Articles
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Russia: Pussy Riot debacle echoes old school communism
21 August 201214912 Respekt Prague -
Eurozone crisis: Black autumn for the euro
20 August 201226442 Público Lisbon -
Humour in Europe 1/10: Tickling Germany’s funny bone
20 August 201212025 Le Monde Paris -
Eastern Europe: Eurozone crisis threatens liberal reform
20 August 20127715 The Guardian London -
Eurozone crisis: Time to make the rich pay
17 August 201255559 Der Tagesspiegel Berlin -
Ideas: In 2014, let’s make the elections truly European
17 August 201222358 La Repubblica Rome -
Hungary: Viktor Orbán seeks salvation in Asia
16 August 20121938 Hospodářské Noviny Prague -
Georgia: Why the EU should keep us out
16 August 2012538 Ekho Kavkaza Prague -
Albania-EU: “Let us in, you bastards!”
15 August 201218096 Gazeta Wyborcza Warsaw -
Spain: The German recipe
14 August 201212523 Le Monde Paris -
Society: Berlin’s “cyber-bohemians” don’t want to work
14 August 201228227 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Frankfurt -
United Kingdom: Olympics over, now back to work
13 August 2012567 The Independent London -
Olympic Games : Are they worth the effort?
13 August 201214217 La Vanguardia Barcelona -
Heritage: No money for old stones
10 August 201239017 El País Madrid -
Back to Spain (3/3): Pepe is not here any more
10 August 201235138 Der Spiegel Hamburg -
Sustainable energies: The easy way to help the economy
9 August 201217814 NRC Handelsblad Amsterdam -
Back to Spain (2/3): Storming Barcelona’s banks
9 August 201233220 Der Spiegel Hamburg -
Debate: Let’s make the United Statelets of Europe
8 August 201236799 EUobserver.com Brussels -
Back to Spain (1/3): Everything revolves around the crisis
8 August 201228843 Der Spiegel Hamburg -
Eurozone crisis: Young and restless, the new masters of Europe
7 August 201236724 International Herald Tribune Paris -
Geopolitics: Denmark sets course for North Pole
7 August 20121342 Politiken Copenhagen -
Italy-Germany: Pride and prejudice
6 August 2012206118 La Stampa Turin -
Debate: Europe is like 19th century Japan
6 August 201228837 Svenska Dagbladet Stockholm -
Albania: Saying farewell to Hoxha’s bunkers
3 August 20121895 Gazeta Wyborcza Warsaw -
Euromyths (10/10): You can do what you want, if you manage your budget
3 August 20126619 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Debate: The euro of our discontent
2 August 201215548 Público Lisbon -
Euromyths (9/10): National identity just hasn’t been eroded
2 August 201217451 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Eurozone: The day we’ll find out what Germany wants
1 August 2012115114 La Vanguardia Barcelona -
Youth: Time for the European Spring
1 August 201248419 Polityka Warsaw -
Italy: Monte Argentario, where the Czech elite goes to heaven
1 August 2012394 Mladá Fronta DNES Prague -
Euromyths (8/10): They straighten bananas for your own good
1 August 201215519 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Democracy: Europe isn’t turning extremist
31 July 201211312 The Irish Times Dublin -
Euromyths (7/10): Not every law comes from Brussels
30 July 2012774 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Eurozone crisis: The euro is coming to an end
30 July 201232093 Die Welt Berlin -
Euromyths (6/10): The Eurocracy is really quite small
30 July 2012753 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Romania: For and against the “dictator Băsescu”
27 July 2012416 Jurnalul Naţional Bucharest -
Euromyths (5/10): EU remains a selective club
27 July 20124913 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Eurozone crisis: EU’s leaders roam uncharted waters
