EUROPEAN COUNCIL
Merkel doesn't give in and puts off banking union to 2014
At the European Council of 18 October, the EU heads of state agreed in theory on a union for 6,000 banks in the eurozone but which will not see the light of day until 2014. "The Chancellor's has tied the appointement of single supervisor to the German elections," writes the Madrid daily.
GREECE
A text worth 31.5 billion euros
In a statement, the leaders of the eurozone "recognized the efforts and progress of Greece in discussions with the troika (EU-ECB-IMF)" and stressed that the "Eurogroup will take the necessary decisions" when it meets on 12 November. Athens daily Ta Nea interprets this as a green light for the payment of a tranche of 31.5 billion euros which Greece urgently needs. On Thursday, tens of thousands of people marched in Athens to protest against austerity imposed by the troika.
TA NEA ATHENS
EUROPEAN UNION
Merkel wants a solidarity fund for countries in crisis
In a speech to the German parliament before traveling to the European Council in Brussels, the Chancellor proposed a new EU Solidarity Fund to support reforms in countries in crisis. Paid for by future proceeds from a financial transactions tax, the fund could finance projects. Angela Merkel proposes to make access to this fund conditional on economic reforms.
DER STANDARD VIENNA
FRANCE
October 17, 1961: State crime admitted
50 years after the bloody crackdown on a demonstration in Paris for Algerian independence, President François Hollande said in a statement that "the Republic clearly acknowledges these facts." The French government had so far refused to admit that the event had even occurred, in which between 150 and 200 people were killed by the French police, many of them dumped in the Seine.
LIBÉRATION PARIS
TOBACCO
Belgium exports cancer in Europe
In one year, cigarette sales in Belgium have increased by over 30% and for rolling tobacco by 40% while the number of Belgian smokers remains stable at 18% of the population. This is explained by the fact that lower tobacco prices are attracting consumers from Belgium's neighbours, especially the British and the French. In Belgium, a pack of cigarettes costs 5 euros less than in the UK and 1.50 euros less than in France.
LE SOIR BRUSSELS
POLAND
Under Jasna Góra they will pay for in vitro
Częstochowa, famous for the Black Madonna to be found in the monastery of Jasna Góra (Luminous Mount) will be the first city in Poland to co-finance in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for childless couples. Strongly opposed by the Catholic Church and conservative MPs, IVF is not paid for by the Polish state. Częstochowa’s left-wing mayor will offer 3,000 zlotys (€731) for treatment to couples residing in the city for at least a year.
GAZETA WYBORCZA WARSAW
GERMANY
Tit for tat in verbal duel
One year before the German election, Chancellor Angela Merkel and her SPD (social-democrat) opponent Peer Steinbrück clashed openly for the first time during a debate in the European Parliament. Though it was noted that for the first time ever the Chancellor spoke passionately of the EU, there was no clear winner. The paper notes that Steinbrück, despite his training as an economist, will struggle to challenge the Chancellor on the subject of the euro.
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