cafebabel.com

Croatia EU vote: Swiss, Italian, Slovenian, Czech media react

('euro topics',) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:13:56 -0000

A clear majority of Croatians voted in favour of EU accession in a referendum on 22 January. However, if they want to join the EU it's above all for economic reasons, European commentators write and prophesy that the EU's eastern enlargement is over for the time being

Slovenian, British, Spanish and German media on UK’s EU veto

('euro topics',) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:14:45 -0000

British prime minister David Cameron defended his EU veto in the British house of commons on 12 December, while French president Nicolas Sarkozy lamented that he was ‘splitting Europe in two’. Britain is simply more eurosceptic, replies the rest of Europe, who stress the advantages that the British can offer Europe

Swiss, Spanish, German and Czech media on role-swapping Putin and Medvedev

('euro topics',) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:27:28 -0000

The Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin announced his candidacy for the presidential elections in March. The current Kremlin chief Dmitry Medvedev would take his job in parliamentary elections on 4 December... get it? This swap would cement Russia's reputation as an authoritarian state and bring the country to a political standstill, cry the EU media

Referendum: 57% of Italians signal giant 'Vaffanculo' to nuclear power

('euro topics',) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:52:08 -0000

An overwhelming majority of Italians voted in a referendum against reintroducing nuclear energy, and at the same time stopped two more government projects. Still smarting from scandals and corruption accusations, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is the clear loser, write the German, Italian, Swiss and Spanish press, even though the opposition hardly stands to benefit

UN resolution Libya: Spanish, Polish, Belgian and German media react

('euro topics',) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:10:48 -0000

France and the UK can strike; the UN security council implements a no-fly zone over Libya as of 17 March. Europeans agree that intervention is the right decision although it took its time to make a decision. Others warn of the unpredictable consequences. Press review

Spain ‘aggressively secular’ according to Pope

('euro topics',) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 18:34:14 -0000

On his two-day trip to Spain Benedict XVI drew parallels to the situation in the 1930s. Spanish, Belgian and Dutch commentators are divided on his comments - vilifying or justified? Press review

81 billion pounds later: Brits avoid bankruptcy

('euro topics',) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:02:44 -0000

The British government announced a barrage of drastic austerity measures on 20 October: major cuts in social welfare and almost half a million jobs in the public sector axed. British, Finnish, Danish and Dutch commentators find these public sector cuts, the biggest since world war two, harsh, unfair and extremely dangerous for the economy

Berlin launch: Anti-islam book by German bank exec Thilo Sarrazin

('eurotopics',) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:25:08 -0000

The former politician launched his book 'Deutschland schafft sich ab' ('Germany abolishes itself' on 30 August in Berlin. Criticism of Germany's immigration policy is legitimate, writes the Italian, German and Austrian press, but don't attack muslims. Translated European press review selection

Berlusconi's Italy: elections soon?

('euro topics',) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:45:00 -0000

Italian junior justice minister Giacomo Caliendo, a suspect in a criminal inquiry, narrowly avoided an opposition motion in the lower house of the Italian parliament calling for him to be sacked. Had it gone through, the government could have fallen. The political pressure is rising, though the Irish, Slovenian and Italian press say new elections are unlikely

Spanish smacker: Netherlands beaten to world cup 2010

('eurotopics',) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:45:16 -0000

They were in the final three times, they lost three times - the Netherlands conceded the Fifa championship to La Roja, who won their first ever title on 11 July. The Spanish, Dutch, Czech and Swedish press urges politicians to learn from the harmonious play of the Spanish team: 'at least in football, Europe is on top'

Europe feels Turkey is moving away from the west

('euro topics',) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:00:00 -0000

When Turkey harshly criticised Israel for its military assault on a flotilla carrying international aid in the Mediterranean, the European press accused them of double standards. The Lithuanian, Italian and Spanish media fear that the country is turning away from Europe and the west

Dutch, Slovenians, Swiss on Cameron-Clegg: new UK leaders

('eurotopics',) — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:03:06 -0000

On 12 May, conservative and liberal democrat heads David and Nick officially stood outside No. 10 Downing Street to present themselves as the leaders of the coalition in Great Britain. Clegg has said we need to get used to a 'new kind of government', which will not be moving closer to Europe. The EU press reacts

EU press criticise air travel regulations as ash cloud lingers

('euro topics',) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:57:30 -0000

