Despite what you may think...

The year has come to an end but this financial crisis facing the globe remains resilient. However, is it all what is cranked up to be? Instead of Santa this year will we be seeing the horsemen of the apocalypse riding a sleigh in the foreseeable future? I beg to differ. This Christmas Marlyn Monroe pictures are being sold for untold sums and there are stampedes in Walmart's when the seasonal shoppers are faced with the prospect of buying. All in all this reflects basic truths that it's business as usual for the world. We have been hearing of meltdown for too long, purchasing power has not shrunk its simply been realigned. The Orient is finally able to challenge western dominance and the traditional middle class has to rethink its options. Sharing wealth 'nouveau middle class' is the only viable alternative. So yes, the world survived the great depression, the OPEC embargo- this is a walk in the park...


A.B.P

Breaking Away from the Past- A Clash Disparaging Histories

German political history is arguably shaped by four important periods- The period of the German empire (1871-1918), the period of the Weimer Republic (1919-1933), the period of the Third Reich (1933-1945), and the period that saw the division and unification of Germany (1945-1990)- and Germans have constantly struggled to either identify of break-away from these periods in its history because of its conspicuously negative symbolism.
And so it is no surprise that Berliners find themselves at another cross-road where they have to choose between accepting the past or re-writing and perhaps refining it.

I’m talking of course about the controversial site where the Palace of the Republic- a landmark that emphasized the division of East and West Berlin- once stood. A Prussian-era style Palace once stood at this site until it was destroyed and replaced by a communist-era style Palace. Now a united Germany wants to tear down the remnants of a brutal political era and re-write history by erecting a baroque style building with a modern inside.

I guess Germans still find themselves having to grapple with the realities of the past but in a different kind of way which makes tempted to draw a certain comparison with Hungary which still kept this dark part of its history as is evident from the communist statutes still littering the city of Budapest.

Germany's BayernLB to slash 5,600 jobs

The world financial crisis is now storming it's way across Germany, it's latest victim the German state bank BayernLB. The Geramn state bank is planning to cut it's workforce down to 29 percent roughly 5,600 jobs by 2013. As Germany's economy is showing signs of weakness, it is hard to not speculate if the economy would effect the politcal stability of Germany in the future. It would be hopeful that the German government stays strong and does not deteriorate into something less desirable like it has happened in the past.

Laura K.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/01/AR2008120100472.html

A Great President

The soon-to-be former ambassador to Germany from the U.S. has a lot to thank George Bush for and he shows it. When recently interviewed by a German newspaper, "Berliner Zeitung," Ambassador William Timken unflaggingly showed his support for Bush. According to Timken, he was sent there about three and a half years ago to strengthen the relationship between Germany and the United States, and he has done just that. He claims that, the countries "two governments and leaders now work well together." When asked how he felt about Obama, Timken said that he is less experienced than his opponent was but, nonetheless, he hopes that he will be a good president. When there was a massive Obama rally in Berlin, Timken enforced a ban on State Department workers to attend the event. In theory this was to show neutrality, but the Huffington Post nailed Timken saying he is "widely reviled in Germany for his ignorance of foreign affairs." Timken was the President and CEO of a roller bearings manufacturer The Timken Company before taking up the post in Germany. He will be finishing in January.

Communism dead and buried in Germany

Christian Klar the most notorious left wing terrorist is to be released from jail after serving 26 years of multiple life terms. Klar was the leader of the so called Red Army faction (RAF) which was a terrorist organisation during the the 1970's in West Germany. They claimed coutless lives including prominent businesmen, and certain politicans. In 1985 Klar was found guilty on 9 counts of murder and 11 of attempted murder. The german Court has today overlooked these ccrimes and claim that he is no lonegr a threat to society.
This is a clear case of Germany not fearing communism any longer. East and West germany are unified and it seems that today these radical factions can no longer exist and will not be supported by the East. Germany has come a long way and today both sides seem to have embraced liberal democratic values and the capitalist mechanism. Realising Klar, proves that the cold war is dead and buried and a distant memory the 'German' psyche.

A.B.P

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,592339,00.html

The cafes of despair

For those of you who've never been to France, you can probably nevertheless imagine the social importance and pleasure of the individual cafe/bistro--quick coffee in the morning, steak and pommes frites for lunch, a kir after work, etc. They can be really wonderful institutions--or sometimes a bit seedy, but still there's the charm--and perhaps not surprisingly, they are suffering these days. Tant pis.

M.A.



