LISBON | By António Costa at Diário Económico via Presseurop | The European Commission has opened a “thorough investigation” into Germany’s export surpluses, which stand accused of damaging the Eurozone’s balance. However, working towards banking union would be wiser, writes Diario Economico’s director.
MADRID | By JP Marin Arrese | Draghi is becoming a popular target for the German press. He presented himself as a tough defender of the established order in monetary policy when canvassing for the top job in the European central bank. But as soon as he secured his coveted goal, he shifted away from orthodoxy.
MADRID | By Miguel Navascués | There is a harsh disagreement in the euro zone: when Mario Draghi tries to do something, he finds the opposition of Germany and its allies. It seems obvious that Europe won’t get out of the hole with such travel companions.
ROME | By Umberto Eco at L’Expresso via Presseurop | In the midst of the World War One, Marcel Proust created characters who, in spite of the conflict, were attracted by German culture. Proof, according to semiotician Umberto Eco, that cultural exchange has contributed more than anything else to the building of today’s Europe.
MADRID | By Luis Arroyo | Germany prevents the monetary expansion in the country (and within the rest of the euro zone) by controlling the ECB. If the central bank had the minimal amount of money necessary for the area, all of it would go to Germans, who would spend more, thus accelerating the recovery of their European partners.
BERLIN | By von Dietmar Neuerer at Handelsblatt via Presseurop | Following an intiative by the German government, European environment ministers opted on October 14 to postpone sine die, a vote on stricter rules for CO2 emissions from passenger cars, which mainly targeted large German saloon cars, explains Handelsblatt.
BERLIN | By Cicero via Presseurop | “I’m sorry. They are still talking about it. Maybe HE will bring you a new government.”
MADRID | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | Chancellor Angela Merkel has skilfully governed both Germany and Europe with ambiguity between her pragmatic proposals at home, and her tough declarations outside. Her victory opens a new stage for the German government and for Europe. She has become stronger, although she still needs to seduce.
FRANKFURT | By Lidia Conde | We saw it coming: today nobody could beat Merkel. No other candidate had won all the opinion polls. The victory of the CDU/CSU with a 42% of votes (according to polls on Sunday), is mainly due to the Chancellor’s charisma. In these times of economic uncertainty, Germans have shown that they do not want experiments nor surprises. She has won the elections saying that Germany is doing well and this Government is the best. No matter whether this is truth or not- the message has passed.