Merkel and Sarkozy on free fall, violence in Trafalgar Square. A Euro rounup…

A protestor waves a GMB union flag alongside an Egyptian flag from a statue in Trafalgar Square. Photograph: Getty Images.

In What really happened in Trafalgar Square

 

Sarkozy faces test as Socialists triumph

from FT.com – World, Europe

The Socialists secured about 36 per cent of the vote while the National Front fared less well than in the first round of voting but still won 11 per cent of the vote

MAIN FOCUS: State election rout dangerous for Merkel | 28/03/2011

from euro|topics

In German state elections the conservative CDU has suffered a crushing defeat in its stronghold of Baden-Württemberg and will probably be forced to relinquish its grip on power there after 58 years. Among other things the party ignored voters’ concerns about the risks of nuclear power, something which could now have repercussions also for Chancellor Angela Merkel, the press writes.

Bad week for Europe?s centre-right?and centre-left?

from Brussels Blog by Peter Spiegel

In today?s paper, my Berlin-based colleagues Quentin Peel and Gerrit Wiesman note that it?s been a bad week for the eurozone?s most high-profile centre-right leaders: Germany?s Angela Merkel and France?s Nicolas Sarkozy both saw their parties trounced in regional elections, and Italy?s Silvio Berlusconi was back in court.

Europe’s centre-right faces crisis of authority

Merkel’s party suffers severe poll defeat

Japan, Libya events inflict electoral blow on Merkel

MAIN FOCUS: State election rout dangerous for Merkel | 28/03/2011

Voters reject Sarkozy party in French local elections

Euro Plus Pact in the media I

How have blogs and other media received the economic policy guidelines and decisions adopted by the European Council spring meeting? Have they been as impressed as some political leaders by their own feats?

Euro Plus Pact in the media II

We continue our European media round-up with the second part concerning the Euro Plus Pact, confirmed by the spring European Council 24 to 25 March 2011.

Spring European Council summary

Following the two days of the European Council meeting, we look at the materials on offer to those who want to know more.

2011-03-26 Greek cablegate revelations: The secret people behind Prime Minister Papandreou, and the criticism from his party colleagues

Portugal’s endgame?, Sofia Diogo Mateus

Portugal has once again entered campaign mode. Although President Aníbal Cavaco Silva has yet to officially accept Prime Minister José Sócrates?s resignation while striving to guarantee that any future government will have a solid majority, a decision is be expected by early next week, as soon as the parties agree on a date – either May 29 or June 5.

Portugal: no country for young men?, Susana Moreira Marques

Weekly briefing: Competiveness pact vs. Europact

This week was a busy week in Brussels: A meeting of Heads of State at the EU summit  lead to Council conclusions on the Pact of the Euro or the Euro plus pact ? for Competitiveness and Convergence ? a pact that has resounded in Parliaments of nation states since Germany and France first presented their pact at the meeting of the European Council the 4th of February.

Battle for Trafalgar Square, London as violence breaks out between demonstrators and riot police

On violence, protest and London’s March for the Alternative, Paul Sagar

Sarkozy’s dangerous Mitterandian games with the National Front, Mark Lee Hunter

Geert Wilders in Rome: White Supremacism, Wild Mythology

Can Portugal survive until new elections?

With most of the work on the so-called ?grand bargain? completed at last week?s European Union summit, all eyes will now focus on Portugal and whether it can make it until expected elections in May or June without resorting to a bail-out.