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Maisano, Leonardo
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5 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Cameron outsmarts Scottish nationalists
In the dispute over Scotland's independence British Prime Minister David Cameron has gone on the offensive. His cabined decided on Monday to hold a binding "yes or no" referendum within the next 18 months. This is a clever move by Cameron, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore writes admiringly: "The vote is aimed at taking the wind out of the sails of the Scottish nationalists. The Scottish National Party (SNP) wanted to hold a non-binding referendum in 2014 to coincide with the 700th anniversary of the Scots' victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn and revive the Scots' sense of patriotism. ... In reality, however, the great majority of Scots would prefer to remain in the bosom of the Union and under the Windsors' Crown. The SNP knows this and wanted to use the referendum simply to increase the already considerable advantages of Scotland's special status. Cameron is now taking a gamble to expose this bluff - in the hope that it really is a bluff."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Separatism, » United Kingdom
Reconciliation helps economy
Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Ireland marks a reconciliation that is important not just politically but also economically, writes the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: "The course of the visit will inevitably be determined by the tensions and tragedies experienced by both nations. ... If the past century was marked by division recent years have been characterised by a renewed harmony. The economic crisis triggered by the credit crunch has led London and Dublin to take a joint approach. ... (England pays a low price thanks among other things to the devaluation of the pound, while Ireland pays the high price of international aid, a humiliation for the country that liked to call itself the Celtic tiger.) The recession, the most serious the country has seen since 1922, prompted London to come to Dublin's aid with a loan of 3.23 billion pounds [3.7 billion euros]. ... Given that 15 percent of Irish exports go to the United Kingdom, Ireland is a special case for London."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Remembrance culture, » Economy, » United Kingdom, » Ireland
Cameron courts Ankara
During his visit to Turkey on Tuesday British Prime Minister David Cameron criticised that certain countries have reservations about Turkey joining the EU. The business paper Il Sole 24 Ore sees this as an open attack against Germany and France: "More than an exercise in public relations, David Cameron's performance came across like a bodybuilding show aimed at warming the Turks' hearts. … The rapprochement with Ankara was of a political nature and with the subject of EU membership touched the sore spot in Turkey's foreign relations. The British prime minister confirmed the traditional Anglo-Saxon line and reaffirmed his support for the project. … His criticism of countries that hinder … membership with their prejudices against Islam and a protectionist vision … did not make direct reference to Paris and Berlin, but it's well-known that they are the strongest opponents to Turkey's EU accession."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » United Kingdom, » Turkey
David Cameron has recovered from Clegg shock
Just two days before the British general election on May 6 a defeat for Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Labour Party is looking increasingly likely. The leader of the Conservatives David Cameron is forging ahead while his surprisingly successful rival from the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg is watching his popularity wane once more, writes the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: "'The sky's the limit' Nick Clegg tells his voters. But in fact the limit for him is the wavering and confused will of the citizens, who were taken unawares by the sudden emergence of a third competitor. ... With his unexpected and energetic presence Nick Clegg reshuffled the cards, particularly because he caught David Cameron, who has seen himself as the victor for weeks, unawares. Now however the Tory leader seems to have recovered from the shock and got back his bearings."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Elections, » United Kingdom
Budget deficit dominates British election campaign
The British election campaign is mainly focused on the country's budget deficit, writes the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: "In the UK election promises are obligations which the opposition will hold the government to for the duration of its term in office. And the path that was determined by the most serious economic crisis in 1929 leaves little room for manoeuvre: Brown and his would-be successor, the leader of the Conservatives David Cameron, are challenging each other to a duel. They are dancing above the precipice of a budgetary deficit of 12 percent of the gross domestic product. ... The boss of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg has intervened in this duel and never tires of repeating that he too is in the race for Downing Street. And not only potentially: according to surveys he will be the one to tip the scales."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Elections, » United Kingdom
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