Saturday over at European Tribune says:
In the past few days, everyone talked about Franz Müntefering’s resignation as SPD chairman. I did, too. That is why I nearly missed one of the most important news in German politics for months (or maybe even years):
SPD and CDU/CSU have agreed on the most contentious points of federal reform. Federal reform will be the first big reform project of the coming grand coalition.
Can an Iron Fist Put Power in Bosnia’s Hands? – New York Times
“There is a growing consensus that Paddy Ashdown, Bosnia’s high representative, may be doing as much harm as good by holding back the development of democracy.”
This line of criticism has been put forward by some at least since Bildt was succeeded by the spaniard in 97, but naturally become more widespread and vocal over time. It hitting the NYT online frontpage may be a sign of some kind of turning point.
As for the the substance, the criticism souds sensible, but I don’t have any strong opinion. Curious what the Dougs and Brussels Gonzo think.
OK, I guess we do do memes here at fistful, but only if they’re actually interesting. I’ve made a Frappr map for fistful readers. Frappr uses Google Maps to show the location of people. It’s quite easy to add your own.
Review-essay in Haaretz on Raymond Aron and the war in Algeria. Very interesting. Via the Heab Heeb
Slate’s Steven A. Cook arguesTurkish military are still plenty powerful.
Their wings have been clipped, but they’re still the big winners in the EU membership process.
FT says a deal will be reached shortly, and Merkel will be chancellor. Schröder is out.
Ms Merkel’s expected victory in the battle for the chancellorship is likely to be announced on Monday, following a meeting on Sunday evening in Berlin between Mr Schröder and Ms Merkel, according to the SPD politicians, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The two leaders met on Thursday evening for four hours to agree the framework of a SPD-CDU grand coalition, but refused on Friday to disclose details. The talks also include SPD leader Franz Müntefering, and Bavarian premier Edmund Stoiber.
Officials close to Mr Schröder said the chancellor would not become vice chancellor and foreign minister in the coalition, despite pressure from within the SPD for him do so.
The SPD may be given an equal number of cabinet posts as the CDU and be offered first choice of ministries to control, the MP said. SPD officials said these could include the foreign, economics and family ministries.
In addition, the CDU is almost certain to give the SPD assurances – even ahead of lengthy coalition talks expected to start next week – that it will drop key elements of its more radical economic reform agenda, such as changes to job protection and collective bargaining rules.
We don’t do “memes” here at fistful, but this is too cool an idea to pass up. Today apparently is Lurker day, which means readers who never or rarely make comments tell us who they are, where the’re from and what they like (or don’t like) about fistful, etc.
…OK, yesterday, but we do things our own way here in Europe.
A Fistful of Euros is a weblog. Its purpose is to provide a venue for informed commentary on European politics and culture from a pan-European perspective.
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This Slate dispatch about the Milosevic trial is very well written.
I saw a link to this german election blog a couple of months ago, but forgot to bookmark it, and have been trying to find it since then.
Almost the most interesting thing about it is how shockingly bad the interface is. Apparently someone at this institute built a primitive blog of his own rather tahn using blogger or typepad. What were they thinking?