The EU heads of state and government clearly want to keep Greece in the Eurozone. But the country's exit is the most reasonable long-term solution even if it means the end of the euro, writes economist Jacques Sapir in a commentary in the left-liberal daily Le Monde. "Either the EU countries affirm their willingness to invest in the Greek economy, enabling it to at least partially recover its competitiveness, which has sunk by 35 per cent since 2002. Or it will be necessary to opt for a Greek exit from the Eurozone and a major devaluation (50 per cent) of the drachma. This solution, as hard as it is, is preferable to continuing the austerity policy agreed on by the troika and Greece. ... Such a solution would probably be a death knell for the euro. But this death knell has already sounded with the Spanish crisis and the return of the Irish crisis." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Greece, » Europe
All available articles from » Jacques Sapir
Who's saying what » Ways out of the debt crisis

Above all Germany's crisis policy is endangering the Monetary Union, writes the liberal business magazine The Economist: "Only if Europeans share a sense of common purpose will a grand deal to save the single currency be seen as legitimate. Only if it is legitimate can it last. Most of all, it is a test of Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel maintains that the threat of the euro's failure is needed to keep wayward governments on the path of reform. But German brinkmanship is corroding the belief that the euro has a future, which raises the cost of a rescue and hastens the very collapse she says she wants to avoid. Ultimately, Europe's choice will be made in Berlin." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Germany, » Europe
Who's saying what » Ways out of the debt crisis

A Greek exit from the Eurozone would be a fatal blow to the European project, writes the leftist weekly WOZ: "If Europe decides to make an example of Greece the consequences for the entire continent will be destructive and do lasting damage to the dream of a united Europe. Six decades of European integration would suddenly be on the line. The continent would be thrown back a century to the times of competing nation states with their respective hegemonies. There is a lot at stake. One can only hope that the decision-makers in Athens, Berlin and Brussels are aware of their historical responsibility." (24/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Economic Policy, » Greece, » Europe
All available articles from » Jens Berger
Who's saying what » Ways out of the debt crisis

The talks in Baghdad over Iran's nuclear programme ended without results on Thursday after only two days. The next meeting is set to take place in Moscow in June. But just talking won't be of much help, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "No one expected a breakthrough in Baghdad. Nevertheless both sides also know that there will be no more talks just for the sake of talking. Perhaps this is really the last chance for the time being. Iran sees that there's nothing more to be gained simply from being willing to sit down at the table. But its negotiating partners are also working on borrowed time and have to reach an agreement among themselves on what a deal is worth to them." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Science / Research, » U.S., » Middle East, » Iran
All available articles from » Gudrun Harrer

The Russian President Vladimir Putin named the cabinet of his political protégé Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, reserving many key posts for his own trusted followers. Putin has once more shown who's wearing the trousers, writes the news portal Alfa: "The fact that the Russian president of all people has the last word in forming the government illustrates the true balance of power in Moscow very clearly. And Medvedev found himself once again on the fringe of important processes - as so often during his four-year presidency which has just come to an end. ... Putin profited much from Medvedev's liberal image during the transitional period, protecting the Russian 'hero' who has retreated to the post of prime minister from Western criticism. Illusions that Medvedev can stimulate economic reforms and improve the human rights situation had spun the heads of numerous analysts and political commentators. ... Now however it should be clear to everyone that the 'little bear' is no danger to anyone, least of all the true ruler of the Kremlin." (24/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Human rights, » Russia
All available articles from » Antanas Manstavicius

