With an eye to France's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the newspaper takes a closer look at the ambitious character of French President Nicolas Sarkozy: "Sarkozy wants to be a leader of European stature. To this end the EU Council Presidency must be the crowning touch. But people in Europe have been awaiting the arrival of such an ambitious president with some trepidation for months now. ... To calm the critics, France is casting itself as the classic president, promising to be modest, to do its best to listen and to be neutral and balanced in its approach. A classic list of priorities was established. ... But since then Sarkozy has proven himself a lone wolf. He is considered an outsider, a maverick who wants to have the final say on everything. ... And all this has damaged his position." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » France, » Europe
All available articles from » Petra de Koning, » Rene Moerland

Simone Veil, former President of the European Parliament, describes her enthusiasm for the upcoming French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. "I look to Europe with optimism. ... In an insecure world it is an exceptional place of stability and true prosperity. ... This presidency will open new perspectives for European construction. By that I mean possibilities for a common course of action that respects our separate identities. We should not fear new fields of action on a European level, for they will only enhance our strength." (09/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » France, » Europe
All available articles from » Simone Veil

Martin Winter stresses the significance of German-French relations for the French EU Council Presidency. "Sarkozy does not face an easy task. But just as France put its weight behind Germany's efforts as EU Council President, Berlin will now support Paris. For all the disagreement between the two countries, neither can afford to see a weak EU. Neither can they wait for others to spur on the Union. Among the larger countries, London plays the role of an outsider, while Madrid and Rome are weakened by domestic political problems. And Poland is not ready by a long shot. ... France and Germany bear special leadership responsibility for the EU. Not only because they initiated the unification process and are economically powerful, but also because such a large community needs a powerful flywheel." (09/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Germany, » France, » Europe
All available articles from » Martin Winter

The business paper Hospodarske Noviny takes a sceptical view of Franco-German relations in the context of France's EU presidency: "Although both countries are traditional European allies, their relationship is not particularly harmonious. Merkel has promised to give the French presidency her full support, but there are tensions in the background. ... Merkel is sabotaging some of Sarkozy's projects, like the Mediterranean Union. And for its part Paris is trying to strengthen ties with Central and Eastern Europe, where Germany in particular is pursuing its own economic and political interests." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Germany, » France, » Europe
All available articles from » Adam Černý

A year after the parliamentary elections in Belgium, the country's citizens are losing their faith in the country. De Standaard reports that according to a recent poll, one in two Flemish citizens believes the country cannot go on in its present state. "This Belgium can no longer function. The total political stalemate has only been partially covered - first by the interim government Verhofstadt III and now by the pro forma government Leterme I. ... But the reality is inescapable: the federation is in the midst of a profound crisis - so profound that its continuity can no longer be guaranteed, as unreal as a post-Belgian scenario may seem to many now. ... We are heading fast towards the choice between a 'pseudo-Belgium' and a 'post-Belgium'. ... In a year, at most, the current political blockade will lead to early elections and a deepening of the rift." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Belgium
All available articles from » Bart Sturtewagen

US President George W. Bush has begun his last trip to Europe with a visit to Slovenia, which currently holds the EU presidency. "It will be a long farewell tour for Bush, but Europe's leaders will shed no tears," the liberal daily concludes. "Nonetheless, he will receive a warm welcome in Berlin, Rome, London and Paris. Relations between these countries and the US have improved since the start of the Iraq war. That this time hundreds of thousands will not take to the streets to protest against Bush does not mean that they have forgiven him. They simply no longer see him as particularly powerful. ... Everyone is just waiting to see what happens when his successor takes his place in the White House, regardless of whether that person's name is McCain or Obama." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Slovenia, » Europe, » U.S.
All available articles from » Kamil Struha

Frédéric Koller looks into the reasons for the rise of terrorism in Algeria in the wake of a series of bomb attacks. "A deadly climate has taken over Algeria in the form of a wave of terror attacks, social tension and an information war within the state apparatus. .. What is going on there? The Algerian newspaper El Watan speaks of 'a psychosis fed by rumours of bomb attacks in various parts of the capital'. In fact the number of terrorist attacks has risen drastically in recent days, as several events opened to attract foreign investors and tourists. ... According to Western intelligence sources, the Al Qaida terrorist network has been able to gain a strong foothold throughout North Africa. ... Here it is not the chaos of a war or the deployment of foreign troops which favour the spread of terrorism. Rather it is the powerlessness of the state to redistribute oil proceeds, heal the wounds of the past and offer perspectives for the future." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » North Africa
All available articles from » Frédéric Koller

The hundredth British soldier has died in Afghanistan. Former British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind reflects on the ongoing war in the country: "In broad terms, the American-led intervention in Afghanistan has succeeded in its primary purpose. Al-Qa'eda has been driven out of most of Afghanistan, its organisation has been decimated and its leaders driven to desolate frontier areas on the border with Pakistan. ... This must be the main test of the success or failure of Nato's efforts. ... A prime objective of British and American, as well as Afghan, policy must be to split the Taliban and encourage its more moderate and realistic elements to work for a political solution that would be acceptable to Afghans as a whole. ... The Taliban would be much more likely to split if they could see Nato unite. The French, the Germans and other European states must work with their American and British colleagues to agree a sharing of responsibility that removes the impression that their commitment is qualified and half-hearted." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Asia, » Europe, » U.S.
All available articles from » Malcolm Rifkind

