"It is good to see that the EU has managed to reach agreement on both a climate plan and a financial package that could perhaps stimulate the economy," the daily Berlingske Tidende writes. "It may well be that the stimulus package is a little less ambitious than some states at the summit wanted. Germany and Denmark were against fiscal policy concessions because both countries fear [this] could endanger the already weak growth. Nor will there be coordinated reductions in VAT to boost consumption. But the package is ready now and it proves that the EU states are willing to take targeted measures to tackle the crisis without putting what has been achieved in Germany and Denmark, for example, at risk. Denmark in particular quite rightly fears that lowering taxes could lead to an overheated labour market. Crises can force countries to start acting together. The EU summit was a good example of this." (15/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, duński)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Stosunki międzynarodowe, » Polityka UE, » Polityka finansowa, » Środowisko, » Niemcy, » Dania, » Europa

El País newspaper expresses disappointment at the EU economic recovery plan and the lack of harmony on tax reductions: "Once again the European Council has camouflaged as a historical agreement what is in fact no more than a minimum of coordination on the part of states that otherwise can reach no agreement whatsoever. Since the beginning of time smoke has been a sign for fire. Nevertheless the majority of member states have decided to wait for the flames of this crisis before sounding the alarm. And that is where the harmony ends. While some states are rushing to nationalise banks, cut taxes and increase their national deficits, others - like Germany - are far more cautious about throwing overboard the result of years of structural adjustment." (15/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, hiszpański)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Polityka finansowa, » Polityka gospodarcza, » Europa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » José Ignacio Torreblanca

The leftist daily Právo writes that the Central European states were able to make themselves heard in the climate discussions, particularly regarding the question of emissions: "The success is not theirs alone, however, it belongs to the entire Union. The Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and other countries have negotiated exceptions to the new norms that will prevent them from going into a dangerous economic tailspin. In addition they can look forward to receiving hundreds of billions of crowns from the richer countries of the Union to modernise their energy production. ... The summit was able to balance differing opinions and often diametrically opposed interests. This shows that the image of the Union as a nest of bureaucrats who decide against the will of the states is far removed from reality. Rather, it is the governments of the member states that set the tone in Europe." (15/12/2008)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Środowisko, » Europa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Michal Mocek

The EU agreements on climate protection are better than expected considering the credit crunch, the daily Trouw writes: "The big winners of the negotiations ... are the new member states in Eastern Europe and their heavily polluting energy sectors. Considerable compromises have been made in their favour in a bid to mitigate the disadvantages for their economies. The disappointment of the environmental organisations is understandable. But it would be an exaggeration to talk of a 'black day for climate protection'. The member states with the strongest economies have shown that they are willing to carry the heaviest burdens. In times of economic hardship this sets a good example of Europe's solidarity and sense of responsibility. Without an agreement the European Union would have lost credibility." (15/12/2008)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Środowisko, » Europa

The Times of Malta is delighted that the small country will be allowed to retain its EU commissioner: "[Maltese Prime Minister] Lawrence Gonzi did what he does best: securing Malta's interests in a deal hammered out by the EU to make up for the Irish 'no' vote on the Lisbon Treaty. The significance of such a small country retaining the right to nominate a commissioner is not to be underestimated, since it gives Malta disproportionate power, status and influence within the EU's highest body. The person occupying this post may not necessarily be there to promote the island's agenda, but his or her very presence makes this all the more possible. Used responsibly, this is an invaluable tool." (15/12/2008)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Konstytucja UE, » Malta, » Europa

The financial crisis and the elections in the US have markedly changed the environment for a global climate policy. This could have a decisive impact on the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen at the end of 2009, the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: "The Copenhagen ruling for which the foundations were laid a year ago at the Bali Climate Conference is likely to be considerably less ambitious than the Bali Roadmap had foreseen. ... So in 2009 the negotiations will take place under extreme pressure. If long-term and comprehensive cooperation does not begin to take shape in Copenhagen, the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol could be at stake. Some of the [41] Annex I industrialised states [in the climate framework convention] are unlikely to be willing to ratify a 'Kyoto II' without substantial contractual commitments on the part of the US and important emerging economies. Although this would not - should scientists fail to give the all-clear signal all of a sudden - represent the end of a global climate policy, it would create a huge debacle." (14/12/2008)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Środowisko, » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Heidi Blattmann

