press review
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, 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, switzerland, secularity, religion, vote, religion and democracy, neutrality
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, euweek, climate change
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, freedom of opinion, italy, european court of justice, religion, school, euweek
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, czech republic, european constitution, 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, jean-claude juncker, eu president, european institutions, 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, euweek, climate change, denmark, politics
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, media, tibet, angela merkel, reading, germany, frankfurter buchmesse
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, angela merkel, fdp, 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, italy, scandal, censorship, sex, united kingdom, euweek
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, eu presidency, jerzy buzek, poland, euweek, european union, european parliament
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, italy, cartoons, sex, gianluca costantini, euweek, silvio berlusconi
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, italy, geert wilders, finland, netherlands, european elections 2009, hungary
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, religion, health, euthanasia, medicine, silvio berlusconi, 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, switzerland, italy, scandal, germany, greece, police
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, energy, nato, summit, abkhazia
Press review: why is Barack Obama so popular in Europe?
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, eurotopics, barack obama, united states, world affairs, us elections, elections
Press review: Lithuania after the elections
Following the victory of his Christian Democrat Homeland Union in Lithuania's parliamentary elections on 27 October, Andrius Kubilius wants to build a centre-right coalition to replace Gediminas Kirkilas' social democratic government
Press review: Sarkozy has the answer to the crisis
Addressing the European parliament on 21 October, the French hyperpresident called for an EU 'economic government'. His proposal for the partial nationalisation of key European companies has triggered controversy
press review, finanzkrise, economy, protektionismus, nicolas sarkozy, politics
