PIIGS
GPS: taking directions from a woman
Most satellite navigation devices predominantly use female voices – and German BMW drivers can’t cope with them. Is this sexism or science fiction?
piigs, feminism, germany, gps, techno-media, men and women, best of cafebabel.com
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
piigs, italy, economical crisis, politics, greece, financial crisis, economy
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
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
piigs, economical crisis, greece, europe, media, yum nyam, athens
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
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
piigs, economic growth, crisis, economical crisis, politics, germany, greece
Europe day 2011: Robert Schuman's dream: is it yours?
After drifting aimlessly for some time, the European union has reached crisis point. It has lost its way and with it popular legitimacy. Anti-Europeanism is now the currency of choice in many EU state
piigs, politics, 9 de mayo, opinion, european union, schengen zone, citizens
Iberian, Italian and German press on: No Zapatero for Spain 2012 election
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
piigs, josé luis rodríguez zapatero, economical crisis, politics, unemployment, euweek, spain
Li Kequiang's in Europe, and Europe knows it
The Chinese vice-premier is in Europe. He has signed billion-dollar business agreements and promised to purchase the government bonds of ailing EU countries like Portugal. Does this cheque book politics conceal the dictatorship's true motives? The Iberian and Austro-German press have raised the alert
piigs, economical crisis, politics, global europe, china, world affairs, globalisation
Ireland, bailout and latest cafebabel.com blog 'Euromyths'
Once again the presentation in the media of the financial rescue package of a eurozone country is plainly wrong. The so-called 'bailout' does not consist in a gift of capital to Ireland, and taxpayers are most likely not to pay anything as a consequence. Extract from cafebabel.com's blog in the dock
Join the family business in Crete
According to a study conducted by Philomila Tsoukala, a lecturer at Georgetown University, 75% of Greek companies are family-owned, and even then, youths start earning a living between the ages of 30-35. What's going on?
piigs, eucrisis on the ground, economical crisis, greece, tourism, financial crisis, youth
Greece crisis: lowdown on Germany's role, US credit agencies and more
Interview with French economist Céline Antonin ahead of the eurogroup summit on 7 May, where the attendees should confirm their €110 billion financial aid package to Greece, and the three burning questions arising from the crisis which also apply to the European union
piigs, economical crisis, stability and growth pact, politics, germany, greece, euro
Porn, drugs and Domenech: a Eurovision of World Cup songs
As the World Cup moves into the next phase – sixteen of the best battle it out for the second round from 26 June – we follow the 2010-featuring European teams in song. Spain, Holland and Germany are EU favourites as runners-up on 11 July, with Brazil or Argentina to win, according to betting agencies
piigs, football, world cup, italy, sport, netherlands, germany
Satirists Clark and Dawe take on eurozone crisis - in 2 minutes 35
We're always a bit baffled by the ins and outs of the eurozone here at cafebabel.com - so it was nice to catch this little Youtube video circulated by the FT's chief economics commentator. Hilarious, though frightening
piigs, italy, economical crisis, greece, euro, eurozone, video
Enough with the 'hard-working Germans paying for lazy Greeks'
In a spirit against nationalist agitation and economic ignorance, the presidents of the European movements in Berlin and Athens signed a common German-Greek manifesto for Europe on 5 May 2010. Here's what they have to say on a day that the 750 billion euro rescue package is agreed
piigs, economical crisis, politics, germany, nationalism, greece, euro
The plan, Sam? Europe on 9 May 2010
9 May 2010 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Schuman declaration, which led to the eventual creation of the European Union. It's an understatement to say the EU's been suffering some tough times, in between the Belgian government dissolving (before taking over the six-month rotating presidency of EU), the British foreign policy chief of the EU 'quitting' and the Greek financial crisis (forcing the EU into financial solidarity). Across the playground, their Portuguese, Irish, Italian and Spanish neighbours (making up the so-called PIIGS) finger the same troubles. Whilst 27-year-old Swiss MP Lukas Reimann sounds out his euroscepticism, we jump on the bandwagon to cite those famous sentences of 9 May 1950: 'Europe will not be made all at once or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity'. Word, Schumi
The bleak Greek crisis: Europe's hardship sic Europe's hope
Good morning, Europe! Will you be saving the debt-mired Greece today? We're going to find out at the EU summit, which takes place in Brussels between 25 and 26 March. The Greek crisis has divided the European political and media landscape because it most prominently plays on the future of the sixteen-member eurozone. It also represents a fine threat for the young Greeks who are currently feeding the debate, and are a symbol in themselves of a Europe of PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Spain). The consensus is clear: somewhere, sometime soon, mentality has to change before the Greeks can make a stab at a new start
- Read the special edition The bleak Greek crisis: Europe's hardship sic Europe's hope
- Europe apprehensive about Athens
- Bailing Greece out: the update
- PIIGS unwelcome in the EU parlour: war of words rocks Eurozone
- Monetary union and media stress: young Greeks and Germans debate
- Greece crisis: how your average Greek yacht-owner is clamping down
