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Thursday, August 22, 2013

Robert Oppenheimer Did All The Work On Black Holes But John Wheeler Took All The Credit

Physicists, like the ancient Greek s, like to gossip about the gods.  A few days ago, three physicists* were talking on Twitter** about a review by a fourth physicist, Freeman Dyson,...

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Germans biggest tourism spenders in Greece

According to Bank of Greece data, Russian visitors accounted for the biggest rise in tourism for Greece. They spent almost 341 million euros, which was up 42 percent on the same period last year. Revenues from tourism in Greece reached 3.3 billion euros in the first half of this year, up by 17.8 percent on 2012. The next biggest increase was among French tourists (30.7 percent), followed by ...

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Orlando Photog Shows Ancient Greek Beauty

(Photo/ Isaac Babcock/wpmobserver.com) Florida photographer Josh Garrick will cross the globe to be the first American to have his art exhibited at what's been called the greatest archaeological museum in the world, in Athens. His works are printed on aluminum to catch the real magic. ORLANDO, Fla. - Fine-art photographer Josh Garrick has spent his life immersed in classical Greek history. ...

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Greek hospital staff to strike for four hours

Staff at state hospitals across the country are to hold a work stoppage between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday in protest at the ...

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Artists? books from Teriade Collection go on display at the Byzantine Museum in Athens

By Christina Sanoudou The Russian modernist painter Marc Chagall traveled twice to Greece upon the request of renowned art patron, publisher, collector and art critic Stratis Eleftheriades-Teriade. Here, he hoped to find inspiration to illustrate the story ...

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Greek Gastronomy Goes to TIF

In parallel, this project will also give the chance to the producers to promote and sell their products directly (retail and wholesale) and seek partners among the guest businessmen who will be invited.

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Greek winger Charis Mavrias signs three-year Sunderland contract for undisclosed fee

The 19-year-old, who has won two cups for Greece, has signed a three-year contract. He has become manager Paolo Di Canio's 11th signing of the current transfer window. Mavrias made 70 appearances for Panathinaikos, scoring six goals, and became the second ...

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Greece Needs More Financial Aid

Amsterdam, Aug 22 (Prensa Latina) New voices also believe that Greece, plunged into a debt crisis for some years now, will need more financial aid. President of the Euro-group Jeroen Dijsselbloem told Dutch Het Financieele Dagblad newspaper that Greece'?Ös problems will not be solved in 2014, so an additional aid will be required. German Chancellor Angela Merkel hinted on Wednesday the ...

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Schaeuble says Greek aid shocker was designed to bring clarity

MARIA LAACH, Germany (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Thursday that his blunt comments earlier in the week that Greece would need a third bailout had been aimed at reassuring people who feared the government was hiding bad news before next month's election.

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Yanni's The Little Greek keeps things real

Yanni's The Little Greek keeps things realArizona Daily StarBathed in white and blue with framed photos of Greece and mini capiz shell chandeliers hanging above the tables, Yanni's The Little Greek is charming and comfortable. A flat-screen TV flickers with old Greek favorites snagged from Bookmans or ...and more »

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Eurogroup chief becomes latest to admit Greece on course for third bailout

Jeroen Dijsselbloem's comments cast shadow over news that eurozone companies are reporting strong growth

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister, is the latest senior politician to concede that Greece may yet need a third bailout, casting a shadow over news that eurozone companies are reporting their strongest growth for more than two years.

Dijsselbloem, who heads the eurogroup of finance ministers, told Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad: "The problems in Greece won't be solved in 2014, so something more will have to happen." He said the form and scale of another rescue would depend on Greece's progress with economic reforms.

His admission echoed that of the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, who told an election campaign event earlier this week that the bailed-out country still needed more aid. The International Monetary Fund has suggested that there is an €11bn (£9.4bn) shortfall in the current rescue package for Greece.

The spectre of destabilising negotiations over a new bailout, though they are unlikely to get under way until after German elections next month, were a reminder that the eurozone is still not out of the woods, despite an upbeat survey suggesting economic recovery in the 17-member zone is gathering steam.

The monthly purchasing managers' indices, which test the confidence of firms across the 17 member-states, showed both manufacturing and services expanding at their fastest pace since summer 2011.

