European Union

German finance minister Christian Lindner has indicated his support for the idea of seizing foreign assets held by the Russian central bank to rebuild Ukraine following the war.

Turkey is against Finland and Sweden joining Nato. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he could not agree to the admission of countries that tolerate terrorist organisations like the Kurdistan Workers' Parrty (PKK) and have imposed sanctions against Turkey. Sweden has refused to supply Turkey with weapons since 2019 because of its military operations in Syria. Europe's press sees other reasons for Erdoğan's objections.

After the government in Helsinki, Sweden's Social Democratic government is now also seeking to join Nato. Both the Finnish and Swedish parliaments debated the issue on Monday. Moscow has called the plans a "grave mistake" and threatened consequences. Turkey has also voiced objections. Europe's press assesses the implications of the decision.

France will have a female prime minister for the second time in its history. President Emmanuel Macron has appointed former labour minister Elisabeth Borne to succeed Jean Castex in the post. The 61-year-old politician is among the handful of people who have been on Macron's governing team from the beginning. Commentators discuss the appointment.

The Spanish cabinet is today discussing a bill put forward by the leftist government that would entitle women to three additional sick days per month in cases of severe period pains. The announcement has triggered a debate about whether the law could have a negative impact on women's access to the labour market. The Spanish press argues against such reservations.