26 July 20127647 NRC Handelsblad Amsterdam -
Eurozone crisis: What must be said
26 July 201222447 Süddeutsche Zeitung Munich -
Euromyths (4/10): Still good value for your money
26 July 20123911 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Film: Portugal — action and... cuts!
25 July 2012752 Libération Paris -
Euromyths (3/10): EU budget — little money, much waste
25 July 2012718 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Eurozone: Spanish bailout is now inevitable
24 July 201229888 The Guardian London -
Euromyths (2/10): Lobbies, not always a bad thing
24 July 20121106 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
Spain: ECB is making things worse
23 July 20122744 ABC Madrid -
Euromyths (1/10) : The democratic deficit — smaller than you think
23 July 201215129 De Groene Amsterdammer Amsterdam -
United Kingdom: The Orwellian Olympic spirit
20 July 201223826 The New York Times New York -
Spain: Looking for a new team spirit
20 July 20129657 El País Madrid -
Religion: Why circumcision hurts
20 July 201213934 Die Zeit Hamburg -
Romania: Justice — at the heart of the power struggle
19 July 20129714 Le Monde Paris
The trial of three members of the punk feminist band sentenced to two years in labour camp on August 17, is reminiscent of the treatment of the rock band Plastic People of the Universe of Czechoslovakia in the 1970s. It demonstrates the same intolerance towards "sowers of disorder" and other critics of the regime. 
If August was relatively reassuring on the sovereign debt front, the signals that we are moving towards a “Black September” for the euro are getting stronger. The distrust between the "virtuous" states and the most indebted ones has brought the EU dangerously near the point of no return. 
Who said the Germans don't know how to laugh? In this first part in a series on European humour, Le Monde explores the nation's cabaret culture, a phenomenon that endured even East Germany's Cold War period. 
Not only is the eurozone crisis shaking the world to its financial foundations, it is also having unforseen political consequences in the former communist states, helping unpick progress made towards democracy in eastern Europe, argues lawyer Andrea Capussela. 
In their bid to cope with debts, governments are taxing the middle classes, and overlooking the fact that bad investments — banks, property, public debt — made by the wealthy, are the cause of the current crisis. Taking up this idea, the liberal Der Tagesspiegel argues that the well-off should dig deeper. 
Although there is indeed a European public space, a true political union is still far off. Why not make this ambitious challenge the issue of the 2014 elections to mobilise voters around a grand European project?, asks Andrea Manzella, a professor of Italian law. 
Cold-shouldered in Europe, the government of Hungary has launched an “Eastern opening” policy in an attempt to find new allies in Asia. As part of its efforts, it shows little hesitation in dusting off the mythological ideology of the Hungarian fascists. And that is bringing it nearer to the extremist Jobbik party, notes a Czech journalist. 
Rapprochement with the EU, including freedom of movement, will be the focus of the parliamentary and presidential election campaigns in 2012 and 2013. But, warns a Georgian journalist, abolishing visas for the EU would push his countrymen to flee the country rather than contribute to its development. 
Of all states wishing to join the EU, the "Land of the Eagles" seems more motivated than most. But the chance of obtaining candidate status at the moment is pretty slim, because there is so much progress yet to be made. At the border with Greece, the movement of migrants is a good indicator of how both economies are faring. 
Fighting back against the finanical crisis, Spain is adopting the German model and focusing on boosting its trade surplus through increasing exports. Its overseas sales have sharply increased, bringing a glimmer of hope – but only a glimmer as the country continues to wrestle with unemployment topping 5.5 million. 
"Poor but sexy"; the German capital is a creative, forward-thinking centre, but only survives on subsidies paid by other states. There, lives a population for whom money is tight, and universal handouts are expected. Blogger Don Alphonso pulls no punches in his portrait of Berlin. 
As the UK goes back to work after its two-week holiday soaking up a little international kudos, Prime Minister David Cameron could well be wishing a little Olympic spirit was enough to solve the nation’s problems, starting with the economy, believes columnist Ian Birrell. 