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/world/europe/23cafe.html?_r=1&em

The socialist rift

Following Lauras article a new problem has come to light in the French political spectrum. The French Socialists have come into grave conflict with one another. They seem to be lacking any form of direction and more importantly have no unifying factor with which to defeat President Sarkozy. This comes afer this weekends Socialist congress where no clear President of the Party has been elected.
Segolene Royale faces mounting pressure from Martine Aubry who believes in the old values of the French Socialists. Before they can even begin thinking about fighting Sarkozy they will have to stop fighting each other.
Sarko's reforms at home are unchallenged and his international persona is a force to be reckoned with abroad. Should The Socialists throw in the towel nice and early before they are completely humiliated by Sarko?

A.B.P

The Obama Effect?

Pierre Gahane is not the first black prefect France has had, but he is the first prefect who is not "French" (Cameronian origin), and can be considered "young" (43 years-old). Does he remind you of anyone perhaps? Barack Obama...
The French media is running wild with his appoint as prefect of Alpes de Hautes-Provence. Call it the Obama effect or whatever you want. Gahane asserts that a persons abilities is what takes him or her to the top.

http://fr.news.yahoo.com/3/20081112/tpl-diversite-prefet-noir-nomination-cfb2994.html

Laura Kim

Party Politics

Rumors are circulating amidst an already (and perhaps always fragile) Socialist Party that Segolene Royal is considering to succeed Francois Hollande, her former partner, as the first secretary of the Socialist party. The day before however, "Le Monde" reported that Royal had aspirations of heading the Socialist Party. From my personal opinion, it is more of viable that Royal is eyeing to be the leader of the Socialist Party than a Secretary.
I have little doubt that Royale is about to give up her presidential bid anytime soon. Afterall, she still has a pretty good chance given it takes several tries to get elected president in France. Besides the fact the rumors circulating around appears to be caused by gossip mags wanting a juicy story of portraying Royal as the scorned-woman.

http://fr.news.yahoo.com/3/20081112/tpl-ps-congres-peillon-cfb2994.html

Laura Kim

France once again eco friendly

Yves Cochet and Martine Billard members of the Green Party have proposed a law which will ban heat lamps and other energy guzzling appliances from terraces of French cafes and restaurants. If is too cold then sit inside!! It is probable that the law will be passed to the horror of the owners of these establishments. This may not seem significant but once again it proves Frances determination to be eco-conscious and shows how there legislation can pass laws which not only increase or decrease tax but also fight climate change. Similar bans are also being talked about on the Union level which again would put France ahead of the pack if this law passes.



http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2008/11/07/01016-20081107ARTFIG00424-une-proposition-de-loi-contre-les-terrasses-chauffees-.php


A.B.P

Sarkozy's Reformed Gaulism.

Undoubtedly, Sarkozy's presidency so far has had it's roots in certain Gaulist attitudes, values, and perhaps a kind of philosophy but he has been able to transform traditional Gaulism, the type that characterized Chirac's presidency, to what I like to call a "new-age" or "reformed" Gaulism- a new movement that embodies the ideals of traditional Gaulism- doing everything with the Grandieur of France in mind.

Striking and not at all Gaulist is the way Sarkozy has somewhat strayed from traditional Gaulism by medling in domestic politics/affairs but traditional Gaulists and perhaps even Charles de Gaulle himself would argue that this itself is Gaulist because the ideal French leader, who is pure and has the interests of the people of France at hand, is seeking to uphold the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Perhaps Sarkozy's tenure as presidency could lead to a new-age/reformed Gaulist movemnt in France???

Look Out Arnold

Apparently, Arnold is not the only German-speaking, justice-spreading, t.v. personality gone politician. Come up and running as the candidate for the German Presidency is none other than Peter Sodann. Sodann is the former star of the show Tatort, a police drama that he played commissioner in for sixteen years. Sodann was nominated by the Socialist left party on the Eighth of October and he will be running in the 2009 Presidential election.

The Socialists nominated Sodann and believe that he will be a president of the people if elected. He is well known and praised as an actor and a manager. Being that the German presidency is a very ceremonial office, Sodann’s past does not really matter. He is a many very interested in society’s ties and apparently that was enough to win the Socialists over. In Germany, the Presidential candidates are not elected by the people, but by the Federal Convention. In the Federal Convention, a secret ballot is passed by members of the parliament and delegates appointed by the state legislatures.

If elected, Sodann will be the first president with such a career behind him. The President in office now, who will be running for incumbency, is President Kohler. Kohler was head of the International Monetary Fund prior to his election. Kohler is highly likely to be reelected in next years election by a thin majority if there isn’t a major change in German politics prior to the election.

