Eurotopics.net

Polish police have arrested two members of the former ruling party PiS who had sought refuge in the presidential palace. Former interior minister Mariusz Kamiński and his deputy Maciej Wąsik were sentenced in December to two years in prison for abuse of office in an appeal trial. President Andrzej Duda had pardoned them after the judgement by a court of first instance. The judges overruled the pardon.

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.