Eurotopics.net

The results of the first Pisa study since the Covid-19 pandemic were published on Tuesday. Around 690,000 schoolchildren aged 15 and 16 from 81 countries were tested. Compared to previous surveys, performance has declined in most countries. Almost all the top spots are occupied by East Asian states - along with Estonia. Europe's press looks at why.

For months Ukrainian society has impressed observers with its seemingly unbreakable unity in the fight against the Russian invaders. Now political tensions are starting to emerge. Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko has criticised President Volodymyr Zelensky in unusually harsh terms. Soldiers' wives are protesting and demanding that their husbands be allowed to return for a break from the front. Commentators examine the developments.

Now that Ukraine's counter-offensive has stalled, the country is also facing problems away from the front. The US Congress has refused to authorise further financial aid and Hungary doesn't want to discuss further EU assistance for Ukraine at the summit in December, as planned. Aid that has already been agreed on has yet to be delivered, and ammunition supplies are delayed. Europe's press takes stock.

The liberal Estonian government has announced plans to cut the country's generous parental allowance. Under the current rules, one parent receives his or her full salary until the child reaches the age of 18 months. The scheme was introduced in 2003 to address the low birth rate in the post-Soviet years, which in the meantime, however, has risen to around 1.6 children per woman, roughly the European average. The plans have triggered fierce debate in the national press.