euro|topics - Olivier Mouton

22/11/2008

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Mouton, Olivier

3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

Le Soir - Belgium | 21/04/2008

Standard Liege is Wallonia's revenge

On April 20th, Standard Liege won its first Belgian league championship in 25 years. For editorialist Olivier Mouton, "psychologically, it's Wallonia's revenge; the proof that the south can assume the mentality of a winner. Pride, confidence, perseverance: the virtues of this team, the conditions necessary to convert the socio-economic friction in the region. Poorly handled for decades, with this team Wallonia has found the culture of victory. ... A new generation has come of age, rid of the weight of the past. The trophy's absence is rectified. Wallonia's decline suddenly seems much less inevitable."

Le Soir - Belgium | 04/12/2007

How can Belgium get out of its crisis?

On Monday, December 3rd, following the resignation of Yves Leterme, the King of Belgium asked the outgoing prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, who has been managing current affairs for the past six months, to find a way out of the political dead-lock. Interviewed by Olivier Mouton, the Belgian political scientist Pascal Delwit, describes the dangers inherent in the current situation. "The main risk lies in a phenomenal rise in apolitical thinking. Things are incomprehensible for a number of observers as well as Belgian citizens. Even political authorities no longer understand what is going on! This is a fact. And it must be understood that such an increase in the apolitical will affect everyone except for the far-right. This must be seriously taken into account. And frankly, it is going to be very hard to explain an enlarged Verhofstadt III government to the citizens. That would really be stretching our pedagogical capacities too far."

Le Soir - Belgium | 14/08/2007

A lack of solidarity is endangering the EU

The daily lists the affluent regions in Europe that would like to have greater financial independence. The editorialist Olivier Mouton deplores this situation. "The EU is the fruit of solidarity. Growing out to the rubble of World War II, it has always avoided any frustration that might cause rivalry. As it has expanded, it has given new-comers the means to take off financially. At the beginning of this millennium, selfishness and individualism are undermining the founding principles of peaceful Europe. ... Certain states should now have the courage to advocate reinforced integration. ... Everyone is always someone else's pauper. A human being who stumbles into a pit has a duty to do everything possible to get up and out as fast as possible. But this cannot be achieved without an outstretched helping hand. Basta. This is the founding European pact ... . By breaking it, you may see the demons of the past come storming back. "