as part of a broader overhaul of the education system.

Mainstream political parties and critics warn that the AfD’s plans could weaken democratic safeguards that have shaped Germany’s education system since World War II. They argue that limiting classroom discussions about extremism and the country’s history could undermine students’ understanding of democratic values. With the AfD polling close to 40% in Saxony-Anhalt, the election is expected to be a significant test of the party’s growing political influence in Germany.

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Hungary’s parliament is expected to approve a constitutional amendment that would remove President Tamas Sulyok from office, marking a major political move by Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s government. Magyar, who defeated former Prime Minister Viktor Orban in April’s election, has described Sulyok as being closely aligned with the previous administration and says the change is part of efforts to restore constitutional democracy.

Magyar’s Tisza party holds a parliamentary supermajority, allowing it to amend the constitution and reverse several institutional changes introduced during Orban’s 16 years in power. The proposed amendment would immediately end Sulyok’s presidency, with parliament selecting a replacement until a new constitution comes into effect or for a maximum term of five years.

President Sulyok has opposed the amendment and requested an opinion from the Venice Commission, a constitutional advisory body of the Council of Europe. The legislation also includes a proposal to limit lawmakers’ terms to 12 years, reflecting the government’s broader constitutional reform agenda.

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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is awaiting a crucial court ruling on July 7 that will determine whether she can contest the 2027 presidential election. The appeal challenges a five-year ban from holding public office and a four-year prison sentence imposed in 2025 over the embezzlement of European Parliament funds. The verdict could either clear the way for Le Pen’s fourth presidential bid or force the National Rally (RN) to choose a new candidate.

If Le Pen remains barred, party president Jordan Bardella is widely expected to become the RN’s presidential nominee. Although party leaders insist the transition would be united, many members acknowledge that replacing Le Pen would mark the end of an era for the politician who transformed the National Rally into France’s largest parliamentary party. Bardella’s leadership has also sparked internal debate over the party’s future direction, particularly on economic policy.

Opinion polls suggest both Le Pen and Bardella would comfortably advance to the second round of the 2027 election, with recent surveys showing Bardella attracting even stronger first-round support than Le Pen. However, political analysts note that his relative lack of experience compared with Le Pen could become a key issue if he leads the far-right campaign, making the upcoming court ruling one of the most significant moments in French politics ahead of the presidential race.

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