Obama in Europe

The US presidential candidate Barack Obama will speak in Berlin today. The Independent calls for the Europeans to show restraint in their enthusiasm for the Democratic candidate: "To expect to deliver a speech against the backdrop of the Brandenburg Gate was always an ambition too far. ... Chancellor Angela Merkel was right to worry that such a site might be interpreted as official endorsement of his candidacy. All foreign governments have a duty to observe neutrality: the decision in November is for American voters. This does not mean that the 'Obamania' that may well break out in Berlin this evening is a bad thing, or that Europeans have no interest in who becomes the next President of the United States. It is rather that adulation needs to be tempered with realism. If, as he promises, a theme of Mr. Obama's speech in Berlin will be a commitment to listen to Europe, we should pay him the same compliment, and listen just as carefully to him."

» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Germany, » Europe, » U.S.

» To the complete press review of Thursday, July 24, 2008