cafebabel.com

German, Swiss, Polish and local media on Romania prime minister resignation

('euro topics',) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:08:29 -0000

Emil Boc resigned on 6 February due to massive protests against his centre-right government's austerity programme. Hours later president Traian Băsescu named the independent former head of the foreign intelligence service, Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu, as his successor. Romania needs an independent technocrat, but he will have his work cut out for him dealing with the intrigues of the opposition, commentators write

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

Pesetas, liras, franks and drachmas: euro is living on borrowed time

('Marta Nathansohn',) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0000

Multiple defaults, a return to the lira, pesetas and francs, the break-up of the monetary union and Europe comes crashing down. Sounds like an endless chain of unreal events? Perhaps not: the end of the common currency is no longer a taboo for European press and economists

Obituary: Vaclav Havel, master of peace

('Annie Rutherford',) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0000

The dissident, thespian and president, who was a symbol of change in the 1989 velvet revolution in Czechoslovakia, died on 18 December at the age of 75 after a serious illness. Homage to a European master of peace, as a three-day mourning period officially begins on 21 December

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

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

Jacques Delors: ‘pessimism is reason, optimism is will’

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:55:38 -0000

‘Young people and Europe’ is the reason why this morning’s private and exclusive meeting is taking place in a small room at the catholic institute of Paris. There are around twenty seats and a huge platter of croissants on the centre of the table. All (French) eyes are on one of the speakers, a mister Jacques Delors

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

Oh joy Rajoy – conservatives take power in Spain after 8 years

('euro topics',) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:30:00 -0000

On 21 November early elections in Spain saw the people’s party take power from the socialists in an absolute majority to be led by Mariano Rajoy. It is Europe’s fifth government to fall because of the eurozone crisis. The French, Spanish, Italian, Austrian and local press say: ‘reforms, reforms, reforms’

Papademos and Monti, Super Mario Bros vs markets

('euro topics',) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:45:06 -0000

Lucas and Mario, the new independent prime ministers for Greece and Italy, have been delivered in advance for christmas in what has been a historic November for crisis-riddled Europe. The Swiss, Dutch, French, Spanish and local press blow a wind of caution concerning having technocrats in power

Greek referendum, ghastly mistake? Britain, Portugal, Germany, France and Latvia react

('eurotopics',) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:21:48 -0000

Despite massive criticism and shares dropping worldwide, Greek prime minister Giorgos Papandreou is going ahead with the planned referendum. His cabinet voted for a referendum on austerity measures on 1 November. Some commentators dismiss the move as irresponsible; others praise the democractic act

Europe reacts: what Gaddafi’s expiration means

('Nicola Accardo',) — 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

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

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

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

Libya after Gaddafi: Europe’s Iraq?

('Culturissima',) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:13:11 -0000

The post-Gaddafi era is taking shape around the national transition council, which is currently in control of Tripoli. Uncertainty about the future is already taking hold though, with fears that Libya could become a new Iraq. This time it falls to Europe to avoid repeating the post-Saddam disaster

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

Eurozone: Greece’s junk in Europe’s trunk

('Louis',) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:11:19 -0000

Were there no single currency, a resolution may be more tricky for a country like Greece. The European union holds an 'extraordinary summit' on finding a solution to this financial crisis on 21 July; a second bailout package is under negotiation

There was a media mogul, a police service and a prime minister

('euro topics',) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:54:54 -0000

The deputy chief of the London police service Scotland Yard John Yates resigned on 18 July in the wake of the resignation of his boss Paul Stephenson. The two officials stepped down in response to corruption charges emerging from the phone-hacking scandal involving Rupert Murdoch's tabloid newspaper the News of the World. The Austrian, British and Swiss press see national security threatened and call for a reform of Scotland Yard

To mark six-month presidency of EU, Poland releases 3D ‘dance with stars’ video

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:42:46 -0000

1 July marks the beginning of Poland’s rotating six-month presidency of the council of the European union. Foreign affairs minister Radoslaw Sikorsi commissioned an advert directed by 2003 Oscar nominee and 2006 BAFTA winner Tomasz Baginski – but do Poles like it?

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

After Polanski and Assange, Dominique Strauss-Kahn in sex assault arrest

('euro topics',) — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:46:22 -0000

The managing director of the international monetary fund was arrested on 14 May in New York on charges of sexual assault and attempted rape. The Polish, Belgian, French and German press write that even the powerful must abide by the law, and assumes that the French Left's strongest presidential candidate is now out of the race

Ukraine and Europe on 9 May 2011: tying ribbons

('Singing Foot',) — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:21:25 -0000

On 9 May 'Europe Day' marks the 61st anniversary of the European Union, but in Ukraine we will celebrate Victory Day. This time it will be special, because our MPs bound local authorities to hang red flags (‘Victory Flags’) alongside national yellow-blue flags. It has already aroused indignation amongst not only intellectuals, but all men of good sense too

The 61st hour: no love for 'Europe day' on 9 May

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 09 May 2011 07:00:00 -0000

Poor Greece, tough nuts Schwarzenegger, people's populism and economic depression. Robert Schuman, the-then French foreign minister who proposed the concept of the European Union on 9 May 1950, would be rotating in his grave. In spite of its celebratory pompous institutionalism and political speeches today, Europe is not in its finest hour

Iberian, Italian and German press on: No Zapatero for Spain 2012 election

('euro topics',) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:58:39 -0000

