cafebabel.com

Poland elections: another one bites the Tusk

('euro topics',) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:20:16 -0000

Donald Tusk’s pro-European civic platform (PO) party won 39% of the vote in parliamentary elections on 9 October. It's the first time a ruling party has been returned to power since the fall of communism in Poland. The Spanish, Hungarian, Czech and local press react

DSK back but Lagarde still in charge: France, Germany and Switzerland on IMF chief

('euro topics',) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:05:23 -0000

Dominique Strauss-Kahn may be back in Paris, but this 55-year-old Frenchwoman has had firm hold of the reins at the international monetary fund for three months. The appointment of Christine Lagarde as managing director was seen by some as confirming Europe’s continued might on the world stage, while others foresee problems with emerging industries

German, Dutch and Finnish reactions on Greece insolvency

('euro topics',) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:30:13 -0000

After the discussion about allowing Greece to go bankrupt was reignited in Germany, share prices and the the euro exchange rate dropped on 12 September. While some commentators see the discussion as sheer populism that could have catastrophic repercussions, others say insolvency and a euro exit for Greece are well worth considering

Czech, Belgian, French and Austrian press on Libyan rebels taking Tripoli

('eurotopics',) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:00:00 -0000

According to their own reports, the Libyan rebels now have practically all of the capital Tripoli under their control. Three of Muammar al-Gaddafi's sons have been taken prisoner by the rebels, while the leader himself has apparently fled. Commentators cast doubt on the rebels' democratic intentions and discuss Europe's tasks after power changes hands

2010: which EU member state is more corrupt?

('eurotopics',) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:44:15 -0000

In Europe, Denmark, Finland and Sweden tie as the world’s 'very clean‘ countries according to Transparency International's most recent Corruption Perceptions Index. Latvia and Bulgaria edge dangerously towards the bottom of the pile, while Ireland reprimands itself despite a 'fair' rating. Thoughts from Europe’s blogs and portals

Turkey votes yes: fit for the EU king?

('euro topics',) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:15:00 -0000

58% want extensive constitutional reform. The British, Belgian, Spanish and Czech press say the referendum on 12 September consolidates democracy - but is there potential danger for secularism and the separation of powers? Press review

German, Polish, Czech floods: who's to blame?

('eurotopics',) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:08:01 -0000

The Dutch, Czech and Polish media bemoan the lack of preventive measures and criticise the irresponsible behaviour of some politicians

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

Pro-European Polish president: order no. Komorowski

('eurotopics',) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:40:31 -0000

The Polish people didn't vote emotionally on 4 July. Bronisław Komorowski won Poland's presidential elections with 52.6% of the vote across 95% of constituencies. His challenger Jarosław Kaczyński, twin brother of the late president Lech, trailed at 47.4%. The German, Italian and Polish press hail the politically mature result

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

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

EU press agree on Sarkozy's unpopularity

('euro topics',) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:50:21 -0000

French president Nicolas Sarkozy has shuffled his cabinet after the weak showing of the governing UMP in the French regional elections. The Spanish, Dutch and Belgian press cite Sarkozy's lack of orientation and his high-handed leadership style

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

Italian, French and Bulgarian press vs genetically modified potato

('euro topics',) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:45:00 -0000

On 3 March the European commission gave the green light for the 'Amflora', used for the production of industrial starch. This was the first time since 1998 that it has approved a GMO for cultivation. Some commentators say Brussels has bowed to the pressure of agriculture companies; others claim this paves the way for a better future

Dutch government fails over Afghanistan

('euro topics',) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:05:50 -0000

The grand coalition government in the Netherlands collapsed on the weekend after it was unable to reach a consensus on prolonging the operations in Afghanistan. The Spanish, Dutch and Belgian press write that although this won't prompt other states to withdraw their troops from the country, it may give the right-wing populists a boost in new Dutch elections

France: burqa bandits, burqa ban

('euro topics',) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:37:42 -0000

On 26 January, a French parliamentary committee recommended that the so-called 'burqa', or Muslim full-body veil, be banned. While this could check the spread of fundamentalism, it is also humiliating for those affected by it argue German, French and Swiss commentators