Victory for Obama is Sweeter Than Honey for Sarko

The possible victory for Obama in the 2008 US presidential elections may perhaps be the beginning of a peaceful "marriage" between the US and France. Statiscs conducted by TNS Sofres-Logica on October 8, 2008 show that the overwhelming majority of the French "have a crush on" Barack Obama, with only five percent viewing John McCain favorably. The election of Barack Obama is seen by the French as the rebirth of the Frenchmen's ideal of what America should be and the election of John McCain is seen as the continuation of the Bush administration the world, especially France, despises. Sarkozy notably far more different than Chirac, and what some might call an Americanophile, is quoted to have saying "Obama is my buddy." Indicitive of the general opinion of France, even though the two may seem like an unlikely match, it is clear that if Obama is elected to become the next US President it would be favorable for Sarkozy international-relation-wise bridging together the bitter Freedom Fries vs French Fries gap during the Bush Administration.

Laura K.

Sarko to the rescue

In the wake of the global financial crisis job security has become a predominant issue for people in coutnries around the world. Part of President Sarkozy's election campaign revolved around job creation and cutting unemployment to 5 percent by the end of his mandate in 2012. He proposed to inject money into the French economy (175 billion eurors to be precise) which will serve to protect key pillars of the economy and use it as a tool to subsidise jobs. However, when this plan was proposed to the National Assembly not even the majority party seemed very enthusiastic. The general concensus seems to be that Sarkozy cannot tackle a problem of this magnitude but more importantly not being able to tackle such a huge problem alone.

A.B.P

Has Sarkozy Gone too Soft?

Known more for his brutish behavior and staunch stance on cutting back the benefits of the working class in France, Sarkozy is a one though cookie. The quintessential "conservative" and more importantly, the president of a country that has traditional been left leaning; sometimes to the point where the world might call it's actions "radical."

As "conservative" as Sarkozy is portrayed in the eyes of the public, has he suddenly gone soft on us? Sarkozy has decided not to extradite former Italian Red Brigades member Marina Petrella to her native country, where she was convicted in the murder of a police officer. The reason? Out of "compassion" towards her fragile state of health. His decision though, seems puzzling and so un-like the "conservative" Sarkozy the world has come to know and love or hate. Perhaps, Carla Bruni is really "changing" Sarkozy. Whether this change is good or bad, who knows?

Laura K.

UK Bailout Plan.

The UK government is pumping $63bn into RBS, HBOS, and Lloyds TSB. The UK Prime minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling gave a televised speech this morning to reassure investors of their intention to stabilize banks so that they can continue to operate on a commercial basis. The move seems to resonnate well with investors and markets so far have responded positively. One notebale absentee from this so called government investment is Barclays Bank which has opted to raise 6.5bn Pounds without government help from private investors. Although the money being pumped into these banks is tax payers money, this plan would mean tax payers would own 60% of RBS and 40% of the merged Lloyds and HBOS.

Gordon Brown has so far shown exemplary leadership, calling on European member states and the US governemnt to emulate it's plan to weather the financial crisis. Brown's latest moves plays well into his satement a couple of weeks ago during the Labour Party conference that "the government must be a rock of stability for British people during the credit crisis". Despite this move, it is widely believed that the economic slow down is expected to continue take a toll on the economy. Most importantly is the backing Gordon Brwon has recieved from his political rivals including the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

Joint Front

After last weeks crazed, money-throwing panic over the European economy was addressed with an every-man-for-himself attitude, Germany is showing a little more cooperation. Despite the fact that Merkel bailed out a bank or two last week, she is now willing to share the burden with the rest of Europe in an effort to come up with a joint response. More specifically Germany and France, the two largest economies of the Eurozone, have decided to take the bull by the horns and work together step by step to overcome the issue. Gordon Brown, along with the fifteen leaders of the eurozone economy, met today in Paris and discussed the idea of using a British-style bailout technique characterized by private banks going semi-national. This seems to be the most favored plan at this point. Merkel said that Germany and France are "on the same path as regards putting in place a concerted and coherent reaction for the eurozone." Though this may be the case, Merkel also made sure to mention the fact that the rules over this project also clearly state that countries have some flexibility in dealing with the subject on a simply national level.

At this point Merkel and Sarkozy have announced that the two governments will participate via total coordination of new measures to beat down the issues presented by the crumbling world economy. The two country leaders have been working hand in hand and telephoning daily. A joint statement was just released welcoming interest rate cuts by the world’s leading central banks. If all else fails, at least we can be rested knowing that Germany and France are getting along very well with each other. Provided, Merkel sticks to the plan.

Help the little guy?

