The Times finds the result of the trial aimed at banning the ruling Turkish Justice and Development Party, or AKP, "a notable victory for a popular and capable government, an important judgment on the role of Islam in a modern, secular state and a triumph for Turkish democracy. ... The ruling ends months of uncertainty. Reaction was swift. The stock exchange rose sharply, and the currency gained 2 per cent. ... The European Union expressed relief that the threatened closure, seen as anti-democratic, had been averted and that Turkish negotiations on EU accession would not therefore be affected. Only the powerful and surly military establishment, long seen as the driving force in the attempt to oust AK from power, remained ominously silent. ... The outcome, however, is hugely important in calming the febrile political atmosphere, reassuring outside investors and underlining the democratic principle in Turkey. Its implications go far wider. It will show moderate Islamists in other countries that Islam is compatible with democracy, and that they should and can work within a secular legal framework to achieve their spiritual ends. That is a message of vital and beneficial significance across the Muslim world. (31/07/2008)

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

The daily Die Presse welcomes the decision by Turkey's constitutional court not to ban the AKP party: "It was a close decision, but also the right one. Following the ruling, Turkey's ruling party the AKP is now free to continue its balancing act between Islam and Western reform. The judges have not blocked the loophole for the emergence of a modern Turkey. ... It is to be hoped that in the future Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ... will desist from any attempt to strengthen religion. Turkey can only be successful if it maintains its secular outlook. But if the judges had banned the AKP, the country would have been plunged into a crisis - a crisis whose outcome would have been unforeseeable. Such a ban would have led to the radicalisation of the [country's] politics. It would have strengthened the dubious military and all the backward-looking nationalist forces along with it. And this would have cast Islam in the role of the martyr." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Religion, » Turkey
All available articles from » Wolfgang Böhm

After the decision by the Turkish constitutional court, the Frankfurter Rundschau calls on Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan to change his policy. "The Turkish prime minister knows he cannot simply return to politics as usual. And that counts doubly for his religious agenda. This received practically his undivided attention last year after his triumphant reelection in July 2007 apparently went to his head. ... Erdoğan never took seriously the fears of many Western-oriented Turks of a growing Islamicisation of the country, despite all his assertions that he wanted to be the 'prime minister of all Turks'. He still does not know how to listen to his critics or include them in his plans. The Turkish prime minister should get back to reversing the considerable democratic deficit in his country instead of acting solely in the interests of devout Muslims. Religious freedoms and civil rights must be guaranteed for all Turks, including Christians and Kurds. Otherwise the country's European prospects will come to nothing." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Religion, » Integration, » Minorities, » Turkey
All available articles from » Gerd Höhler

In the wake of the judgement by the Turkish constitutional court, the daily La Repubblica writes that the Turkish government has a lot of work to do. Despite the positive side of the judgement, "which dispels the climate of uncertainty, Erdoğan is clear that Turkey has lost precious time, above all concerning the attempt to enter the EU which it started in 2005. The reaction of the leaders in Brussels is positive, and the judgement will allow Ankara to maintain its course. Eight of the 35 chapters necessary for entering the EU are already on the negotiating table, and France wants to include two more before the end of its presidency. Turkey is breathing a sigh of relief." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Europe, » Turkey
All available articles from » Marco Ansaldo

The presumed war criminal Radovan Karadžić has been handed over to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague. The newspaper Der Standard comments that to avoid losing credibility, the Hague Tribunal needs substantive evidence against Karadžić in the upcoming trial. "Right after Karadžić was handed over, voices rang out across Europe that finally justice would be done for the vicitims of Srebrenica. But should the tribunal be the highest authority in this matter? Only if Karadžić is tried on the basis of solid evidence will this judgement have a conciliatory effect on the enemy peoples of Bosnia. And in this case the prosecution will have to surpass itself. In the trial against Milošević it attemted to deal with all the wars in the former Yugoslavia - until the ex-president died. In the trial against the radical leader Vojislav Šešelj, the prosecution makes a fool of itself on a daily basis with weak witnesses and paltry evidence. In Karadžić's case this cannot be allowed to happen. Otherwise rather than having a healing effect, the trial will only cause ill-feeling." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Crime and Law, » Global, » Serbia
All available articles from » Andrej Ivanji

