Open Europe : Daily Press Summary

Politics.be · 3 april 2014, 14:10

Polls show another Farage victory over Clegg in the second EU debate, but public opinion on Brexit finely balancedAccording to two separate polls, UKIP leader Nigel Farage won a clear victory over Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg in last night’s EU In/Out debate – the second clash between the two leaders. A YouGov poll for the Sun found that 68% thought Farage had won the debate, compared with 27% who thought Clegg had; while an ICM poll for the Guardian put the figures at 69% for Farage, and 31% for Clegg. The YouGov poll also found that, after the debate, 45% believed Britain should stay in the EU – down from 48% before, while 48% wanted to leave – up from 42% before the debate.Asked how the EU would look in ten years’ time, Clegg responded that it would look “quite similar to what it is now.”Open Europe’s Raoul Ruparel appeared on CNBC arguing that the Clegg/Farage debates risked alienating the majority of the UK public who favour reform over exit or maintaining the status quo. He also discussed Open Europe’s new briefing looking at how the UK would actually leave the EU, and what trade deal it could get in place of full membership. The Guardian ‘reality check’ blog cited Open Europe’s Trading Places report, which examines possible models of EU-UK relations, and concludes that staying within a reformed EU is the best option for British trade.Open Europe briefing: The real Bexit debate Open Europe: Trading Places FT WSJ Sun Express Mail Times Telegraph BBC Independent Guardian Guardian reality check

Greece eyes market return as government rocked by resignation of top official
The Greek government was thrown into turmoil yesterday as a video was released showing the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Takis Baltakos, expressing politically sensitive information to a member of the far-right party Golden Dawn. Baltakos has resigned. Separately, Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said yesterday, “Now it is the right time - after all the good news we've had - to enter markets,” adding that the return will be “trial and error”, but that there is “huge appetite” from foreign investors.
Kathimerini Kathimerini 2 Kathimerini 3 Handelsblatt Reuters Deutschland FT WSJ Welt

In an article in Hauptstadtbrief, a monthly German magazine targeted at decision-makers, Open Europe Berlin’s Nora Hesse argues that the EU’s regional policy, which involves all member states in EU regional spending irrespective of their relative wealth, is “economically irrational.” Instead, EU regional spending should be limited to member states with income levels below 90% of the EU average.
Open Europe Berlin research Hauptstadtbrief

NATO: Russia could invade Ukraine in three days
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Breedlove, has said that Russia “is ready to go” and could achieve an invasion of Ukraine “in between three and five days,” on 12 hours’ notice. Meanwhile, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said that he thinks Russia's annexation of Crimea is “a tragedy,” and that he hopes it will become part of Ukraine again. Separately, Switzerland has decided to partially implement targeted EU sanctions on Russian individuals.

El Pa�*s reports that, according to the preliminary findings of a new European Commission study, a 50% reduction in EU exports to Russia would provoke, on average, a 0.5% contraction of member states’ GDP – and up to 1% for countries that have stronger economic ties with Russia, such as Cyprus, Finland, Poland and the Baltic states.
El Pa�*s Telegraph Mail BBC Reuters WSJ FT FT 2 Handelsblatt Spiegel Bild El Pa�*s

The EU yesterday pledged to send a conflict resolution mission to the Central African Republic “within days” at a meeting of EU and African leaders at a two day summit in Brussels. Open Europe’s Nina Schick appeared on Monocle 24’s ‘Midori House’ show discussing the Summit and the latest political developments in France.
Monocle 24: Schick EUobserver Handelsblatt FT WSJ Reuters

The ECB holds its monthly meeting today with the market consensus suggesting that it will not take any significant action to ease monetary policy despite deflation fears. Expectations are that ECB President Mario Draghi will continue to attempt to ‘talk down the euro’ – expressing the potential for future easing to help weaken the currency.
FT Reuters Reuters Deutschland Le Figaro Times

The new French Finance Minister, Michel Sapin, said in a radio interview this morning that France will keep reducing its public deficit, but wants to “discuss the pace” of the adjustment with the European Commission – a clear hint that France will again ask for more time to meet its deficit targets.
Le Monde La Tribune Les Echos Telegraph Handelsblatt EurActiv Handelsblatt Handelsblatt 2

A survey for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, undertaken by KPMG, has found that 92% of the industry believes Britain should stay in the EU. However, the survey revealed that less than half – 45% – respondents believed that withdrawal would have an immediate impact on their operations.
Times

Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party yesterday unveiled its new logo and slogan for the European Parliamentary elections campaign. The slogan reads, “More Italy in Europe, less Europe in Italy”. Berlusconi’s party is currently polling at around 20%.
Forza Italia logo

EUobserver reports that European Parliament President Martin Schulz removed a paragraph critical of his stewardship in a key committee report. The deleted paragraph criticised Schulz for delaying the work of the budgetary control committee.
EUobserver

Germany’s Former Chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück will become the new chairman of the Bundestag’s parliamentary group on US affairs, reports Süddeutsche.
Süddeutsche

The Turkish Constitutional Court yesterday ruled that the imposed twitter ban violates freedom of expression and individual rights.
FAZ Handelsblatt

Hungarian daily Népszabadság argues that the left-wing opposition will have a hard time overcoming the ruling Fidesz party in this Sunday’s parliamentary elections due to the new election laws passed under the Fidesz government.
Eurotopics: Népszabadság Népszabadság

