Eurotopics.net

Because of previous far-right contacts and Nazi "jokes", Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila of the right-wing populist party The Finns faced a vote of no confidence on Wednesday. He narrowly survived, although the Swedish People's Party of Finland, a coalition partner in the newly formed government, denied him its support. The national press takes the view that despite the motion's failure Junnila should not remain in office.

The maximum speed limit on motorways in the Czech Republic is to be increased from 130 to 150 kilometres per hour, the Czech Chamber of Deputies has decided. Due to the poor condition of most motorways, however, the top speed of 150 km/h will only be possible on a few selected stretches. Commentators argue that the project makes no sense.

After the aborted Wagner uprising on the weekend, the situation in Russia seems to have calmed down for the time being. Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has taken refuge in Belarus. The Russian president thanked the armed forces for saving the country from civil war. Europe's press asks how deep the cracks in the Putin system run.

When fighters of the Wagner mercenary organisation advanced towards Moscow on the weekend, Vladimir Putin spoke of treason and threatened harsh punishment. A short time later there was a turn of events: the mutiny was called off and Putin guaranteed Prigozhin and his soldiers impunity. Commentators discuss what this back and forth means for Wagner's future.

The staff of the Sunday newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD) are on strike to protest the appointment of editor-in-chief Geoffroy Lejeune, the former head of the far-right magazine Valeurs actuelles. His appointment comes as the multimedia group Vivendi - whose boss Vincent Bolloré is known for turning media into mouthpieces for right-wing polemics - is finalising its takeover of the JDD's publisher Lagardère.