Sylvie Kauffmann considers that women in politics these days are different in their approach to power from women in the 80s and 90s. "A big new factor in compared to the previous generation, is that powerful women of the 21st century act as such, brandishing their femininity, making their cultural baggage an advantage rather than a handicap. Who could forget the blond braids crowning the head of the former Ukranian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko ? Today's women define themselves as 'mothers' when this is the case, and even 'grand-mothers' in the United States, where they are often a step ahead. ... They often seek to make room for other women and thus to secure freshly obtained power, which was far from the interests of Golda Meir or Margaret Thatcher. Exceptions in a man's world those two did not consider it a priority to enlarge the feminine circle, for they had enough on their plate simply imposing themselves." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Sylvie Kauffmann

Dirk Knipphals reflects on how women in power conduct themselves. According to Knipphals, Angela Merkel adopts a reserved stance, neither trying to conceal her womanhood nor making a show of it: "This is why so far there are no iconic images of Merkel that have femininity and power as their theme. Nor, I dare to speculate, will there be any in future. Regardless of what you may think of her politics: after a generation of alpha males like Gerhard Schröder and Joschka Fischer, Merkel has been able to dispel all the question marks about gender, power and branding surrounding her person within a short period of time. Schröder and Fischer were much manlier than Merkel is womanly now. It may well be that as the first woman in this office, it doesn't work any other way. It also may be that despite her CDU party card Merkel is fashionably unisex. Nowadays the image of ruler is regarded as strange anyway." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niemiecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Dirk Knipphals

The Spanish professor of philosophy, Daniel Innerarity, analyses the way women are perceived in politics. "Michelle Perrot [French historian] has explained that the difference between men and women lies in the fact that only man is considered an individual, that is to say someone whose gender is transparent, who has freed himself from the group he belongs to and become what he makes of himself . The exclusion of women has operated by depriving women, literally and symbolically, of this individualisation. This is why the question of identity only comes up when a female candidate comes into the picture ... . Man not only has possibilities of personal fulfilment because of the absence of discrimination, but because it is recognised that his worthiness only depends on what he does and the competency he acquires. According to the traditional role given to women, women are attributed characteristics that do not allow them to escape their condition: a woman, even the most intelligent and successful, will always be considered 'a woman' who has known success, while a man is 'someone' who has succeeded." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, hiszpański)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Daniel Innerarity

"The UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) states that it is the role and responsibility of governments to use all appropriate measures to ensure women's equal participation in political and public decision-making", notes Joanna McMinn, director of the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI)."The high proportion of women in parliament in the Nordic countries can be explained by many factors, such as the equality of educational opportunity, the recognition by women of the importance of voting ... A reverse process occurred in eastern Europe, where the percentage of women in parliament has seriously declined with the transformation towards a market economy and free parliamentary elections. The abolition of quotas for women, which had existed under the old regimes, drastically reduced their number in parliaments ... .[This] confirms that the establishment of a pluralist parliamentary democracy does not in itself guarantee equal representation of women and men in political decision-making." (08/03/2007)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Joanna McMinn

In an interview with Caroline Fetscher, Iran-born womens' rights activist Mina Ahadi talks about the multiculturalism debate. "Europe is still tolerant towards intolerance. People say Islam is simply a different culture with different social rules. When I hear politicians saying such things, even in Germany, I find it offensive. I am first and foremost a citizen and a woman, not a Muslim. And as an adult I have the right to define my own identity. False sympathy won't get us any further politically. No woman wants a 'culture' of humiliation. No woman wants violence or rape... Many European politicians are simply being naïve by tolerating young girls wearing the hijab or headscarves. Don't they ever ask themselves why the majority of Muslims remain silent on elementary issues ?" (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niemiecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Niemcy, » Europa

The historian Georg Kreis points out that four of the six parties that signed the 1957 Treaty of Rome, which laid the foundation for the EU, were still colonial powers at the time. France, in particular, made sure that its colonies were included in the treaty. "Was France seeking the silent immortalisation or the secret liquidation of the French colonial empire ? The former was no doubt the long-term goal, but in the medium term the latter was the consequence. The treaty had the immediate effect of turning national colonialism into supranational colonialism. The idea was that other Europeans would buy more French colonial products at prices that were above the world market average. Moreover, the French - by no means unselfishly - expected their fellow Europeans to help them finance the loans that were necessary for investments in the colonies. They wanted to make it look like they were selling out colonialism so that they wouldn't have to give it up after all." (07/03/2007)

