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European Union
Sun, 2012-05-13 13:07
#1
European Union
Sun, 2012-05-13 13:09
#2
All bets are off on this one
Euro's day of reckoning looms
The Franco-German elite which rules the euro is still in denial about the failure of its core project
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-eu...
Sun, 2012-05-13 14:19
#3
Bye, bye austerity?
Angela Merkel dealt further blow by German voters in key state election
North Rhine-Westphalia re-elects SPD-Greens in bellwether result seen as a rejection of her austerity measures at local level
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/13/angela-merkel-north-rhine-we...
Voters in Germany's most populous state handed a resounding victory to the centre-left , dealing a heavy blow to Angela Merkel's conservatives in what was interpreted as a backlash against the chancellor's European austerity campaign.
Exit polls on Sunday night in the North Rhine-Westphalia election showed Hannelore Kraft, who had led the state's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) in a coalition with the Greens, had soundly beaten her Christian Democrat (CDU) rival Norbert Röttgen, Merkel's environment minister.
The SPD secured 39% of the vote to the CDU's 26% in what amounted to the worst result in the state for the conservatives since 1949. The Greens took 12%, ensuring that a coalition with the SPD would mean a 10-seat majority in the state parliament. The Free Democratic party (FDP), Merkel's coalition partner in the federal government, took 8.5% of the vote.
The parvenu Pirates party, whose platform is based on greater openness in government through technology, were celebrating their fourth successive entry into a regional parliament after polling 7.5%.
The result in North Rhine-Westphalia is seen as setting the tone for next year's federal elections. The state's 18 million people makes it bigger than some EU countries, including Greece, whose perilous economic situation and Germany's approach to it was often the focus of the campaign. It gives a clear boost to the SPD and puts Merkel, who remains Germany's most popular politician after seven years in power, on shaky political ground.
The setback for the CDU comes on top of the defeat last week of its coalition with the FDP in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein. Merkel's position has further been weakened by her ally Nicolas Sarkozy's defeat in the French presidential election as well as the collapse of the Dutch government. She has also been facing increasing allegations, particularly from the SPD, that she is to blame for the surge of neo-Nazis in Greece because of her policy on the eurozone debt crisis.
National polls show that Merkel's pro-austerity approach has popular support in Germany, with 61% saying they approve of her stance. But within North Rhine-Westphalia – which includes the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Essen, and the industrial Ruhr region – it would appear that the CDU's arguments that the state needed to make sacrifices to slash its €180bn (£144bn) debt backfired.
While CDU politicians sought to label the SPD-Green government as irresponsibly profligate, calling it "pro debt", campaigners for the coalition made a point of holding election rallies in disused swimming pools and derelict recreation facilities to emphasise the result of decades of under-investment and neglect in the state, which suffers from high unemployment and declining industry.
During campaigning, local politicians also triggered a heated national debate by calling for an end to the system whereby western states have sent tens of billions in transfer payments to the former communist east, arguing that more than 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it was now an unfair burden on them.
In words that will now no doubt haunt him and his party, Röttgen went so far as to argue that the election result was a referendum on Merkel's European debt stance and would decide whether her "course in Europeis strengthened or weakened by the re-election of a pro-debt government in Germany". The remarks provoked much criticism from fellow CDU leaders.
Sun, 2012-05-13 19:44
#4
Gee, how come we don't see the term "radical right" used in our msp?
Greek leftist rejects new coalition talks
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/13/greece-idUSL5E8GD2Z120120513
Sun, 2012-05-13 19:54
#5
The sky is falling, the sky is falling according to the business community.
All this is is blackmail attempts to settle the peasants down by the business community who are not so used to being challenged like this
Imagine if other countries started to do the same we might have anarchy.
And actually the sky is not falling, and the sun will continue to rise in the East as it has been doing for quite a while.
Interestingly when the right win elections citizens are expected to fall into line and accept the election results. But when the right doesn't win elections, citizens would be crazy to accept the results according to the NYT and 99% of the msp at least in NA.
For Many in Greece, Austerity Is a False Choice
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/14/business/global/for-many-in-greece-aus...
Sun, 2012-05-13 20:27
#6
How sweet it would be to see headlines like this in NA
Merkel's party humiliated by shock election defeat
German voters reject austerity programme in favour of pro-growth opposition in state poll
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/merkels-party-humiliated-...