Since 15 April, Europe's airports have been forced to stay closed after a cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland has obscured EU airspace. The flight ban that many of us are experiencing shows just how dependent the economy is on air traffic - but Europe can co-operate much better too. The Italian, Swedish, Dutch and Austrian press react

Swing right, sweet Hungarian election chariot: first round election results

('euro topics',) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:34:01 -0000

The right-wing conservative alliance of young democrats or 'Fidesz' scooped Hungary's parliamentary elections on 11 April (52.7%). The socialists in power scored a measly 19.3%. Right-wing extremist Jobbik party entered parliament for the first time (16.7%). The Hungarian, Slovakian, Austrian and Italian media on whether the victory is the start of a new era or a rude awakening

UK election: EU press on the one month for 'posh boy' Cameron to battle Brown

('euro topics',) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:05:28 -0000

On 6 April the British prime minister Gordon Brown announced parliamentary elections on 6 May, opening the race for the House of Commons. The Spanish, Italian, Irish and Austrian press expect the country's enormous budget deficit to dominate the discussion; the credibility of the established parties is also at stake, they say

Fathoming the power of right-wing populist Geert Wilders in Europe

('euro topics',) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:31:36 -0000

If the freedom party leader is successful in the June parliamentary elections, Dutch politics will be destabilised and Europe will be forced to deal seriously with the man once nicknamed 'Mozart', write the Dutch, Swiss, Spanish and Slovakian press

PIIGS unwelcome in the EU parlour: war of words rocks Eurozone

("naomi o'leary",) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:00:00 -0000

Despite Silvio Berlusconi’s dreams, the next member of the Eurozone is unlikely to be Israel; even Croatia or Turkey have taken a back seat. The current pan-EU squabble is over who should have been admitted to the eurozone in the first place

Europe apprehensive about Athens

('euro topics',) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:36:14 -0000

Ahead of the 11 February summit meeting on Greece in Brussels, several EU members are apparently willing to provide aid to the crisis-riden state. The German, Bulgarian, Belgian and Czech press fear a devaluation of the euro and say any measures to help the country should be attached to strict requirements

Agenda 2020: 'France and Germany love each other'

('euro topics',) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0000

At a meeting of the Franco-German minister council in Paris, French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel passed the 'Agenda 2020', which comprises 80 joint projects aimed at bringing the two nations closer together once more. A desirable goal, French, German and Czech commentators say, while also noting that the agenda could offer more

It's late 2009, and Europeans are getting into a tizzle about religion

('euro topics',) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:08:44 -0000

The Swiss have banned new minarets, the European court of human rights has banned Italy from having crucifixes in every classroom. A Swedish school has rejected veils, a Dutch polytechnic shuns Christmas trees and a study claims religion stems from insecurity. The Dutch, Swedish, UK, Hungarian and Bulgarian press react

In a country of 400, 000 muslims, the Swiss vote to ban minarets

('euro topics',) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:40:42 -0000

On 29 November, the people of Switzerland voted to ban the construction of new minarets. The referendum initiated by the Swiss people's party and the conservative federal democratic union has dealt a severe blow to religious peace in the country, write the Estonian, Swiss, Portuguese and Austrian press

No binding agreement for Copenhagen climate conference in December

('euro topics',) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:35:06 -0000

At an Asia Pacific economic cooperation (Apec) meeting in Singapore, Danish PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced that the agreement has met with opposition from numerous countries. As efforts now focus on a two-phase climate pact, here are some opinions from the Portuguese, Italian, Danish and Swedish press

Dissecting Europe's crucifix conflict

('euro topics',) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:47:35 -0000

On 3 November the European court of human rights ruled that crucifixes in classrooms violate the religious freedom of schoolchildren. Representatives from politics and the church roundly condemn the judgement, while many media welcome the decision. The Iberian, Maltese and Italian press react

EU press talks of virginity and Benjamin Button as Lisbon treaty is ratified

('euro topics',) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:07:35 -0000

After months of blocking progress, Czech president Václav Klaus became the last head of state to sign on 3 November. The constitutional court in Brno had previously rejected claims brought against the legislative document by conservative senators. As the EU reform treaty can now come into effect, the Danish, Polish, Italian, Czech and Irish press react

Jean-Claude Juncker or Tony Blair for EU president?

