"Fear is returning to Turkey," the daily La Repubblica comments on the latest political crisis. "Following close on the heels of the arrests of military personnel in connection with a trial that could dissolve the government, the attack [on the US embassy could] put an end to a long period of political stability. ... In Istanbul and in Ankara there is consensus that the attack has come at an extremely sensitive moment. Turkey's ruling Islamic-conservative Justice and Development Party has given the economy considerable impetus since 2002 and implemented reforms that justify the country's hopes for EU membership, but it also has introduced controversial measures such as the return of headscarves to the country's universities and an alcohol ban in certain major urban areas." (10/07/2008)

» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Europe, » Turkey
All available articles from » Marco Ansaldo

The most recent political developments could mean the end of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political career, according to the German daily Frankfurter Rundschau. "It was clear when Turkey's constitutional court began the trial against the ruling AKP party that Turkey was facing a hot summer. But no one could have foreseen the level of political high drama that we are now witnessing - not even Erdogan. These most recent events could spell major problems for the prime minister. After the kidnapping of three Germans, Erdogan's opponents will renew their allegations that in the past few years Erdogan has been too soft on the Kurdish rebels. And the attack in Istanbul has even more potential to create trouble. ... If it turns out that it was the work of members of fundamentalist circles this will provide Erdogan's opponents with fresh ammunition." (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Germany, » Europe, » Turkey
All available articles from » Gerd Höhler

Yesterday's terrorist attack in Istanbul has further damaged Turkey's chances of EU entry, says the Spanish daily La Vanguardia: "Even though the attack was immediately attributed to a terrorist commando, with some sources seeing a connection with radical al-Qaeda Islamists, the attack comes at a very delicate moment for the future of this Mediterranean nation. The moderate Islamism of the presidency and administration in Ankara has brought the party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan under the scrutiny of the constitutional court, which could declare them to be illegal. This would deliver a deadly blow to Turkish hopes for EU membership. ... There are other groups which, like al-Qaeda, hope to dash Turkey's hopes regarding Europe." (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, Spanish)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Europe, » Turkey

France's governing party, the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), is planning to incorporate a required referendum on EU membership for Turkey in the French constitution, a move that has renewed debate on the proposed accession. Against this backdrop, the daily economic paper Les Echos analyses Turkey's current crisis and its relation to the European Union: "All the players in the classical tragedies are there: the warrior, the politicians, the monk and the people. For over a year now, Turkey has been moving towards an institutional crisis with as yet unforeseeable consequences for NATO's easternmost members. ... This latest crisis was triggered by the ruling party … which represents an Islamism that is in principle moderate and has been pushed into a trial of strength with the Turkish military, which sees itself as the protector of 'Kemalism'-inspired secularism. ... The EU membership talks are the only possibility for Turkey to make progress. ... But under no circumstances should Turkey use a gloomy outlook vis-à-vis EU membership as an excuse to halt its slow progress towards reform." (08/07/2008)

» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Europe, » Turkey
All available articles from » Jacques Hubert-Rodier

Radioactive uranium has leaked from the Tricastin nuclear power centre in southern France into public waters. The Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper criticises France's careless conduct regarding nuclear technology. "The timing of the accident makes the incident particularly explosive. Just a few days ago German Chancellor Angela Merkel stood alone at the G8 summit in Japan because Germany is the only major industrialised nation that rejects the renaissance of nuclear energy. ... The French have poked fun at the Germans for years for their resolve to scrap all their reactors. ... Those who want to use nuclear power should not argue solely on the strength of the advantages this technology offers: cheap electricity and a relatively low level of greenhouse gas emissions during production. Reactors and the industry revolving around them entail considerable risks. Incidents like the one at Tricastin greatly damage the credibility of those advocates of nuclear power who are so fond of claiming that the West has everything under control." (10/07/2008)

» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Environmental Policy, » Energy Policy, » France, » Europe