Chris Williamson, chief economist at data provider Markit, which compiles the indices, said: "The euro area's economic recovery gained momentum in August."

Apolline Menut, of Barclays, said: "The readings confirm that recovery is on track and that GDP should continue to grow in the third quarter."

However, while Germany scored a PMI reading of 53.4 – well above the 50 level which marks expansion, suggesting recovery in the eurozone's largest economy is gathering speed – output in France declined, and at a faster pace than during July, according to the survey, with both manufacturing and services output falling. Williamson said: "A big question mark still hangs over France's ability to return to sustained growth."

Across the eurozone as a whole, export sales rose for the second month in a row, Markit said, and new orders for manufactured goods jumped at their fastest pace since May 2011.

However, some analysts remain more sceptical about whether the nascent upturn – after an 18 month recession – is set to last, particularly if the US Federal Reserve's plan to "taper", or start reducing, its $85bn a month quantitative easing programme continues to push up government bond yields on this side of the Atlantic, raising the cost of borrowing.

A research note from City consultancy Fathom said: "The fundamental structural problems facing the euro area have not gone away. In addition, the potential spillovers from Fed tapering pose a threat to debt sustainability in the periphery … we are a long way from calling an end to the euro area crisis."

Investors were cheered by a similar survey of China's manufacturing survey, published by HSBC, which suggested output may be stabilising, after growth deteriorated sharply at the start of the year. The reading on the purchasing managers' index rose to a stronger-than-expected 50.1 for August, from 47.7 in July – the largest monthly jump in three years.

Analysts said there were hopeful signs that China is succeeding in shifting its growth model away from exports, towards consumer spending.

"Domestic demand is strong enough to support 7.5% [growth] in 2013," said Ken Peng, senior economist at BNP Paribas in Beijing. "Almost all of China's economic data since July has shown improvements and suggests a rebound is under way."

Fears about a so-called hard landing in China have exacerbated recent jitters in financial markets over the fate of emerging economies when the Fed withdraws from QE.

Yields on US government bonds hit a fresh two-year high, as minutes from the Fed's latest meeting, released on Wednesday night, confirmed that QE could start to be phased out as soon as next month.

However, the dollar's relentless rise was briefly checked after a worse-than-expected labour market survey, which suggested new claims for unemployment benefits had risen by 13,000, to 336,000, in the past week.

"The Fed tapering theme continues. The minutes reinforced expectations that the Fed will taper its quantitative easing programme in September and Thursday's jobless claims didn't really change that," said Greg Moore, currency strategist at TD Securities in Toronto.

Eurozone crisisEconomicsEuropeGreeceHeather Stewarttheguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds


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AUDIO: 'Greece should invest in shipping'

5 live Business reporter Dominic Laurie hears how investment in the Greek shipping industry could improve its economy.

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Greece to Dilute Protection Against Home Seizures

Greece planning to ease ban on foreclosures, insists the poor won't lose their homes    

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Greece planning to ease ban on foreclosures, insists the poor won't lose their homes

Greece's conservative-led government says it will water down laws protecting homeowners from foreclosures, but insists that vulnerable borrowers will still not lose their homes.

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Is the shipping industry the answer to Greece's woes?

BBC NewsIs the shipping industry the answer to Greece's woes?BBC NewsGreece is at risk of needing a third bailout - with high unemployment and GDP shrinking a quarter from its peak. But economic recovery could be on the way, according to one shipping boss. Managing director of Anangel Maritime Services, John Platzidakis ...

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Greece, Turkey and Cyprus warning from players union

A global players' union has warned against players signing for teams in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, reports BBC Sport. The body are concerned about ... especially [to] those that don't play in European football." FIFPro say that disputes between players ...

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Pantelides Finds Roots In Annapolis Mayoral Bid

Mike Pantelides, working a crowd here in Annapolis, Maryland where he's seeking the mayor's seat, is young and full of good ideas and has the enthusiastic backing of the Greek-American community. ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The baklava, spanakopita and stuffed grape leaves were delicious and the crowd, a who's who among the local Greek-American community, was enthusiastic when the ...

