Portugal remembers its transition to democracy against a backdrop of economic uncertainty. In his speech to mark the 36th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva acknowledged “the seriousness of the economic crisis,” but "refrained from apportioning blame or suggesting solutions," reports Público. Now that Portugal appears to be increasingly under threat from turmoil affecting the euro zone, Cavaco Silva asserted that the country should focus on maritime transport, ship building and emerging marine industries in energy generation and biotechnology. He also called "on public authorities to provide the significant investment" required to make Porto a leading centre "for talent, excellence and innovation" in the creative industries.
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.