Angela Merkel's ruling conservatives suffered a humiliating
defeat in key elections in Germany's most populous state yesterday
when voters rejected her party's austerity policies and handed a
resounding victory to her pro-growth Social Democratic Party
opponents.
Ms Merkel's Christian Democrats were shell-shocked by the devastating result they returned in the poll in North Rhine Westphalia, which has a total population of 18 million. Exit polls showed that they secured a mere 25.5 per cent of the vote – their worst performance ever in the state.
Germany's conservative Environment Minister, Norbert Röttgen, the party's candidate in the election, had mounted a vigorous campaign centred on Ms Merkel's austerity policies, which aimed to cut the state's €230 billion debt.
"Today is a very bitter day," Mr Röttgen conceded last night. "We have been clearly defeated."
By contrast, the pro-growth Social Democrats and their candidate Hannelore Kraft, 50, romped home with 38 per cent of the vote. They were expected to form a so-called Red-Green coalition with the environmentalist Greens who won around 12 per cent of the vote. The two parties secured enough seats to obtain an absolute majority in the state parliament.
The conservatives campaigned in the run-up to the poll with an inflatable rubber "debt mountain" to illustrate the region's financial problems. By contrast, Mrs Kraft dismissed rigid saving programmes in favour of growth and insisted that her aim was "putting people first".
Elections in North Rhine Westphalia are considered a key indicator of national voting intentions. Andrea Nahles, the general secretary of Germany's Social Democrats, insisted that the result paved the way for the ousting of Angela Merkel in Germany's general election next year.
There were even suggestions last night that Mrs Kraft, whose political style has been compared to that of Ms Merkel, could run for the post of Social Democrat Chancellor candidate in next year's election.
Ms Merkel's liberal Free Democrat coalition partners were able to avoid a feared electoral disaster and managed to gain 8 per cent of the vote – enough for the party to avoid being left without enough votes to win seats in the state parliament.
Yesterday's result was the second major poll setback for Ms Merkel's conservatives within the space of a week. In elections in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, her Christian Democrats secured their lowest share of the vote in over 50 years.
The conservatives' slide began last year when they suffered one of their worst-ever blows in the prosperous southern state of Baden-Württemberg, where they were ousted from power for the first time since the early 1950s by a coalition of Greens and the Social Democrats.
The conservatives are currently in power in six of Germany's 17 federal states. Yet despite the growing unpopularity of her own party, on a personal level Ms Merkel continues to rate as one of Germany's most respected Chancellors ever.
Sun, 2012-05-13 20:56
#7
Greece crisis: Far left Syriza pulls out of talks
Sun, 2012-05-13 23:25
#8
As Greece goes, so goes Canada’s Liberal Party?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/as-greece-goes-so-goes-cana...
Sun, 2012-05-13 23:27
#9
The German elections weren't really that great. Pirate momentum is for the most part at the expense of the Left, and these results may bolster the coalitionists in the party, the ones presiding with the SPD over local government cuts.
Mon, 2012-05-14 09:28
#10
I respect the right - screw what the voters think or want, they are on a mission and nothing is gonna stop them. They deliver for their supporters.
Germany’s Angela Merkel says heavy election defeat won’t affect European policy
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/05/14/germanys-angela-merkel-says-heav...
Mon, 2012-05-14 12:51
#11
Greece's hard left leader more than just "sexy Alexi"
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-greece-tsiprasbre84d0nk-201...
Mon, 2012-05-14 13:06
#12
So how is the hard right going to deal with this situation - imagine if it caught on
Mon, 2012-05-14 13:11
#13
Mon, 2012-05-14 13:20
#14
Mon, 2012-05-14 14:04
#15
The right is becoming unglued - enjoy it while it lasts.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/db96d16e-9ddb-11e1-9456-00144feabdc0.html...
Tue, 2012-05-15 00:56
#16
Watson book calls Murdoch empire a "shadow state"
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/watson-book-calls-murdoch-emp...
Tue, 2012-05-15 09:55
#17
The noose widens, but with all their political connections they probably can't believe this is happening to them and probably don't think they will be found guilty either.
Key Murdoch Aide to Be Prosecuted in Hacking Case
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/world/europe/rebekah-brooks-to-learn-i...
Tue, 2012-05-15 10:00
#18
Greece headed for new election after final talks fail
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1178525--greece-headed-for-new...
