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A new debate on nuclear energy

A new debate on nuclear energy

 

Debate on the use of nuclear energy has once more flared up in Europe. Italy now plans to build new nuclear power plants after a 20-year ban, while in Sweden a bomb scare in an accident-sensitive reactor has fears running high. What should Europe's energy policy look like in the future? » Więcej

Z artykułami z następujących publikacji:
Corriere della Sera - Włochy, Dnevnik - Słowenia, Der Standard - Austria, Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Szwajcaria

Corriere della Sera - Włochy

"Never before has industry spoken out so clearly in favour of atomic energy. It will be interesting to see whether the discussion sparked off by the association's approval can finally distance itself from the old quarrels between industrialists and environmentalists. Times have changed. Nuclear energy offers the chance of continuing the process of globalisation while easing the pressure felt by Third World countries as a result of the rise in food prices. ... At the same time, it holds out the perspective of stabilising the price of raw materials in energy production, and of strengthening the negotiating position of Europe, which is increasingly feeling the political and economic squeeze of Russian gas supplies." (23/05/2008)

Dnevnik - Słowenia

Andrej Mrevlje writes in Dvennik newspaper about Italy's return to nuclear energy: "The announcement by Minister for Economic Development Claudio Scajola hit non-nuclear Italy like a bomb. ... Prodi's government had postponed inquiries into the construction of nuclear power plants ... because the fourth generation of nuclear plants was expected to be able to provide higher safety levels and less radioactive waste. ... Berlusconi's government is in a hurry. But the decision is not an easy one: while some are convinced that nuclear energy is the only solution for Italy, experts warn that uranium reserves are limited and that the construction of nuclear power stations will be an expensive and lengthy process. But the high costs will become irrelevant if the oil price reaches 200 dollars per barrel." (23/05/2008)

Der Standard - Austria

The uncovering of plans for a potential bomb attack on Sweden's Oskarshamn nuclear power station has triggered a debate about security at these plants: "This most recent incident has provoked a new discussion about nuclear security. The recent history of Swedish nuclear power plants reads like a series of disasters, bad luck and slip-ups. The incident at the Forsmark plant is regarded as the most serious so far: owing to an external short circuit the plant was cut off from the power supply and this led to the automatic rapid close-down of the reactor." (23/05/2008)

Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Szwajcaria

The newspaper examines possible alternatives to nuclear energy: "New technologies ... should allow solar energy to achieve network parity by 2010. That means that electricity produced with solar energy should be no more expensive than conventional electricity from the wall socket. ... Until now, solar electricity has primarily asserted itself in Germany - for the time being with the aid of high subsidies. These have helped the booming solar sector to chalk up high profits and quick rises in share prices." (23/05/2008)

POLITYKA

Rue89 - Francja

Dialogue with Hamas?

The independent web portal Rue89 comments on the international community's attitude to the Palestinian organisation Hamas: "Must one talk with Hamas? For a long time this question was taboo, but now it is on everyone's lips and provokes very different responses on either side of the Atlantic. ... After Hamas' election victory 18 months ago, the Middle East Quartet ... stipulated the conditions for dialogue with Hamas, in particular the renunciation of terrorist acts and the recognition of Israel. Since then, the official position has not changed. The result is that international aid to the Palestinians has slowed under Hamas control. ... This inflexible attitude has achieved absolutely nothing. It has done nothing to weaken Hamas' position in the Gaza Strip, nor has it strengthened ... the hand of the Palestinians or Fatah President Mahmoud Abbas. It has also failed to prevent the military situation between Gaza and Israel from escalating once again. There is still no cause for optimism in this disaster area." (19/05/2008)

Rzeczpospolita - Polska

Poland divided over Lech Wałęsa

Polish politicians and intellectuals have issued a joint appeal defending former Polish President and leader of the Solidarność trade union Lech Wałęsa against accusations that he worked for the secret services under the communist dictatorship. Paweł Lisicki, chief editor of Rzeczpospolita, endorses a counter-appeal by historians and journalists: "It is indeed sad to see so many well-known people joining this campaign - people who once themselves made sacrifices in the battle for freedom of expression and research. ... They no longer want to understand and discuss things, they want to condemn and impose bans. Such reactions are yet another example of how deep-rooted the legacy of the People's Republic is among Poland's elites. As is often the case, people who speak of democracy, transparency in public life and freedom are resorting to undemocratic means now that they see their position under threat. But what is an authority which is based on fear and control worth?" (23/05/2008)

La Razón - Hiszpania

Restrictive Italy

The newspaper comments on recent immigration policy decisions taken in Rome and Brussels: "After several years of a lax approach to illegal immigration, Europe has now undergone a radical change and started introducing stricter laws. ... Clearly some of the Italian measures are exceptionally harsh, but it is also true that they were part of the electoral platform that won Berlusconi an absolute majority. Italy is currently facing a huge problem with illegal immigrants, and the harsh measures are meant to facilitate deportation. Spain will no doubt also be affected, because people deported from Italy will come here. For that reason it is sensible to take preventive measures and - instead of wasting our time with diplomatic wrangling - negotiate a plan for cooperation." (23/05/2008)

The Daily Telegraph - Wielka Brytania

Strikes in France

In an article entitled "Sarkozy's reform battle", the paper comments on the wave of strikes and protests rocking France: "That Mr Sarkozy's reform programme is biting is a good sign. ... It is also encouraging that the stoppages were less disruptive than they might have been. ... The president has been criticised for procrastinating over reform but, a year into his mandate, he appears to be winning the battle. ... The president should boast less (he claims that he will match Margaret Thatcher as a reformer), and guard against a tendency to promise what he cannot deliver and to buy off protesters (see his offer of 87 million pounds in aid to the fishermen). ... Mr Sarkozy has the mandate to carry it out. But he needs to channel his natural ebullience into a calmer fixity of purpose." (23/05/2008)

