Looks like 2009 will be going out with a bang for Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi…literally. Sunday night, while at a rally in Milan, the charismatic and controversial Italian leader was struck in the face with a souvenir statuette of Milan cathedral. He has suffered a broken nose, broken teeth, and some facial cuts.
But it seems a fitting end to a year that has been a year full of challenges. In April was forced to defend his friendship with the 18-year old aspiring model Noemi Letizia. Unconvinced of the casual nature of the relationship, Berlusconi’s wife, Veronica Lario filed for divorce in May.
In July, Patrizia D’Addario, an escort came forward claiming that after a few 2008 liaisons with Berlusconi, he offered her a seat in the European Parliament. You bet there are tapes.
On the grounds that it would violate the equality of all citizens, Italian judges in October ruled that Berlusconi did not have immunity from prosecution. He is facing at least three court case, one of which is for political corruption. In November, his trial for tax fraud went to court.
And December has not just been a month of flying trinkets. Berlusconi is also trying to deal with allegations that he has connections with the Sicilian Mafia.
Needless to say, it’s been a forgettable year for the Italian Prime Minister. For 2010, might I suggest:
Hopefully 2010 gives Berlusconi a chance to "Reset"...hold the peregruzka.
1. Last Kaffepause and Fika for the semester!
2. CAHI Roundtable and Reception
3. Commuter Needs Ride between Indianapolis and Bloomington
1. Last Kaffepause and Fika for the semester!
2. Reminder: Cohen Award for Best Graduate Paper
3. Reminder – Funding Opportunities!
4. CAHI Roundtable and Reception
5. IOR Global Services Seeking 10-Week German class in DC area
6. Commuter Needs Ride between Indianapolis and Bloomington
7. Brownbag Speaker Recommendations
8. GPSO Announcements
The Greek stock market fell 6% after the Fitch credit rating agency cut Greece’s rating to a 10-year low (i.e. the lowest since Greece joined the euro). The head of the European Central Bank (which is responsible for interest rates in the euro-zone) also warned on Monday that the Greek Government needs to make drastic changes to control its spiraling level of debt. The Greek Government’s budget deficit this year is forecasted to be almost 12% of GDP this year, compared to euro-zone average of 6.9%. In addition, the Greece’s debt is forecasted to be 125% of GDP, which is the largest in the euro area.
This crisis began in October, when the newly elected Socialist government started radically revising government budget projections. As a result, Greece has seen the spread on interest rates it must pay to sell government bonds increase rapidly and there are worries that it might default on its debt. While never a happy option, default is made even messier by being in the euro-zone. It is highly unlikely that Greece would drop out of the euro-zone and create a greatly depreciated new currency—thus the question is what will happen in the euro-zone if Greece defaults?
Technically, the treaty regulating the euro has a “no bail-out” clause preventing other member states from rescuing another euro member. However, some member states may want to rescue Greece to prevent the euro from loosing value against other currencies, although with Greece is making some strong reforms. A rescue would assure investors of the other members’ commitment to maintaining the stablity of the euro, calming investors and mitigating their flight from other euro member’s bonds. On the other hand, how much would a Greek default influence the whole euro-zone, as Greece only accounts for about 2% of the area’s GDP?
1. W301 Permission
2. SPEA Overseas Education Callout for Grad Students
3. GPSO Announcements
4. Department of French & Italian Spring 2010 Course
5. International Summer Program – Sommerhochschule in Strobl, Austria
1. Nikolaustag Celebration
2. Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis Colloquium Series, Fall 2009
3. Department of French & Italian Student-Faculty Forum Series
Tuesday, December 1st marked an important day in the history of the EU. The Lisbon Treaty, the product of a decade long struggle to streamline and further democratize the European Union, finally went into effect. But when MEPs, bureaucrats, and new President Herman van Rompuy woke up Wednesday, one can imagine the sense of urgency that accompanied not only the beginning of a new day, but of a new EU as well. While the Lisbon Treaty should work out some of the institutional challenges the EU has faced, it is far from a panacea.
One particular question that remains to be answered is that of Turkey. Although the situation is bit more complicated, two particular points have made its inclusion in the EU a highly debated issue:
First, is the question, “Is Turkey a part of Europe?” Truth be told, the idea of Europe as a continent is a bit of a misnomer. In reality she is merely a peninsula of the greater Eurasian continent. While water bodies to the north, south, and west set Europe apart from other landmasses, to the east there is no clear border. Turkey sits at the confluence of three regions in the east, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. There is a sort of three-way tug-of-war that makes Turkey an outsider no matter where it looks.
