Legalised squatting in the Netherlands is to be banned after 30 years. This is stipulated in a draft law supported by a majority in parliament. "Finally", writes the tabloid De Telegraaf: "These distinguished squatters are not above using violence, they abuse the property of others and attract troublemakers from other countries to terrorise house owners and entire neighbourhoods. Finally they are getting what they deserve. This has been far too long in coming. Thanks to the support of city council workers, many of whom also have a squatting past, the squatters were able to do just as they pleased for decades. ... This marks the end of a sombre era for which the state also bears responsibility. Because the large number of vacant buildings is a result of the mismanagement of our country, and a solution must be found. But the law will soon make clear: anyone who squats buildings and uses violence will go straight to jail." (27/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Social movements, » Netherlands

The brutal attack on two Dutch citizens in Rome has led to a political dispute which culminated in the mayor of Rome saying it was the victims' own fault. De Telegraaf newspaper suspects the mayor's remarks are motivated by domestic policy considerations. "Apart from the fact that we do not know why the couple chose precisely this spot to set up camp, it is in the worst possible taste to use their tragedy to clear one's own political reputation. Naturally the two suspects who have now been arrested were entirely responsible for their acts and no one can blame Rome's municipal authorities. But by talking about it being the victims' 'own fault' the mayor is making it clear that he is oblivious to the feelings of the Dutch victims, who certainly did not ask for all this. If the mayor of Rome is unable to keep his election promises he cannot blame the unsafe situation in his region on two unsuspecting holidaymakers." (26/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Crime and Law, » Tourism, » Italy, » Netherlands

A mass drinking bout planned in Zürich for the end of August by a 17-year-old apprentice is causing a stir in Switzerland. Thousands of prospective bingers have announced their participation over the Internet, and the city's sanitation department is considering banning the event. "Why is this curious idea upsetting people at all?" asks Der Tagesanzeiger newspaper. "The provocation lies in its senselessness. All intellectual explanation has been avoided, and in this over-commercialised event-driven world the invitation has been reduced to the core: guzzling alcohol. ... A ban would be the wrong reaction. One must not overreact in the face of provocation. But both the public and the authorities must self-critically observe what really transpires at this mass booze-up - and if need be intervene. Noise and dirt have long been not just a problem caused by senseless binge drinkers, but by a society part of which has abandoned all pretence of politeness and style. This reality cannot be be dispelled by the police." (20/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Public Culture, » Social movements, » Switzerland
All available articles from » Hartmeier, Peter

Luxury dwellings are being built in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg - much of whose population has a low standard of living - which for security reasons have parking spaces on the upper floors. De Standaard newspaper comments: "Why don't people who are so afraid of their surroundings that they don't even want to walk from their cars to the front door just move to another neighbourhood? Rich people need an audience, they need looks of admiration and envy. They feel especially secure when they know that wolves are prowling outside their 'gated community'. ... The elevators for the luxury cars can lift almost five tons, meaning the armoured limousines can also come upstairs. But what happens when the lift is busy, or worse still, broken down? The inhabitants will be forced to take the stairs, and walk (unprotected) among all the beggars and loitering youths to get a cab. All at once they will be humans in the midst of other humans, and in need of trust." (18/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Public Culture, » Crime and Law, » Germany
All available articles from » Oscar van den Boogaard

In the Italian daily La Repubblica, British writer and TV producer John Lloyd responds to the British daily The Independent's accusation that Italy is rife with bans nowadays. "I find it difficult to believe that my illustrious colleagues at The Independent are talking of the same Italy I know. ... Unlike Italy, where social titles, rank and courtesy are still deeply rooted, the United Kingdom often demonstrates a rather confused behaviour in the social sphere. ... To emphasise the prevalence of bureaucratic regulations and social norms that ban any form of enjoyment is to misjudge Italian society. The cliché that Italians have a happy disposition is well-founded. ... We envy the Italians their capacity for fun and drama. It may be true that the rules of society control and also restrict, but seldom for long. In Italy the desire for pleasure is stronger." (18/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Public Culture, » Print media, » United Kingdom, » Italy
All available articles from » John Lloyd