In an opinion piece for the daily Helsingin Sanomat, Ville Itälä, a member of the European Parliament's budgetary committee, fears the EU's strategy for the Baltic could be hindered by financing problems. "The EU has finally woken up and realised that the Baltic, as the EU's only inland sea, requires its own special strategy. ... In view of its upcoming EU presidency starting next July, Sweden has undertaken to bolster this strategy. ... But at present it seems clear that opposition to funding [for the Baltic strategy] is so great that it is in jeopardy. ... The Mediterranean region receives over 200 million euros from the EU budget each year. Now the Mediterranean countries fear that the focus could shift to the Baltic. A Baltic action plan has already been drawn up between the governments of the Baltic states and the EU. The plan is aimed at developing the Baltic in an environmentally friendly way up to the year 2021. ... Concrete plans and objectives have therefore already been set down on paper, but the question is: How are the words to be followed by deeds?" (15/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, fiński)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Środowisko, » Kraje Nadbałtyckie, » Europa Północna
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Ville Itälä

The Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) is not part of the new Romanian government. But this should not be seen as discrimination, writes Gandul newspaper: "The Romanians have kicked ... the anti-Hungarian, anti-Semitic, anti-humanitarian Greater Romania Party (PRM) out of parliament. The majority of Romanians also see this as the end of the threat to their Hungarian fellow citizens. In their view the Hungarians benefit from a unique situation in Romania. They have the same rights as the majority, and all they need to maintain their language, culture and traditions. And they even had a deputy prime minister. ... It will be a historic day for Romania when the Hungarians come to see the UDMR as useless and old-fashioned. To bring it about as soon as possible, the government comprising the Liberal Democrats (PD-L) and Social Democrats (PSD) must make the Hungarians feel they are not being neglected. The Hungarian voters must not be ignored. The politicians of the non-ethnic parties must win the trust, and the votes, of the Hungarians." (15/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, rumuński)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Mniejszości, » Rumunia

The worst is yet to come, fears the daily Ta NEA with an eye to the social and political situation in Greece: "Until now the main problem has been the behaviour of the police. ... In the coming months we have to reckon with the social tensions resulting from the economic crisis reaching a climax. ... Add to that the education crisis, in particular the crisis in the universities, and you get an explosive cocktail. ... The government, and we the people as well, are deluding ourselves if we think something like this can be overcome without determined action. What we need is a New Deal for the youth, comprising a reorganisation of the schools and universities, a solution to the unemployment problem and the creation of a social environment in the cities." (15/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, grecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Ruchy społeczne, » Grecja

Last Saturday Pope Benedict XVI used the quote "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's" to underline the separation of secular and religious power. In the liberal daily La Stampa Franco Garelli comments: "The Church admits that Christianity is founded on the separation of State and Church, the autonomy of the secular and religious spheres. ... This conceals not only Christianity's refusal to pass judgement in secular society ..., but also the idea that the Church does not represent the entirety of society. Rather it is a distinguished and voluntary community whose main task is to announce and spread the Christian message. This is why we are called on to render to God the things that are God's. The faithful are required to follow the laws of the earth but look to heaven for guidance. Christians inhabit a place between the kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of Earth; they accept the laws of Caesar on the condition of recognising the primacy of God. ... But why should a free church in a free state such as ours demand the privileged attention of the political powers? Does this not pose the risk that, in contradiction of the principles that apply, a creeping tie between State and Church is created that could influence the latter in its mission?" (15/12/2008)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Religia, » Światopogląd, » Włochy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Franco Garelli

Richard Wagner gives vent to his rage and frustration in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung at the demands by politicians that citizens should stimulate recovery in the financial crisis. "Recession, recovery, whatever. I don't want to help the economy, I want to be a cranky consumer. And frankly at the moment I couldn't care less about saving the planet, regardless of whether or not the world community has lined up behind UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to breathe life into the green revolution as winners of the crisis. I mean it's clear to anyone who thinks about it that bankrupt businesses don't pollute. So don't count on me saving the world, because to tell you the truth I've had it up to here with the trickery and lies, and I am going to tend to nothing more pressing than my little garden, because there's lots in it to discover that I can better explain to my children than faith in the market or belief in politics. People in past centuries did not care about their 'standard of living' wrote [German postwar journalist Sebastian] Haffner, they only cared about their salvation. That doesn't sound like such a bad start to me." (14/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niemiecki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Światopogląd, » Niemcy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Richard Wagner

