France
Middle East Online: After crackdown on Islamists: France vows ‘zero tolerance’ for anti-Semitism. ‘French authorities vowed Tuesday to show zero tolerance for anti-Semitism as new details emerged of the suspects detained in a crackdown on Islamic extremists who allegedly targeted the Jewish community. Speaking after meeting top security officials, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said the government was resolute in combatting extremism.’
Germany
The Local: Violence at neo-Nazi march counter-protest. ‘A neo-Nazi rally turned violent on Saturday in southern Germany when 2,000 counter-demonstrators turned up to protest. Nearly 30 police officers were injured and over 100 people were arrested. Around 150 far-right extremists gathered in the small town of Göppingen in Baden-Württemberg. After word spread of the event, over 2,000 people came from all over Germany to protest it.’
France
France 24: Spotlight on troubled suburbs amid terrorism fears. ‘Fears of homegrown terrorists are on the rise in France following a recent crackdown on suspected terror cells, with some questioning whether there is a link between the country’s disadvantaged neighbourhoods and religious extremism.’
Spain
Der Spiegel: Debt Crisis Gives European Separatists a Boost. ‘The debt crisis is fueling the fortunes of separatists in a handful of European Union countries. Affluent regions in Spain, Britain, Belgium and Italy no longer feel a sense of solidarity with poorer parts of their own countries — but they want to remain part of the EU.’
Comment – LSE: Calls for independence in Catalonia are part of an evolution of Spain’s democracy that the country’s constitution may have to come to accommodate. ‘Elections are due to be held in Catalonia in November, with President Artur Mas also promising to hold a referendum on Catalan self-determination. Montserrat Guibernau assesses the prospects for the referendum, noting that the Spanish constitution currently prevents any direct vote on the issue. Despite this, she asks whether the EU could ignore the results of such a referendum given its commitment to promoting democracy in Europe.’
Comment – Washington Post: Europe’s crisis is creating new stress fractures. ’Europe’s grinding economic crisis is taking a toll on political stability, and not only in Greece. Spain, too, has been hit by strikes, and cries for independence are increasing across wealthy, linguistically distinct Catalonia, where regional president Artur Mas called for early elections on Nov. 25 after the Madrid central government refused to grant more financial autonomy. Tired of subsidizing the rest of Spain, Catalonians apparently view their compatriots with some of the same resentment that Ms. Merkel’s people have focused on the Greeks.’
