Eurotopics.net

Sweden and Finland have submitted their applications to join Nato. The ratification process could now take up to a year. Moscow has called the plans a "grave mistake" and threatened consequences. Turkey has also voiced objections. Europe's press discusses the implications of the decision.

Last week, the Greek parliament approved a five-year agreement for the expansion of US military bases in Greece. Opposition leader Alexis Tsipras of the Syriza alliance accused the Mitsotakis government of turning the country into a 'satellite state' of the US. The Greek press is divided over the issue.

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.