('euro topics',) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:13:45 -0000

The Luxembourg prime minister has declared his willingness to run for the post of EU president. But the EU may decide not to elect either of these two formidable politicians and opt for a lacklustre candidate instead. The Luxembourg, British, Italian and French press react

EU formulates 2050 climate objectives

('euro topics',) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:01:48 -0000

The US and Australia still have a long way to go. China and India could refuse the objectives altogether. The German, Dutch and Luxembourg press fear that the move could come at a heavy cost for Europe and be of little use to the world

What's going on with China as guest of honour at the Frankfurt book fair?

('euro topics',) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:16:36 -0000

At the opening ceremony on 13 October, in the presence of Chinese vice president Xi Jinping, German chancellor Angela Merkel said there would be 'no taboos'. The Italian, Swiss, Spanish and German press react

It's Angela 1, Frank 0: Germany has voted

('euro topics',) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:44:44 -0000

The Germans are talking about Guido Westerwelle, the Belgians bemoan that the ecologists have been banished to fourth place, the Slovenians say watch out for the liberals and the Bulgarians see a similarity in their elections: the European press reacts

1000 euros for a night with Silvio Berlusconi

('euro topics',) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:18:25 -0000

Southern Italian businessman Gianpaolo Tarantini stated* in a 29 July police interrogation that he had recruited 30 young women for 18 parties in the prime minister's private villas between September 2008 and January 2009. Some are said to have received up to £880 to spend the night with Berlusconi. The Spanish, Italian, French and British press is outraged

Jerzy Buzek: first eastern European to lead in EU

('euro topics',) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:17:54 -0000

The 736-strong new EU parliament has elected former Polish prime minister Jerzy Buzek as its new president by a large majority at its constituent assembly. Snippets from the media reaction in Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, France and Finland

The Sound of Silvio: 'I never understood what the satisfaction is when you are missing the pleasure of conquest'

('euro topics',) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:14:48 -0000

Escort girl Patrizia D'Addario, 42, told investigators that she spent the night of Barack Obama's victory at the Italian PM's private residence in Rome. In an interview with Chi magazine on 24 June, Berlusconi talks of defamation: 'I have never paid a woman'. Quotes from the Greek, Finnish and Italian press

Europe has voted: so what's the trend?

('euro topics',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

From 4 - 7 June 2009 the citizens of the 27 EU member states cast their votes for a new European parliament. The voter turnout was relatively low, but the trends are clear to see. In many countries right-wing parties gained a larger share of the vote while national governments were punished. The press in Holland, Poland, Italy, Finland, Austria and Hungary speak

Italy: coma patient Eluana Englaro dies after Berlusconi row

('euro topics',) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:22:25 -0000

After more than 16 years in a persistent vegetative state, 38-year-old Eluana Englaro has died in the 'La Quiete' clinic in the northern Italian city of Udine after doctors removed her feeding tubes. The European press discusses the political intrigues surrounding her death

Third day of violence in Athens after 15-year-old rioter dies

('euro topics',) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:45:57 -0000

Alexandros Grigoropoulos was allegedly hurling stones at a police car when officials shot him on 6 December. The incident has sparked riots, with protests held in Corfu and Germany. Ahead of a strike on 10 December, Greek, Italian, Swiss and German newspapers analyse the causes and the consequences for the government

Press review: EU-Russia summit in Nice, friends again?

('euro topics',) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:55:23 -0000

In a 14 November meeting in the southern French city, the EU wants to resume negotiations for a partnership agreement with Russia. Talks had been temporarily broken off after the August conflict in Georgia

Press review: why is Barack Obama so popular in Europe?

('euro topics',) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:15:07 -0000

Are we overly optimistic that the democratic candidate would improve the trans-Atlantic relationship, should he become US president in elections on 4 November?

Press review: Lithuania after the elections

('euro topics',) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:28:30 -0000

Following the victory of his Christian Democrat Homeland Union in Lithuania's parliamentary elections on 27 October, Andrius Kubilius wants to build a centre-right coalition to replace Gediminas Kirkilas' social democratic government

Press review: Sarkozy has the answer to the crisis

('euro topics',) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:07:55 -0000

Addressing the European parliament on 21 October, the French hyperpresident called for an EU 'economic government'. His proposal for the partial nationalisation of key European companies has triggered controversy