To Ethnos - Grecja

New tourism

Member of the European Parliament Marilena Koppa is critical of current trends in the country's tourism industry: "The continuous decline in revenues in the tourism industry, which accounts for around 18 percent of the country's economic performance, reflects the fact that in this sector ... there is no quality control of services or infrastructure, no respect for the environment, and above all not a hint of long-term ... planning. ... A vibrant touristic identity must offer quality and alternative solutions. Only in this way can we attract new kinds of tourists and make the Greek touristic product competitive on the international market." (22/05/2008)

REFLEKSJE

Le Monde - Francja

A European answer to globalisation

The newspaper argues that Europe must face up to the challenges posed by international competition: "In March 2000, the European Union adopted a strategy for allowing member states to adapt to globalisation. ... The wording was exaggerated, but the goal was good. However the European project which allowed the Old Continent to recover after the catastrophes of the 20th century will only continue to make sense in the 21st century if it can guarantee the prosperity of its states in a new international environment. ... Although many Europeans are wary of globalisation, it is clearly unavoidable for Europe. Europe's answer must lie in giving new impetus to the Lisbon strategy. The Europeans dozed off for a while, but now they must redouble their efforts to create a dynamic Europe of growth." (23/05/2008)

Heti Válasz - Węgry

The end of the "Third Way"

Gergely Prőhle asks what remains of the "Third Way" championed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Germany's ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder: "In the West it became clear two or three years ago that this form of social democracy concocted from neo-liberal and conservative ideas is simply incapable of providing a solution to today's problems. Nine years ago an article written by Blair and Schröder had many people fired up. The promise of a paradigm shift and freedom from ideology dovetailed with the expectations of the day. ... Admittedly, this kind of pragmatism can quickly give way to caprice and arbitrariness, as we saw in Britain and in Germany, in the actions of Gerhard Schröder. The freedom from ideology - itself elevated to an ideology - and the technocratic exertion of power served no one, aside from their advocates and supporters." (23/05/2008)

GOSPODARKA

Cinco Días - Hiszpania

The suicide of the EU in agricultural policy

Economist Carlos Tió calls on the EU to change its agricultural policy in the business paper Cinco Días: 2The EU must explain to European society why it refuses to introduce an entrepreneurial farming model which would enable all competitors to compete under equal conditions on the market. In view of rising global demand and higher prices, growing dependence on external supplies is a source of great concern. Together with Europe's dependency in the energy sector this is tantamount to suicide. There is no better name for a policy that de-professionalises the sector by supporting small companies instead of carrying out radical structural reform, investing in new technologies and involving human capital, all of which the rigid structure of the current Common Agricultural Policy prevents." (23/05/2008)

Blog Sme - Słowacja

Socialism with a European face

In the blog of the Slovak daily Sme, Pavol Minárik comments on EU plans to cap the salaries of top managers. "This frightens me. Not content with stipulating quality standards and regulating prices, the European Union now wants to control salaries too. European socialists no longer need to proclaim a revolution. With their salami tactics they are taking away our freedom bit by bit." (23/05/2008)

KULTURA

Evenimentul Zilei - Rumunia

Eastern European prejudices regarding homosexuals

As in many Eastern European countries, homosexuality continues to be a taboo subject in Romania. A gay parade which in the past has repeatedly been the target of violent attacks is scheduled for next Saturday in Bucharest. Writer Mircea Cartarescu comments: "A nation without homosexuals can only be the result of a monstrous policy of extermination. During the Nazi era Jews, contemporary artists, gypsies and also homosexuals were classified as degenerates and murdered. ... Most of those who hate gays cite the sentence in the bible in which Jehovah says to the Jews: 'There should be no homosexuals among you'. ... It is sinful that a universal book like the bible is generating hate in the same way it once engendered anti-Semitism and homophobia among the narrow-minded. In respectable countries gays are regarded as an unconventional element in a uniform world. Gay festivals and parades are simply carnivals in such countries. Here in Eastern Europe many of us unfortunately persist in our prejudices; our very first reaction to homosexuals is repression." (23/05/2008)

Hospodářské noviny - Czechy

Václav Havel returns to his theatre roots

The world premiere of Václav Havel's new play was given a standing ovation yesterday evening. In his drama "Leaving", Havel portrays the decline of a politician who leaves politics after many years in power. After 20 years dedicated mainly to the world of high politics, Havel, the playwright, has returned to his roots. Magdalena Čechlovská comments: "The play itself proves that Havel lost none of his literary talent in the course of his political career. Yesterday's performance confirmed this. Without a doubt we witnessed this year's theatre sensation." (23/05/2008)

MEDIA

La Repubblica - Włochy

An unworthy soap

A few months ago the European Court of Justice criticised the way Italy's broadcasting frequencies are allocated, ruling that it contravened EU law, particularly in the case of television channel Rete 4, which belongs to new Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The Italian government now plans to change Italian law to block the impact of the decision. La Repubblica comments: "The Rete 4 soap has been running for almost a decade now, since 1999 when cartel guidelines dictated that Rete 4 convert to satellite transmission to make way for [broadcaster] Europa 7. Europa 7 never received the frequency, which continues to be used by Rete 4. ... The unworthy proposal to postpone the decision until the begin of the digital era in 2012 is not legitimate for the simple reason that the Court of Justice has already sanctioned the allocation of frequencies and stipulated that broadcasters which have no license for analogue broadcasting - like Rete 4 - were no longer allowed to broadcast on these frequencies." (23/05/2008)

Inne