After the narrow election victory of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in Romania, the daily Evenimentul Zilei comments on the difficult coalition negotiations: "A government in which the PNL [National Liberal Party] and the PD-L [Democratic Liberal Party] keep a close eye on each other will be better able to manage European funds and the tenders for future infrastructural projects. In truth politicians couldn't care less about ideological or programmatic compatibility. The PNL will most probably form a coalition with the partner who has the most to offer - posts in the next executive, prefects, directorships of national administrative bodies. The Liberals will also demand a guarantee that they - in the event that they don't win the office of prime minister - can't be removed from the structures of power." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Romania
All available articles from » Mircea Marian

For the first time Romania held elections according to a new system that combines direct and proportional representation. Adevarul newspaper comments: "A mini revolution! A soundless revolution, like a weapon with a silencer aimed at eradicating at least some of the failings of our politics, and in the long term even reforming them. The short-term results, although less than spectacular, are nothing to be ashamed of. At first glance it seems several indestructible figureheads who didn't want to run in direct elections, including veterans like Ion Iliescu and Nicolae Văcăroiu, are out of parliament. After the elections the major defeats became apparent. Politicians who had hitherto felt unassailable on party lists ... are now trembling with fear that they won't gain a seat in the new parliament. Some have been well and truly disgraced. ... And the direct elections have another positive effect: only direct confrontation with voters has convinced the party overlords that they must open their doors ... to a new generation of politicians." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Romania
All available articles from » Grigore Cartianu

The ultra-right and anti-Hungarian political camps have failed miserably in the elections, the left-liberal daily Népszabadság writes. "A carefree Romania whose citizens are more or less content with the current economic and political situation went to the ballot. Perhaps they have never before had so little cause for dissatisfaction. ... But what is more important from the Hungarian perspective: The radical parties failed miserably in the elections - along with their despicable anti-Hungarian sentiment. What was particularly striking about the election campaign was the lack of any trace of anti-Hungarian rhetoric. ... On the one hand this is positive for the Hungarian minority living in Romania. But on the other it also means that the problems of the Hungarian minority are not on the agenda of the political forces in Bucharest." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Romania
All available articles from » Tibor Kis

"The interesting thing about the parliamentary elections is not the percentages attained by the parties, but voter turnout", writes the Süddeutsche Zeitng. "Only 39.26 percent of those eligible to vote actually cast their ballot, the lowest turnout since the overthrow of the communist dictator Ceausescu 19 years ago. This means that almost two thirds of all citizens are so annoyed with the new system that they refuse to make use of their most elementary democratic right. It would be hard for voters to give their politicians a worse show of confidence. ... Unfortunately this was only to be expected after the horror story that the political class has played out for us over the past years." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Romania

Czech President Václav Klaus, currently honorary chairman of the liberal-conservative ruling ODS party, has indicated that he may resign from the party and found his own anti-EU party in the event that Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek is re-elected at the party congress. The conservative daily Lidové noviny analyses Klaus's intentions: "The Czech EU Council presidency which begins in January is like a red rag for Klaus. Head of government Mirek Topolánek will chair two EU summits, his ministers dozens of special meetings. The attention of Europe and the world will be focused on them. Klaus is worried that this will bolster Topolánek and his government. This would complicate his own return to the top seat in the ODS. If the government falls, Klaus would suddenly be in the limelight once more. ... So this is not about (Klaus's calls for) the party to return to its roots, it is simply the targeted manipulation of power." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Czech Republic, » Europe
All available articles from » Michal Klíma

US President elect Barack Obama has completed his cabinet. The daily newspaper Večer predicts that the first cracks in relations between Obama and new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may soon become apparent. "The former first lady will become the third female chief US diplomat within a relatively short period of time. But this does not mean that US foreign policy is becoming 'effeminate'. On the contrary. ... Clinton has made no bones about the fact that she wants a 'tough' line on the Middle East issue; tougher than Obama wants. ... Less, however, is known about Clinton's views on relations with Russia, China or the EU. But the real question is who will be wearing the trousers when it comes to US foreign policy. Will it be Hillary Clinton or - what would come as no surprise - the new vice president Joe Biden who has a reputation as an excellent diplomat? In less than a year we will see to what extent Hillary Clinton is able to prevail." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Europe, » U.S.
All available articles from » Vojislav Bercko