Tue, 2012-05-15 10:07
#19
Understanding the crisis in Greece
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/brian-topp/2012/05/understanding-crisis-...
Tue, 2012-05-15 12:20
#20
Cameron may as well start packing his bags now there are just too many strikes against him - the Mayor of London wants his job, polls are turning against him, and as this article states the Murdoch thingy will haunt him for the rest of his time in office.
Analysis: Decision to charge Rebekah Brooks means hacking will hang over Government until next election
David Cameron is currently in his weekly Cabinet meeting – it started at 9.45am – and will almost certainly have been informed about the decision to charge Rebekah Brooks with three charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice earlier.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/9266591/Analysis-De...
Tue, 2012-05-15 13:38
#21
Rebekah Brooks charges take the phone-hacking scandal to a new level
This is a watershed in the phone-hacking saga: it's hardly surprising the former Murdoch favourite reacted so angrily
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/15/rebekah-brooks-charge
Tue, 2012-05-15 14:36
#22
Newly sworn in French President Francois Hollande has now arrived in Berlin for key talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after his plane was apparently hit by lightning.
The plane was forced to turn back to Paris. Mr Hollande later completed his journey on a second plane.
Tue, 2012-05-15 22:47
#23
I have been watching the price of housing drop in Vancouver so this is interesting.
Eurozone crisis signals a repeat of the 1930s
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1178834--walkom-euro...
Wed, 2012-05-16 13:21
#24
Wed, 2012-05-16 13:23
#25
Wed, 2012-05-16 15:01
#26
Is Cameron losing it?
David Cameron raises possibility of euro breakup
Labour accuses PM of stoking fears for eurozone, days after chancellor criticised those who engaged in speculation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/may/16/cameron-raises-possibilit...
Wed, 2012-05-16 17:23
#27
We may end up with quite a few left-of-centre governments in Europe before the right completely destroys the economy with their austerity (read: attack the poor, and make them pay for our mistakes once again) programmes.
My hunch is Cameron is finshed and Labour should focus their attacks on the Coalition and leave the personalities out of it. The recently re-elected Mayor of London and others on the right will take Cameron down themselves.
Cameron Leadership Damaged as Murdoch Inquiry Weakens Faith
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-15/cameron-leadership-tarnished...
Wed, 2012-05-16 18:20
#28
This is going to get ugly as I'm sure the rich have no intention of digging into their pockets to help resolve things. If things don't settle down we could end up with widespread chaos
Maybe we need another good war to take our interest off how much the average joe is being screwed by the system.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2012/may/16/cost-greek-exit-euro-emerges
Wed, 2012-05-16 18:48
#29
We ain't seen nothing yet - Greece is going to have to be severely punished for their insubordination
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/world/europe/greece-teeters-ahead-of-n...
Thu, 2012-05-17 00:55
#30
Can the Euro Avert Collapse?
http://www.thenation.com/article/167816/can-euro-avert-collapse
Thu, 2012-05-17 12:54
#31
So it seems like the Guardian might be resonsible for bringing News of the World down.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-17/news-corp-dot-seven-boxes-sp...
Thu, 2012-05-17 12:56
#32
So it seems like the Guardian might be responsible for bringing News of the World down.
If true, good on them.
News Corp. Seven Boxes Spirited Away During Pivotal Hacking Week
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-17/news-corp-dot-seven-boxes-sp...
Thu, 2012-05-17 13:55
#33
Oh my goodness, what have we here. Merkel backing down perhaps?
German stance on Greek crisis softens as eurozone fears mount
Angela Merkel, under pressure to ease her austerity fixation, has said she is open to stimulus measures to help Greeks
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/17/germany-greek-crisis-eurozone
Thu, 2012-05-17 16:12
#34
Well there you have it: the boss has spoken.
Barack Obama tells EU: boost growth now or face a global crisis
Germany to be urged to ease austerity during G8 talks as fears of global recession grow
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/may/17/barack-obama-eu-growth-cr...
Thu, 2012-05-17 17:27
#35
Well that's a clear enough statement.
Austerity will send Greece to hell, warns Alexis Tsipras
Syriza leader's claims countered by Antonis Samaras, who says Greek government must not abandon reforms or quit euro
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/17/austerity-will-send-greece-t...
