The Süddeutsche Zeitung points out that the Belgian governmental crisis will have repercussions throughout Europe: "Anyone who looks into the causes of the newly inflamed Belgian crisis cannot fail to recognise the personal responsibility of this hapless head of government. ... But before we start complaining about political incompetence in this small country, we should remember one thing. The Flemish are aggressively demanding more regional autonomy, which the Walloons are fearfully opposing. For all the political intriguing, what is really at stake here is the deep desire for self-determination, identity and social affiliation. Belgium's laborious search for inner equilibrium is not rural folklore. It concerns all of Europe." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Integration, » Minorities, » Belgium, » Europe

According to the Estonian daily Postimees, the governmental crisis in Belgium presents major problems for the EU: "Belgium is the most decentralised country in the entire EU. The regions of Flanders and Wallonia have their own parliaments and their own governments, but in the past few years the language dispute has escalated rather than improved. It took more than 200 days to form a new government, and now that government has collapsed after just 100 days in power. In view of recent events in Belgium, does the West still believe that instable governments are confined to Eastern Europe? Will an OSCE mission now be dispatched to Belgium to look into possible human rights abuses? What is more, it is rather ironic that the paralysis of an EU member state can have the effect of blocking the entire Union because certain procedures require the participation and approval of all member states, and therefore the situation in Belgium also has consequences for us Estonians." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Public Culture, » Integration, » Minorities, » Belgium, » Europe

The daily La Repubblica sees the danger that Belgium in its current form could "disappear from the map of the EU. ... A francophone government is looming on the political horizon; there is talk of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Didier Reynders, the leader of the francophone Liberals, taking over. ... At the same time the domestic policy discussion has taken on a new quality, shifting from the current federal level at which the ruling parties negotiate the powers of the federal entities to a community level, at which the communities negotiate with each other directly. In view of the difficult economic situation and one of the highest inflation rates in the EU this could represent the last hope for preventing the disintegration of Belgium as a state." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Belgium, » Europe

Multicultural Belgium could set an example for Europe, writes the poet Benno Barnard in the national newspaper NRC Handelsblad: "Many people think that despite everything the end of Belgium would not be such a bad thing. But in thinking that way, they feed the largest monster of current European history. That monster is called ethnic nationalism, and it eats from the hand of the Vlaams Belang. ... Belgium has all the advantages of a multicultural state. Our country straddles the border between the Germanic and Romance worlds. Our location, our culture and our history make us true Europeans. ... Tensions are annoying, but they foster democracy. ... And I have still said nothing about my slightly romantic view of Belgium as a model for a possible United Europe. Such a Europe would certainly be somewhat sloppy, somewhat contradictory, a constant pain in the neck. But exactly that is the reality of a multicultural state. A large-scale version of Belgium, so to speak." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Belgium
All available articles from » Benno Barnard

Following the resignation of Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, the daily De Standaard examines possible solutions to the crisis: "It is now clearer than ever that the country called Belgium needs to be rebuilt; that we need new and comprehensive dialogue on the relations between the different communities and the relations between the federal government, the communities and the municipalities. ... The consultations which King Albert resumed yesterday can be successful only if the Court and all the members of state involved realise that this country needs to be transformed from an imbalanced federal model into a balanced and united confederation model. Otherwise, with or without Leterme, we will shatter against the boundaries of the present system. Redefining these boundaries is the best guarantee for a social, economical and ecological policy that is tailored to meet the needs of Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia - that is of all Belgians." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Belgium
All available articles from » Peter Vandermeersch

Poland's President Lech Kaczyński has agreed to ratify the EU Reform Treaty in a meeting with his French colleague Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. Television journalist Kamil Durczok nevertheless expresses annoyment at Sarkozy's dealings with Poland in a commentary for the Polish tabloid Fakt: "The mild tone of the communiqué after the meeting in Paris between the presidents of Poland and France has done little to assuage the negative impression left by Sarkozy over the last few days as he wagged his finger in accusation. ... The French politician made a bigger mistake than many think, because Poles were not the only ones to see this incriminating finger. People from all of the other smaller countries of the EU saw it as well. ... No small country appreciates being lectured to by larger, more powerful states. But when the lecturer is the president of a country that has just taken over the EU Council Presidency it is doubly hard to accept, and bodes ill for the coming six months." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » EU Constitution, » France, » Poland
All available articles from » Kamil Durczok

