Eurotopics.net

US President Joe Biden announced the US's return to world politics and reaffirmed his country's commitment to old alliances at the Special Edition of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, which was held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. Commentators discuss how Europe should now position itself vis-à-vis the US - especially if relations with Russia and China continue to cool.

Over the weekend the Greek police arrested the former artistic director of the National Theatre, Dimitris Lignadis. He had resigned earlier in the month, among other things after being accused of sexually abusing minors. Critics accuse the government of covering up the affair, also because Lignadis is a friend of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The debate over whether those who have had the Covid-19 vaccine should be able to return to normal life more swiftly with the help of vaccination passports, as is being planned in Denmark and Sweden, wages on. Unlike a fortnight ago, the European press seems largely in favour of it now.

Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has unexpectedly resigned in protest against a court order for the arrest of his most prominent rival, Nika Melia. Melia, head of the opposition party United National Movement, has been charged with involvement in the 2019 protests and the storming of parliament. Gakharia was pushing for Georgia's integration into the west. Observers are deflated.