Iran tested its long-range missiles yesterday. The British daily The Independent urges a calm response in the face of this provocation. "While Iran refuses to co-operate with inspectors from the IAEA, sanctions are an appropriate response. ... But the rest of the world must also be careful not to inflame the situation through loose threats directed towards Tehran. For this would merely give hardliners within the Iranian regime exactly what they want. ... The hawks in Israel and Washington need to be restrained. The programme of incentives from the European Union, unveiled last month and designed to help Iran develop civilian nuclear power, is much more likely to undermine the threat posed by Tehran than sabre-rattling. As bleak as the situation looks, Iran can still be brought in from the cold." (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » U.S., » Iran, » Israel

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made clear his displeasure with plans to set up an American missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland at the G8 meeting, and suggested that military measures have not been ruled out. The Danish daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten comments: "Russia's announcement is clearly an attempt to scare the Czechs and Poles out of accepting the missile defence systems on their soil. But the message is also aimed at making the American president reconsider his plans for this 3.5 billion dollar project. John McCain is backing it while Barack Obama is less convinced. But for both, the real problem is Iran, which already is anticipating a post-Bush administration that might be open to negotiations." (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, Danish)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Poland, » Czech Republic, » Russia, » Middle East

Dutch right-wing populist Geert Wilders (Party for Freedom) favours the unification of Flanders and the Netherlands. But Wilders and his party colleague Martin Bosma are guilty of a "grave mistake in historical analysis,” comments the daily paper De Morgen: Their error is "the constant equation between Flanders and the southern Netherlands. On the one hand, that denies the fact that the French-speaking region shares this 'common history' that Wilders and Bosma are hyping. ... This means there could never be any talk of a 'reunification' between Flanders and the Netherlands. If they really feel the urge to undo historical errors, then Wilders and Bosma should add Wallonia to the equation. ... And last but not least, their language is dripping with racism: I'm no expert, but perhaps Wilders and Bosma do have some scientific proof that the difference between a German from Hamburg and one from Munich is greater than that between a person from Groningen and a person from Ghent. Perhaps they could produce charts comparing eye-colour, skull measurements and blood groups." (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Netherlands, » Belgium
All available articles from » Marnix Beyen

In a commentary for the Slovenian daily, Tomaž Šaunik, an expert on Slovenian-Croat relations, analyses the present state of affairs regarding Croatia's efforts to join the EU. "In 2004 things looked good for Croatia. ... Many perceived the rise to power of the resolute Ivo Sanaders as a breath of fresh air. ... But that was nothing compared to the prospect of EU membership, which Sanaders' government promised would be realised within a few years. A wave of optimism took hold of the public and support for EU membership climbed to what was probably a record level of 70 percent. But where is Croatia now? Certainly not in the EU, and from an objective point of view not even particularly close to the conclusion of its membership talks. ... With the exception of NATO membership, none of the most pressing problems were resolved within this period. ... Last month, support for membership was down to 30 percent. ... In addition to corruption, another serious hurdle blocking Croatia's path to the EU is the inability of its state institutions to implement change. Since it is in the EU's interest that Croatia becomes a member as soon as possible, Sanader is counting on the 'Bulgarian-Romanian effect: it is likely that the criteria for Croatia's accession will be relaxed for strategic reasons." (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, Slovenian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Enlargement / Neighbourhood Policy, » Europe, » Croatia
All available articles from » Tomaž Šaunik

The Spanish daily La Vanguardia hails the fact that a growing number of women occupy leading positions within Spain's two major parties, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and the conservative People's Party (PP): "Spain's two major parties have taken more than a big step forward regarding gender equality among their ranks. At the hard core of the PSOE and PP, where key decisions for the future are made, the number of women is increasing, not just because they are women but because they have proven their competence for the task at hand. In a country like Spain, where just 30 years ago education for women was a privilege reserved for the educated middle-class and the rich (and even here women faced tough opposition), the rise of women with degrees, female lawyers, engineers and doctors, to positions of power in politics is testimony to the step forwards the country has made since it became democratic. It represents real progress." (10/07/2008)

» more information (external link, Spanish)
More from the press review on the subject » Social movements, » Spain