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British Tourists Can?t Find Cyprus

According to the Daily Mail, a good 53 percent of British tourists made bookings for Cyprus believing it is part of Greece. Claire Bentley, member of the British Airways Holiday, which is the company that conducted the survey, said: ';It is surprising to think that people are prepared to spend their hard-earned wages on a holiday, without researching something as important as its ...

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Golden Dawn Members Try to Stage Event in Delphi

According to the police, Golden Dawn members prevented several visitors from entering the archaeological site of Delphi, which remained open last night, due to the events that took place in archaeological sites and museums throughout Greece for the August full moon. The members of the nationalist party, ignoring the other visitors who were enjoying the annual evening event dedicated to the full ...

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Thessaloniki Municipality Bank Accounts Blocked

Half of the bank accounts of the Municipality of Thessaloniki have been blocked by a legislative act by the Greek Ministry of Finance, because the municipality has not given stamp duty to the tax office for 17 consecutive years. The height of the debt reaches EUR1,2 million and concerns the period from 1993 until 2010. As it was made known, the command was given by the fourth local tax office ...

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Annual Conference in Nicosia for Cypriot Diaspora

Representatives of Greek and Cypriot organizations abroad gathered for their annual conference on August 21 in Nicosia, Cyprus. According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), they began their deliberations focusing on two main topics, the state of the economy and the developments in the UN-led efforts to find a political settlement to reunite Cyprus which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish ...

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Samaras Says No Foreclosures On Poor

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (L) with his Deputy Prime Minister, PASOK Socialist chief Evangelos Venizelos With a rebellion growing in their ranks over plans to let banks seize homes after a ban on foreclosures expires at the end of the year, Greek Prime Minister and New Democracy Conservative leader Antonis Samaras and his coalition partner, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister/PASOK ...

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Winger Mavrias completes move from Panathinaikos to Sunderland

Sunderland have signed Greece international winger Charis Mavrias from Panathinaikos on a three-year-deal, the Premier League club said on Thursday.The 19-year-old has been capped twice by his country, and in 2010 became the second-youngest player to appear in the Champions League when he was 16.He made 70 appearances for Panathinaikos after coming through its youth academy, scoring six times.No ...

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Greek PM vows to protect homeowners from loan defaults

The ban was adopted in 2010 when many Greeks started to fall behind on mortgage payments as the government and many businesses began to cut wages and staff to deal with the country's debt crisis. The issue is politically sensitive as more than 70 percent ...

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Merkel?s Greece Aide Sees Reform Headway After Two Years in Job

Helped by German know-how in cornering foreign sales, Greek farmers may export 20 percent more produce this year, according to Fuchtel. Greek olive farmers are being encouraged to add value by processing the fruit locally rather than selling it ...

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Italian archaeologists have grape expectations of their ancient wine

Scientists plant vineyards with the aim of making wine using techniques from classical Rome described by Virgil

Archeologists in Italy have set about making red wine exactly as the ancient Romans did, to see what it tastes like.

Based at the University of Catania in Sicily and supported by Italy's national research centre, a team has planted a vineyard near Catania using techniques copied from ancient texts and expects its first vintage within four years.

"We are more used to archeological digs but wanted to make society more aware of our work, otherwise we risk being seen as extraterrestrials," said archaeologist Daniele Malfitana.

At the group's vineyard, which should produce 70 litres at the first harvest, modern chemicals will be banned and vines will be planted using wooden Roman tools and will be fastened with canes and broom, as the Romans did.

Instead of fermenting in barrels, the wine will be placed in large terracotta pots – traditionally big enough to hold a man – which are buried to the neck in the ground, lined inside with beeswax to make them impermeable and left open during fermentation before being sealed shut with clay or resin.

"We will not use fermenting agents, but rely on the fermentation of the grapes themselves, which will make it as hit and miss as it was then – you can call this experimental archaeology," said researcher Mario Indelicato, who is managing the programme.

The team has faithfully followed tips on wine growing given by Virgil in the Georgics, his poem about agriculture, as well as by Columella, a first century AD grower, whose detailed guide to winemaking was relied on until the 17th century.