For supporters of the Olympics, the colossal sums invested have a positive impact in terms of tourism, urban renewal and society – by popularising sports. In reality, this is rarely the case, as shown by the examples of cities that have hosted the Games in the past. 
Cultural heritage is not escaping the austerity cure being dosed out to European countries, starting with those in the south. It’s here where a large part of Europe's historical heritage, and the budget cuts that are affecting them, are concentrated. 
What is going on in Spain? In the last part of his journey, Der Spiegel reporter Juan Moreno reaches his parents’ village in Spain where he realises that the crisis has profoundly changed the life of Spaniards, and of his family too. 
Not only would the introduction of more stringent energy standards benefit the environment, but they would also develop European competitiveness. Unfortunately, the EU's leaders do not seem to be aware, writes Ron Wit of the Dutch Foundation Nature and Environment. 
What is going on in Spain? In the second part of his journey in his parents’ country, Der Spiegel reporter Juan Moreno discovers ruined people’s anger against the banks. 
In economics, but also in diplomacy or simply in administration, the size of the country matters. For some EU states, which are too small on a global scale, the model no longer works. The solution? Applying the US model to Europe, suggests journalist Philip Ebels. 
“What is going on in Spain?” wonders Europe and above all Germany. A Der Spiegel reporter, who himself is a son of Spanish immigrants, went back to his parents’ country and find out the origins of the crisis. 
With a click, the young City traders can bring down governments or threaten the survival of the euro. But, by their own admission, they have difficulty interpreting the confusing signals from European leaders and act cautiously, in a vicious cycle that feeds the debt crisis. 
En route to the Arctic to affirm sovereignty over an area of ocean floor and possible oil reserves, the Danish expedition to the North Pole will likely prompt opposition from both the Russian government and environmentalists, reports Politiken. 
Despite the efforts of Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti to appease German public opinion, his own countrymen deplore the nationalist and anti-European mood in Germany. The blame lies with preconceived ideas - and with Italy's position too, writes La Stampa. 
A fragmented territory controlled by local potentates with a weak central government that is not taken seriously by the rest of the world: the EU now resembles Japan in 1860s, argues a Swedish journalist. But the construction of a real European political power could prove to be counter-productive. 
During the paranoid Hoxha years, hundreds of thousands of concrete bunkers were meant to protect communist Albania from invasion by its enemies. Today they are now used by young people to party and to make out, or by others to recover steel and fuel the economic boom. 
With the entry into force of the fiscal pact, many argue that a state's prerogative to determine its income and expenditure will have all but disappeared. In the final article of its euromyths series, the Groene Amsterdammer assesses what room for manoeurvre states now have. 
Designed to end a half a millennium of conflicts, today European political unity faces an uncertain future. This is because Europeans no longer share the same vision and because the United States will not accept the existence of the euro, says Portuguese writer Eduardo Lourenço. 
Eurosceptics argue that EU integration undermines national identities and cultures. But is there such thing as a common “European identity”? In its continuing series on euromyths, De Groene Amsterdammer tries to sound out what Europeans think. 
The meeting of the European Central Bank of August 2 has been declared crucial for Spain and Italy, who are waiting for help. This will be the moment we find out who in Germany — be it the Chancellor or the President of the Bundesbank — is to decide on its position on the crisis. 
One in every five young Europeans is out of a job, and even one in two in some countries. Numbers like these were enough to have the young generation rebel against governments in the Arab world, remarks a Polish columnist. What will happen if our social model deprives young people of all hope? 
Some of Czech Republic's most famous politicians love nothing more than spend their holidays in stunning villas on Italy's Tuscan coast, sharing quality time with with family, lobbyists and businessmen. Their friendly and generous ways have endeared them to the local residents. 
The EU is often said to regulate on the tiniest things, from the curve of a cucumber to the size of chocolate eggs. But is this a truly useless activity? In its continuing series on euromyths, De Groene Amsterdammer sets the record... straight. 