The counting of the votes has started in Egypt after the presidential elections. The country has taken a big step in the direction of democracy, praises the left-liberal daily Frankfurter Rundschau: "For the first time in the history Egyptians had the choice between several candidates, and at least it seems as if the election was relatively fair and free of fraud. Also new was the good organisation. ... The same holds for the electorate. Wherever you look these days people are talking about politics. ... And the next lesson? It will come when the new president takes office. Many Egyptians dearly hope that a strong man will take the reins of power once more and bring calm to the country. But how is that supposed to happen? ... The government will never be able to satisfy everyone, and there will be further protests. The next lesson is therefore: 'Forget the big leaders!' ... Egypt is still a long way from becoming a functioning democracy. But the presidential elections - regardless of how they transpire - have brought it one big step forward." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Elections, » Egypt
All available articles from » Julia Gerlach
Who's saying what » Arabs fight for freedom

Yulia Tymoshenko, the former Ukrainian prime minister who has been sentenced to seven years in prison, has made the headlines with her hunger strike and poor health. But in an article published in the conservative weekly Heti Válasz, Jarosław Gizinski , editor of the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, isn't convinced by what he calls her attempts to play the martyr: "Yulia Tymoshenko is a contradictory personality. She has been described as the 'Ukrainian Jeanne D'Arc', as the 'gas princess', 'Iron Yulia' and the 'last man in Ukrainian politics'. Now languishing in jail, Tymoshenko has become a symbol of Ukraine's bankrupt democracy. … Ukraine is still far from reaching European democratic standards. But to portray Tymoshenko as someone who always defends democratic values is wrong. She herself didn't understand the laws of democracy, human rights and the free market. Back in the mid-90s she didn't enter politics to build a democratic society in her home country, but to protect her own interests and her business empire. In this respect she is no different to all the other Ukrainian oligarchs." (24/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Politics, » Ukraine
All available articles from » Jarosław Giziński

Germany secured fresh capital for the next two years on Wednesday without having to pay any interest for it. That the heavyweights in the EU can continue to borrow on such conditions shows how sick Europe is, writes the daily Diário de Notícias: "The situation is also scandalous because Germany's terrorist economic policy is the main reason for the panic on the markets. The effective interest rate achieved is not thanks to Germany's economy but the result of an unbending policy that Berlin is foisting on the Eurozone with its austerity dictates. A situation in which crime pays off for Germany, at least as long as the Eurozone doesn't implode. Our prime minister spoke out against euro bonds, thereby taking sides with Germany - and against the opinions of other crisis-stricken countries. This submissiveness is immoral and goes against our national interests. He was elected to serve our interests, not to behave as if Portugal was the westernmost province of Prussia." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Fiscal Policy, » Economic Policy, » EU neighbourhood policy, » Germany, » Portugal
All available articles from » Viriato Soromenho-Marques
Who's saying what » Ways out of the debt crisis

The Ifo business climate index for Germany, Europe's largest economy, plunged by a surprising three percentage points for the first time in months on Thursday. Europe and the world are facing hard times, the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita fears: "The crisis is taking down even the strongest. And for two months now the economic data from the US shows that its labour market and industry are weakening, despite all the unconventional measures that its central bank has adopted to boost growth. The Fed pumped billions of dollars into the market, but it wasn't enough. Now the European politicians are having similar ideas and talking more and more about a 'pact for growth'. But no one knows what this magic formula really means. Everyone assumes that the ECB will just switch on the money printer. … However this hasn't helped the economies in the past. And keeping Greece in the Eurozone against the people's will was costly and naïve. But the biggest problem is that no one knows a good solution for dealing with the crisis." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Economy, » Germany, » Europe
All available articles from » Jacek Ramotowski
Who's saying what » Ways out of the debt crisis

Managers of Belgian state companies should not earn more than 200,000 euros per year, according to the plan which Paul Magnette, Minister for State Enterprises, will present today. But measured against the 2.6 million euro salary of Didier Bellens, head of the telecommunications firm Belgacom, that is going too far, writes the left-liberal daily De Morgen: "No one doubts that the salaries of top managers - in the economy, the financial sector, sports and showbiz - have risen to insane levels in recent years. Bankers earn astronomical sums, above all in relation to what they do for the economy. And they aren't the only ones. ... The state has the chance to act as a trailblazer in this mad race and bring about an adjustment. Because it makes sense that the immeasurable gab between the salary of Didier Bellens and that of most of his employees must be reduced. But Prime Minister Di Rupo and his team must find a balance between 'competitive' and laughable salaries for top managers." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Corporations, » Labour, » Netherlands
All available articles from » Wouter Verschelden