The registration of the fingerprints of the Roma minority in Italy has triggered a "tsunami of indignation", writes the Romanian daily Gandul, but adds that this resentment is uncalled for: "The Roma have nothing to fear because the registration in Italy is harmless compared to practices in other European states. In the UK illegal immigrants are forced to pay 'bail' for the privilege of not having to live in transit camps like cattle in a pen. Once they have paid they are 'free' but are forced to wear electronic bracelets that allow authorities to trace their every move. ... It is also interesting that the Italian measures are focussed more on gathering general data rather than collecting fingerprints - not only of the Romanian Roma but of all nomads living in Italy. Hence, as far as the Romanian Roma are concerned, the European Commission can accuse Italy neither of ethnic nor racial discrimination. ... The Roma have nothing to fear but nor have they cause for hope. In Romania the president, as well as the head of government and his cabinet, are clearly aware of the measures against the Roma. ... But none of them has lifted a finger to help them. ... On the contrary, public opinion on the Roma in Romania is that it is good 'that something is being done because now perhaps certain people will steal less'." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Migration, » Minorities, » United Kingdom, » Italy, » Europe, » Romania
All available articles from » Eliza Francu

The US and the EU are currently drawing up a data protection agreement that would legitimise the exchange of intimate personal information. The left-wing daily die tageszeitung writes that the planned agreement would be a "disaster in terms of data protection law". "The EU body of regulations ... contains a passage that allows the passing on of details on ethnic background, trade union membership, sex life and political convictions. Sadly, this is no joke. ... Advocates point out that since the attacks of September 11 the EU has been exchanging data with the US anyway - but without any regulations governing this exchange. This is an absurd argument. It is time to end this intolerable situation for in the fight on terror the US has long since transgressed the limits of what can be considered tolerable under the rule of law." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Europe, » U.S.
All available articles from » Reiner Metzger

The International Criminal Court in the Netherlands has issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir while at the same time the UN is withdrawing its troop of 200 Blue Helmets from the war-torn province of Darfur. This inconsistent approach only strengthens the position of al-Bashir and Sudan's protector, China, writes the daily Die Presse: "Darfur urgently needs each and every UN worker it has, if not for protection then at least to keep a record of the war crimes. ... This is undoubtedly crushing proof of powerlessness. ... Encouraged by its 'success', Sudan's protector China is banking on the UN withdrawing the Criminal Court's charges. ... However, if Bashir carries through on his threat to escalate the violence perhaps the Western states will soften their stance. It would be the last piece in the puzzle called 'The failure of the international community in Darfur'." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Africa, » Global
All available articles from » Helmar Dumbs

German sociologist Ulrich Beck comments in El País on the debate over re-introducing nuclear energy: "We are seeing the start of a real-life satire that is both comical and frightful, motivated by the idea that the environmental catastrophe and the oil crisis have disposed of the dangers of atomic energy. ... Those people who must guarantee security and rationality (the state, science and industry) are now in an ambivalent position. They are no longer supervisors, but suspects; no longer the administrators of risk, but responsible for its consequences. They are inviting the population to get into an aeroplane for which there is still no runway. ... What would happen if radioactivity caused itching? ... Explanations would quickly appear for how the itching ... is associated with other phenomena rather than radioactivity, and is not harmful anyway. It can be assumed that such explanations would not last long if people ... constantly had to scratch their irritated skin. In this way politics and society would have a wholly new relation to the major risks of the day. The subject of our disputes and negotiations would be culturally verifiable." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Health Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Energy, » Social movements, » Europe, » U.S., » Global
All available articles from » Ulrich Beck

The state of the world is miserable and the European heads of state and government are at a loss over what to do about it, writes author Miguel Sousa Tavares in the weekly newspaper Expresso: "The price of crude oil is twice as high as it was a year ago; food prices ... have risen by 30 percent; the interest rate ... is higher than ever; ... unemployment is increasing and despite all that immigrants from Africa are intent on trying their luck in Europe, forcing Brussels to adopt inhuman directives. Iran is testing missiles ... and NATO is involved in an interminable war in Afghanistan. ... The giants of the East (India and China) are rapidly developing and the world's resources cannot keep pace. ... Thousands of hectares in the Amazon are being converted to soya crops, and fertile land in Africa is being used to grow monocultures for biofuels. The EU does not know what to do about Turkey, immigrants, the EU Reform Treaty, Ireland and Poland, or about an African continent where a criminal like Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe continues to be treated like a statesman. ... The sole foreign policy decision that the EU Commission has made was to acknowledge the independence of Kosovo - a move they will regret. ... This is the state of the world. ... And a couple of photos from the G8 summit was all that was needed to see that never before have such an incompetent group of leaders had to find solutions for so many serious problems." (14/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » EU Policy, » EU Constitution, » Europe, » Global
All available articles from » Miguel Sousa Tavares