In an article published in The Guardian on Tuesday British Foreign Secretary David Miliband called on the crisis-ridden Labour Party to institute a radical change in policy. According to the daily Diário de Notícias, Miliband's opinion piece further undermines the authority of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown: "In almost a thousand words young Miliband does not mention the name Gordon Brown even once and nor does he criticise him. But he writes that the reform of the UK's national health system is long overdue and that the state should give more power to the people. The opposition had already criticised the prime minister for the same things. ... In view of the current leadership crisis in the Labour Party Miliband's conduct can only be interpreted as a bid for the top post in a race that is becoming increasingly likely and in which the number of candidates is growing. ... September will be a decisive month. Either Brown manages to reform the government ... or he leaves it to others to lead the party and government and tries to save what can be saved." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » United Kingdom
All available articles from » Manuel Queiroz

Czech President Václav Klaus has advised the divided Belgians that if need be they should separate in the same way the Czechs and the Slovaks did. The liberal weekly Týždeň does not approve of the idea: "Time has shown that the divorce did neither the Czechs nor the Slovaks any good. The liberal economic miracle many had expected because Prague no longer had to support the Slovaks financially did not materialise in the Czech Republic. If you compare the economic results the Slovaks did considerably better than the Czechs. But the Slovaks suffered under Mečiarism (the period under the government of autocratic Prime Minister Vladimir Mečiar), and under the Ficoist government (of current Prime Minister Robert Fico) they are experiencing only a somewhat more civilised combination of provinciality, nationalism and communist views. Without Czechoslovakia the Czechs and Slovaks lost their political clout and dwindled into insignificance." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Domestic Policy, » Czech Republic, » Slovakia, » Belgium
All available articles from » Luboš Palata

Following Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's announcement of resignation amidst allegations of corruption, the daily La Repubblica describes the problems facing the country once he leaves office: "Aside from the personal fate of the prime minister, which is now in the hands of the judges, there is also the danger that the negotiations with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) could be put on ice and that the likelihood of an attack against Iran will increase. It is no coincidence that one of the potential successors, Shaul Mofaz, one of the hawks of the [ruling] Kadima Party, immediately declared he would block any hypothesis of an agreement with the Palestinians. Mofaz also takes a critical view of the ceasefire with Hamas. The election of current Foreign Minister Tizpi Livni, on the other hand, could lead to the formation of a majority government made up of the Labor Party and Likud. This is a solution that comes up in Israel every time internal instability or armed conflict threaten the political system. Both Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu, the so-called Russian party, have been calling for a tougher stance on Ramallah and Gaza as well as Teheran. Much depends ... on the results of the primary elections and the decisions of the Labor Party." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Middle East, » Israel
All available articles from » Renzo Guolo

In a commentary in the daily Helsingin Sanomat, Finnish Justice Minister Tuija Brax voices concern over the increasing lack of tolerance shown to homosexuals and other minorities in Europe. "Crimes committed out of hate seem to be very much on the rise in Europe. This is no coincidence but the result of many growing influences, be they religious, racist or extremist. ... Too many people live in fear of being attacked because of their skin colour, their religious beliefs or their sexual preferences. ... Many countries lack basic protection from crimes of hate - especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Homophobia is even used as a weapon in domestic politics. ... There is increasing cause for concern ... that sufficient heed is not being paid to homophobic offences across Europe. ... Discrimination and intolerance are not only a challenge for national authorities, ... but also [for institutions] at a European level. ... Politicians must not tolerate homophobia in silence. ... No country in Europe offers sufficient protection from crimes of hate. Even in Finland and Sweden, the country of Europride, there is room for improvement. It will be a long time ... before minorities ... dare to report on crimes committed against them and demand that their rights be defended." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Minorities, » Crime and Law, » Finland, » Europe
All available articles from » Tuija Brax