"We have found that Roman techniques were more or less in use in Sicily up until a few decades ago, showing how advanced the Romans were," said Indelicato. "I discovered a two-pointed hoe at my family house on Mount Etna recently that was identical to one we found during a Roman excavation."

What has changed are the types of grape varieties, which have intermingled over the centuries. "Columella mentions 50 types but we can only speculate on the modern-day equivalents," said Indelicato, who is planting a local variety, Nerello Mascalese.

"To sweeten up their wine, which could be vinegary, the Romans added honey and water to it," he said. "They made better stuff for nobles and cheaper, more vinegary stuff for slaves. We will try and make both types."

The drinking habits of Romans have also changed in two millennia. Whereas Italians today drink moderately with meals, their ancestors were more given to drunken carousing.

"An edict was issued in the first century AD halting the planting of vineyards because people were not growing wheat any more," said Indelicato.

"The Romans took the concept of getting together for a drink from the Greeks after they conquered the Greek-controlled Italian city of Taranto in the third century BC.

"They drank at festivals to mark the pending harvest, after the harvest. In fact, any occasion was good for a drink."

ItalyEuropeWineArchaeologyVirgilClassicsTom Kingtontheguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds


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Greek privatisation: Business class

Stelios Stavridis, on a flight to nowhere RARELY is a Greek official sacked for “ethical reasons.” An exception is Stelios Stavridis, the boss of Taiped, the privatisation agency, who was dismissed on August 18th. His mistake was to have flown on a private jet belonging to a Greek oil tycoon, Dimitris Melissanidis, one of the buyers of a 33% stake in Opap, the state gambling company, hours after the €652m ($872m) deal was signed. A picture (above) of Mr Stavridis sitting next to a smiling stewardess appeared in ProtoThema, an Athens tabloid.Mr Stavridis denies wrongdoing: he merely accepted Mr Melissanidis’s offer of a lift home to the island of Kefalonia to resume his summer holiday, rather than take a commercial flight the next day. Conveniently, the plane was due to make a refuelling stop on Kefalonia before taking Mr Melissanidis and his friends to France. The explanation failed to save the third Taiped boss to go in 13 months: yet another sign of the woes besetting Greece’s privatisation programme. The policy is contentious and the centre-right government of Antonis Samaras has only a five-seat majority in...

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Turkish, Greek Soccer Teams Unreliable on Wages, Union Says

Soccer players must take advice before signing for teams in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus because of the risk of being paid wages late or not all, according to international player union FIFPro. Players should consult local soccer union officials ...

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Greece: foreclosures will not affect poor people, says PM

Period." The premier added that the government was studying a framework of reforms that would secure the vulnerable but would also prohibit abusive behavior and seek to protect mortgage credit. Leaving the Maximos Mansion, Venizelos was asked by reporters ...

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An already floundering agency loses its boss, again

An already floundering agency loses its boss, againThe EconomistRARELY is a Greek official sacked for “ethical reasons.” An exception is Stelios Stavridis, the boss of Taiped, the privatisation agency, who was dismissed on August 18th. His mistake was to have flown on a private jet belonging to a Greek oil tycoon ...

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Eat your way through Greek, Polish, East Grand Rapids festivals on The Playlist

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The second half of our cooler than usual summer in ... with Greek dancing lessons and demonstrations scheduled for all three days. The big draw for many guests is the food. Moussaka, souvlaki, gyros and baklava are just a few of ...

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Greece's catastrophe shows what lies ahead for Europe

Greece's catastrophe shows what lies ahead for EuropeWorkers WorldSpeaking at the Left Forum in New York, June 9, Eirini Dourou said that the working people of Greece were living through a catastrophe, produced by Troika-imposed austerity. The Troika is composed of the European Commission, the International Monetary ...Austerity & Agony Worsen in GreeceToward Freedomall 5 news articles »

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ROSENBERG: Here Are The 10 Things That Worry Me Most

Sure, David Rosenberg might have been turning increasingly bullish recently. But there are still things that concern him.

In his latest Breakfast with Dave note, Rosenberg identifies 10 global economic and political concerns.

