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Haver, Kris Van
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5 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
True Finns threaten Europe
Forecasts for Sunday's parliamentary elections in Finland predict major gains for the right-wing populist True Finns party. Such parties have been chalking up victories in other rich European countries with their Eurosceptic slogans, and this is a dangerous trend, writes the business paper De Tijd: "What will happen if European solidarity suddenly falters? What if the party True Finns topedoes the new rescue plan for Portugal, as they promise in their campaign? And what if they also block an increase earmarked for the European bailout fund for struggling euro countries? The markets are already smelling blood and driving up the interest rates for the 'PIGS', as the weak Eurozone members are known, to undreamed-of heights. ... The attitude of the market traders is just as short-sighted as the plans of the 'True Finns': The chain reaction that the party could set off would have catastrophic repercussions for the euro. Without solidarity Europe too will 'evaporate'."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Finland, » Europe
Times of plenty also over for Portugal
The Portuguese parliament has rejected an austerity package which in the eyes of the business paper De Tijd is essential: "Europe and the IMF will very soon foist a much tougher austerity package on Portugal. This same paradox is what we are seeing now. Brussels is a beleaguered city today. The trade unions are protesting against the European bogeyman who is demanding too many economy measures. ... If Merkel had her way everyone in Europe would become more German. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. A minimum of cohesion regarding the direction we're all headed in is the first thing this economically disparate Europe needs. ... What Merkel has understood, and what the Portuguese will learn from experience very shortly, is that Europe can no longer live beyond its means. The times of plenty, of generous pay rises and getting pensioned off at 50 are over for good."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Portugal, » Europe
The Turkish paradox
With its vote in favour of constitutional reform Turkey has moved closer to Europe, but this also has its dangers, writes the business paper De Tijd: "We can only welcome the fact that Turkey has taken a step towards the European fundamental values of democracy and rule of law. However this Turkish referendum confronts Europe with a paradox. 'Europeanisation' is forcing Turkey to limit the influence of the army. But since [the founder of the Republic of Turkey] Atatürk the army has been the guarantee for the separation of church and state. … In practice the adjustments Europe demands could therefore lead to the Islamisation of the the Turkish state. This will only increase the fears of France and Germany regarding Turkey. Fear of Islam is a bad basis for politics. … Europe would do well not to stop the Turkish boat for the wrong reasons."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » Domestic Policy, » Europe, » Turkey
EU Parliament weakens Barroso
The European Parliament has reacted critically to José Manuel Barroso's plans to serve a second term in office as President of the EU Commission. But postponing his nomination any longer "can only weaken the European Union", writes the business paper De Tijd: "The Parliament supports a strong European Commission. But at the same time it is demanding that the man who the 27 member states have unanimously proposed for the job should grovel before it. But the the paradoxical result of this attitude is to weaken Barroso's person, and consequently the image of Europe in the world. In addition the European Parliament has tackled the wrong foe. Not Barroso, but the member states are the ones gnawing away at Europe's strength by playing the national card. If the Parliament and the Commission fail to act in unison against the small-minded behaviour and the 'our industry first' attitude of Paris, Berlin and London, the pendulum will not fail to swing in the wrong direction, that of less Europe."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Europe
The economic plan is plausible
People can put their trust in the economic plan presented by the European Commission on Wednesday, writes the Belgian daily De Tijd: "True, the member states will contribute most of the funding for the European rescue package, but does this make the plan any less plausible? No. ... Just as was the case with the financial crisis, Europe's institutions have neither the authority nor the budget to combat the problems directly. But coordination at a European level is indispensable to halt the negative spiral of national reflexes. In these times of crisis the calls of 'our own banks first' or 'our own economy first' threaten to undermine not only the financial system, but also the network of European cooperation that took years to build. Because it is simply taken for granted the greatest advantage the Union has to offer - its strong common currency - goes practically unnoticed. Without the euro and all the economic, budgetary and monetary efforts that were undertaken in its name the financial and economic crisis would have been even worse."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Economic Policy, » Europe
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