cafebabel.com

Europe's new 'Germanophobia': Who's afraid of big bad Germany?

('JamesBliss',) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:27:42 -0000

Tones of anger against German chancellor Angela Merkel's lack of action over the eurocrisis and a 'Germanophied' Europe, are getting louder and more intense

'What if?': students re-imagine 2011's big events

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:31:09 -0000

Protests, eurocrisis and elections: it's all too easy to assume the events we read about in the news are inevitable. Yet so often they are instead the result of chance encounters, spontaneous decisions and personal feelings. We asked four European students to re-imagine the big events of 2011

European words of 2011

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:03:26 -0000

Whilst lexicographers from the UK, Germany, France and Spain have released their sometimes odd ‘words of the year’, we’ve taken the liberty of grading the results from 1-10 and naming our own favourites

From elections to christmas, same old campaign in Spain

('Elaine Jordan',) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:07:11 -0000

Spain’s recent congress and senate elections on 20 November bombarded our tired eyes and weary spirits. Now we are hit with another inevitable bomb shell: christmas. We face another equally exhausting and worrying campaign

Belgian, Polish, Spanish and German media on last EU summit of 2011

('euro topics',) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:40:36 -0000

At the EU summit that kicks off on 8 December in Brussels a number of countries are unwilling to go along with proposals by Germany and France to amend the EU treaties as a means of controlling the debt crisis. The German government refuses to make concessions. Disunited Europe must succeed even though it seems doomed to run aground, the press write

Do the Merkel, Monti and Sarkozy dance

('euro topics',) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:13:29 -0000

On 24 November German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Nicolas Sarkozy agreed on plans to amend the EU treaties to impose budget discipline on the 17 eurozone countries. Italian prime minister Mario Monti also supports the initiative

Eurozone crisis what crisis? 50% of Greece's debt cut

('euro topics',) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:36:46 -0000

On 26 October the 27 heads of state and government of the European Union reached agreement in Brussels on a debt restructuring and new rescue package for Greece, among other things. Last chance saloon for Athens, say French, Austrian, Spanish and Greek commentators

Eurozone summit: perspectives on economic crisis

('Brussels Blogger',) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:05:03 -0000

We have heard these words so often that they have lost all meaning: global crisis, market failure, bank recapitalisation. Tonight once again, European governments will be searching for a way to minimise the crisis. Yet even if grounded in good faith, these decisions could simply stimulate current problems and protests

Europe reacts: what Gaddafi’s expiration means

('Matthieu Amar\xc3\xa9',) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:58:29 -0000

On 20 October the world saw a mediatised repeat of bloody images and videos of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein on their deathbeds: Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi, 69, was killed in his hometown of Sirte. French, US and British forces were part of the Nato airstrikes in the Libyan civil war which began in February 2011. Read presidential and prime ministerial postcards from Poland, Malta, Italy, France and Germany after the news broke

Ai Weiwei, or Europe's role in Chinese justice system

('Andrew Burgess',) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:04:24 -0000

Two months after his release, an article penned by the Chinese dissident has once again raised questions about the democratic future of China. Published in Newsweek, Ai Weiwei’s piece provokes us to rethink Sino-European diplomatic relations

Germany to remove all 17 nuclear plants (or 23% of power) by 2022: a pro-European move?

('euro topics',) — Tue, 31 May 2011 11:19:35 -0000

On 29 May the German liberal-conservative government agreed on a complete nuclear phase-out. This trendsetting move will boost innovation and the German economy, write some commentators, while others express concern about Europe's power supplies

WikiLeaks: Europe’s ruling class according to Washington

('victor escandell',) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:30:00 -0000

The whistleblowing site has turned the skin of international politics inside-out so people can see its capillaries, arteries and cartilages. This bloody network - 250, 000 documents have been taken from the American state department - includes natural portrayals of many European leaders. From the complex and absolutist Sarkozy to Berlusconi’s hangovers, a review of Europe through Uncle Sam’s eyes