Thu, 2012-05-17 17:58
#36
Thu, 2012-05-17 17:58
#37
After 7 Years, No End in Sight to Phone Hacking Scandal
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/world/europe/no-end-in-sight-to-inquir...
Thu, 2012-05-17 18:00
#38
After 7 Years, No End in Sight to Phone Hacking Scandal
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/world/europe/no-end-in-sight-to-inquir...
If it is proved that those in Mr. Murdoch’s employ conspired to pay public officials to further business interests, experts say he could be at risk of sanctions in the United States under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Even a small fine would threaten to take the scandal across the Atlantic, and increase political pressure on Mr. Murdoch’s lucrative American interests.
Fri, 2012-05-18 17:18
#39
Fri, 2012-05-18 17:23
#40
Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras: 'It's a war between people and capitalism'
Greece's eurozone fate may now be in the hands of the 37-year-old political firebrand and his Syriza party
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/18/greek-leftist-leader-alexis-...
Sat, 2012-05-19 00:07
#41
“The Notion of ‘a New Low’ Is in Fact Bottomless”
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/05/vanity-fair-rupvanity-fa...
“Perhaps the central revelation of the phone-hacking scandal is that, when it come to News Corp., the notion of ‘a new low’ is in fact bottomless,” writes editor Graydon Carter in a new introduction. “No matter how the story ends in some technical or legal sense, Murdoch has been irreversibly reduced. The influence he has wielded in Britain, whether through backroom threats or the public power of his newspapers, is effectively at an end. And despite all efforts to contain it, the scandal’s impact is being felt everywhere Murdoch does business.”
Sat, 2012-05-19 00:24
#42
Sven
We may end up with quite a few left-of-centre governments in Europe before the right completely destroys the economy with their austerity (read: attack the poor, and make them pay for our mistakes once again) programmes.
Is austerity really an "attack [on] the poor"? My sense is that the poor are quite well taken care of in much of Europe (they are certainly better off than the poor anywhere else on the planet). No, I think austerity is really attacking middle class entitlements (e.g., a right to retire in Greece in your early 50s).
No, helping the poor is NOT what is bankrupting so many economies in Europe.
Sat, 2012-05-19 10:30
#43
Get lost Sven.
____________________
A financial tax - now we're talking solutions.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/18/g8-summit-financial-tax
Sat, 2012-05-19 11:39
#44
News International newspapers could be spun off into trust
Rupert Murdoch’s News International titles — The Sun, Times and Sunday Times — could be spun off into a trust under plans being worked on by senior News Corp executives.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandteleco...
Sat, 2012-05-19 12:05
#45
Duh, the poor in Europe are better off than the poor in Haiti - or the US.
However, there is NO MINIMUM WAGE in Germany. And a great many people (elderly pensioners mostly) die because they can't afford to heat their homes.
Why does sven think most working-age poor people are "taken care of" any way? Look at all the people working in fastfoods, shops and other ill-paid services in expensive cities like London or Paris. They are providing service work to wealthier denizens.
Sat, 2012-05-19 12:33
#46
Sven
Duh, the poor in Europe are better off than the poor in Haiti - or the US.
Okay...put aside the US and Haiti. Where else in the world are poor better taken care of than in Europe?
My larger point is that helping the poor in Europe (Greece or elsewhere) is not the cause of the financial distress (and, potentially, a coming economic collapse) in Europe.
Sat, 2012-05-19 12:53
#47
Hollande is rerfeshing, very refreshing.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9276938/G8-Summit-Fra...
Sat, 2012-05-19 13:56
#48
Sven
Hollande is refeshing, very refreshing.
What is so refreshing about what he said in the article you linked to?
Francois Hollande, the new leader, said he and the US President Barack Obama shared “the same conviction that Greece must remain in the eurozone”.
Sat, 2012-05-19 14:21
#49
Hollande is refreshing, very refreshing.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9276938/G8-Summit-Fra...
Sat, 2012-05-19 15:44
#50
Germany isolated over euro crisis plan at G8 meeting in Camp David
Barack Obama and David Cameron want German chancellor Angela Merkel to set out a clear path forward for Europe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/19/g8-camp-david-germany-euro
Sat, 2012-05-19 15:51
#51
Rising Greek Political Star, Foe of Austerity, Puts Europe on Edge
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/19/world/europe/tsipras-greek-political-s...