Since last weekend's racist attack against a group of Indians in the Saxon town of Mügeln, Germany, the German press has focused on the subject of right-wing extremism and racism. Christoph Seils examines the causes of such violence in Eastern Germany. "After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany failed to build up new civil society structures while at the same time old social structures were destroyed. The transformation of East Germany was defined by West Germany, and the latter's principle of social consensus still hasn't taken root in Eastern Germany. The NPD and many other militant organisations have stepped in to fill these gaps... But those who want to combat right-wing extremism and violence in Eastern Germany must finally start to take the fragile worlds of those who have successfully mobilised the NPD into account and take their fears seriously. They must talk to these people in their own language and show them social and democratic perspectives. Ultimately this means reintegrating these people into society." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niemiecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Mniejszości, » Historia, » Niemcy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Christoph Seils

The founding of the right-wing extremist movement the "Hungarian Guards" has triggered a vigorous debate in Hungary, as Ulrich Schmid reports. "On the one hand one can't stress enough that there has been no generalised approval of right-wing extremist groups in Hungarian society for some time now and that the country is not caught up in a downwards spiral of nationalism... Nonetheless, it would be premature to give the all-clear signal. The right-wing extremists are indefatigable in their attempts to organise themselves, and the liberal democrats are only too relieved to see that the leaders of these groups tend to be slightly warped, eccentric and prone to infighting. But what we witness on public holidays and at football games is cause enough for concern. Rightwing extremists played a key role in the eruptions of violence at the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the heroic uprising against the Communist- Soviet regime last year, and they're planning a joint march for this autumn's celebrations." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niemiecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Integracja, » Mniejszości, » Węgry
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Ulrich Schmid

Bulgaria is currently debating how to deal with its Roma minority. Last week, after skinheads attacked a group of Roma, a group of Roma attacked Bulgarians in one of Sofia's suburbs. The Bulgarian author Georgi Gospodinow writes: "There are many stereotypes about the Roma - they have a bad reputation. Although we've been living in the same country for decades, we have always looked down on the Roma, they were always pushed aside... Stereotypes rob others of their past, deprive them of their right to a biography, to their children, to their mothers, their mourning, their toothaches and their childhood... It's easier to beat up someone who's different and about whom one knows virtually nothing." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, bułgarski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Mniejszości, » Bułgaria
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Georgi Gospodinov

Irene Brickner tries to find a connection between incidents of racism in different European countries. She notes that racism constitutes one of the most acute problems of the EU and its neighbouring states. "Racism is latent in all populations, but has been particularly encouraged in recent years and has thus become a permanent lurking threat in many parts of the continent... What we need are clear and fair rules that apply across the EU about who is allowed to reside and work in the EU and how. States like Greece, where a quarter of all immigrants are living and working illegally, breed chronic discontent, whereas states like Austria that have extremely strict rules create humanitarian problems. It's also high time we openly address and combat the problem of racist resentment. Otherwise the idea of Europe will never be truly realised in regions like Eastern Germany with its 'no go areas' for foreigners." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niemiecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Integracja, » Niemcy, » Grecja, » Austria
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Irene Brickner

According to Leon Tarasewicz, a painter and one of Poland's most renowned contemporary artists, his country is in the midst of a profound crisis: "There was a time when we looked down on countries like Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia. Today these countries are developing faster than Poland, and if there is a change of system in Belarus it'll be even more embarrassing because it, too, could overtake us... Using the word 'patriotism' at every opportunity and marking the many anniversaries with street celebrations - like at the markets in the Middle Ages - won't get us anywhere if it makes us forget the things that are really important. A young person can only be proud of his country if he is satisfied with what he sees. Big words and anachronistic views of the past simply aren't enough. The country is in dire need of true reform. Otherwise backwardness and relegation to Europe's backwaters could result." (23/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, polski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Stosunki międzynarodowe, » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Polska
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Leon Tarasiewicz

Wolfgang Koydl attempts to understand why there is so much violence among youth and children in Great Britain today: "British society has always had a distorted relationship to its young. 'Children should be seen and not heard,' teachers warned in Victorian times, and little has changed in this attitude. But this alienation is destroying families and - together with the decline of traditional authorities - is one of the reasons why this society has been plunged into a crisis that has led to the bored, misunderstood and brutalised younger generation's orgy of violence... At the same time, all those who can afford to, send their children to expensive boarding schools. This guarantees them a successful career, but robs the future elite of a family life, just as the children of parents on social security whose lives revolve around pubs and television are robbed of their childhoods." (24/08/2007)