Self-identification, multiculturalism and erasmus in the EU

('Alexandra Belopolsky',) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:24:20 -0000

In a world where the physical borders are a blur, no wonder the mental ones are blurring as well. With nationalists turning to the 'protection of Europe' rather than the 'protection of the homeland', it is fair to say that the erasmus generation is the face of future Europe. United within itself, far past the division to Germans, French, Poles, or Italians, it's an identity in its own right - even for me

Franco-German 'competitiveness pact' spanner in Europe's works

('Carol Howard',) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:43:29 -0000

The revival of the German-French axis after the numerous discords of recent years should be greeted with pleasure. Yet in the Merkel-Sarkozy era there is not much left of what was once the ‘driving force for European integration’. A Franco-German ‘competitiveness pact’ suggests a lost sense of solidarity and a deep distrust of EU institutions

Cameron vs. multiculturalism: British, Belgian, Spanish, Romanian press react

('euro topics',) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:25:53 -0000

In a call for ‘muscular liberalism’ at the Munich security conference, the British prime minister blames multiculturalism for exacerbating Britain's problems with radical islamists. While cautiously commending Cameron's objectives, Europe’s press criticises his methods on the grounds that they play into the hands of the extreme right

Angela Merkel: 'multiculti' German society failed, but islam 'has a place'

('euro topics',) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:06:17 -0000

The German chancellor's statements on 16 October have provoked the Slovakian, British, Dutch and Polish media - both immigrants and host societies have to work on integration, or the extreme right will win. Press review

Women in politics or European calendar girls?

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:15:00 -0000

Between German chancellor Angela Merkel's cleavage-unleashing campaign tactics, Czech and Italian ministers posing for calendars and the Slovakian prime minister praising female arms, what is the defining priority for Europe's female politicians - being women, or being politicians?

UK, Germany, Iraq: welcome to the Hotel Coalition

('Metsa Rahimi',) — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:04:12 -0000

From Britain's 'wildcard' to Iraq's power vacuum, the outcome between the elections has been similar - the winning party not gaining a majority and the other two forming a coalition to push them out. In Iraq, negotiations have been ongoing since 7 March, with over two months of riots and attacks. Parallel between one of the world's biggest democracies and a failing state

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

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

Europe's breakfasts: I'll have what Obama's having

("naomi o'leary",) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:08:27 -0000

Russia: Putin feeds Obama whilst a leather boot fans the flames. Italy: whilst Obama becomes president, Berlusconi serves his escort a hot drink. Germany: Merkel cooks brekkie for hubby: a round-up of European politicians' breakfast stories in the news, plus a pancake recipe for the bimonthly gastronomy column

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

Angie Merkel wears the trousers (and the bowl cut) in Germany

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:48:52 -0000

Mushroom hair, brightly coloured blazers – preferably lilac, lime green or salmon – and a slight east German accent, ever-ridiculed in the media. The August 2009 issue of Forbes magazine has listed ‘Angie’ – as the chancellor is fondly called by her people – the most powerful woman in the world for the fourth consecutive time. What’s the chancellor’s (low-cut) secret?

Haggis or crepes? European politicians and their favourite food

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0000

About cabbage, Angela Merkel has said 'it's robust and easy to freeze. You can always put it away and it will still be tasty after storing it.’ On 27 September the German elections will show whether Merkel is as endurant as her favourite vegetable

Europe's fictional politicians

('Aatish Pattni',) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:00:00 -0000

Horst Schlämmer is to Germany what Brüno is to Austria. Yet while the candid fashionista can be seen grinning down from billboards across Europe, his German counterpart is happy to keep a lower profile

Run-up to Swedish EU presidency: Turkey-EU blame game

('Anna Patton',) — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:01:12 -0000

Sweden, one of the most pro-Turkey member states, takes over the EU presidency in July 2009. But this may not be enough to kick-start negotiations for Turkey to enter the EU, which began in October 2005. Is there a common interest? Analysis

