Running in Heels

This Week in Europe

Posted in Social Butterfly » Politics » by Ilaria Parogni :: September 30, 2011

Setbacks for Sarkozy

French president Nicolas Sarkozy first had to deal with two of his close associates being accused of handling kick-backs on multibillion-dollar arms contracts, then with the loss of majority in the Senate. Meanwhile, magistrate and French state prosecutor Philippe Courroye, considered to be close to the president, is being investigated for spying on a group of Le Monde journalists. The journalists were working on the Bettencourt scandal, a story of illegal party funding which saw Sarkozy’s Union for a Popular Movement involved.

Putin set to return as President in 2012

Vladimir Putin, former President and current Prime Minister of the Russian Federation announced his presidential bid at United Russia party’s annual congress on September 24. He suggested that if he wins the elections he will appoint current President Dmitri Medvedev as Prime Minister. According to experts, the results of the elections and the future of Russia have thus already been decided.

Amanda Knox awaits the verdict

Amanda Knox, American girl accused of murdering her British flat-mate Meredith Kercher whilst spending a year in the Italian city of Perugia, will be told in the next few days whether the 2009 sentence to 26 years in prison for murder is confirmed or not. Knox appealed on the grounds that the DNA evidence used by the prosecutors had been contaminated. The trial has reached a climax in the past week, with the Amanda being portrayed as a “she-devil” by the prosecution and a “victim of anti-Americanism” by the defence.

Tymoshenko’s trial resumes

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s trial for abuse of authority during the negotiations of a gas deal with Russia resumed on September 27. The prosecutors asked for seven years, Tymoshenko rejected all accusations and denounced the trial as a “political lynching”. In the meantime the EU condemned the trial and threatened to put on hold the finalisation of a free trade agreement with Ukraine in the case of Tymoshenko’s conviction.

Germany approves Eurozone rescue package

On September 29, German MPs voted to ratify the expansion of the European bailout fund, or European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), financed by German taxpayers’ money. The proposal was backed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and received a total of 523 votes in favour, with 85 voting against it and 3 abstentions.

In Bulgaria, Roma clashes stir ethnic tension

More than 120 people were arrested after civil unrest broke out in Katunitsa, a village located in South-Central Bulgaria. The tension originated when a young man was run over and killed by a man linked to “Gypsy Tsar” Kiril Raskov. Katunitsa residents gathered outside Raskov’s house, shouting anti-Roma slogans. Soon violence spread and many youngsters were arrested in possession of weapons. On September 28 Raskov was arrested, after being accused of death threats.

The UK has been named the worst place to live in Europe

The uSwitch ‘Quality of Life’ survey considered ten developed European countries, and examined factors such as net income, sunshine hours, life expectancy and living costs. Britons enjoy 5.5 days less holiday each year than the European average, with low government spending on both health and education compared with other countries. 12% of UK residetns said that they were “seriously considering” emigrating. France topped the survey, despite the French working longer, and a lower GDP.

Vladimir Putin announces his Presidential bid