Today’s front pages
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GreeceHollande’s commitment to Greece
In an interview with Greek televsion four days ahead of national elections, the French president has promised to support Athens, while warning against an Greek exit from the eurozone should Greece fail to honour the terms of its bailout.
Original article in To Ethnos el LinkTo Ethnos Athens -
SpainMoody’s downgrade Spanish debt to near junk status
The American agency has downgraded Spain’s rating by three notches from A3 to Baa3. This is due to doubts over the viability of the €100bn bailout of Spain’s troubled banking system. Moody’s warned that Spain could be downgraded to junk status in the next three months, when banking audit results are published.
Original article in El Mundo es LinkEl Mundo Madrid -
GermanyCrisis profits greet Germany
After earning some €15 billion in 2011 and 2012 through low interest rates on its national debt, Germany will probably have a balanced budget as early as 2013. The Hamburg financial daily points out that this gives ammunition to Germany’s critics who would like it to make a greater commitment to rescuing crisis-stricken Europe.
Original article in Financial Times Deutschland de LinkFinancial Times Deutschland Hamburg -
PolandEuro 2012 overburdening local governments
In three out of four Polish Euro 2012 host cities – Poznań, Wrocław, and Gdańsk – local governments have accumulated debt exceeding 60 percent over income and investments related to the football tournament. The Warsaw daily notes that some city governments could go into receivership as a result.
Original article in Rzeczpospolita pl LinkRzeczpospolita Warsaw -
RomaniaPonta puts Basescu in check — constitution for Brussels
Just a few weeks ahead of the 28-29 June EU summit, controversy rages in Romania over whether conservative President Traian Băsescu or Socialist PM Victor Ponta is to represent his country in Brussels. President Băsescu argues that if the PM is to go as head of state, then the constitution must be amended accordingly. PM Ponta argues that he "has already been invited by Brussels."
Original article in Evenimentul zilei ro LinkEvenimentul zilei Bucharest -
Czech RepublicPolice’s appetite grows — Parkanová wanted
Following their succesful indictment for corruption of David Rath, ex-governor of central Bohemia, the Czech police are now asking parliament to strip former Defense minister Vlasta Parkanová of her immunity. Parkanová, deputy speaker of the Czech lower house, is suspected of abuse of public office in the purchase of Spanish CASA aircraft for the Czech airforce in 2009.
Original article in Mladá Fronta DNES cs LinkMladá Fronta DNES Prague -
MaltaEU row over fish controls
The European Commission wants to introduce a ban on fishing in case of overfished stocks. Malta is insisting this would first have to be negotiated with third countries that share these stocks, a position supported by Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria.
Original article in The Times of Malta en LinkThe Times of Malta Valetta