Former French minister for European affairs Noëlle Lenoir focuses on the issue of populism in her contribution to L'Express magazine's new Europe blog: "The collapse of Austria's grand coalition (the Social Democratic Party and its erstwhile conservative partner, the Austrian People's Party), is not something to be brushed off. This event reflects a strong general discomfort with the European concept. There is no denying that this mistrust exists. And the causes are equally obvious (economic crisis, fear of competition, fear of the loss of jobs or of purchasing power, and a rising sense of entitlement and egoism, etc.). ... But what is new and very disturbing is the fact that these fears are nourished by political parties that traditionally have been pro-Europe. ... In my opinion, populism is THE biggest threat to Europe, analogous to the nationalism of the 1930s. The revival of populist notions within a segment of the Social Democratic Party, such as we are seeing in France, Germany and now in Austria, is a very alarming sign." (09/07/2008)

» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Weltanschauung, » Austria, » Europe
All available articles from » Noëlle Lenoir

A crisis has enveloped Swedish auto manufacturer Volvo, part of the American company Ford: The Swedish government must act now to protect its domestic car industry from European climate protection guidelines, suggests the daily paper Göteborgs-Posten, whose readership is most affected by the Volvo crisis. "The administration has good reasons to guard the interests of both Saab and Volvo. According to one recommendation, European car manufacturers would have to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 130 grams per kilometre by 2012. That will be tough for Volvo, whose models start at 180-190 grams per kilometre, whereas the competition, which has a broader selection of smaller vehicles, starts at around 160 grams. It is perfectly reasonable to ask for a later deadline for firms producing a larger percentage of bigger cars. And the Swedish administration definitely should not pass even tougher domestic regulations. To be sure, Sweden must act in solidarity with other countries regarding climate policy. But a policy of big talk that puts the screws on Sweden's vital domestic market of Volvo and Saab will not save the climate.” (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, Swedish)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Corporations, » Economic Policy, » Sweden

The Finnish daily Kaleva criticises Russia's plans to increase export duties on its timber. "Our neighbouring country is being incredibly harsh and morale is low. ... Finland has exhausted all diplomatic options for making Russia understand its position. ... The sad thing is that the economic losses for Russia are disproportionate to the consequences for Finland's forest industry. ... Customs [for Russian timber exports] are a vital issue for the Finnish forestry sector, because it imports 20 percent of the timber it needs [for production] from Russia. If Russia raises export duties on timber ... as many as 10,000 jobs could be at risk. ... Finland must now enlist the help of the World Trade Organisation [WTO] to try to persuade Russia. ... A quick solution seems unlikely." (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, Finnish)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Economic Policy, » Finland, » Russia

Compared to the rest of the world, Romanians are deeply in debt. In response, the Romanian national bank, BNR, is proposing a regulation that would require banks to inform future clients of the negative impact of debt. "A Romanian is not a Romanian if he does not take out a loan at a bank as soon as he can," comments the daily newspaper Gandul. "It pays for extra living expenses in January, or a Caribbean holiday, or cars – good and bad ones. Forty percent of all Ferraris driven in Romania were bought on a leasing basis. ... At first glance, there is nothing wrong with taking out a loan. ... But Romanians pay out 16 percent of their monthly income in credit instalments. That may seem quite low, but bank experts estimate that US citizens pay 14 percent per month, while citizens of the Eurozone pay an average of 10.4 percent of their income. ... The BNR national bank is trying to put the brakes on debt, using various methods and legal hurdles. But banks always manage to invent new ways to reduce the impact of such regulations." (10/07/2008)

» full article (external link, Romanian)
More from the press review on the subject » Fiscal Policy, » Consumers, » Romania
All available articles from » Victor Rotariu

Contrary to earlier announcements, French President and current EU Council President Nicolas Sarkozy will attend the opening of the Olympic games in Peking after all. The left-leaning daily Právo looks down on Sarkozy's change of heart: The boycott of the opening ceremony "should be a clear statement that the powers of the democratic world do not treat human rights as a mere accoutrement to their speeches. But George Bush will not miss out on Peking's great spectacle, allegedly because he does not want to insult the people of China. Now Sarkozy is following suit. Let us see who else signs up, to keep the VIP boxes in the Olympic stadium looking full. As the saying goes: it is only a game. Why drag human rights into it? ... It is like putting on a shirt. If you start out putting one button in the wrong hole, the entire shirt is off kilter." (10/07/2008)

» more information (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Sport, » France, » Europe, » China
All available articles from » Jiří Franěk