Spain's biggest real estate group Martinsa-Fadesa has filed for bankruptcy. The announcement has had a domino effect for construction and real estate companies on the stock markets. Some politicians have called for the state to intervene and offer state aid. The daily El Mundo opposes this: "Martina-Fadesa is the real estate group that holds the greatest area of built-up square metres in the country (28 million) and owns 170,000 living units currently under construction. ... Experts fear that Martinsa ... will be only the first of a long series to declare bankruptcy in this sector. ... One issue that needs to be analysed is the shady connection between real estate groups and financial institutes that provided great sums for companies with dubious solvency records. ... There is no justification for the government to rush to the financial aid of a sector that has proceeded with so little transparency." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Corporations, » Financial Markets, » Spain

In view of the menace of recession, the Irish economist David McWilliams wonders if it would not be better to leave the Eurozone: "If a Martian economist landed in Ireland he'd see straight away that Ireland is caught in a currency arrangement which will make our recession much deeper than necessary. This is an economic fact, not a political slogan. The euro is now part of the problem, not part of the solution. ... We find ourselves in the bizarre situation where we can't reflate our economy either by printing money or by borrowing. ... As a result, unemployment will rise to a much higher level and house prices will fall much further than necessary in the next few years. ... The only way Irish people straddled with huge mortgage debts (the legacy of our stupid binge) will be able to pay these off is with a bout of massive inflation. It sounds radical but this is the truth. ... When an economy is in a nosedive, it is the democratic responsibility of the elected government to do something about it. In bad times, ideas that seem extreme in 'normal' times are sometimes entertained." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Fiscal Policy, » Ireland, » Europe
All available articles from » David McWilliams

In Bulgaria there is growing concern that the preconditions for receiving farming subsidies were widely misunderstood and incorrectly fulfilled. It turns out that those applicants who received subsidies for several companies were breaking the rules. "In up to 30 percent of cases persons with shares in several different firms received multiple subsidies. If sanctions are imposed in such cases, all the major companies in the meat, fish and dairy processing industries would be affected. In the worst scenario the subsidies would have to be refunded. ... Brussels has good reason to take a critical view of the developments in Bulgaria. In the course of 14 audits Sofia was given recommendations that no one bothered to follow. If it had followed these recommendations subsidies to the tune of 125 million euros under the [EU special access] SAPARD programme would not have been frozen some time ago." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Agriculture, » Bulgaria
All available articles from » Ivan Michalev

The daily Gazeta Wyborcza reviews the "European Cultural Season" in France, to which artists from the other 26 EU states are invited. "The six months of the French EU Council presidency could mean a major change of course for European culture. A country that for years counted among the most influential cultural centres, that set trends, and that since André Malraux has always had outstanding culture ministers, now wants to return to its role as patron and supervisor of the other member states. With the 'Saison culturelle européene' ... France wants to show that it can still be a European leader. ... But the question remains whether these projects and exhibitions will really bring the artists of Europe closer together, whether they will help people understand the specific nature and needs of European art. ... Perhaps for the first time France must accept that it should not only talk, judge and counsel, but that increasingly often it should also listen." (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Exhibitions / Museums, » Film, » Literature, » Music, » Stage, » Cultural Policy, » France, » Europe
All available articles from » Joanna Derkaczew

The title page of the New Yorker magazine featuring a cartoon that depicts the democratic US presidential candidate Barack Obama as a Muslim extremist has caused uproar in the US media. The scandal prompts the daily Delo to examine the role of the media today. "It is a sad fact for the moribund journalistic profession that nowadays only satire addresses the truly serious problems in society that the so-called serious media - which these days are nothing more than advertisers for the special interests of their owners - no longer report on. ... Instead of making this carefully fabricated prejudice the main theme in the media ... everyone is attacking the magazine that dared to depict this stereotype. ... But since the advisers around Obama, who is represented as the candidate for change ... condemned the New Yorker's title page, the neutral observers of America's election campaign fever are asking: where are all these [purported] changes?" (16/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Print media, » Online media, » Media policy, » U.S.
All available articles from » Boris Cibej