Today’s front pages
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SpainGovernment finalises aid to Spain with Merkel and ECB
European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi is expected on Thursday to outline a plan to relieve pressure on Spanish and Italian debt. Berlin, Paris, Madrid and Rome are negotiating which measures to take. The USA and Germany jointly declared support for the reforms undertaken by the Spanish Government.
Original article in La Razón es LinkLa Razón Madrid -
EurozoneEuro-shield without limits
Eurozone member states are considering whether to authorise the European Central Bank (ECB) to provide unlimited credit to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) in order to buy bonds of indebted states, reports the Munich daily. France, Italy and a number of high-ranking members of the ECB board are pushing for this solution, which is opposed by Germany and the Bundesbank. The plan threatens the stability of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition, as more and more members are against additional German financial involvement.
Original article in Süddeutsche Zeitung de LinkSüddeutsche Zeitung Munich -
RomaniaPresident of the North
In the July 29 referendum on the impeachment of President Băsescu, Romania was cut in two. While the south had a large turn-out, voters in Transylvania and the northern abstained. With the overall turnout less than 50%, the vote, large in favour of the President's impeachment, was invalidated.
Original article in Adevărul ro LinkAdevărul Bucharest -
Italy“Early vote? I decide”
Amidst talks of an early general election, instead of the one scheduled for April 2013, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has asked Italy’s political parties to first find “broad agreement” on the country’s electoral system. Italy currently uses a complex party-list proportional representation system but for the President new rules are crucial for Italy’s international credibility and to secure stable governments.
Original article in La Stampa it LinkLa Stampa Turin -
Czech RepublicBradáčová becomes attorney general at last
After weeks of controversy, during which the government appeared to oppose her nomination, Lenka Bradáčová was finally appointed Prague's Attorney General. Renowned for having uncovered a corruption scandal involving the governor of Central Bohemia David Rath, now in prison, she is considered to be a person with integrity and capable of ensuring the independence of prosecutors with regard to the executive. But will her appointment be enough to "unfreeze" other major corruption scandals? wonders the newspaper.
Original article in Hospodářské Noviny cs LinkHospodářské Noviny Prague -
United KingdomGames turn London into “ghost town”
The Olympics is creating a “ghost town” effect in central London as visitors to the capital’s shops, hotels and theatres stay away, casting doubt on expectations of a short-term economic boost from the games. The games have attracted as many as 100,000 foreign visitors to London – more than in previous Olympics. But this number lags behind the estimated 300,000 foreign tourists who could be expected in a typical year.
Original article in Financial Times en LinkFinancial Times London -
SlovakiaState wants to give big commission contracts directly
Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico is seeking to scrap tenders for public contracts over the value of 10 millions euros as a time saving measure. Critics argue that this could violate free market rules, notably in the case of large scale constructions like nuclear power stations.
Original article in Hospodárske Noviny sk LinkHospodárske Noviny Bratislava