On 2 April José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, prime minister of Spain and the leader of the Spanish socialist workers' party, announced that he will not run for re-election next year. Zapatero leaves with dignity, but his policies were dashed on the rocks of the economic crisis, Europe's press writes

Spanish, Belgian media on Portuguese prime minister resignation

('euro topics',) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:15:00 -0000

José Sócrates handed in his resignation on 23 March after the austerity measures proposed by his minority government were rejected by parliament. The interest rates for Portuguese government bonds then rose to record highs while the euro dropped on currency markets. The eurozone can only avoid new perils when everyone understands that the times of plenty are over, writes the press

Show me the money, Sarkozy: Libya's growl

('euro topics',) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:43:23 -0000

The son of the Libyan dictator Saif al-Islam's claim that the 2007 French presidential campaign was funded by his country comes as Nicolas Sarkozy recognises the rebel national transitional council as Libya's official representative body. The Dutch, Austrian and Swiss press condemn the unilateral move as detrimental to all concerned

Finnish, German, Italian reaction to islamist murder in Pakistan

('euro topics',) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:52:02 -0000

Shabbaz Bhatti, minister of minorities, was murdered by islamists in Islamabad on 2 March. Pakistan's only christian cabinet minister, the 42-year-old was one of the few to oppose abuses of the country's blasphemy laws. European commentators fear the forces of radical islam could gain in strength, and call on the international community to take action

Dutch, British, Spanish and Swiss reactions on Irish elections

('euro topics',) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:20:30 -0000

The conservative party fine gael won Irish parliamentary elections on 25 February and will form a coalition with the labour party. The outgoing fianna fáil (FF) lost over two-thirds of its mandate. Future prime minister Enda Kenny wants to renegotiate the EU bailout package and see the country facing profound change; the 31st Dáil meets on 9 March

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

Slovakian actresses and North Caucasus terror in Moscow bomb attack

('euro topics',) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:00:00 -0000

35 people died and more than 150 were wounded in a bomb attack on Moscow's Domodedovo Airport on 24 January. If its proved that the suicide attacker was of North-Caucasian origin, it demonstrates once again Russia's inability to defuse the powder keg in the North Caucasus, say the Slovakian, Spanish, Polish and German press

Viktor Orban: who's been a naughty boy at the European parliament?

('euro topics',) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:27:41 -0000

A fierce dispute broke out between Hungarian prime minister and EU parliamentarians during Orbán's speech marking his country's EU Council presidency. The MEPs were above all critical of Hungary's new media law. While Orbán's reaction cast his country in a dim light, the criticism went too far and was implausible, write Hungarian, German and Slovakian commentators

Austrian, Czech and Iberian press after Tunisian dictator’s fall

('euro topics',) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:36:25 -0000

There's a 'Jasmine Revolution' and plenty of optimism from abroad, but the European media doubts that there will be a 'domino effect' in other Arab countries. The military controls the streets of Tunis after the self-imposed exile of dictator Ben Ali on 14 January

From 1 January Hungary media under control

('euro topics',) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:52:31 -0000

On 20 December Hungary's right-wing conservative government passed a restrictive media law; a new authority will control public television and radio broadcasters, as well as private media. The German, Italian and local press say this attack on press freedom augurs poorly for Hungary's six-month presidency of the council of the European Union. Press review

Assange arrest: Swedish, Swiss, Spanish and German reactions

('euro topics',) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:46:56 -0000

WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange was arrested in London on 6 December on charges of rape. Commentators suspect US pressure behind the arrest, as punishment for Assange's publishing of secret US documents. European press review

One year on - what's the Lisbon treaty again?

('Melanie',) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:37:23 -0000

Yes, you, Europe voted this constitutional document in and it came into effect on 1 December 2009. It's more institutions and regulations which doesn't really help to understand the burden of the EU and its thousand of details, so here's one option of an instant mini guide

Press review pope Benedict XVI: condom statements

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:27:04 -0000

In an interview, pope Benedict XVI accepted the use of condoms in individual cases to prevent infection with HIV. Critics have welcomed this concession but doubt that it signals a fundamental change of direction for the catholic church

EU budget: yubitsume for UK, Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark?

('euro topics',) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:28:25 -0000

Negotiations on the EU budget in Brussels have met with resistance and run aground, meaning there is no budget for 2011. The Polish, German and Italian press complains that this wrangling for power blocks important new projects in the EU

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

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

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

Minority conservative government wins Latvian elections

('euro topics',) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:14:15 -0000

Estonian, German, Polish and Latvian commentators say the 3 October results show approval for the country's strict austerity policy and hope for greater integration of Russian-speaking Latvians, whose opposition party fared exceptionally well at the polls

Sweden elections 2010: rise of European right

('eurotopics',) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:38:27 -0000

Prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's centre-right coalition won Sweden's elections on 19 September with just under 50%. The success is due to the lack of debate over integration and could cripple the country politically, write the Swedish, Danish and Italian press. Clippings

US style fails in EU: Barroso meek 'state of union' speech

('eurotopics',) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:31:09 -0000

The EU commission president made his 'comeback' speech to the EU parliament on 7 September - but the German, Czech and Slovenian press have much to lament. Press review

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

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

Romania and Bulgaria not fighting corruption, EU complains

('eurotopics',) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:11:03 -0000

Fighting corruption? Romania and Bulgaria should do more to fight it, bemoans the EU. A progress report on 20 July singled out the Romanian judiciary and legal system. Romanian bloggers and Bulgarian dailies reply, whilst the Austrian and German press have their bit to say too