Today, Tuesday, the First Chamber of the Dutch parliament will decide whether the country is to have a constitutional court. The Dutch daily De Volkskrant argues that although citizens currently have the option of appealing to European courts, a national constitutional court is necessary. "Isn't it strange that Dutch judges are allowed to examine laws on the basis of international agreements but not on the basis of their own constitution? The advocates are right. The Netherlands is the only EU state in which judges lack the possibility to assess the constitutionality of laws. This is no proof of the need to make this possible, but one must bear in mind that almost every year the Netherlands is reprimanded by the court in Strasbourg. An assessment in accord with the constitution can improve the quality of the laws and reduce the incidence of arbitrary legislation. ... And what's more: This could finally breathe life into our constitution." (02/12/2008)

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

The Spanish judiciary is currently investigating the extent to which Spain's former government participated in the arrest and transfer of war prisoners to Guantánamo by the CIA. El País newspaper comments on the most recent findings: "It is not enough to say that the government under [former Prime Minister] José María Aznar knew about the existence of secret and illegal flights and their destination, the legally questionable prison at Guantánamo. The machinery of the Spanish administration was put at the service of the Bush government to facilitate [the flights] and conceal proof of [the prisoners'] transit through Spain. Senior staff at the foreign and defence ministries were involved in the operation, as were advisors to the prime minister. They noted down on paper how they reacted immediately to a request from Washington, making them accomplices to one of the biggest disgraces of our time." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Spain, » Latin Amerika, » U.S.

The introduction of a "trainee law" is being investigated in Germany. Trainees and apprentices, writes Der Tagesspiegel, "work in the most varied firms and companies. Their goal is to learn and to gain practical experience - and yet often they are simply taken advantage of as cheap labour". Companies have nevertheless come around, the paper comments, and want to rid themselves of their reputation as exploiters. "Perhaps [the legal iniative] leaves them no other choice. ... How such a legal reform would actually look is currently being negotiated by the ministries of Labour and Education." (02/12/2008)

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All available articles from » Cordula Eubel, » Katja Reimann

The recent decision of a Spanish court to ban the Crucifix from a state school has triggered intense and polemical reactions. Adriano Sofri, a former militant member of the left-wing extremist group Lotta Continua in Italy, examines why the Crucifix has repeatedly been a source of controversy. "The Crucifix's inexhaustible potential for creating scandal derives from its ability to transform from a symbol of shame into a symbol of dignity and even triumph for those who believe in the resurrection. The Christian revolution is a true revolution: the revolution of the Jew Jesus, the fulfiller of Isaiah's prophecy. ... The wondrous alternation of bliss and menace. Happiness for the poor and woe for the rich. ... The entire lesson of the Crucifix consists in this reversal. And so it comes to pass that he who was sentenced to death becomes the right hand of the Holy Father and judges over the living. Nowadays it would suffice for this reversal to be played out at the exit of a supermarket to create a scandal. In times when the rich have become richer, the Crucifix is considered more offensive than ever. The Crucifix is not a symbol of resignation, of denial of the self and much less of power or vanity. It is a symbol of resistance and freedom and the struggle for justice, and also of the price of martyrdom." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Religion, » Weltanschauung, » Global
All available articles from » Adriano Sofri

In an essay for the liberal daily Sme, political scientist Daniel Šmihula rebuffs European claims that as US president Barack Obama will introduce "a more pacifist phase in international relations". For Šmihul, Obama may paradoxically "put even more security demands on America's European allies than George W. Bush. Europeans will have to shoulder a greater part of American foreign and security commitments. Regardless of who is in power in the US, however, Europeans must realise that they have to do more for the defence of the West. That is the unavoidable consequence of the fact that America is losing power to China, Russland and some Islamic states. Until now Europeans have lived under a sort of security cheese cover which has removed any direct sense of threat. For this reason they do not see the need to raise their military expenditures or heighten their military presence in crisis regions, especially as such moves are extremely unpopular at present. But Europeans must understand that the best security defence consists in forward-looking prevention and intervention against threats, provided these are still far enough away from home. Military, technological and economic predominance is indispensable for the survival of Western democracy." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Europe, » U.S.
All available articles from » Daniel Šmihula

