Analysis
Public Service Europe: Despite EU Nobel Prize – radicalism and nationalism on the rise. ‘There is only a little time left for this current generation of leaders to prove that more integration will generate more stability and prosperity. European citizens — and the world — are primarily waiting for them to put their house back in order. But no tangible results can be achieved if each EU member state is marching to its own drummer. People turn to radical and populist rhetoric because mainstream political leaders appear paralyzed. To stop the further rise of radicalism, elites will have to step up to the plate and give Europe the confident leadership that it needs.’
Finland
Policy Network: Populist tide still rising high in Finland. ‘With municipal elections taking place on October 28th, the polls in Finland have seen the continuing rise of the True Finns party at the expense of almost all other parties. If the final results end up as the polls currently suggest it will be a major change in the Finnish political landscape. The True Finns are currently fighting for 3rd place with the traditional municipal political force the Centre Party, right behind the main government parties, the rightist Kokoomus and the Social Democrats.’
Europe: Debate
Presseurope: “Europhorics”, our most dangerous friends. ‘There are the “Eurosceptics”, and there are “Eurohaters”. And then there are the “Europhorics”, who are to be found among both intellectuals and politicians and who at least as dangerous as the former. To them the EU is not a union, but a worldview – and they are abusing it.’
France
Expatica: French far-right activists charged over mosque protest. ‘Four far-right activists who led a weekend occupation of an unfinished mosque at Poitiers in central France were charged Monday with offences including incitement of racial hatred. All four were also charged with organising an illegal demonstration and three of the men were indicted for theft and causing criminal damage in relation to the removal of prayer mats from the mosque.’
Spain
euronews: Basques and Catalans eye chance in crisis. ‘One effect of the financial crisis on Europe is its encouraging of the efforts of separatists who think their regions would be better off if they were not hindered by mistakes made at the centre; Scotland from London, northern Italy from Rome, and the Basque country and Catalonia from Madrid.’
Sweden
The Jewish Press: Rally Backing Jewish Community Held in Malmo. ‘Malmo Mayor Ilmar Reepalu was among some 300 marchers who demonstrated in the Swedish city in support of the Jewish community. Saturday’s march follows a series of anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish community in the city of approximately 300,000 in the south of Sweden. Many of the participants wore kipahs as a sign of solidarity, according to thelocal.se.’
