Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Monday 27 February 2012



SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
Compiled on February 27, 2012, 06:13 PM CET
Large Majority

German Parliament Approves Greek Bailout Package

The German parliament on Monday approved the second Greek bailout package with a large majority, as expected. A total of 496 lawmakers voted in favor and 90 against, reports said.

'Greater Chances Outside'

German Minister Calls for Greek Euro Exit

German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich has said that Greece would have better chances of economic recovery if it left the euro zone. He told SPIEGEL that Athens should be offered a deal it couldn't refuse, in order to encourage it to quit the currency union.

Rift Over Crisis Management

Merkel Rebukes Minister for Comments on Greece

Chancellor Angela Merkel made clear on Monday that she disagrees with Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich, who called for Greece to quit the euro zone. His comments in SPIEGEL exposed a rift in her coalition about how to manage the euro crisis ahead of Monday's vote on the new Greek bailout.

Opinion

We Have Become the New Villain

The German parliament is set to approve a new multibillion euro bailout package for Greece on Monday, but instead of thanks, southern Europeans are expressing their dislike of us. Germans will have to get used to their new role: We have become the Americans of Europe.

The World from Berlin

'Europe is Pouring Money Into a Bottomless Barrel'

A German minister has broken with the official government line by saying Greece should be encouraged to quit the euro. The comment, made to SPIEGEL, comes ahead of Monday's parliamentary vote on the second bailout. Some newspapers, including the tabloid Bild, agree that it's time for Greece to leave.

Injecting Cash

Europe's Banks Are Addicted to ECB's Cheap Money

The European Central Bank will give European banks another massive round of loans at bargain-basement rates on Tuesday, with financial institutions expected to borrow up to one trillion euros. The ECB is playing down the risks of providing so much cheap money, but critics say that banks have become too dependent on the flow of easy cash.

Interview with Bundesbank President

Bigger Debt Cut for Greece Would Set Bad Example

In a SPIEGEL interview, Jens Weidmann, president of Germany's central bank, discusses Greece's reform efforts and the second EU/IMF bailout for the country.  He argues against sweeping debt relief for Athens, saying that other crisis-stricken euro-zone members might see it as an easy way out of their problems.

Europe Plays Down Crisis

Leaders Buy Time at G-20 Summit in Mexico

At this weekend's meeting of finance ministers and central bankers of the world's 20 most important economies, the Europeans sought to convey the message that everything is under control in the euro crisis. If so, the rest of the world is asking, why don't they do more to help themselves?

Shunning Solidarity

Thatcher was Supicious of Polish Solidarity Movement

Until now, Helmut Schmidt appeared to be the only top Western politician who was skeptical about the Polish trade union Solidarity in the early 1980s. But SPIEGEL magazine reveals British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher also had deep reservations about the movement and its leader Lech Walesa.

A Capital Error?

Germany Created Own Threat with Chinese Solar Aid

Germany long aimed to be a front runner in the solar energy industry, but waning subsidies and rising competition from China have clouded its outlook. To add insult to injury, the Chinese boom has been generously supported by German financial aid.

New Inquiry Into Austrian Abduction

Kampusch Kidnapper May Have Had Accomplice

Wolfgang Priklopil, the man who abducted Natascha Kampusch when she was 10 and held her captive for over eight years, may not have been acting alone, the head of a committee investigating the case has told SPIEGEL. The kidnapper may have had help committing suicide after she fled in 2006 -- or may even have been killed. 

Picture This

Heart to Heart