French President recognises 1961 massacre of Algerian protesters in Paris…Europe’s separatists on the rise…… Euro roundup…

French President recognises 1961 massacre of Algerian protesters in Paris

from Hurriyet Daily News
French President François Hollande has officially recognised the October 17,

MAIN FOCUS: Paris on collision course with Berlin | 18/10/2012

from euro|topics
In an interview with six European newspapers French President François Hollande called for more solidarity in the Eurozone. With his appeal for the introduction of euro bonds and against stringent austerity he has openly defied Germany just before the EU summit begins this Thursday. Some commentators praise Hollande for defending the crisis countries while others say that the confrontation will only delay urgently need consensus in the EU.

Same old stories? Trade unions and protest in Italy in 2011

from open Democracy News Analysis – by Louisa Parks, Lorenzo Mosca and Donatella della Porta
The demand for politics over markets, a key message in the Occupy and Indignados movements, is also key here. A considerable drop in trust is clear: trust in all national institutions and political actors (parliament, parties, and trade unions).

Hungary: the vanguard of Europe?s rearguard?

from open Democracy News Analysis – by Jody Jensen
Confrontation takes creative and alternative forms in the street demonstrations, which may appear, at first sight, contradictory ? one week anti-government, pro-European, the next week pro-government, anti-EU.

Three steps back for LGBT rights in Europe

from Blogactiv by AEGEE

The first week of October has seen a succession of worrying news for LGBT rights in Europe. AEGEE is very much concerned about the rights of LGBT people, because it is often youth who is the target of this violation of rights, it is students who are bullied at schools and universities, it is young gay people who are facing rejection when looking for a job. We want to show our concern for these violations, and we demand the European Institutions to take a more active role in spreading our values of tolerance and respect for diversity inside the EU and the neighbouring countries, using all the resources that are available.

Greece: Police Post Photos of Youth Detained at General Strike

from Global Voices Online by Maria Sidiropoulou
This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.
Twitter users in Greece reacted in outrage over the detention, abuse and public outing of detained youths in the aftermath of one of the biggest anti-austerity demonstrations in the streets of Athens since the signing of the country?s first bailout deal in 2010, on Wednesday, September 26, 2012.

Spain: Government Insults Judge for Exonerating Protestors

from Global Voices Online by Eleanor Staniforth
This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.
On October 5th Judge Pedraz’s decision [es] to close the case against eight people detained as a result of the25-S demonstrations in the area surrounding Congress because he could see no indications that a crime had been committed was made public. The Judge’s writ criticises politicians, referring to ?the perceived decline of the so-called political class.? Amongst other things, in Judge Pedraz’s decision we can read:

Why the European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize ? for dummies.

from EuroDale

Britain, Europe and the Nobel Peace Prize

from Ideas on Europe by James Rogers
Yesterday, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the European Union for 2012. This was met with a mixed response: support in many quarters of Europe, but outright derision in others. In my view, the decision was a profound mistake. Some readers of European Geostrategy ? a blog that generally supports deeper and wider European integration, and of a wider global role for the European Union ? might ask why one of its editors has come to this conclusion. I would like to explain why:

MAIN FOCUS: Schäuble demands more power for the EU | 17/10/2012

from euro|topics
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble plans to propose in-depth reforms of the EU at its summit meeting, which begins on Thursday. Among other measures he wants a new currency commissioner with the power to veto the budgets of member states. For some commentators Schäuble genuinely wants changes to the EU treaties in order to stabilise the Eurozone. Others believe he is just seeking to secure more elbow room for Germany .

Why Poland is the new France for Germany

from open Democracy News Analysis – by Konstanty Gebert and Ulrike Guerot
Has Poland replaced France as Germany’s most trusted European partner?

MAIN FOCUS: Europe’s separatists on the rise | 16/10/2012

from euro|topics
The British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday agreed to a referendum on Scottish independence. In Belgium’s Flemish Region the nationalist party N-VA emerged as the clear winner of local elections on Sunday. Some commentators fear the desire for autonomy in these regions poses a threat to the European community. Others welcome the emergence of solutions to long-seething conflicts.

Flemish nationalism: a new landscape

from open Democracy News Analysis – by Cas Mudde
The results of Belgium’s local elections has brought victory in the northern Flanders region to the conservative and nationalist but democratic New Flemish Alliance. This represents the transformation of Flemish nationalism, says Cas Mudde.

MAIN FOCUS: Nobel Prize for European unification | 15/10/2012

from euro|topics
The European Union is the winner of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The Union has helped to turn a continent of war into a continent of peace, the Nobel Committee declared on Friday in Oslo. Some commentators endorse the decision and see the prize as a sign of hope in the crisis. Others comment that solidarity is dwindling in Europe, and that the EU would never have come this far without its partners.

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