Europe is growing, and more strongly than was thought only a few months ago €“ that’s the positive message to come out of the European Commission’s spring economic forecasts, published on May 7th. Growth of 2.7% in 2006 represents the best performance by the euro area since 2000, and with forecast growth of around 2.5% [...]

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On Thursday this week, British Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce he is soon to step down as premier, cementing a now almost inevitable handover to his long time political friend and rival Gordon Brown. As Gordon Brown moves nextdoor into No 10 Downing Street, he faces some big challenges on the economy and on domestic policy. But the only way he will be able to make the necessary break with the Blair era and restore the Labour Party’s electoral fortunes is to make a full and unequivocal apology for the mistakes of the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

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Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul who is the only candidate for the Presidency has today withdrawn his candidacy. Gul’s withdrawal does not come as a surprise as in the repeat first round of the presidential vote in the Parliament the required 2/3 quorum coul dnot be attained. Announcing the withdrawal of his candidacy Gul underlined that [...]

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Sarkozy was elected with 53/54% of the votes over Royal with 46/47%. Definitive results late in the night. In his first speech as the new President of France, Sarkozy insisted on the need to”go back to work”, to restore authority and order, without leaving anyone on the side and by giving each citizen a sense [...]

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The final few days of British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s time in office are well and truly underway. Damaged by the hugely unpopular Iraq War, and having already committed to resigning before September this year, he has now said he will announce his plans within the next week €“ beginning a process that will lead [...]

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Since there has been considerable confusion about the current political crisis in Turkey let me explain who is who and what is happening and why it matters. The Facts: The current constitution requires the President to be elected by the Parliament. The Turkish Parliament is made up of 550 MPs. A 2/3 majority coincides to [...]

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“Those who were scared Sarkosy would lose his temper were reassured, those who feared Royal would not be able to sustain the exchange with such a difficult competitor were relieved”. This is the conclusion of a well known French political analyst following the debate which took place yesterday night between the two finalists for the [...]

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It is now only 5 days before the French will vote again and elect their new President. Few random thoughts about what is going on. – On April 27th, Ségolène Royal and François Bayrou (who got 18% of the votes in the first round) had a debate broadcasted on French radio and TV cable channels. [...]

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