Main focus of Thursday, August 19, 2010

France deports the first group of Roma

The French government is flying 79 Roma to Romania today, Thursday. By the end of August roughly 700 people are to be deported to their countries of origin. The deportation of the Roma diverts attention from France's integration deficit and serves primarily the interests of President Nicolas Sarkozy, writes Europe's press.

La Repubblica - Italy

The deportation of Roma will help French President Nicolas Sarkozy's campaign for re-election in 2012, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "It all began in July with riots between police and the Sinti community in Saint-Aignan. The government declared war on the Roma and began controls in the camps. But what looked like just a pretext is part of a long-term strategy. Shortly afterwards, prompted this time by unrest in Grenoble, Sarkozy talked about the possibility of depriving French citizens of foreign origin of their citizenship if they have committed criminal offences. The president is determined to put the subject of security at the centre of the political debate. ... He doesn't need to react to criticism. The opinion polls are on his side. He is convinced that in this way he can mobilise right-wing voters in time for the 2012 elections." (19/08/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Minorities, » France
All available articles from » Anais Ginori

Diário de Notícias - Portugal

France's president Nicolas Sarkozy is capitalising on the deportation of the Roma, writes the daily Diário de Notícias: "Paris is justifying its decision with the temporary regulation which has been in force since 2007: The Roma can remain for only three months in France - unless they can present an employment contract and residency permit. And it fends off the sideswipes of the EU Commission by pointing out that a state is entitled to restrict freedom of movement if the security and health of its citizens are in danger. ... As inflexible as ever on security matters, he and his government have been heavily criticised because they associate the rising crime rate with immigration. But 79 percent of French welcome the breaking up of the camps - and that's all that really matters to the head of state. With this decision he can win back his popularity - and at the same time divert attention from his involvement in the L'Oréal affair." (19/08/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Integration, » Minorities, » France, » Europe, » Romania, » Bulgaria

De Standaard - Belgium

The condemnation of the expulsion of Roma from France is justified, writes the daily De Standaard: "Are there no problems with the Roma Gypsies in France? Of course there are. ... But the criticism is mainly directed against the lack of coherence in Sarkozy's security policy, which foresees the axing of 3,500 police jobs next year, the lack of structural measures to better integrate the Gypsies into the municipal system and at a populism which has no qualms about collectively stigmatising an entire ethnic group. ... Perhaps Sarkozy should let Rudolf Sarközi, the chairman of the Austrian Romani Association, advise him. 'We had a situation that was similarly precarious to that in France', he said. But the situation has improved because the Gypsies were allocated areas where they could 'live dignified lives' and because money was invested in the education of their young." (19/08/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » Integration, » Minorities, » France
All available articles from » Bart Beirlant

Novinar - Bulgaria

The Bulgarian daily Novinar adopts a harsh tone in the debate about the deportation of Roma from France. The newspaper accuses European politicians of applying double standards as regards the Roma and recalls Bulgaria's failed attempt to tear down a Roma settlement in the middle of Sofia: "The daily Novinar writes that European politicians have double standards when it comes to the Roma, and recalls Bulgaria's attempt to tear down a Roma district in the centre of Sofia which failed due to pressure from the EU: "Four years ago the mayor at the time, Boyko Borisov, tried to rid our city of this eyesore and drive away the troublemakers who on top of it all were keeping horses and pigs in their houses and befouling the neighbouring district with an unbearable stench. Who should turn up right away but the Green MEP Elly de Groen, who subjected our politicians to such pressure that they put their tails between their legs and left the stinking cesspool standing in the middle of this European capital. Why isn't she now protesting in Paris and presenting Sarkozy and his colleagues with an ultimatum?" (18/08/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Integration, » Minorities, » Europe, » Bulgaria
All available articles from » Adelina Deliyska

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