Bron: politics.be

3 april 2014, 14:10	#1
Politics.be Redactie Geregistreerd: 27 november 2004 Berichten: 28.704	Open Europe : Daily Press Summary Polls show another Farage victory over Clegg in the second EU debate, but public opinion on Brexit finely balancedAccording to two separate polls, UKIP leader Nigel Farage won a clear victory over Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg in last night’s EU In/Out debate – the second clash between the two leaders. A YouGov poll for the Sun found that 68% thought Farage had won the debate, compared with 27% who thought Clegg had; while an ICM poll for the Guardian put the figures at 69% for Farage, and 31% for Clegg. The YouGov poll also found that, after the debate, 45% believed Britain should stay in the EU – down from 48% before, while 48% wanted to leave – up from 42% before the debate.Asked how the EU would look in ten years’ time, Clegg responded that it would look “quite similar to what it is now.”Open Europe’s Raoul Ruparel appeared on CNBC arguing that the Clegg/Farage debates risked alienating the majority of the UK public who favour reform over exit or maintaining the status quo. He also discussed Open Europe’s new briefing looking at how the UK would actually leave the EU, and what trade deal it could get in place of full membership. The Guardian ‘reality check’ blog cited Open Europe’s Trading Places report, which examines possible models of EU-UK relations, and concludes that staying within a reformed EU is the best option for British trade.Open Europe briefing: The real Bexit debate Open Europe: Trading Places FT WSJ Sun Express Mail Times Telegraph BBC Independent Guardian Guardian reality check Greece eyes market return as government rocked by resignation of top official The Greek government was thrown into turmoil yesterday as a video was released showing the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Takis Baltakos, expressing politically sensitive information to a member of the far-right party Golden Dawn. Baltakos has resigned. Separately, Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said yesterday, “Now it is the right time - after all the good news we've had - to enter markets,” adding that the return will be “trial and error”, but that there is “huge appetite” from foreign investors. Kathimerini Kathimerini 2 Kathimerini 3 Handelsblatt Reuters Deutschland FT WSJ Welt In an article in Hauptstadtbrief, a monthly German magazine targeted at decision-makers, Open Europe Berlin’s Nora Hesse argues that the EU’s regional policy, which involves all member states in EU regional spending irrespective of their relative wealth, is “economically irrational.” Instead, EU regional spending should be limited to member states with income levels below 90% of the EU average. Open Europe Berlin research Hauptstadtbrief NATO: Russia could invade Ukraine in three days NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Breedlove, has said that Russia “is ready to go” and could achieve an invasion of Ukraine “in between three and five days,” on 12 hours’ notice. Meanwhile, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said that he thinks Russia's annexation of Crimea is “a tragedy,” and that he hopes it will become part of Ukraine again. Separately, Switzerland has decided to partially implement targeted EU sanctions on Russian individuals. El Pa�s reports that, according to the preliminary findings of a new European Commission study, a 50% reduction in EU exports to Russia would provoke, on average, a 0.5% contraction of member states’ GDP – and up to 1% for countries that have stronger economic ties with Russia, such as Cyprus, Finland, Poland and the Baltic states. El Pa�s Telegraph Mail BBC Reuters WSJ FT FT 2 Handelsblatt Spiegel Bild El Pa�*s The EU yesterday pledged to send a conflict resolution mission to the Central African Republic “within days” at a meeting of EU and African leaders at a two day summit in Brussels. Open Europe’s Nina Schick appeared on Monocle 24’s ‘Midori House’ show discussing the Summit and the latest political developments in France. Monocle 24: Schick EUobserver Handelsblatt FT WSJ Reuters The ECB holds its monthly meeting today with the market consensus suggesting that it will not take any significant action to ease monetary policy despite deflation fears. Expectations are that ECB President Mario Draghi will continue to attempt to ‘talk down the euro’ – expressing the potential for future easing to help weaken the currency. FT Reuters Reuters Deutschland Le Figaro Times The new French Finance Minister, Michel Sapin, said in a radio interview this morning that France will keep reducing its public deficit, but wants to “discuss the pace” of the adjustment with the European Commission – a clear hint that France will again ask for more time to meet its deficit targets. Le Monde La Tribune Les Echos Telegraph Handelsblatt EurActiv Handelsblatt Handelsblatt 2 A survey for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, undertaken by KPMG, has found that 92% of the industry believes Britain should stay in the EU. However, the survey revealed that less than half – 45% – respondents believed that withdrawal would have an immediate impact on their operations. Times Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party yesterday unveiled its new logo and slogan for the European Parliamentary elections campaign. The slogan reads, “More Italy in Europe, less Europe in Italy”. Berlusconi’s party is currently polling at around 20%. Forza Italia logo EUobserver reports that European Parliament President Martin Schulz removed a paragraph critical of his stewardship in a key committee report. The deleted paragraph criticised Schulz for delaying the work of the budgetary control committee. EUobserver Germany’s Former Chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück will become the new chairman of the Bundestag’s parliamentary group on US affairs, reports Süddeutsche. Süddeutsche The Turkish Constitutional Court yesterday ruled that the imposed twitter ban violates freedom of expression and individual rights. FAZ Handelsblatt Hungarian daily Népszabadság argues that the left-wing opposition will have a hard time overcoming the ruling Fidesz party in this Sunday’s parliamentary elections due to the new election laws passed under the Fidesz government. Eurotopics: Népszabadság Népszabadság Bron: politics.be __________________ Politics.be - Jouw politieke portaalsite