euro|topics - MAIN FOCUS

Middle East violence menaces Europe | 19/03/2010

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

The peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine are grinding to a halt, while missile attacks from the Gaza Strip, Israeli air strikes and the announced construction of new settlements in East Jerusalem have done much to poison the atmosphere. The maelstrom of violence will engender more terror and thus threaten Europe, commentators write.

Merkel wants possibility of excluding members from Eurozone | 18/03/2010

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

German Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed on Wednesday that it should be possible to expel crisis-ridden member states from the Eurozone as a last resort. That would mean the end of the idea of Europe, writes the press.

EU may help Athens | 17/03/2010

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

The financial ministers of the Eurozone countries have not as it turns out presented a concrete bailout plan for Greece, but merely agreed at the beginning of the week on "technical modalities" for the approval of such a plan. The Eurozone countries lack a strong leadership, say some commentators, while others see progress and call for still more cooperation.

The French rap Sarkozy's knuckles | 16/03/2010

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

The results of the first ballot of the French regional elections put the Socialists in the lead with 29 percent of the vote, with the governing conservative UMP trailing behind at 26 percent. European commentators say the French want an end to President Nicolas Sarkozy's actionism and cast a worried look at the low election turnout and the success of the extreme right.

Vatican paralysed by abuse scandal | 15/03/2010

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

The child abuse scandal in the Catholic Church is spreading. Cases from the 1990s have now come to light but the Vatican is still sluggish in its response, commentators write. Distrust in the Church is growing, as is criticism of the Church's celibacy rule.

Sarkozy facing defeat | 12/03/2010

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

Regional elections will take place in France on Sunday, and opinion polls are predicting a defeat for the conservatives in the governing UMP. Commentators say President Nicolas Sarkozy has disappointed his voters, and lay the blame for his party's drop in popularity squarely on his shoulders.

Israel affronts the US | 11/03/2010

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

During his Middle East tour US Vice President Joe Biden has harshly criticised Israel's plan to build 1,600 homes for Jewish families in eastern Jerusalem. Israel is endangering the Middle East peace process with its settlement policy and provoking the United States, commentators write.

Dispute over European Monetary Fund | 10/03/2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

Germany's proposal of founding a European Monetary Fund (EMF) has triggered a dispute between politicians and banks. While the European Commission is considering setting up such an institution the leaders of the Eurozone's central banks are against the idea. The Fund could help crisis-stricken Eurozone countries, the press writes, but strengthening existing institutions could also prove worthwhile.

Elections spawn hope in Iraq | 09/03/2010

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

According to the country's electoral commission, more than 60 percent of voters participated in the parliamentary elections in Iraq on Sunday. Despite numerous terrorist attacks the vote was a success, writes the press, although the country must now demonstrate its will for democracy.

Icelanders isolate themselves | 08/03/2010

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

In a referendum held on Saturday 93 percent of Icelanders voted against compensating billions of euros in lost British and Dutch savings. The rejection of the so-called Icesave law could torpedo support for the crisis-stricken country and its chances for EU accession, commentators write.