Sarkozy and Merkel: Franco-German reconciliation

('Aatish Pattni',) — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The so-called ‘divorce’ of the Franco-German couple was lamented after the French EU presidency. The air has now been cleared; the two leaders were reunited on 10 May 2009 in Berlin regarding the upcoming European elections. There wasn’t a single drop of bad blood either

'Historic' G20 in London: a one trillion summit like no other

('c j',) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:44:06 -0000

On 2 April G20 leaders agreed on a mind boggling trillion dollar plan to tackle the global financial crisis. As US president Barack Obama heads to Strasbourg for a Nato summit, a roundup of the juice and conclusions

Palikot, Berlusconi, Sarkozy - politicians sin

('Lydia Bigos',) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:00:54 -0000

Impulsive, inappropriately affectionate, big heads - are politicians full of virtue? Videos

Something's stirring between Turkey and the EU

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:39:22 -0000

With the chimes of the new year, it looks like there is progress on the EU membership talks for Turkey. Has the time come to get things moving? Latest titbit news from Brussels

Quotes: US-Europe politicians talk climate change

('Franck Lirzin',) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Poker games and Don Quixotes for Poland and Italy who are sceptical about the EU's package, whilst the US tries to break ground. Quotes

Expresso: Europe's hard core at the G4 in Paris

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Olivier Duhamel, managing editor of the quarterly magazine 'Pouvoirs' and radio columnist for France Culture, analyses the French strategy for dealing with the current financial crisis. To act quicker, should European summits be restricted to a few key states, like Germany, Italy and the UK?

Over to the EU-Latin America summit in Peru

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:00:00 -0000

EU member states juggle with the socialist and capitalist faces of Latin America at the EU-LAC summit in Lima on 16 – 17 May 2008, and the Peruvians speak

Brussels: where’s Waris?

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

What with missing Somali supermodel-cum-UN ambassadors, the Spring European Council and naughty pupil Britain, ‘twas a hot climate this week in Brussels

Björn Lomborg: Europe's sceptical environmentalist

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The Danish political scientist opposes hype, scaremongering and media coverage about the environment. He tells us whether Europe has got its priorities right for tackling the world’s environmental problems

Vittorio Prodi: another Kyoto is possible

('Annika Thornton',) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Is Europe starting to take the fight against climate change seriously?

Spain votes on 9 March, and not just in Spain

('Erin Woycik',) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Both Spanish and French voters go to the polls to vote in their legislative and municipal elections this month

Ireland: 64% unsure on ratifying Lisbon treaty

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Debates continue in the EU - to partner or accede Turkey? Plus a new 'Justice Forum' from the European commission - the latest news from Brussels

Videos: Bottle of vodka for the fallen Kaczynskis

('Rebecca Caulfield',) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Dutch MP Pier Anne Nawijn dancing, that Bush-Merkel massage and Finnish MP Alexander Stubb fights for vodka in the European parliament

Feminism in Europe

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Long a part of the mainstream, but women have not gained ground since the eighties. Many dismiss the feminist concept completely, others see 'new feminism' taking a step backwards

Merkozy is leaking water

('Rebecca Caulfield',) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:27:00 -0000

A conflict of interest is poisoning the apparent honeymoon between the French and German leaders, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, as they work on the EU constitution

Last chance saloon: mini-treaty, or mini-Europe

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The next EU Summit takes place in Brussels from 21 - 22 June - an opportunity for German Chancellor Angela Merkel to encourage members to reconsider the idea of an EU constitution

Cars before climate

('Ed Saunders',) — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Car manufacturers will have to reduce petrol consumption in all new vehicles, say the European Commission. Yet Angela Merkel wants to defend the interests of the German car industry

Hans Gert Pöttering: Borrell passes the presidential baton on

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0000

A veteran Christian Democrat from Germany. Just who is the new president of the European Parliament, who comes in hot on the heels of Josep Borell?

Turkish Christian Democrats: 'Conservatives at heart'

('Francesca Reinhardt',) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 07:22:00 -0000

The CDU is firmly against Turkey’s accession to the EU. Its Turkish-German members are now campaigning for a change of policy