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Meyer, Thomas
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3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
The end of a good idea
The EU finance ministers have decided to shelve the EU Commission's plans for a financial transaction tax for the time being and work out a compromise solution by June instead. Little of the original plan will remain intact, the left-liberal daily Der Standard concludes: "For the fans of simple solutions and those who believe that the financial sector should be made to cough up in the name of social balance and fairness, this variant is very appealing. Those who have made and still make a lot of money on financial transactions would be compelled to do their bit towards resolving the crisis via a tax that would help replenish state coffers. … But in fragmented Europe, just because a project is a good idea doesn't mean it's actually feasible. For many states it's a case of 'near is my shirt but nearer is my skin'. So what now? Most likely a compromise, a financial transaction tax 'light' of the sort the British already have and the French plan to introduce in the summer."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Financial Markets, » Europe
Merkel's support for Sarkozy helps Hollande
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her conservative EU partners have agreed not to meet with the French presidential candidate François Hollande during the election campaign, according to a report published by German news weekly Der Spiegel. This show of solidarity with President Nicolas Sarkozy will backfire, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "The Chancellor couldn't have done more to help Hollande, whose programme calls for the EU fiscal package dictated by Merkel to be renegotiated. The French are weary of Sarkozy's empty promises and submissive gestures. Most of them have no intention of letting Berlin of all places stipulate who will be their president. That Merkel is relying on Cameron (who always leaves her stranded on the euro) and Rajoy (who has just announced that Spain will exceed the deficit) shows how Merkel's grip on power is weakening. … To disregard the potential next president of one's most important partner country testifies to a lack of political instinct the like of which hasn't been seen in decades."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Elections, » Germany, » France
A Europe-free election campaign
The Austrian parties are trying to cover up the issue of EU integration in the election campaign, yet it is precisely on this topic that Austria's politicians are most divided, Der Standard newspaper writes: "The parties' reticence on the subject of Europe policy is as strange as it is counterproductive: strange because it was the EU dispute that precipitated the collapse of the red-black coalition and is the reason why we are now holding elections. One would have thought the key question 'What do you think about Austria's role in Europe?' would be the main debate. ... There are no longer any major political or economic decisions that the nation can make without consulting others - unless this is changed again and the EU partners agree to it. With the advent of the single market, the removal of borders, the introduction of the euro and the convergence [within the EU] of virtually all the important areas of policy Austria has only limited sovereignty. ... Therefore it is only on the surface that Europe is not a major topic - it nonetheless plays a key role and will perhaps even determine the make-up of the coalition."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Austria
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