Barbara Spinelli
Born in Rome in 1946, Barbara Spinelli co-founded the daily La Repubblica and worked for Corriere della Sera until joining La Stampa, where she has been writing editorials since 1985. Spinelli, who took her degree in philosophy and specialised as a journalist in Central and Eastern Europe, is the daughter of Altiero Spinelli, a leading anti-Fascist and founder of the European Federalist Movement that was to give rise to the Union of European Federalists.
Instead of treating Greek officials as outcasts and their constituents like the plague, European leaders, and particularly Germans, would be better off listening. Because, in attempting to prioritise the needs of the economy over those of democracy, they are undermining the Union’s foundations.
Drive Greece out of the euro, and build a federal Europe behind a protective firewall? Italian columnist Barbara Spinelli warns that this idea, which appears to be gaining ground with a number of European leaders, would not only fail to resolve the crisis but would also put an end to Europe’s common culture.
Europe must learn to co-operate with Germany, argues veteran Italian columnist Barbara Spinelli. Despite a reputation for being excessively stern and power-hungry, German rigour is nevertheless the only viable alternative to the Chinese model.
The financial crisis has exposed the deception and subterfuge of politics, yet the leaders of Europe continue to deny the obvious. Only honesty, and the courage to tell the truth, can save Europe.
Nicolas Sarkozy defiance of Europe — loudly supported by Silvio Berlusconi — isn't just about the Roma, it is an attack on the community's core values and the right of the public to know what is being done in their name, says columnist Barbara Spinelli
Contrary to its leaders’ glib pronouncements, the Lisbon Treaty and the bailout mechanism won’t suffice to safeguard Europe’s future. What we need is deeper integration to ward off new crises, urges editorialist Barbara Spinelli.
The African migrant workers’ riots in the province of Gioia Tauro, in Calabria, after two of them were shot with airguns, once again lifts the curtain on their deplorable living and working conditions. Now required to leave the city, these illegal immigrants in Rosarno as elsewhere, are often the only people to rise up against the mafias that reign supreme in several regions.