eurotopics
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
eurotopics, vote, netherlands, geert wilders, euweek, press review, amsterdam
Italian, French and Bulgarian press vs genetically modified potato
On 3 March the European commission gave the green light for the 'Amflora', used for the production of industrial starch. This was the first time since 1998 that it has approved a GMO for cultivation. Some commentators say Brussels has bowed to the pressure of agriculture companies; others claim this paves the way for a better future
eurotopics, europe, agriculture, potato, ogm, european union, society
Dutch government fails over Afghanistan
The grand coalition government in the Netherlands collapsed on the weekend after it was unable to reach a consensus on prolonging the operations in Afghanistan. The Spanish, Dutch and Belgian press write that although this won't prompt other states to withdraw their troops from the country, it may give the right-wing populists a boost in new Dutch elections
France: burqa bandits, burqa ban
On 26 January, a French parliamentary committee recommended that the so-called 'burqa', or Muslim full-body veil, be banned. While this could check the spread of fundamentalism, it is also humiliating for those affected by it argue German, French and Swiss commentators
eurotopics, religion, presse, european media, society, journalism, panorama
London conference on Afghanistan: 'olive branches and dollars'
In the run-up to the Afghanistan conference which starts on 28 January in London, calls for negotiations with the radical islamist Taliban are mounting. A sign of the growing helpnessness of the international community deployed in the Hindu Kush, write the Austrian, Estonian, Italian and Portuguese press
eurotopics, london, afghanistan, euweek, european press, islamic terrorism, terrorism
Full body scanners, Obama and Yemen: terrorism 2010
Fears of terrorism are on the rise around the world after the failed christmas day attack on a US airliner. Calls for greater security and tougher anti-terror measures are mounting. Other European papers warn of the threat of war in Yemen, and argue that weapons alone cannot bring a lasting solution.The word from the British, Slovenian, Spanish, Austrian and Danish media
eurotopics, road safety, european terrorism, euweek, islamic terrorism, society, security
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
eurotopics, lars løkke rasmussen, environmental protection, environment, euweek, copenhagen, press review
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
eurotopics, freedom of opinion, italy, european court of justice, religion, school, newspaper
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
eurotopics, vaclav klaus, prague, european constitution, euweek, czech republic, press review
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
eurotopics, eu president, european institutions, jean claude juncker, united kingdom, euweek, luxembourg
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
eurotopics, tibet, angela merkel, reading, germany, frankfurter buchmesse, xi jinping
Tories, Klaus and Kaczyński: EU 'three kings' vs Lisbon treaty
The eurosceptic Pole Lech Kaczyński plans to sign the EU reform document in the next few days, Czech president Václav Klaus refuses and British conservative leader David Cameron again promises his country a referendum if he is elected prime minister in 2010 and the treaty has still not taken effect. The Irish, Czech, German and Hungarian press react
eurotopics, vaclav klaus, vote, united kingdom, poland, david cameron, european media
Portuguese Barroso: this is your man for Europe, again!
On 16 September, the European parliament voted José Manuel Barroso in for a second term as European commission president, with 382 votes for, 219 against and 117 abstentions. Barroso promised to advocate social policies, but the Portuguese, Belgian, French and Polish press was sceptical
eurotopics, belgium, european institutions, josé manuel barroso, european media, euweek, tony blair
Eta: 'ignore European terrorism', 'stay on holiday in Majorca'
Presumed terrorists of the Basque underground organisation Eta set off a total of four bombs in the Spanish holiday resort of Palma on Majorca on 9 August. Only ten days ago Eta carried out an attack on the island in which two police officers were killed. The Spanish, German, Hungarian and Czech media respond
eurotopics, press, basque country, newspaper, euweek, eta, journalism
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
eurotopics, presidency, poland, european parliament, euweek, european union, press review
Western states boycott UN anti-racism conference in Geneva
Durban II began on 20 April with a boycott. For fear of an anti-Israel mood and anti-semitic incidents the US, Israel and other states including Italy, Germany and the Netherlands have cancelled their attendance at the so-called Durban II conference. Press reactions from Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Belgium
eurotopics, switzerland, europe, discrimination, mahmoud ahmadinejad, eudebate2009, iran islamic republic of
No to eastern European rescue package
The EU countries want to better co-ordinate their national bank rescue plans and economic stimulus programmes. At an informal summit meeting in Brussels on 1 March, protective measures for individual industries and an aid package for eastern Europe were rejected. Reactions from Denmark, Portugal, Romania and the Czech Republic
eurotopics, hungary, romania, banks, eu-gipfel, central and eastern europe, politics
Slumdog Millionaire: 8 Oscars in times of crisis
The global financial and economic crisis also left its mark on this year's academy awards. The film industry is rethinking its financing strategy. The independent, multinational film, about a poor boy in India who wins a quiz show, won eight gongs in Los Angeles on 22 February
eurotopics, cinema, festivals, oscars, culture, film, slumdog millionaire
German, Slovak media on Czech 'Lisbon treaty' yes
On 27 November the constitutional court gave a green light to the Lisbon treaty. Judges in Brno rule that the treaty neither impinges on Czech sovereignty nor violates the country's constitution. Will president Václav Klaus sign the document? Press review
eurotopics, vaclav klaus, european elections 2009, euroskepsis, eudebate2009, referendum, czech republic
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