London conference on Afghanistan: 'olive branches and dollars'

('euro topics',) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:00:00 -0000

In the run-up to the Afghanistan conference which starts on 28 January in London, calls for negotiations with the radical islamist Taliban are mounting. A sign of the growing helpnessness of the international community deployed in the Hindu Kush, write the Austrian, Estonian, Italian and Portuguese press

Full body scanners, Obama and Yemen: terrorism 2010

('euro topics',) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:52:11 -0000

Fears of terrorism are on the rise around the world after the failed christmas day attack on a US airliner. Calls for greater security and tougher anti-terror measures are mounting. Other European papers warn of the threat of war in Yemen, and argue that weapons alone cannot bring a lasting solution.The word from the British, Slovenian, Spanish, Austrian and Danish media

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

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

Stripping Silvio: Italy annuls Berlusconi's immunity

('euro topics',) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:35:57 -0000

Italy's constitutional court has struck down a law that shielded prime minister Silvio Berlusconi from prosecution. The judges ruled on Wednesday that the law contravenes the country's principle of equality, among other things. Berlusconi may now be arraigned in court on charges of bribery and tax fraud. The European press discusses the consequences of the judgement for Berlusconi and his government. The German, Spanish, British, Swiss and Italian press react

Tories, Klaus and Kaczyński: EU 'three kings' vs Lisbon treaty

('euro topics',) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:55:20 -0000

The eurosceptic Pole Lech Kaczyński plans to sign the EU reform document in the next few days, Czech president Václav Klaus refuses and British conservative leader David Cameron again promises his country a referendum if he is elected prime minister in 2010 and the treaty has still not taken effect. The Irish, Czech, German and Hungarian press react

Portuguese Barroso: this is your man for Europe, again!

('euro topics',) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:17:12 -0000

On 16 September, the European parliament voted José Manuel Barroso in for a second term as European commission president, with 382 votes for, 219 against and 117 abstentions. Barroso promised to advocate social policies, but the Portuguese, Belgian, French and Polish press was sceptical

Eta: 'ignore European terrorism', 'stay on holiday in Majorca'

('euro topics',) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:45:00 -0000

Presumed terrorists of the Basque underground organisation Eta set off a total of four bombs in the Spanish holiday resort of Palma on Majorca on 9 August. Only ten days ago Eta carried out an attack on the island in which two police officers were killed. The Spanish, German, Hungarian and Czech media respond

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

Western states boycott UN anti-racism conference in Geneva

('euro topics',) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:51:59 -0000

Durban II began on 20 April with a boycott. For fear of an anti-Israel mood and anti-semitic incidents the US, Israel and other states including Italy, Germany and the Netherlands have cancelled their attendance at the so-called Durban II conference. Press reactions from Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Belgium

No to eastern European rescue package

('euro topics',) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:24:10 -0000

The EU countries want to better co-ordinate their national bank rescue plans and economic stimulus programmes. At an informal summit meeting in Brussels on 1 March, protective measures for individual industries and an aid package for eastern Europe were rejected. Reactions from Denmark, Portugal, Romania and the Czech Republic

Slumdog Millionaire: 8 Oscars in times of crisis

('euro topics',) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:35:10 -0000

The global financial and economic crisis also left its mark on this year's academy awards. The film industry is rethinking its financing strategy. The independent, multinational film, about a poor boy in India who wins a quiz show, won eight gongs in Los Angeles on 22 February

German, Slovak media on Czech 'Lisbon treaty' yes

('euro topics',) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:13:55 -0000

On 27 November the constitutional court gave a green light to the Lisbon treaty. Judges in Brno rule that the treaty neither impinges on Czech sovereignty nor violates the country's constitution. Will president Václav Klaus sign the document? Press review

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: the European right after Jörg Haider's death

('euro topics',) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:14:54 -0000

Following the death of the Austrian politician after a car accident on 11 October, the European press speculates on the consequences for coalition negotiations in the country. Haider's Alliance for the Future of Austria could now possibly reunite with the Freedom Party of Austria