“The German economy remains faithful to Eastern Europe,” observes business daily Handelsblatt, quoting the results of a poll of 1000 German entrepreneurs. “Even if the economies of eastern countries are in free fall, companies are satisfied with their sites in the region,” it reports. Alonside Poland, the only country to enjoy economic growth for the first quarter of 2009 (0.8%) the Czech Republic and Slovenia offer best conditions for companies. Eastern Europe accounts for 12% of German foreign exports, more than the US and China combined. “Even with salary increases, the East remains interesting,” the business daily is pleased to announce. Costs never go above 25% of those in Germany. According to the poll, the only damper is that bills are often not paid on time.
Economy
Low cost East keeps Germany keen
2 June 2009
Presseurop
Handelsblatt 
The leader of Greece’s leftist alliance SYRIZA is the new bright hope of Greek politics. Steering a course between pragmatism and the rhetoric of class warfare, he has unsettled Berlin, and not just those who back Angela Merkel's austerity policies. 
Europe’s economic woes have forced us to try to understand the secret Olympian world of global finance. But now that we pay more attention to bond yields and stability mechanisms, isn’t it clear that the experts up on their lofty peaks don’t know what’s going on either? 
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is hosted by Azerbaijan, a country that is far from being a model democracy. An Estonian journalist takes a critical look at the deferential treatment enjoyed by the regime in Baku.