In the debate about Islam and integration the newspaper publishes a commentary by a highly-qualified Dutch Muslim who is not named for security reasons: "We demand that non-Muslims respect our beliefs, fulfil our cultural requirements and give us financial support. But what do we give them without them having asked for it? ... Why do we behave so disrespectfully in the Netherlands, why do we ignore the rules of society and codes of conduct and commit acts of senseless violence while we use their medical facilities, demand the attention of their teachers and social workers, complain incessantly and believe that others should take us into account? We Muslims must finally put aside our egoism and arrogance, our hypocrisy and ignorance. Otherwise we should return to our Muslim countries to leave non-Muslims in peace and free ourselves of the hatred of Muslims that we ourselves perpetuate." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Religion, » Integration, » Netherlands

For the Romanian daily the plastic windows of the brand "Thermopane" are a symbol of the spirit of the times in Romania: "Here in Romania Thermopane windows have become a symbol of the transition to capitalism, a sign of prosperity and westernisation. They are the panacea for civilisation: if you have Thermopane windows it means you exist, you are one of us, you understand how things work. ... Together with the Ceausescu-era apartment buildings, the new A-class office buildings and the majestic villas that have been given back to the new capitalists, Thermopane defines a chapter in Romanian history. A couple of years from now we will no longer talk of the Iliescu regime or the Constantinescu government or the Basescu era but go beyond party lines and politics to talk of the 'Thermopane era'. Ultimately Thermopane is a binding element in a period of transition that is marked by social change, political struggle and poor administration of political and cultural pluralism. From Hungary to Rome, from the employees of multinationals to the Securitate pensioners - all our different identities melt into one in the face of this technical innovation, which here in Romania has attained a strong cultural component and a complex social application." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Architecture / Cities, » Public Culture, » Romania
All available articles from » Mircea Vasilescu

The EU ministers for economic affairs are currently negotiating the question of whether to raise the maximum number of weekly working hours from 48 to 65. Spain's socialist government has adopted a negative stance. The conservative daily La Razón comments: "In times of economic recession it seems only logical to revise the rules in favour of more flexibility. The goal is not to make employees work longer hours but to extend the upper limits [for working hours] in order to avoid the kind of situation that arises for example with doctors on call. Because the non-active hours are included as working hours, they force up a company's costs - whether state-owned or private - enormously." (10/06/2008)

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

The salaries of Europe's managers are extraordinarily high in comparison with the pay received by its workers, writes Irini Chrisolora. "The extremes of capitalism have triggered off a shock in European political systems, where the social dimension has always played a strong role. Several European states have introduced legislation to restore order. ... It is a fact that the global economy has become less egalitarian in the past decade. Profits have risen disproportionately over wages. So Europe is right to react, even if the inequalities in its countries are smaller than in other parts of the world." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Corporations, » Europe, » Global
All available articles from » Irini Chrisolora

The business paper Les Echos describes how Latin America is escaping the impact of the current financial crisis: "Despite the storm caused by the sub-prime mortgage crisis, Latin America is doing well. Has the old maxim according to which 'when the United States sneezes Latin America catches a cold' lost its validity? ... China and India's energy requirements and the soaring oil and gas prices are like a gift from heaven for exporting countries like Venezuela, Mexico, Bolivia and Ecuador. Beijing has become the biggest importer of Brazilian and Argentine products like soy, and copper from Chile and Peru - an unanticipated partner who is filling up the currency reserve coffers of numerous countries." (09/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Energy, » Trade, » Financial Markets, » Latin Amerika, » U.S.
All available articles from » Jacques Hubert-Rodier

"In contrast to industrial society, today's economy relies on people being creative and not simply (re)producing," writes former Danish Minister for Culture Elsebeth Gerner Nielsen. "We must understand that culture is not simply for pleasure but something very serious. ... In future we must live from our imagination, our powers of creativity and our inventiveness," she argues, adding that this is why it is no longer enough to simply teach our children to read and write. These new requirements "are important for education. Everything will revolve around limits, ... tolerance and internalisation, ... professional challenges. ... This places high demands on courses of training, most of which currently focus on optimising basic skills. ... Naturally it is important that people can read, write and calculate, but if the coming generations of Danes can do nothing more they will compete on a market where the hourly wage is 2.5 euros." (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Cultural Policy, » Denmark
All available articles from » Elsebeth Gerner Nielsen

In an article entitled "Beholden to our origins", Zsolt Bayer reflects on the two goals scored by Lukas Podolski, a German player of Polish origin, in the Euro 2008 game pitting Germany against Poland: "His team mates ran up and hugged him, but he remained unmoved. No joy, just a numb stare. And as he ran back to his own half after scoring, he buried his face in his hands. ... This gesture, Podolski's burying his face in his hands and his silence, is an answer - yes, an answer to all the dreams, nightmares and stupidities expressed in the name of 'globalism', 'multiculturalism', 'internationalism' and 'transnationalism'. ... Podolski's reaction is the future. Every normal person can understand, feel, and even experience his muteness last Sunday. Only the Western media want to make us believe that such feelings are embarrassing remnants of the past. But Podolski's silence has already found its way deep into our hearts. That is fitting and reassuring. ... We are beholden to our origins. (God, how good it feels to have written that!)" (10/06/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Migration, » Integration, » Minorities, » Sport, » Germany, » Poland
All available articles from » Zsolt Bayer