With that comes the second issue plaguing Turkey’s chances for entrance to the EU. 99.8% of Turkey’s population is Muslim. While secularization is prominent throughout the EU, there is a strong Christian, whether Roman Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox, thread woven through society. A sort of test run has taken place as a result of, for instance, post-World War II guest worker programs in Germany and the Netherlands and decolonization in France and the UK. Muslims from Turkey, Pakistan, and North Africa have all become quite commonplace in EU states. Violent actions by Muslim extremists in Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands have gone a long way in painting a picture of Islam that, while perhaps not fully accurate or fair, has left a less than favorable impression on many Europeans. Although the terrorist actions that have taken place throughout Europe in the past decade have not generally been carried out by Turks, their association with Islam is one that is difficult for many to look past.
It would be highly unlikely that the EU will ever agree to a definite border for Europe-just areas that are more European than others. Europeanization has been a goal of Turkey since the waning years of the Ottoman Party and then especially after its founding under Ataturk. This includes an almost religious devotion to secularizing public life. Even still, secularization in public life has not resulted in secularization of private life.
So what will the EU do? It’s difficult to say. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, voicing the opinions of many Europeans, has made his displeasure with the idea of an EU with Turkey known and the prospect of a visit by the anti-Islam Dutch MP Geert Wilders during a fact-finding mission was received coldly by Turkish authorities. The trip was subsequently cancelled.
The reality is the EU is under no obligation to allow Turkey into its exclusive club. By giving a definitive “No,” something it has not yet done, it would send a message that the EU is a body of Christian states and form a more defined sense of what Europe is. Nonetheless, this would create a precedent that might leave countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia on the outside looking in should they seek membership. Saying “Yes” would broaden the definition of Europe and send a message that it is more than just a white, Christian organization, further legitimizing Article 22 of The Charter of Fundamental Rights which states “The Union shall respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.” Still, by formally expanding the definition of Europe, the EU would possibly be setting itself up for similar lengthy debates as states from further afield attempt to become members.
The issue of Turkey’s place within or without the EU is difficult and, to say the least, contentious. There is much to be excited about with the accession of the Lisbon Treaty, but important questions like the one examined here still remain. It will be up to Mr. Rompuy and company to take the initiative and have the moxie to answer them.
The West European Studies Student Organization will be hosting a brownbag discussion this Friday, December 4 at 1 p.m. in Ballantine 542. Our speaker will be IU professor of political science Dr. Timothy Hellwig, who will be discussing “Public Opinion, Party Messages, and Responsibility for the Financial Crisis in Britain”. Bring your lunch, coffee and tea will be provided! We know it’s a busy time; we promise not to keep you long!
It’s been a busy week in the EU. Today the much debated Lisbon Treaty enters into force. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8387648.stm) Also, European Commission President Jose Barroso announced the portfolios for the incoming College of Commissioners on November 27. (http://ec.europa.eu/commission_designate_2009-2014/index_en.htm) Each member state nominates a commissioner and Mr. Barroso’s job is to assign the portfolios to each commissioner before being confirmed by the European Parliament.
France appears to be the biggest beneficiary of the new Commission. Michel Barnier from France will the new Internal Market and Services Commissioner, responsible for managing the foundation of the EU—the free flow of goods and services across the EU. In addition, Mr. Barnier will be responsible for regulating financial markets in the EU. Even though Commissioners are suppose to represent the EU and not their home country, national politics often appear. Many in Britain worry that Mr. Barnier’s appointment signal more EU financial regulations, weakening Britain’s financial hub, the City of London. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/nov/27/eu-commission-hedge-fund)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy not only saw the appointment of Mr. Barnier as a victory for France, but believes that France scored a “second victory” as Dacian Ciolos from Romania will be the new Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. (http://euobserver.com/?aid=29066) While the French trained agronomist and former Romanian Minister of Agriculture is clearly qualified for the job, the appointment was a win for Mr. Sarkozy. He can hope that Mr. Ciolos will attempt to maintain the status quo to the benefit French and Romanian farmers, as France receives the largest share of the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and Romania has more farmers than the rest of the EU combined. While presenters at the Indiana University’s European Union Regulatory Policy: Lessons for Indiana forum argued that agriculture policy may return to the member states, clearly Mr. Sarkozy hopes that this new Commission will not make any drastic changes to the current structure of CAP.
Despite the changing nature of the EU, the appointments of Commissioners shows that national politics and positions still clearly matter
The Swiss voted on Sunday to ban minarets on mosques. This appears to be a perceived response to the threat of Islam fundamentalism, as only 4 mosques in Switzerland have minarets and none broadcast a call to prayer. The below BBC article argues that the main Swiss political parties failed to appreciate the lurking fear of Islamic Fundamentalism in Switzerland, but Swiss politicians will now have to deal with the backlash among Muslims around the world. The question is now how will Switzerland deal with this apparent conflict between traditions of direct democracy and religious freedom?
For background on the Swiss referendum: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/world/europe/30swiss.html?_r=2&hp
For the BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8386456.stm