Despite warnings that the European electorate, frustrated by economic decline and austerity, would fall into the arms of EU-phobic, immigrant bashing extremists, it still continues to plump for the moderate mainstream. 
It’s said that 80% of our laws come from European legislation, a percentage cites by eurosceptics as well as europhiles. In its continuing series on euromyths, De Groene Amsterdammer finds that this figure just doesn’t add up. 
Draghi, Merkel, Hollande and Juncker may be fond of standing behind the euro in a demonstrative display of unity. It no longer makes sense, writes the Die Welt am Sonntag. Europe's differences are too big for a single currency. 
Is the EU really is a cumbersome and expensive bureaucracy comprising vast numbers of civil servants, churning out endless amounts of rules? Dutch weekly newsmagazine De Groene Amsterdammer sets out to find an answer to the question in its euromyths series. 
On 29 July, Romania holds a referendum to confirm or reject the impeachment of the country’s president approved by parliament early this month. The run-up to the vote has been marked by particularly vicious campaigns mounted by both sides and scathing articles in the press: these two opposing editorials from Jurnalul Naţional and Adevărul are a case in point. 
The EU already has twenty-seven members, and more are knocking on the door. But isn't the process of enlargement undermining its founding principles and energies? De Groene Amsterdammer continues its series on euromyths. 
European leaders have been have been accused of “improvising” their way through the debt crisis for the last two and a half years. But given the uniqueness of the event, are they completely to blame? wonders an NRC Handelsblad columnist. 
In the midst of the eurozone crisis, we're fortunate to have politicians who can tell us how things stand, ironises the Süddeutsche Zeitung, with this list of choice quotes. 
As Eurosceptics like to point out, the Netherlands is one of the EU’s biggest net contributors, and therefore pays “billions of euros” into Brussels’ coffers. Do the Dutch get anything in return? De Groene Amsterdammer tries to find out in its continuing series on euromyths. 
The young guard of Portuguese filmmakers has been making impact at international festivals. However, in their home country the crisis has led to a drastic reduction in state investment in culture which has put many small producers in an extremely difficult position. 
The EU spends too much money and it does so for pointless projects, goes the usual reproach. But is it really so wasteful? asks Groene Amsterdammer in its third Euromyth investigation. 
Spain has a collapsing economy, an imploding property market, banks nursing colossal losses, and 10-year bond yields at 7.5%. It’s time to stop pretending that there won’t be a bailout, writes The Guardian’s economics editor. 
Lobbies hovering around Brussels are legion but what is their role? And do they win every time? In the second part of its investigation into euromyths, the Groene Amsterdammer analyses the power relations between EU institutions and pressure groups. 
What with market pressures, nationwide anti-austerity demonstrations and regional government on the brink of financial collapse: the Spanish government doesn’t have much room for manoeuvre. And the ECB seems to be doing everything to force a full bail-out with outside supervision, laments an ABC writer. 
The EU is criticised for being bureaucratic, wasteful, and in thrall to lobbies... and not just from dyed in the wool eurosceptics. Dutch weekly De Groene Amsterdammer has decided to sift true from the false with a collection of 10 “euromyths”. First up — the democratic deficit. 
As the world’s athletes get ready for the start of the Olympic Games on July 27, Londoners are griping about huge traffic and public transport delays, and a massive, hectoring security presence. 
On July 19, hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated against the austerity policies of the Mariano Rajoy government. Today, when a leap forward is needed, the trust between Spaniards and those who govern them has broken down, deplores sociologist Fernando Vallespín.
Ever since a German court declared circumcision of a minor a punishable offense Germany has been debating religious freedom. As with the headscarf or the crucifix, the anxiety shows that German society is becoming ever more fearful of religion. 
Behind Victor Ponta’s latest political offensive, which led to the dismissal of President Traian Băsescu, hides a will to control the recently reformed judicial system. All this amidst a slew of corruption scandals.