Greece
German, Swiss, Polish and local media on Romania prime minister resignation
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
greece, technocrate, poland, romania, euweek, reform, politics
Italian economist Eugenio Benetazzo: 'act now or wait for social unrest'
In 2006 the Italian economist and independent trader forecasted the collapse of the global economy with his prophetic book Duri e Puri (‘Hard Core’). The financial guru gives us his bleak forecast for Europe
Papademos and Monti, Super Mario Bros vs markets
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
greece, italy, economy, euweek, financial crisis, economical crisis, mario monti
Four young Europeans react to Berlusconi's resignation: 'There will be civil war'
Barely a week after the Greek prime minister George Papandreou was forced to step down, Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is gradually following suit. Four young Europeans give us their reactions: something to be expected, or not at all? Where next for Europe: can the 'indignados' step into the limelight or is it all downhill from here? Vox pop from Paris
Greek referendum, ghastly mistake? Britain, Portugal, Germany, France and Latvia react
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
greece, euro, eurozone, european democracy, currency, economy, euweek
Eurozone crisis what crisis? 50% of Greece's debt cut
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
greece, italy, angela merkel, efsf, euro, eurozone, currency
Frappé, cult official beverage of Greek economic crisis
Having an obligatory iced coffee in the Greek capital is a heady mix of the crisis, anarchic events and corruption at all levels with the wisest and healthiest farniente (pleasant idleness). Only those much-condemned across Europe could own such a flavoursome melange
greece, europe, media, economical crisis, yum nyam, athens, piigs
Riots: Britain's boring thugs and Europe's burning thread
Don't synonymise the London rioters with the protesting Greeks or Syrians; it is just plain offensive. Yes, Londoners mobilised for four days, but it can't compare to the months of social, political and economic agitation across Europe and the Arab world
greece, italy, london, youth, united kingdom, tax, syrian arab republic
Question of the week: getting through the euro-crisis - united or apart?
The euro has drifted off course and there is no land in sight. How will we emerge from the crisis: united or everyone out for themselves? We ask who rules Europe: one united superstate, or nations ruled by self-interest? Four young Europeans start the debate: join in at cafebabel.co.uk/europaplus
Liv Holm Andersen: 'Danes like to lose their sense of security'
She talks and laughs with Mediterranean hand gestures and speaks a bit of Greek, but don't be fooled. The 24-year-old is actually one of Denmark’s youngest politicians, a candidate for the Scandinavian’s country’s second smallest party Radikale Venstre in elections on 15 September. In Athens, we talk Europe, the Balkans and learning from Spain
greece, balkans, bosnia and herzegovina, immigration, youth, athens, denmark
German, Dutch and Finnish reactions on Greece insolvency
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
greece, economic growth, european union, germany, euro, eurotopics, europe
German writer Hatto Fischer on Greece 'madness' and 'European debts’
The Bavarian-born philosopher and co-founder of the NGO Poiein Kai Prattein (‘create and do’), which launched in Athens in 2003, explains why Europeans have thought that the Greeks were mad, and how we can learn from their current fiscal tragedy
greece, interview, germany, brunch, athens, philosophy, politics
Athens: Got 99 problems and environment is one...
The Greek capital has other problems to deal with than the environment. While the main Kifissos river has dried up due to poorly planned construction works, the Aegean sea is being swamped with illegally dumped waste. The battle of Keratea, a small village outside the capital, against an immense landfill site which has been in the pipelines for the last fifteen years, is just one more worry for the government. Athens’ expanding cycle lanes are to die for, especially on a Friday night – but otherwise the town is breathless because of pollution and the oppressive heat. Will the anger of citizens be enough to protect the marvels of Attica? (Image: © Benedicte Salzes/ benedictesalzes.com)
- Read the special edition Athens: Got 99 problems and environment is one...
- The attican landfill war: a load of trash?
- Environmental art in Athens: art project for Kifissos river
- Freeday: beer vs bikes through Athens on Fridays
- Forget environment! Cars rule the road in Athens
- Sex, Sartre & rock n’roll in Paris theatre
Eurozone: Greece’s junk in Europe’s trunk
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
greece, germany, economic and monetary union, economy, euweek, financial crisis, monetary union
Artists, freaks, revolutionaries: what remains of protests in Greece
'We are not anti-system, the system is anti-us'. This is just one of many slogans that are prominently displayed on the banners around Syntagma Square in the heart of Athens. The word ochi, meaning ‘no’, can be seen everywhere here: no to the government, no to the financial and political system, no to the betrayal of democracy
greece, best of cafebabel.com, economical crisis, athens, revolution
Modern crisis: more Greeks turn to suicide
Many Greeks are opposed to the austerity package which will introduce heavy spending cuts and reforms. As they see no way out of the economic difficulties, an increasing number of people are taking their own lives. The Athens health ministry recently reported a 40 percent rise in suicide rates
Indignant Athens: 'get your tax off my ass'
I haven't been on the streets for about twenty years, but I can't stand this anymore. I decided to protest after many years because I cannot bare our politicians’ apathy for people’s problems. They just keep on slamming the taxes on us - and that’s all. If politicians really wanted to find solutions for the country they would. One indignant protestor speaks
greece, protest, athens, youth, andreas papandreou, tax, 'indignant citizens' movement
Five gay friendly neighbourhoods in Europe
As the spectacular gay prides flourish across Europe, cafebabel.com local teams from Paris, Ljubljana, Berlin, Budapest and Athens blog about the scenes across Europe
greece, germany, paris, berlin, homosexuality, culture, ljubljana
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