Eurotopics.net

Candidates are neck and neck in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey on 14 May: CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his opposition alliance have realistic chances of beating long-time President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his AK Party. Commentators follow the race with bated breath.

The Greeks will elect a new parliament on May 21. Prime Minister Mitsotakis' ruling conservative Nea Dimokratia slumped in the polls after the train accident in March, but is still in the lead. In second place is former PM Alexis Tsipras with the left-wing opposition alliance Syriza.

Russia is commemorating the victory of the Soviet Union over Hitler's Germany with its annual military parade on Moscow's Red Square. Since the 9 May 2015, Victory Day has also been used to legitimise the war against Ukraine. A drone incident over the Kremlin last week has added to tensions. Commentators examine the evolving significance of the day.

May 9 is not only a day of celebration in Moscow, which commemorates the end of the Second World War on that date. In the EU - and for the first time in Ukraine - it is celebrated as Europe Day and marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, a plan which is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union. Commentators examine how this day should be commemorated in view of the important role played by the Red Army in the victory over Nazi Germany.

In view of soaring food prices, Austria's Social Minister Johannes Rauch convened a summit with social partners, industry representatives and experts on Monday. Inflation in Austria is at almost 10 percent, and for food products it stands at 14.5 percent. Among other measures, a reduction in VAT was discussed, but no agreement was reached. Just what was achieved?