Europe Archives

CZECH REPUBLIC: Communists Could Turn Kingmakers

Czech President Vaclav Klaus, known for his sceptical remarks on EU integration and human-induced climate change, will seek re-election in a presidential vote that may be decided by the communists.

RIGHTS-EUROPE: Seeking Refuge Could Become Criminal

By IPS Correspondents

Plans by the European Union to allow police to study data on asylum-seekers have run into difficulty amid concerns that the move could result in victims of persecution being treated as criminal suspects.

ICELAND: Fishing Dispute Casts a Wide Net

By Lowana Veal

Iceland must review its fishing management system within six months and pay compensation to two fishermen who were unfairly discriminated against, the European Committee of Human Rights has said.

GREECE: Police Show Lawyers A Brutal Face

By Apostolis Fotiadis

Electra Floropoulou of the Lawyers Group for the Rights of Refugees and Migrants was not expecting the police to turn violent when she began taking photographs of the queue of migrants outside the Athens Directorate for Foreigners.

POLAND: Slowly Coming to Terms with Russia

By Zoltán Dujisin

The upcoming visit of newly elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to Russia signals a new sense of pragmatism in Poland's policies.

SPAIN: Gender Equality Law Triumphs over Rightwing Opposition

By IPS Correspondents

Spain’s Constitutional Court issued a ruling Wednesday backing a gender equality bill, which had been challenged by the rightwing Popular Party (PP), thus clearing the way for the new law to go into effect by Saturday.

ITALY: In A New Twist of Uncertainty

By Sabina Zaccaro

Following the resignation of prime minister Romano Prodi last week after just 20 months in office, the future of economic and social reforms due to be implemented by his centre-left government appears uncertain.

RUSSIA: Campaign to Elect New President Begins

By Kester Kenn Klomegah

The political campaign for election of a new president has begun, with President Vladimir Putin setting social policy as the tone for his party candidate.

UKRAINE: The Poison Is In The Politics

By Zoltán Dujisin

The investigation into the 2004 alleged poisoning of President Viktor Yushchenko when he was a candidate for the presidency remains unsolved, but there is no lack of chilling theories, some of which stain the President himself.

BALKANS: Serbia Signs Controversial Energy Deal with Russia

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic

Russia and Serbia signed a "strategic" energy deal Friday.

EUROPE: Kosovo Sends Out Ripples of Fear

By Zoltán Dujisin

The possibility of Kosovo gaining independence has sparked a debate in central-eastern Europe on whether the Serbian region could set a precedent in prioritising the right to self-determination over state sovereignty.

EUROPE: Schengen ‘Wall’ Moves Further East

By Zoltán Dujisin

The enlargement of the Schengen free-travel zone has been celebrated as an opportunity to reunite Western and Eastern Europe, but those further east feel it was done at their expense, and some in the West have not welcomed the change.

ICELAND: Resistance Rises Against GM Imports

By Lowana Veal

Icelanders are beginning to protest more forcefully against import of genetically modified food, leading the government to tighten regulations.

BALKANS: Kosovo Shadow Lengthens Over EU

By IPS Correspondents

Questions relating to Kosovo's future status will almost certainly be the key area of focus for diplomats dealing with the Balkans this year.

SERBIA: Preparing to Vote Really Between EU and Russia

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic

The two leading candidates in the presidential elections Sunday headed into a second round Feb. 3 as expected. Less expected was the high turnout.

EUROPE: Sex, Lies and Suicides – the New Greek Tragedy

By Apostolis Fotiadis

On Dec. 20, three days after his resignation as secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Christos Zahopoulos jumped from the fourth floor of his flat in Athens city centre. He has partly recovered but is going to face serious long-term health problems.

EUROPE: ‘Slow’ Over Rights for Roma

By IPS Correspondents

European Union officials were this week branded "slow" and "lazy" in addressing discrimination faced by the Roma community, the continent's largest transnational minority.

BULGARIA: On To A New Nuclear Path

By Claudia Ciobanu

The European Commission (EC) has given a positive opinion on construction of a nuclear plant at Belene by Russian Atomstroiexport, controlled by Gazprom.

SERBIA: Another Critical Election Looms

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic

Serbia faces presidential elections Sunday, once again considered crucial for the country.

Q&A: &#39The Date for Kosovo Independence Is Set&#39

By IPS Correspondents

Every passing day brings more pressure on the two million people of Kosovo over the future of the province. Demonstrations on the streets of Pristina and Mitrovica, for and against independence respectively, are strong indication of the social unrest in anticipation of a decision.

SLOVAKIA: Government-Media War Escalates

By Zoltán Dujisin

In the midst of a war between government and the media, a new and controversial press bill will force media outlets to publish anyone's reactions to articles considered offensive.