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COMMENTARY: The British Prime Minister, David Cameron (picture) has revived debate over Turkey’s chances of entering the European Union, saying it should be “allowed to sit inside the tent”. … Read More »
Widespread commentary has followed the visit to Gaza by the chief EU envoy on joint foreign policy, the High Representative, Catherine Ashton – especially over her demand that Israel’s relaxation of its blockade is not enough. … Read More »
COMMENTARY: “Who should pay out the deficits, following the financial crash of 2008?” is a keynote question for the G20 international economic summit this weekend, in Canada.
After billion-dollar government bail-outs of errant banks, protesting workers, right now in France and Italy, say it should not be them.
The incoming head of the international trades union movement, Australian Sharon Burrow, has added in a warning that the deficit cutting will stymie economic growth. … Read More »
COMMENTARY:
A round of budget cuts in European capitals, (on Thursday in Spain, the parliament approving a €30-billion reductions plan – A$43.7bn, dcerates.com, 28.5.10), is being described as a response to “pressure from the market”.
That has gone down badly in many segments, as with the Spanish parliamentarians who voted “no”, losing by one vote; or union protestors taking to the streets on Friday, in France.
(The Spanish austerity package includes wage cuts of at least 5% for public servants and reduces public investment).
Not least, the European Commission has responded to the question of who rules, (elected governments, or “markets”?), bringing forward a plan to cause banks to provide enduring funding against a down-turn. … Read More »
COMMENTARY: European Union Finance Ministers this week came up with regulatory measures meant to damp down speculative pressure on financial markets, while stock prices and the Euro currency began to slip. … Read More »
COMMENTARY: Liberal-Democrats trying to get a reform of the electoral system out of last Thursday’s British elections, might consider the Australian “preferential”, not “proportional” scheme. … Read More »
COMMENTARY: Battle lines are being drawn in France over the proposal of President Nicolas Sarkozy to ban the wearing of the full face veil, the burqa or niqab, anywhere in public.
The same debate is going on in Belgium – a distraction from a fresh political crisis there. … Read More »