Eurotopics.net

Russia's war against Ukraine is prompting more and more states to ask fundamental questions about their stance in global politics. Neutral countries like Switzerland and Austria are struggling to define their role. Others are at odds over the consequences of military support for Kyiv. European commentators complain that the debate is not being conducted honestly.

According to recent surveys, about three-quarters of the population in Russia support Putin's current policies. However in view of all the progaganda, censorship and punishments for protest and dissent it is questionable whether public opinion research in Russia can be considered at all reliable. Russian and Polish commentators paint a more nuanced picture.

The US Federal Reserve has raised the key interest rate by 0.5 percentage points in view of high inflation, the biggest hike in 22 years. In future the rate is to lie between 0.75 and 1 percent. The Bank of England has also raised its interest rates for the fourth time in a row, to one percent. Commentators discuss the consequences for the Eurozone and the UK.

Two weeks ago it emerged that Spain's National Intelligence Centre (CNI) spied on Catalan politicians belonging to the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) party using Pegasus software. Now Prime Minister Sánchez has announced that he and other members of government members were also targeted. Since the ERC is one of the most important partners in Sánchez's minority government the question is why he announced this now of all times - and whether it can help him out of the current predicament.

The coalition negotiations in Slovenia have been in full swing ever since Robert Golob, a newcomer to politics, beat the incumbent Janez Janša, whose government stands for xenophobia and nationalist rhetoric, almost two weeks ago. Golob wants to form a centre-left government. A glance at Slovenian media reveals high expectations.