cafebabel.com

'Nichi’s Factories': from Italy to the world, politics without the party

('Language Cat',) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:00:00 -0000

The Fabbriche di Nichi phenomenon of 'manufacturing ideas' was first unearthed by politician Nichi Vendola and his left ecology freedom party. From the southern Italian region of Apulia the project is being exported abroad, as a new means of attracting young people to participate actively in political life without forcing them to join the party

Slovakia elections: Austrian, German, Hungarian, Czech and local media on Fico win

('euro topics',) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:19:50 -0000

Robert Fico's social democratic party Smer emerged from Slovakia's early elections with an absolute majority on 10 March, while the ruling conservatives lost two-thirds of their electoral base. Fico must put aside his arrogant, populist ways and tackle the rampant corruption in the country, say the European media

Post-communist underground: Budapest 'ruin pubs' threatened with closure

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 -0000

For two decades the Hungarian capital's delapidated yards have become its hottest alternative venues in the form of retro gardens and pubs. That's about to come to an end thanks to a stricter law set in place after a tragic episode at the beginning of 2011 by local right-wing authorities, and dutifully followed by conformist residents

Labour goes left(er): Ed Miliband new British opposition leader

('euro topics',) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:37:44 -0000

He has edged out his older brother and former foreign secretary David to become leader of the British labour party. The 40-year-old’s victory - on the party's left - means a change in direction for Labour, write the Danish, Dutch, Spanish and Irish press

Job Cohen: is this who The Netherlands needs as leader?

('Christian Derlagen',) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:00:00 -0000

The moderate and highly popular Amsterdam mayor has revived the labour party, leading in polls before the 9 June elections. Will he be the wonder doctor for Dutch citizens´ worried minds and restore the country´s image in the world? Portrait of a future statesman

Salma Yaqoob: the other left in UK elections

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 04 May 2010 10:45:00 -0000

A cocktail of otherworldliness, pacifism and explosive environmentalism is taking over the UK in the lead up to the general election on 6 May. The Guardian has called the Respect party leader 'the most prominent Muslim woman in British public life'. Respect is eager to get back in touch with the 'common people'

Casa Pound Italia: Neo-fascists on the rise

('sarhanh',) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:27:35 -0000

Casa Pound Italia is at the heart of the Italian Neo-fascist movement. 'We will build the world that we want!' cry the militants across the website of the group, inspired by a poet, and dedicated to action. Meanwhile there is no shortage of complaint, between accusations of violence, and questions being raised in parliament. A look at a movement inspired by fascism, but that refuses the label of 'extreme right'

‘Many people in Bulgaria are left-wing - but don’t dare to say it’

('Andrew Burgess',) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:35:51 -0000

With only 18% of the vote in the last legislative elections in September 2009, the Bulgarian socialist party (BSP) is nowadays a rather sluggish opposition. Its leaders, nostalgic former communists, are joined on the left of the political spectrum by youngsters with ideas and dreams. Part two in a five part 'EU crisis on the ground' city series

Barroso is his own enemy

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:17:06 -0000

Barroso is hoping for a second five-year mandate as president of the European council, but the members of the European parliament want the Portuguese conservative to present a schedule before they give him their support

June 2009 European elections: everyone to the left!

('Sarah Gray',) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:00:00 -0000

Three new ‘left of the left wing’ parties were created in 2008 in France alone. Across the whole continent, anticapitalist voices are gathering together, with their sights set on the 2009 European elections, for better and for worse

Italy's communist revival: return to the hammer and sickle?

('Kate Martin',) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:58:53 -0000

In preparation for the European elections in June 2009, the Italian communist parties are dusting off the old symbols (the hammer and sickle and the Bandiera Rossa or ‘red flag song’), attending rallies and facing the usual internal disagreement between factions

Financial crisis, lesson one: be Gordon Brown

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:37:03 -0000

You just need to make a little economic proposal if you’re a British prime minister this autumn, to rise from the political ashes when people least expect it

Ripping up ballot papers in Italy

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

You could call him ‘Veltrozy’. The leader of the Italian democratic party wants to distance himself from his predecessor, Romano Prodi. Just like French president Nicolas Sarkozy wanted to distance himself from his predecessor, Jacques Chirac. Berlusconi however wants to delete the memory of the null economic growth

Typically Italian elections in April

('Sarah Gray',) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0000

On 13 and 14 April the Italians go to the polls under an electoral law that no-one is happy with. Majority rule or proportional representation? A two percent or four percent cut-off clause? What is the best solution for Italy?

Serb elections: blackmail Europe

('Alison Matthews',) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Serb incumbent Boris Tadic needs every vote he can get in the second round of presidential elections on 3 February. PM Kostunica supports his pro-European coalition partner - but on his own terms only

Situationism: ideas in conflict

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0000

Rue de Seine, Paris 1952. ‘Never work’ is chalked on a wall. Two words about the philosophy of the 'Situationists' who transformed May 1968 and who still inspire activists today

Michal Zygmunt: 'By 2010, Poland will be talking commercial gay movement'

('Olia Yatskewich',) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

30-year-old author of the book ‘New Romantic’, the journalist and editor of gay magazine ‘Dik Fagazine’ talks politics, left-wing politics and emotion-drained religion

Italy: 'country of madmen'

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0000

Afghanistan - delicate name for European governments. Italy is bridging the gulf between its international obligations and the Senate

Erri de Luca, Neapolitan, generation '68

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Winner of the 2002 Prix Fémina for Foreign Writers for his splendid Montedidio – written in 'very Neapolitan Italian' – Erri de Luca reflects on Europe, the Mediterranean and the passing of generations

Communism recycled

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 06:36:00 -0000

The new Hungarian elite have reclaimed the revolution of 1956, along with

former communist symbols, to justify free market economy.

The political plot thickens in Czech Republic

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 05:46:00 -0000

Electoral fist-fighting, a stalemate in parliament and the president comes to the rescue... In the last few months, an intriguing political drama has unfolded in Czech Republic. Now it might be coming to a close.