Romania was one of the guest countries invited to the Turin International Book Fair in mid-May. The country did an excellent job of presenting itself, writes the Romanian writer Mircea Cărtărescuin the daily Evenimentul Zilei: "With the help of the Romanian Cultural Institute ICR more than 300 books by contemporary writers have been translated into numerous languages in the past six years. That's roughly one book per week. It must be pointed out that six years ago you could count the translations of Romanian authors on the fingers of one hand. ... This time our stand was so impressive, so visible, that it dominated the fair. What a difference: How ashamed we have been in recent years, when our stand was relegated to the furthermost corner of the fair. ... Romania left the impression in Turin that it is a country that knows how important culture is for its reputation, and for that reason it came presenting the very best. In a country that is filled with Romanian immigrants about whom it has mixed feelings, it is very important that we have shown a different face." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Literature, » Cultural Policy, » Migration, » Italy, » Romania
All available articles from » Mircea Cărtărescu

Following Sweden's EU accession in 1995 alcohol consumption first rose and then returned to almost the same level as before the country joined, a recent study commissioned by the conservative think-tank Timbo shows. This means the fears that cheap alcohol from the EU would turn the Swedes into a nation of drinkers have proved unfounded, writes the free newspaper Metro: "For decades, the authorities regarded the Swedes as potential barbarians who would burn down red houses, hit little children and swear at the slightest opportunity. We would spend hours queuing up at the alcohol monopoly stores, which closed when people had days off. The customs officers searched the dirty washing of people returning from holidays for green bottles. Then the dams broke and the alcohol flowed freely - and the Swedes exchanged their canisters of illegal spirits in front of the TV for a glass of red wine at the restaurant. This proves that people who are treated like adults act like adults. Sweden became freer and merrier without turning into a hell on earth." (23/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Health Policy, » Sweden
All available articles from » Johan Norberg

Although few people or buildings were seriously harmed in a 5.8 degree earthquake that rocked Bulgaria on Monday night, the media has spread panic among the population, writes the weekly Kapital: "The media have caused mass hysteria at a time when society needs objective and precise information from them. Cracks in house walls suddenly became deep crevices. Crows that defended their nests reportedly 'flipped out after the earthquake' and attacked people. The spring rain in the days after the earthquake was a sign that heaven had 'collapsed'. Such headlines are not just in bad taste but are an extreme and inappropriate way of grabbing attention. When natural disasters occur, the media are the main source of information for the population and should not be tempted to spread fear and panic for no reason." (24/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Natural disasters, » Natural disasters, » Media, » Bulgaria

The Basque football club Athletic Bilbao and the team of the Catalan club FC Barcelona will face off this Friday in Madrid for the Spanish trophy Copa del Rey. Because many of the fans who have travelled to Madrid to watch the game have been supporting their own national teams in their respective autonomous regions for a long time now, some of them plan to boo when the Spanish national anthem is played before the match begins. The president of the Madrid region Esperança Aguirre wants the final to be cancelled in the event that this happens. The left-liberal daily El País calls on fans and politicians alike to moderate their behaviour: "Booing a national anthem, as was done at the 2009 final in the presence of the king, is not a symbolic demand but simply bad manners. If it does happen it's no big tragedy, as it would be if the approach proposed by Aguirre is adopted, who has no problems with making populist threats. A Madrid court has added more fuel to the fire by authorising a far-right [and therefore centralist] demonstration four hours before the game. The fans from Bilbao and Barcelona would do well to focus their passion on the game rather than the political provocations." (25/05/2012)

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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Separatism, » Spain