» Strona www (Link zewnętrzny, Neue Zürcher Zeitung)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Historia, » Europa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Georg Kreis

Swedish Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni yesterday presented her plan of action for the punishment of honour killings, forced marriages and genital mutilation. Since taking office in October 2006 Sabuni, a Swedish citizen of African origin, has herself received several death threats. The newspaper comments on the minister's plans: "The subject of 'honour killings' is a sensitive one. The principle of treating all people equally and respecting multiculturalism has often led to honour killings being dealt with like any other murder. Sabuni, who has long been active in this field is often presented as anti-Islam. However, cultural relativism often results in the dubious defence of fundamentalism and oppressive traditions. The battle against honour killings is not about integration, nor is it a gender issue. It's simply about fighting a crime, preserving legal security and defending people's right to live their lives as they wish." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, szwedzki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Szwecja

The chronicler Valentí Puig bemoans the fact that Spain is turning away from European news because of its own problems, such as that of Basque separatism. "Even the passionate pro-European fervour, a touch outlandish, apparent over these past few years, has not survived the head-spinning terrorist threat. And yet now is the time to discuss Spain's place in the EU and the role it can play. ... It is unequivocally unhealthy and counter-productive for Spain not to be involved in discussing subjects. (...) Overwhelmed by pressing topics of current affairs, politicians are advancing at a snail's pace on the European field. Meanwhile total ignorance is rife in intellectual and cultural circles concerning European reality, apart from among specialists on the subject. Some people can even be heard confusing euroscepticism with a lack of interest in the EU. We should on the contrary be giving thanks to technocratic governments of the 50s and 60s, for having opened the way toward the European community." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, hiszpański)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Hiszpania
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Valentí Puig

As a summit is being held in Brussels this Thursday, March 8th, Richard Werly assesses the European policy of France's Head of State, Jacques Chirac. According to Werly, this is the last summit, that Chirac will be taking part in as president. "A gift ? A cake ? A tribute from the 26 other heads of State and government ? The President of the French Republic, the eldest political member of this inner circle, would no doubt be rather chuffed by any such gesture. But, as we already know, the party is going to be pooped. France, 50 years after the Treaty of Rome, of which it was a founding pillar, is making this enlarged family flinch an awful lot. ... When it comes to taking the toll, the outgoing President's fundamental contradiction is hanging over the European summit : of a resolute, purposeful nature, with a passionate interest in international affairs and questions of security upon which he is aware the EU is incontrovertible, a visionary concerning Iraq, the French president has never felt at ease in the increasingly collective European adventure, with all of its mutual concessions." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Francja
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Richard Werly

For the second time in a week, low-level radioactive water leaked from the controversial Temelin nuclear power station yesterday. Although the water flowed into a special collecting tank and therefore does not represent a threat, the incident has caused a panic, particularly in Austria. Adam Cerny recommends that the Czechs be more careful with their power station because "otherwise every little problem, no matter how trifling, will be blown up into a Chernobyl disaster." Nonetheless, he thinks the Austrians are overreacting: "Our southern neighbours have declared their country a nuclear power-free zone and would like to extend this zone a few kilometres beyond their borders. When the Czechs were preparing for EU membership they demonstrated good will and promised to immediately report any incidents at Temelin to Vienna - as in the times of the emperor. They should have known that this wouldn't be enough, because only a 'zero solution' would keep the Austrians happy." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, czeski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Środowisko, » Energia, » Czechy, » Austria
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Adam Černý

On Wednesday, March 7th, British MPs voted in favour of a wholly elected House of Lords. The vote however is merely indicative and not yet part of a bill for reform. The daily comments: "After two days of debate they surged together in a vote to send elected members to the House of Lords after 700 years. Offered nine conflicting flavours of reform, and the chance to say no to all of them, MPs bucked themselves up in the most radical manner possible and chose the best option by the biggest majority, an all-elected upper house, redeeming the Commons confusion that held back change four years ago. The message from MPs to the frontbenches of all parties could hardly have been sharper, stronger support for a democratic upper house than anyone had thought likely. The case for full democracy won the day. Cash for honours, and concern at the appointment of peers which has followed, may have played a part in undermining the government's case for a hybrid house. ... It was a night for progressives to feel proud." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, angielski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Wielka Brytania

