Eurotopics.net

In the current edition of the World Happiness Report European countries, led by Finland, occupy the top nine places. But even within Europe, certain countries have fallen far behind their neighbours or dropped several places compared to previous rankings. Commentators look at why.

The non-aligned former foreign minister Ivan Korčok secured an unexpected victory in the first round of the Slovakian presidential election with 42.5 percent of the vote. Most polls had put Peter Pellegrini, parliamentary speaker and coalition partner of the country's controversial Prime Minister Robert Fico, in front, but instead he was left trailing behind with 37 percent. The two now face a second round of voting. Commentators generally see the interim result as a positive signal.

The EU leaders have decided to go ahead and use profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Prior to the decision, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly called for the assets to be confiscated but failed to gain majority support. Commentators are happy that Europe has recognised the seriousness of the situation, but for some it is still too sluggish in its actions.

Against the backdrop of Russia's attack on Ukraine, the trial of strength between China and the US and the war in the Middle East, European media turn their gaze to the international multipolar power structure. While some focus on the emergence of new rules, others see little more than a worrying chaos.