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Fischer, Thomas
2 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
The Portuguese will not be voting on the European Treaty
Lisbon correspondent Thomas Fischer regrets that the Portuguese won't have a chance to be heard on the EU Reform Treaty. "Portugal has never had a referendum on EU integration. By renouncing the referendum, the country gives up the opportunity to let the people themselves support this option before the money from Brussels runs out, cutting off one of the most popular and useful arguments for 'Europe.'"
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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » EU Constitution, » Domestic Policy, » Portugal
Madeira's populist ruler
Portugal correspondent Thomas Fischer describes the Portuguese island of Madeira, where the populist Alberto João Jardim, in power for almost 30 years, has good chances to be reelected. "In terms of political longevity, Jardim is hard on the heels of Portugal's Prime Minister Salazar, who led a fascist dictatorship for 36 years, from 1932 to 1968. Even the democratically legitimized Jardim puts on authoritarian airs. Literally, the rest of Portugal sees a 'democratic deficit' on Madeira and in Jardim's failures against his opponents. He divides up his friends and enemies more or less into 'Madeirenses' and 'Cubanos'. But not unlike the former Bavarian ruler Strauss in Germany, Jardim is almost a father figure for his region, with well over a quarter million residents. Like Strauss, he often reads the riot act to his adversaries during the Carnival period - but not on Ash Wednesday; rather in costume, amidst the clowning. His public doesn't applaud, and even some supporters are left speechless."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Portugal
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