Eurotopics.net

In a video posted on Friday, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin threatened to withdraw from Bakhmut and used strong language against Russia's military leadership, which he accused of sending too little equipment and ammunition. Today, Monday, the power struggle seems to have been settled and a withdrawal is off the table. Commentators examine the sinister Wagner boss's motives.

The Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ), one of the oldest parties in the country, has long led a shadowy political existence. But now the KPÖ and its alliance partners have secured 12 percent of the vote in Salzburg's regional elections and up to 22 percent in the city itself. Its success is reminiscent of what happened in Graz, which has had a communist mayor since 2021. The party's campaign focused on housing policy. Commentators also see other reasons for its success.

A new chapter has begun in Slovakia's government crisis: in the wake of several resignations, interim Prime Minister Eduard Heger sought to save parts of his cabinet, but now President Zuzana Čaputová has announced the formation of a government of experts under Ľudovít Ódor, currently Vice-Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia, which will lead the country until parliamentary elections take place on 30 September. Heger resigned as PM after Čaputová's decision.

Although he has been king of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since September, Charles III won't receive his royal crown until this Saturday. The coronation ceremony will include an oath to rule according to law, to follow the Protestant religion and to protect the Church of England, as well as a holy anointment. While some see the monarchy and the pomp as a bizarre anachronism, others say it still has a meaningful role.

The ECB has raised interest rates for the seventh time in a row in its bid to further curb inflation in the Eurozone. Inflation rates rose slightly again last month, from 6.9 to 7 percent. The ECB's decision mirrors the latest move of the US Federal Reserve, which also raised rates by 0.25 percent. Not all commentators are happy with this "mini-hike".