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Didier, Chantal
4 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Mentalities will change
The ban on bullfighting in Catalonia testifies to a change in mentality and the difficult departure from antiquated values, writes the regional newspaper L'Est Républicain: "This snook cocked at the bullfight nevertheless has symbolic value. It shows that like other cultural elements the corrida, which is defended as part and parcel of the Spanish identity, is subject to the vagaries of passing time and changing mentalities. Hemingway must be turning in his grave. And the fans of this choreography of death are mourning an epoch that is losing its sense of tragedy."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Public Culture, » Spain
German-French cooperation is essential
At the 12th meeting of Franco German Minister Council, held Thursday, the concept of a common minister was rejected. But the challenges of this partnership can and must be handled differently, writes the regional paper L'Est Républicain: "Too bad the symbolism lost out. But in the end, the exchange between Paris and Berlin will take a new path anyway. At a time when Americans are primarily looking toward Asia, and developing countries are demanding a role in international negotiations, this exchange [between France and Germany] is essential. ... Personal relationships are less important than economic connections between the two countries. Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel are knocking themselves out to make it work, just like Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schröder were finally able to have a meeting of the minds only after a difficult start. ... The French would be mistaken to fear the power of their neighbour. Given the fact that the rest of the world isn't holding back to wait for Europe, the imbalance is not a threat."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Germany, » France
European elections: The French couldn't care less
The regional paper L'Est Répubicain casts about for reasons for the indifference of the French to the European elections: "The European elections never excited a huge passion in French hearts, but the vote that will take place on June 7 takes the biscuit. The French could not care less. Three weeks before the vote, surveys point to a 44 percent turnout. That is strange, because the European Parliament has a growing say in the affairs of the continent. ... Over and above purley French reasons, this indifference is also explained by the inherent weakness of the EU. With six countries the Union was still a dream, with 27 it has become an indefinable 'thing', whose workings appear increasingly obscure. And added to that there there's the whole technocratic side, which is far too caught up with the hunting of migratory birds, the composition of chocolate and the quality of rosé wines."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Elections, » France
Social problems run deep
On May 1, the traditional action day of the workers' movement, an abnormally high number of people hit the streets in protest. The regional paper L'Est Republicain comments on the social conflict: "In a country with relatively few union members despite the large number of unions, large demonstrations are a means of uniting the victims of the crisis and lending weight to their demands. The demonstrations on Thursday, which were far larger than in past years, have shown how deep the social problems run. ... As not everyone is for a general strike there will be further demonstrations. No doubt the first will be organised for May 19. The desire for unity thus leads people to search for a lowest common denominator, which then weakens their individual actions."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » France
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