Since the so-called Visegrad Four—the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia—shook off the Soviet yoke and topped a decade of successful political and economic reform by rejoining the West in its most exclusive clubs, the European Union and NATO, they have begun to pursue their own objectives, and they have distinguished themselves as actors on […]
It is this longer-term erosion that speaks to France’s economic failure. Germany offers a useful counterpoint. Whereas ten years ago the French economy rivaled Germany’s, today France produces only half the value added. French exports, having fallen more than 20 percent since 2005, are lower today than anytime during the last twenty years. Read Here […]
Italy is in the middle of another existential political crisis — and somehow, against all expectations, Silvio Berlusconi, the former prime minister, is at the center of it yet again. Read Here – Foreign Affairs
Once again, Silvio Berlusconi has pushed Italy’s government into crisis. Maybe, just maybe, that’s a good thing. Read Here – Businessweek
For now, Germany is basking in its economic success and might not have to worry about major sacrifices for the sake of the euro. But if they were ever to become necessary, which remains a very real possibility, German elites might regret their acquiescence to democratic demobilization. Read Here – Foreign Affairs
The political tug of war has already dominated Italy‘s summer silly season. Berlusconi has stated almost every day that he is innocent and will not give up. Airplane banners calling for “freedom for Silvio” have flown above Italian beaches. If Berlusconi has to step down, his most loyal followers see it as an end to […]
German voters are deciding later than ever whom to vote for this election cycle. That is not good news for Chancellor Angela Merkel. With party loyalty on the wane, many of her core supporters could defect for tactical reasons at the last minute. Read Here – Der Spiegel
There is a new German question. It is this: Can Europe’s most powerful country lead the way in building both a sustainable, internationally competitive eurozone and a strong, internationally credible European Union? Germany’s difficulties in responding convincingly to this challenge are partly the result of earlier German questions and the solutions found to them. Read […]
More bicycles were supposed to make Europe’s cities more livable. Instead, the popularity of two-wheeled travel is causing problems in some cities in Holland and Denmark, where traffic jams and parking shortages are common. Still, planners remain optimistic. Read Here – Der Spiegel
There is a new German question. It is this: Can Europe’s most powerful country lead the way in building both a sustainable, internationally competitive Eurozone and a strong, internationally credible European Union? Read Here – The New York Review of Books
looking beyond borders 