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung calls the top French politicians' handling of the visit by the Dalai Lama in France a "pitiable balancing act. ... President Sarkozy is not about to endanger nuclear deals with China, and has offered the Tibetan religious leader a meeting with his wife. And foreign minister Bernard Kouchner, who was always clear on what human rights were in the past, let it be known he had no time for the Dalai Lama. Of course, Ségolène Royal had no intention of losing this opportunity. The defeated socialist presidential candidate received the Dalai Lama, although her message had been entirely different during the election campaign. And all of a sudden perhaps Kouchner does have time. All the while the Dalai Lama smiles politely at this ignoble game. He is used to his presence giving politicians high blood pressure." (18/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » France, » Asia

"Romanian pensions are embarrasingly low compared with the rest of the EU", writes the newspaper Gândul, commenting that this becomes obvious as soon as you cross the border to Western Euope: "Elderly people wear fashionable hairstyles and new suits, while retired pairs drive around in convertibles. In Spain pensions are four times, in Belgium six times, and in Luxembourg ten times higher than the Romanian average (of around 140 euros). ... Other European countries are trying to raise the retirement age, while here the laws encourage lowering, rather than raising it. ... Nowhere in the world has raising the retirement age been met with sympathy, but here politicians do not lose a word over it. Yet a national study calls for an end to early retirement and concludes it is urgent that the retirement age be raised. Not because people have a huge desire go on working, but because in ten or twenty years pensions in Romania will be at starvation levels." (15/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Social Policy / Employment, » Demographics, » Europe, » Romania
All available articles from » Caterina Nicolae

The daily Les Echos reports on discrimination against the English in Ireland: "The latest story circulating in Dublin is not the one about the notorious Polish plumber but about one of his English colleagues who was the victim of discrimination on a construction site in Ireland. It all began with unfriendly remarks about an English builder who had a job in Dublin installing industrial pipes. To his great dismay the English football team was eliminated from the World Cup 2006 after a miserable performance. And the colleagues of this man, who is only referred to as 'Mr C' frequently reminded him of this. Much too frequently. Then the nasty comments were replaced by insults and bad jokes which bordered on racism. Things got so bad that an Irish court recently ordered Mr C to be paid 20,000 euros in damages. The Irish Times agrees that 'discrimination against English people is no joke'." (14/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Migration, » Integration, » United Kingdom, » Ireland

Four years after the acclaimed Olympic Games in Athens, the self-image of the Greeks has undergone major changes as a result of domestic political problems and the economic crisis, the daily Eleftherotypia writes. "The success of the Olympic Games and the positive reviews from abroad raised self-confidence to a maximum level. ... The problem is that Greece and the Greeks are now in a situation which is entirely different from 2004. ... There is a general sense of misery, ... a lack of creativity and .... expectations are low. ... Our international image does not even bear thinking about. The international media is full of reports on bribes, corruption, ... the name dispute with [the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] FYROM, which only few can understand, and the economic and political crises." (08/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Domestic Policy, » Sport, » Greece
All available articles from » Sifis Polimilis

Because it is so easy to get a loan, an increasing number of Estonians are sinking deep into debt. The daily Eesti Päevaleht complains that nowadays you can even get flash loans per text message and in corner shops: "Although such loans violate the money laundering law, even newspaper kiosks are now offering loans nowadays, in addition to magazines and drinks. Bearing astronomic interest rates, the loans are faxed on from the kiosk. There have already been complaints in the past that the advertising for these loans is too aggressive and people are inadequately informed about the conditions for repayment. What next? The path to credit hell is growing ever wider." (06/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Fiscal Policy, » Labour market / Services, » Consumers, » Estonia