Eurotopics.net

With reference to Sweden's planned accession to Nato and the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Swedish Commander-in-Chief Micael Bydén and Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin have called on the Swedes to prepare for a potential war. Practical action must be taken, Bohlin stressed at the Annual National Defence Conference. Commentators share their concern.

One of the most important figures in German football has died: Franz Beckenbauer passed away on Sunday aged 78. The "Kaiser" inspired with his unique elegance and lightness, won numerous championship titles as a player and coach, and brought the 2006 World Cup to Germany. Commentators look back on his career.

With tractors blocking access to motorways, the VW plant in Emden and city centres, the farmer protests in Germany against the coalition government's plans to cut subsidies are in full swing. The main bone of contention is cuts to agricultural diesel subsidies. Commentators discuss the tense situation and the involvement of far-right groups.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has resigned, paving the way for a government reshuffle. The favourite to succeed her is Education Minister Gabriel Attal. The reconfiguration is seen as a consequence of the recent difficulties of the government camp, which does not have an absolute majority, in pushing through legislative proposals such as the draft law on migration. What does this mean for the country and President Emmanuel Macron?