» Strona www (Link zewnętrzny, Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Demografia, » Wielka Brytania
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Wolfgang Koydl

The daily comments on the visit to Pristina made by the Portuguese foreign secretary on Wednesday, August 22nd. 'Kosovars know that since the war in 1999, they can count on the support of the United States, while the Serbs have the sympathy of the Russians. ... The European Union will probably be put in charge of finding a solution to save face for all parties. In Pristina, Luis Amado said that the EU should shoulder 'major responsibilities' in the quest for a solution. This is a matter of great concern for the minister, as Kosovo could leave a significant mark on Portugal's EU presidency. A unilateral declaration of independence would leave Serbia feeling like Europe's eternally unloved reject and would unsettle its pro-EU leaders, as well as defying Moscow. On the contrary, a negotiated way out, with concessions made for Serbia and the promise of future EU accession would cause satisfaction, or at least bring on a sigh of relief." (23/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, portugalski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka bezpieczeństwa / Kryzys / Wojna, » Portugalia, » Rosja, » Europa, » Serbia

Half way through her four year term, Angela Merkel is enjoying unprecedented popularity. The editorialist is surprised by this: "Who, in Autumn 2005, would have bet a single euro on Angela Merkel ? Almost no one, after her ever so laborious rise to power. ... Here, less than two years later, is a woman gathering three quarters of the votes of her compatriots who are satisfied by her performance. .. The strength of this success ? Above all it can be measured by how robust the German economy is. ... The statistic of the day is the first public surplus since, reunification. Not bad for a nation that for a long time broke the rules of the stability pact. ... These successes are firstly due to the unpopular reforms introduced by Gerhard Schröder, which cost him a re-election. In his time, Tony Blair also reaped his first successes... thanks to the ruthless Margaret Thatcher." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Polityka finansowa, » Podatki, » Niemcy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » François-Xavier Pietri

The Italian historian Ernesto Galli della Loggia considers the 'Freedom Party' that Silvio Berlusconi is creating with Michel Vittoria Brambilla, who is president of the 'Freedom Circles', a network of political associations run by young entrepreneurs linked to Forza Italia, the current party of the former Italian Prime Minister. "[Berlusconi's] initiative goes to show that Forza Italia was and remains an artificial party: there are no card-carrying members, no executives, no debates ... . There is just the leader and he is the leader for one sole reason: he owns the television stations and a lot of money ... . In which other country would it be possible for the head of a party to surreptitiously create another without mentioning it to any one, and choosing a friend to manage it ? ... Berlusconi's manoeuvre is an attempt to get the centre-right out of a dead-lock, by choosing to found a new party rather than reflecting on the political problems of his coalition." (23/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, włoski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Włochy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Ernesto Galli della Loggia

Yves Leterme finally threw in the towel on August 23rd. The Flemish Christian democrat had been requested by the King to form a new Belgian government after the legislative elections in June. He failed to conciliate the demands of Flemish and French-speaking communities, regrets the editorialist Michel Konen. Yves Leterme "was not the man for the job. ... He had too much self-confidence and not enough faith in others. This resignation also questions the Flemish strategy, forced entry. ... But Leterme's failure should delight no one. It illustrates the deep divergence between the Flanders region and French-speaking parts of the country when it comes to deciding on the future of the Belgian State. No one should be fooled; the party will be back, harder, and with a vengeance. ... In 2007, it is surely possible, within a convention bringing together the whole political world, distancing itself from partisan mediocrities and considering the common good, to reinvent, to rewrite this country of ours!" (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Belgia
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Michel Konen

The newspaper reacts to reports that Deutsche Bahn and the Slovenian state are negotiating the founding of a holding company to be called "DB Slovenia". It points out that Deutsche Bahn could use the company to gain considerable influence over Slovenia's logistics company Intereuropa, Slovenia's railway network operator SZ and the entire railway infrastructure. Ales Stregar speaks out in favour of the cooperation. "The modernisation of the railway infrastructure will cost at least nine billion euros - money the state just doesn't have... We won't be able to do this on our own. Therefore the state is conducting negotiations with Deutsche Bahn, whose primary interest is to gain access to Southeast Europe. There's always the fear that Slovenia could sell too cheaply. But sell what exactly ? The old network ? An infrastructure that was perhaps adequate 50 years ago? A fleet of trains that any competitor could easily acquire ?" (23/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, słoweński)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Infrastruktura / Komunikacja, » Przedsiębiorczość, » Niemcy, » Słowenia
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Ales Stregar