In an essay for the monthly magazine Prospect, Richard Reeves, director of the think tank Demos, reflects on "good character", a topic that is gaining significance in British politics: "Thinkers and politicians across the political spectrum are now trying to revive 'character-talk'. ... Character is made, not born. ... The political right used to argue that poverty is caused by weakness of character; the left is now realising it may be the other way around. ... Character is an old idea with contemporary relevance. A considerable number of pressing social problems—obesity, welfare reform, pensions, public disorder, educational failure, social immobility—are all, in part, questions of character. It is a treacherous political terrain, but one in which governments are increasingly entangled. Anyone who is interested in creating a successful liberal society is interested in character too, whether they admit it or not. Good societies need good people." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » United Kingdom
All available articles from » Richard Reeves

Following the collapse of the Doha round talks, the Spanish daily El País predicts the beginning of a "new class struggle" in global trade: "The good [times of] globalisation have come to an end. Gone are the good days when multilateral treaties pulled down trade barriers. The pessimists are painting a gloomy picture of a return to protectionism and trade blocks. The failure of the Doha round ... is a bad sign in times of an unstable economy. And when harsh winds blow even liberalists prefer to protect their sheep through state intervention. Next year only an election surprise in Washington could bring about a change in mood that would bring the Doha talks out of the current impasse. The surprise would not be that Obama becomes president but that he does not ... turn out to be a protectionist." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Trade, » Economic Policy, » Global
All available articles from » Lluís Bassets

The investment bank Goldman Sachs has predicted that by 2050 China will be the world's most powerful economy: "We need calm heads to see what is really exciting about China's economic miracle. ... China can surpass the rates of growth seen in the developed world not because it is an economic leader but precisely because it is not an economic leader. China and other emerging economies are in the early stages of a history-making 'catch-up' with the developed world. It is the 'catch-up' effect that is providing such high rates of economic growth. ... The West's fear and awe of China's rapid economic growth should not become yet another unnecessary problem that confronts China in its attempt to emerge as a modern economy. Instead, should we not celebrate China's continued rapid growth?" (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Corporations, » Economic Policy, » Global, » China
All available articles from » Stuart Simpson

In the year 1951 the US radio station Radio Free Europe started broadcasting in Romania. During the Ceausescu era the station was regarded as public enemy number one by the state. Tomorrow the station's Romanian service will close down. For Emil Hurezeanu who in the 1980s worked with the Romanian editing department on foreign affairs, the end of the broadcasting service comes too soon: "Each of the editors in his own way loved Romania, which in many respects was lost and which they nonetheless captured in their words that were broadcast night after night beyond the Iron Curtain to millions of eagerly waiting Romanians. ... Free Europe had a long and interesting life, even after 1989. While communism was collapsing in Eastern Europe, day after day we waited impatiently for our own obituary. It never came because the demise of communism, although already announced, was postponed - particularly in people's minds and even to this day. The new Free Europe ... remained a serious and valuable voice in Romania's confused landscape. It dies even though it should still live because it still has tasks to fulfil." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Audiovisual Media, » Media policy, » U.S., » Romania
All available articles from » Emil Hurezeanu

In a landmark decision Germany's constitutional court has lifted the ban on smoking in small bars and pubs. In contrast to other European countries this makes the future of the smoking ban in Germany uncertain. "Politics, which sees itself as a formative force, has ... suffered a defeat," the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung writes. "The labyrinth of exemptions in Germany ... ultimately led to inconsistent legislation that contravenes the principle of equality. ... And even if some will find it hard to swallow we should be a little grateful for the fact that here in Germany we have constitutional courts that make clean decisions in cases of conflicting fundamental rights. ... The Germans are struggling with the smoking ban in the catering sector, but on the other hand there are no piles of rubbish on the streets and the German Chancellor is not the owner of a business empire that profits from her government." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Health Policy, » Crime and Law, » Germany
All available articles from » Wolfgang Roth

The EU has approved the trademark "Czech beer". For the major Czech breweries, this is only good news on the surface, because they are accustomed to brewing part of their product abroad without informing consumers. For the conservative daily Lidové noviny, this amounts to fraud: "When certain breweries produce their beer elswere, it amounts to deceiving the consumer. The label 'Pilsner beer from the brewery in Pilsen' is a lie if the beer was brewed somewhere around the Romanian town of Timişoara, for example. The breweries know very well that the majority of Czechs would never buy such a beer. That is why they prefer to remain silent about its origin." (31/07/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Corporations, » Consumers, » Czech Republic, » Europe
All available articles from » Miroslav Holeček