So far this spring Slovenia has only granted nine persons official refugee status, although over 780 people applied for asylum. Gorazd Utenkar examines why this proportion is so small: "The borders between the countries of the EU are permeable, but its external ones are pretty impermeable. One of the EU's outer borders is in southern Slovenia. Many foreigners enter the country without the necessary documents... Moreover, the new asylum law is inadequate. The controversial paragraph 26 is still in force, according to which the police are responsible for foreigners who enter or remain in Slovenia illegally, because this is unlawful entry and residence. This makes it only too easy for the police to turn asylum seekers out of the country without their cases ever having been given a fair hearing." (08/03/2007)

» Strona www (Link zewnętrzny, Delo)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Migracja, » Słowenia

As the Cardinal Ruini is retiring from his post as president of the Episcopal Conference of Italy (CEI), to be replaced by the Archbishop of Genoa Angelo Bagnasco, the journalist and writer Marco Politi looks back on the career of the man who led the most powerful Church in Western Europe for sixteen years. "Camillo Ruini may be will be handing over the reins, but his voice will continue to be heard ... . In 1985, the Pope Wojtyla had given him an objective: to work on the Christian re-conquering of Italy. Ruini responded by turning the Episcopal Conference into a political tool, directly negotiating with political parties and by giving the Church permanent power to forbid, exercise pressure, and legitimate or not laws". (08/03/2007)

» Strona www (Link zewnętrzny, La Repubblica)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Włochy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Marco Politi

The daily expresses its doubts about the Danish government's plans to participate in the US misile defence project in Europe: "The prospect of the US involving the former Warsaw Pact countries is inducing Russia to warn of the dangers of the plan. It is accusing the US of violating old disarmament agreements and is threatening to retaliate by aiming Russian nuclear missiles at the base. Some countries are against the US's plans because it could damage relations between Europe and Russia. In particular France, Austria and Luxembourg are concerned that Europe could become a stage for rearmament, just as it was in the Cold War... For this reason it should be left to NATO to decide about the missile defence shield in Europe. The US's single-handed approach, which involves negotiating with individual European states, could divide Europe." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, duński)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Stosunki międzynarodowe, » Polityka bezpieczeństwa / Kryzys / Wojna, » Europa, » USA

The weekly pays homage to the French sociologist and philosopher Jean Baudrillard, who passed away on March 6th, by publishing an interview carried out with him a year ago as well as a portrait signed by the journalist Gilles Heuré: "First and foremost he was a philosopher, a tightrope walker navigating through signs, seeking to reinvent the story of the world. ... Surpassing the very fashionable 'end of story' theory, he never tired of scrutinising the mutations disfiguring the very object of our inquiries: democracy, human rights, consumerism, morality, good and bad. ... When in conversation, his gaze would sometimes seem to float off, dilly-dallying among mottled light and silent shadows before returning to your own with a smile that testified to what a good listener he actually was. We need to re-read his books and understand that behind the pessimist haunted by the tragic, along the decoder of representations and paradox, there was a lookout man who never stopped dreaming of a way 'to bind the human community'." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Filozofia, » Francja
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Gilles Heuré

Estonia's general elections were the first in which voters could cast their votes via the Internet. Ramune Sotvariene examines whether this would be viable in Lithuania. "The greatest danger is that the key principle of democratic elections, electoral freedom, could be violated. Casting your vote via the Internet is convenient and personalised, but in the end it's not controllable. It might have worked in Estonia, but in Lithuania there would be too many attempts to buy votes... Theoretically you can check whether several different people used the same computer to vote, but experience has shown that this is only theoretical. And is Estonia really such a corruption-free country ? Of course there's the same problem there. But our Baltic neighbours appear to be very much aware of what's important to them, and above all this means always having good things said about their country." (08/03/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, litewski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Media internetowe, » Estonia, » Kraje Nadbałtyckie
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Ramune Sotvariene