Further to the G7 meeting and the E.U. Big 4 discussions ealier in the week Europe has finally come up with some concrete solutions to tackle the financial crisis we have been faced with recently. President Sarkozy that unprecendented steps have been taken to ensure that no large institution will will be allowed to crumble. Governments within the Euroo Zone have pledged to guarantee loans in banks till the end of 2009. This deal spearheaded by the French government will ensure that larger European instituion will remain in sound, wconomically speaking. However, size is relative and the E.U. is not limited to those who use the Euro. I am wondering if this deal will help bail out local banks (which are incomparable in terms of revenue when looking at Western mamoth financial houses) in the newly admitted E.U states.

A.B.P

Sailing Rough Seas.

The July 7 bombings prompted the UK government to make radical changes in it laws especially with relation to terror suspects. The number of days allowed for Scotland Yard to detain and question terror suspects has been a subject of controversy. The current counter terrorism bill allows the police to detain and question terror suspects for up to 28 days but PM Brown is seeking to extend this to 42 days, a move which barely made it past the House of Commons by 315 votes to 306 but is expected to be defeated by the House of Lords with Brown threathening to invoke the Parliament Act, a move some have said would be political suicide. So what should Brown do? How would a House of Lords defeat of the bill affect his political future (if he has any)? The next couple of weeks could prove if he his indeed the right person to lead Britain.

CSU Going Down

Before the Beatles even hit it big, the Christian Social Union (CSU) was dominating the state of Bavaria's politics with over fifty percent of the vote. As a matter of fact, during the last election CSU won 60.7 percent of the vote giving them quite a majority of the seats in the state's parliament. Now, however, CSU is in trouble. Last Sunday a new election was held and CSU has obviously lost a lot of its supporters. This year, CSU only won forty-three percent of the vote and which is the first time that it has been under fifty percent since the sixties. This drop is apparently due to the parties recent clumsiness in debates and with policies such as education, the new smoking ban and the scrapping of a multi-billion euro train link amoung other things. Bavarians claim that the party has fallen out of touch. More people are concentrating on being environmentally friendly while less people are going to church. Another fault of the party is that it neglegts the immigrant population in the state. After the vote, party head Erwin Huber and Bavarian Premier Gunther Beckstein both resigned.

CSU's downward spiral is also bad news for the Angela Merkel and the Christian Democrats (CDU). CSU is CDU's sister party. Merkel will be up for election again approximately one year from now and if she loses support in all states in such a fashion she wont have a chance. Change is afoot.

Economic Bombs

France has taken the initiative in her capacity as the presiding member of the E.U. this year to call an emergency meeting in Paris this week to save Europe from the crisis currently facing the U.S. The wealthiest E.U. nations were invited to reach a deal which will inherently try and save European based banks from the same fate as their American counterparts. What they will realise is that it will be very difficult to reach a general concensus of all 27 member states so nothing in theory will happen. Secondly, is it not already too late for France to have called this meeting, the financial crisis in America is by no means contained hence it has probably already affected Timbuktu let alone European economic powerhouses. France ten points for effort-not so many for the solution.

A.B.P.

French Banks Feel the Heat

It appears that the US financial crisis is spilling over to France. This week France had to rescue Franco-Belgian amidst fears concerning loans to local authorities. French economic analysts suggests that the French banks will remain strong since the banks are rarely used for investment purposes. It wouldn’t be surprising however, if something were to go horribly wrong and cause a domino effect of bank collapses if freak incidents like the incident with the French rogue trader were to happen again in an already fragile global economy.

Laura K.

French nuclear frenzy

France has once again reaffirmed its possition as the worlds greatest supplier of nuclear technology. Okay granted, this does not consitute proliferation of nuclear weapons however the french government is following the American example and exporting civilian nuclear technology to India. President Bonaparte (honest lapsus linguae, I mean Sarkozy) signed a trade deal with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that will create the framework for India to purchase France's latest model of the European Pressurised Reactor. The deal ends a ban on India which up to know prohibited countries from engaging in civilian nuclear trade with them. This is a Godsent for India's growing lust for energy to provide for her massive population and equally important for france who has found a huge market with unparalleled purchasing power. But why stop there, I heard Pakistan and North Korea also have relatively large populations and are eager to buy 'civilian nuclear technologies' -after all they are potential markets in the region, where does all this madness end?

A.B.P.

Gordon Brown's problems due to religion?

