Eurotopics.net

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been arrested while doing research in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, a key defence industry location. Gershkovich faces charges of espionage and is to be kept in pre-trial detention for two months. Up to now accredited foreign journalists have been less affected by the restrictions on press freedom in the country. Is this changing now?

Finland elects a new parliament on Sunday. Although the parties are in agreement on the key issue of joining Nato, it is not clear whether Prime Minister Sanna Marin will be able to retain her post. The right-wing populist Finns Party is neck and neck with Marin's Social Democrats in the polls - and both are lagging behind the National Coalition Party. Is the country facing a decisive change of course?

As part of his three-day visit to Germany, King Charles III has become the first monarch to address the Bundestag. In his speech to the parliament he praised the Anglo-German friendship and Germany's support for Ukraine. Commentators welcome his warm words, especially against the backdrop of Brexit.

The recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions has sparked fierce criticism. Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Piotr Wawrzyk spoke of "a day of shame for the IOC" and Ukrainian athletes are pondering boycotts. Commentators examine motives and repercussions.

The parties of Gemany's governing coalition, the SPD, the Greens and the FDP, have reached a deal on several contentious issues. On climate protection, each sector will no longer have to meet annual CO2 targets individually but there will be an aggregated emissions target for all sectors instead. In addition, the goal of climate neutrality by 2045 is to be achieved primarily through emissions trading, and there will be fast-tracked approval for rail and road transport projects. Commentators say the plans don't go far enough.