Ofcom, the communications regulator, has found that 'Silver surfers' over the age of 65 spend more time on the web (42 hours a week) than any other group. Victor Keegan, editor of the daily's technology section, responds: "The biggest opportunity for older people is to colonise one of the new social websites such as Facebook. These are all the rage with younger people, but it is when people grow older and more socially isolated - as relationships at work fade and the difficulty of travelling increases - that they are most in need of these networks. Older people don't want a ghetto created for them saying 'If you are old, come here'; they want to keep up with friends but also to make contact with other people, of whatever age, with whom they share an interest. Age may be something you have in common, but it is not a common interest. Social sites also offer tantalising political opportunities. A third of people eligible to vote are over 55, and they are twice as likely to vote as younger people." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, angielski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Media internetowe, » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Victor Keegan

Twenty percent of Swedish adults download music illegally from the Internet. Now a bill is making its way through parliament which would enable copyright holders to demand that Internet providers reveal the identity of persons who spread their content illegally on the Internet - without having to involve the police or public prosecutor, as has been the case up to now. Martin Ådahl points out that it's not the "music thieves" who are the problem, but the "major music and film distributors". "They own all the music of the 20th century and, through contracts with artists, a large part of this century's music... This oligopoly robs both the artists and the consumers... Faced with this situation, civil disobedience is perceived as the only way out. It's high time that the music and film industries wake up. The sector needs to change its model and reduce its profit margins. And give up this ridiculous attempt to have millions of young people labelled criminals." (24/08/2007)

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

A play called "1612", the result of a cooperation project with Moscow's "Teatr.doc", is currently in rehearsal at the "Ad Spectatores" theatre in Breslau. The play is about the victory of the Russian army over the Polish invaders of Moscow on November 4, 1612 in the midst of the Polish-Russian war (1609-1618). In an interview with Joanna Dekaczew, director Krzysztof Kopka explains that the piece is intended as a response to the Polish and Russian policy on history. "Two years ago, November 4 was established as Russia's official 'Day of National Independence,' but just three years ago no one was aware of the significance of this date. Only historians with a special interest in 17th century history knew the particulars of the expulsion of the Poles from the Kremlin... We want to free ourselves of a twisted history and use our sensibility and ability to empathise to draw a picture of these two societies at war." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, polski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Scena, » Polska, » Rosja
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Joanna Dekaczew, » Krzysztof Kopka

Over a million Britons have chosen to move to Spain. The journalist Joseba Elola payed a visit to the little town of San Fulgencio to understand this phenomenon. "To go through life with a tan and shorts, working in flip-flops ; check your e-mails, have a coffee, make a few business calls, have a dip in the pool ... It didn't take long for Colin Smalley to twig on: viva telecommuting, viva Spain. Farewell sad clouds of Middlesbrough, hello San Fulgencio. For two and a half years this 55 year old English entrepreneur has been living in a house with a pool in the Marina, a new urban zone that has encircled the village of San Fulgencio over the past ten years. According to the Spanish Institute of Statistics, 48,8 % of the town's population is British. The local youths have even nick-named it 'Little England'." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, hiszpański)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Migracja, » Wielka Brytania, » Hiszpania
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Joseba Elola

In June, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe refused to ratify a report on the dangers of creationism in education. Laurent Mignon, professor of Turkish literature at the university of Bilkent (Ankara), deplores this: "It is important to highlight the fact that it is members of European governmental and bureaucratic elites who are the propagators of these [creationist] theses. At a time when the least deviation in the language of an imam in the working class neighbourhoods of Birmingham, Marseille or Berlin is spot-lighted by the media and considered a threat to western living, it is worth remembering that in the handsome salons of European institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, it is members of parliament, commissioners and bureaucrats who are dilapidating the legacy of social and intellectual struggles that marked the 19th and 20th centuries on the old continent." (24/08/2007)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Polityka kulturalna, » Europa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Laurent Mignon