The crisis at Swedish car makers Volvo and Saab, both of which belong to US companies, is escalating. On Monday it became known that new registrations were down by over a third in comparison with the previous year. At the same time it was confirmed that Ford is in the process of selling Volvo. The Stockholm tabloid Aftonbladet writes that the state must now intervene: "All over the world governments are involved in restructuring the automotive industry. It is easy to understand why. The car sector is the backbone of industry in many countries. The Swedish car industry and its suppliers employ at least 130,000 people. Yet the Swedish government is showing no interest in the events unfolding at Volvo and Saab. Last weekend Prime Minister [Fredrik] Reinfeldt announced that it was up to the market 'to solve the problems'. A very surprising commentary on events in Washington, Paris and Berlin." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Economic Policy, » Sweden

The euro-sceptic newspaper The Daily Telegraph comments on the statement by EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso that "The people who matter in Britain" think the country should adopt the euro: "There speaks the authentic voice of the euro elite. ... The Barroso theory is also supported by the tumbling value of sterling against the euro - down by close to 15 per cent since the start of the year. At this rate of descent, the two currencies will align around March 2010, the eve of the general election. Could this prompt a fresh attempt to join the eurozone? Unfortunately for single currency supporters, there is a fly in the ointment. Under the Maastricht convergence criteria, successful applicants should have a debt/GDP ratio not exceeding 60 per cent. The Treasury admits the ratio is heading towards 57 per cent, but that excludes PFI projects, pension liabilities and the bail-out of the banks. Add in those and our debt ratio is already double the limit." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Financial Markets, » United Kingdom, » Europe

The conservative newspaper Rzeczpospolita takes a critical view of the "Museum of Europe" planned in Brussels at the request of the European Parliament, arguing that the project omits such events as the Polish-Soviet War of 1920 and the Round Table at which the Polish negotiated the end of Communism in 1998/1989: "These ommissions are very sorely felt by Poland. We should strive to have all of these events represented in the museum's exhibits. ... The project's supporters will say that someone will always feel that some European event is missing. However the problem lies elsewhere, beyond individual historical events. The perspective of this project ... strongly reflects Western Europe, in particular the events that were of key importance for Germany and France." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Exhibitions / Museums, » Poland
All available articles from » Piotr Semka

The daily Le Monde criticises Nicolas Sarkozy's reform plans for public broadcasters: "In a month's time, if the reform currently under discussion in parliament is adopted, public broadcasters will come under the control of the executive - and above all the control of its chief responsible person, Nicolas Sarkozy. ... Firstly, the Council of Ministers will appoint the bosses of France Télévision und Radio France and also dismiss them. ... Secondly the channels will be entirely under the direct control of the state budget. This will be achieved by getting rid of advertising and what is already one of Europe's lowest TV license fees. Hastily patched together, this reform is a bad idea: It will lead to tight control of public broadcasters, and also strengthen the private broadcasters whose bosses, as everyone knows, are close friends of the president." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Audiovisual Media, » Media policy, » France

France is planning an advertising ban after 8 pm starting 2009, and commercial-free public television starting 2011. The daily Latvijas Avize finds the idea exemplary: "Even if the way President Nicolas Sarkozy implements his ideas is not to everyone's liking, hardly anyone will question the need for a change of direction. In Europe the conviction is growing that it is a negative development for such central institutions as public television to be subject to the logic of the market and for them to wind up dependent on soap ads. You might just as well have national central banks compete with commercial banks, or have the police compete with private security firms. Of course there is no ideal model, but the risk of manipulation decreases as we viewers become aware of the dangers." (02/12/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Cultural Policy, » Audiovisual Media, » Media policy, » France, » Latvia
All available articles from » Uldis Šmits