press review
Fathoming the power of right-wing populist Geert Wilders in Europe
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
press review, netherlands, vote, eurotopics, geert wilders, euweek, politics
PIIGS unwelcome in the EU parlour: war of words rocks Eurozone
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
press review, economic growth, tower of babel, germany, languages, portugal, eurozone
Europe apprehensive about Athens
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
press review, currency, greece, euro, eurozone, piigs, euweek
Agenda 2020: 'France and Germany love each other'
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
press review, paris, nicolas sarkozy, angela merkel, euweek, politics
It's late 2009, and Europeans are getting into a tizzle about religion
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
press review, european media, christmas, religion, europe, religion and democracy, euweek
In a country of 400, 000 muslims, the Swiss vote to ban minarets
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
press review, neutrality, european media, islamic terrorism, multiculturalism, switzerland, secularity
No binding agreement for Copenhagen climate conference in December
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
press review, lars løkke rasmussen, environmental protection, copenhagen, environment, climate change, eurotopics
Dissecting Europe's crucifix conflict
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
press review, european court of justice, school, freedom of opinion, italy, religion, eurotopics
EU press talks of virginity and Benjamin Button as Lisbon treaty is ratified
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
press review, vaclav klaus, cinema, european constitution, eurotopics, euweek, prague
Jean-Claude Juncker or Tony Blair for EU president?
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
press review, eu president, european institutions, eurotopics, jean claude juncker, united kingdom, luxembourg
EU formulates 2050 climate objectives
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
press review, copenhagen, environment, barack obama, climate change, euweek, denmark
What's going on with China as guest of honour at the Frankfurt book fair?
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
press review, tibet, germany, frankfurter buchmesse, xi jinping, censorship, dissident
It's Angela 1, Frank 0: Germany has voted
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
press review, cdu/csu, fdp, guido westerwelle, liberale, germany, berlin
1000 euros for a night with Silvio Berlusconi
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
press review, scandal, censorship, sex, la repubblica, silvio berlusconi, stereotype
Jerzy Buzek: first eastern European to lead in EU
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
press review, jerzy buzek, poland, european parliament, presidency, eurotopics, euweek
The Sound of Silvio: 'I never understood what the satisfaction is when you are missing the pleasure of conquest'
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
press review, sex, gianluca costantini, silvio berlusconi, italy, euweek, cartoons
Europe has voted: so what's the trend?
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
press review, netherlands, hungary, poland, austria, italy, european elections 2009
Italy: coma patient Eluana Englaro dies after Berlusconi row
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
press review, euthanasia, medicine, silvio berlusconi, religion, health, death
Third day of violence in Athens after 15-year-old rioter dies
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, scandal, germany, greece, violence, athens, switzerland
Press review: EU-Russia summit in Nice, friends again?
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, georgia, european summit, abkhazia, russian federation, barack obama, south ossetia