Many people within the English parliament are unhappy with the way things are going in England as of late, and this has led to increased pressure for the current British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Yet there is much debate over his stay in power within the parliament and as head of the Labor party in England. There is a “rebellion” ongoing at the moment within the Labor party calling for a change of leadership; things are turning ugly already as the situation is taking unfavorable twists and turns, with two MPs sacked from their positions and one resigning due to the power struggle. Yet there is a conspiracy theory behind all this. Some speculate that the real reason behind all this is not that Mr. Brown has not done the work demanded of him but that actually it could be his ethnicity thus being Scottish and religion being catholic. There is some speculation that religion actually plays a big role in someone’s carrier within the British parliament as for it has very strong ties with the church of England and to have a Catholic within the framework undermines the churches influence, yet looking back into history there have not been any Catholics in high positions of politics since the governing body of king Charles II, unless you count former prime minister Tony Blair who himself only converted to Catholicism after leaving his position as PM. So could this be a leading factor to Mr. Brown’s political fallout, or is this another conspiracy theory?

A New Beginning

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/sep/23/gordonbrown.labour1

In our previous class the Professor drew stark similarities between the gradual decline and ousting of the Margaret Thatcher led government in the late eighties and the currently unstable Gordon Brown led government perhaps alluding to concerns that we might be witnessing the final days of his Premiership. While it is almost impossible to determine if we are indeed, Browns speech yesterday compelled me to change my belief that his days at no 10 were numbered.

Internal party strife, poor election results, along with an economic crisis have in recent weeks shaken the reins of the Brown government. Most notably were attempts by junior party members to challenge his leadership and or force a change of leadership. Brown survived this political storm thanks to the backing of senior members of his party. But yesterday (at least in my opinion) silenced his strongest critics for good and solidly cemented his stance as the only man poised to lead Britain through and out of these difficult times. His speech took on a more personal tone and emphasized the need for “a new settlement for new times, and a fair Britain for a new age.” He stressed that “in these uncertain times, we must be, we will be, the rock of stability and fairness upon which people stand.” While Brown acknowledged certain mistakes had been made, he reiterated the fact that his government has far exceeded the expectations from the opposing party.

It is no surprise that his speech was very positively received. As one journalist put it “this speech was about him (Gordon Brown) inviting you (his party members and the British public) to take another look at him”. The ball is now in the court of British voters to decide if indeed he is the right man to lead them. I think they will respond positively.

The Meltdown

The US economic crisis was on the top of the agenda at the United Nations General Assembly where French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke on behalf of the EU about the crisis. Sarkozy urged the world leaders (the US in particular) to learn from the mistakes of this crisis and rebuild a transparent, regulated form of capitalism. Sarkozy also went on to criticize speculators and wanted to establish closer ties between Russia and Europe.

With an increasingly global economy it is no surprise that Sarkozy would be concerned with the US financial health. Fears are still lingering that the US financial meltdown will spread to European nations next and this will certainly be a major disaster for Sarkozy when France is effected. Notably in the 2007 French elections, Sarkozy’s main agenda was to build a stronger and more powerful economy in France where it has already seen some tough times in previous years. After Sarkozy’s victory, however, France has dealt with the rogue trader who seems to have single-handedly damaged the French bank Société Générale. Looking back at this incident its no surprise why Sarkozy would want regulated and transparent form of capitalism.

Laura K.

Energy a la Franglaise...

The Franco-British love-hate (well certainly more hate then love) relationship is a facet of their respective mindsets and is almost innate to both the Frenchman and his neighbour across the Channel. To acquire the upperhand for either of these countries irrespective of the field of play is crucial to their very sense of national pride but more importantly arm victor with the deadliest weapon in their arsenal-'bragging rights'.
Now more then ever this is true for France. Energy giants, Électricité de France has recently made a £12.4 billion bid to buy British Energy. If the deal is finalised as planned British homes will be at the whim of the French who potentially have the power to turn off their lights and heat. The frog and onion seller comments will have to stop- nobody wants to see the lights in Downing Street replaced by candles...

A.B.P

Five Germans Missing!

On Monday, the Foreign Ministry in Berlin confirmed that five German tourists had been kidnapped in Egypt. In all eleven people were kidnapped including the five Germans, five Italians and one Romanian. They were kidnapped on a safari tour in the Sahara desert by four armed, masked men. The men apparently stopped the vehicles and directed them towards the Sudan. The abductors are asking for a $15 million ransom. An emergency task force is trying to find a quick solution to the problem as we speak.
Personally, I wonder how the Germans are going to deal with this situation. As far as I can tell, there is no indication as to who the abductors are, but they are probably Sudanese. Regardless, we can only hope that the powerful government figures out the situation and that the "vacationers" will be returned unharmed in the near future.