The British pound is steadily decreasing in value. The Daily Telegraph writes that this reflects the market's perception of the state of the British economy: "The fall in the pound may be good for some, especially those in manufacturing, but it is also likely to cause bankruptcies elsewhere, especially on the high street. What it is certainly not is an endorsement of Britain's economy policy. The Prime Minister may regard his policies as a blueprint for saving the world, but sterling's collapse is the market giving its verdict on the recklessness with which the Government has conducted economic policy. By spending unsustainably, taking government debt up to 76,000 pounds for every household in the country. ... The vote of no confidence in our currency should act as a wake-up call to the Government." (15/12/2008)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka gospodarcza, » Rynki finansowe, » Wielka Brytania

Le Monde wonders whether "affordable luxury" is also among the collateral damage of the economic crisis: "The concept of 'affordable luxury' includes those things which seem to have all of the qualities of true luxury items minus the high price. ... The firms specialising in 'affordable luxury' can be divided into three categories. First there are those whose very notoriety is based on it. The best example here is no doubt Starbucks coffeehouse chain. ... The second category includes the many sectors [such as the automotive industry] where 'affordable luxury' has pretty much gained the upper hand. ... And finally, tourism, the third category of 'affordable luxury' ... has become far more accessible. The columnist Robert Samuelson writes in [the US magazine] Newsweek that consumers are currently experiencing a 'wealth effect in reverse' ... In tightening their belts they manage to find ways to stimulate the economy. If 'affordable luxury' remains within people's reach, it could well boost consumption." (13/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Rynek konsumencki, » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Françoise Lazare

In a few weeks' time the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius will become the European Capital of Culture, but according to the daily Lietuvos Rytas it is hardly presenting itself in a favourable light at the moment. "The German TV station ARD decided to conduct interviews with three well-known personalities here: our homophobic mayor, an anti-Semitic publisher and the president of the sports federation, who insulted a black basketball player. The mayor promptly fulfilled ARD's expectations, saying that he didn't mind a few blacks walking through the streets of Vilnius, but he drew the line at gays - this from the head of the future European Capital of Culture. ... The capital of a state in which literature [as of January 1st when new VAT legislation enters force] is put on an equal footing with alcohol, gas and oil simply doesn't deserve the title of European Capital of Culture." (15/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, litewski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka kulturalna, » Litwa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Rimvydas Valatka

The Dutch government wants to set up a rescue fund for newspapers. The right-wing liberal weekly Elsevier rejects the idea of subsidies for publishing houses, pointing out that other hard-hit sectors are not being offered any aid: "Moreover, in providing such funding the government would simply be avoiding the basic problem, namely that it has created a network of public broadcasting services that is endowed with hundreds of millions in state money. ... Instead of cutting subsidies for broadcasting the state now plans to subsidise newspapers as well. This is the wrong solution, and it will only generate more problems. Many programmes contain what is really government news. It is entirely possible that the government will be unable to resist the temptation of demanding favours in return for its investment from the newspapers too." (15/12/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, niderlandzki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Media drukowane, » Holandia
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Philip Willems

The left-leaning daily Pravda attacks the uncivil behaviour of politicians frequently to be observed in the Slovak parliament. "So far not a single MP has been penalised for making offensive remarks about a political opponent. Yet the parliamentary guidelines offer several possibilities for such a course of action, even if the fines in question are ridiculously low. The political scene is a reflection of society. The country has exactly the politicians it deserves. Vulgar expressions are commonplace in our society. And the behaviour of our politicians is just as vulgar. When they realise they can impress some of their voters with such behaviour they see no reason to change it. We all, and not just the politicians, should therefore pay more attention to the things we say on a daily basis." (15/12/2008)

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Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Styl życia, » Słowacja
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Erik Potocký