We paraphrase here:

Emerging market balance of payments/currency problems that are reminiscent of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Looming debt ceiling debate in Washington. Fed tapering isn't a sure thing for September, " but if not, it speaks to weakening economic backdrop." A third Greek bailout and that while Europe might have emerged from a recession, there is no catalyst for a recovery. U.S. GDP estimates are being revised down. Recent economic data shows that Canada has hit a "rough patch." "Some countries are contracting now (Thailand, Mexico and Netherlands)." "Sharp bond spasm… spillover effects to other markets? Long bond is -17.5% in total return in the past 3+ months (which only happened twice before)." Poor earnings for American retailers and a weak start to the back-to-school shopping season. The "leadership vacuum at the Fed." The absence of a Bernanke speech at Jackson Hole also makes the policy backdrop unclear.

If these prove to be correct, they "point to a near-term drop in bond yields, weaker commodities/resource currencies, more volatility equity markets and an overall better tone of the rate-sensitive equity sectors (SIRP), and likely put a bid into the USD, yen, Swiss franc, Sterling (defensive currencies)," he writes.

Join the conversation about this story »

    

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Greek PM meets billionaire Saudi prince to discuss investments

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras met Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal on Thursday to discuss investment opportunities, government officials said, as Athens pushes for foreign investment for its depressed economy. "It was a customary visit, there is interest in investing in Greece," said a government official who declined to be named. The prince, ranked 26th on ...

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Fire in Kefalonia and Rhodes

Two huge fires broke out on the Greek islands of Kefalonia and Rhodes. The fire in Kefalonia broke out in the area Karouza on the morning of August 22. Fourteen fire fighters, seven vehicles and three aircraft have been sent for the operation. The firefighters also have to face the fires that broke out in Kalavarda and Salako, Rhodes. The operation is in progress and seems to be improved as 50 ...

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Analysis

By Alan Wheatley and Martin SantaLONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The need for a new rescue programme for Greece promises a drawn-out drama of late-night negotiations but is unlikely to trigger the sort of crisis that has threatened the breakup of the euro in the recent past.That the collapse of the single currency is no longer an immediate danger reflects the solidity of the political bargain that ...

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Sunderland sign Greece winger Charis Mavrias on three-year deal

BBC NewsSunderland sign Greece winger Charis Mavrias on three-year dealBBC NewsThe 19-year-old Greece international has agreed a three-year deal with the Black Cats. Mavrias made his Champions League debut as a 16-year-old in 2010, becoming the second-youngest player ever to figure in the competition. The teenager has made 59 ...Soccer-Sunderland sign Greece winger Mavrias from PanathinaikosYahoo! SportsSunderland signs Greece midfielder MavriasMiamiHerald.comSunderland sign Greece winger MavriasSuperSportHartlepool Mailall 72 news articles »

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PM pledges to spare crisis-hit Greeks from home foreclosures

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras pledged on Thursday banks would not seize the homes of borrowers unable to pay their mortgages, seeking to soothe fears that plans to lift a ban on repossessions will make thousands homeless.

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German lawmakers cite major errors, security service biases, in probe of neo-Nazi killings

by  Associated Press German neo-Nazi killings probe cites major errors Associated Press - 22 August 2013 10:12-04:00

BERLIN (AP) — A German parliamentary investigation into a far-right murder spree that went undetected for years has found that security services made scores of errors, partially because of institutional bias against immigrants.

The nearly 1,400-page report released Thursday follows a 19-month review of how police and intelligence agencies failed to stop the National Socialist Underground group killing eight Turks, a Greek and a policewoman between 2000 and 2007.

The group was only linked to the killings after two main members died in a murder-suicide after a botched 2011 bank robbery. The third suspected main member is now on trial.

The cross-party committee says authorities didn't properly consider the possibility that the killings were racially motivated, partly because of their own biases. It calls for more minorities in the security services.

News Topics: General news, Neo-Nazism, Nazism, Government and politics

People, Places and Companies: Germany, Western Europe, Europe

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This article is published under the terms of the News Licensing Group, LLC. privacy policy, in addition to the terms of use and privacy policy for this website.


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Is standing up for European values too great a risk in Germany?

No wonder voters seem apathetic: Germany's political elite has shied away from answering key questions about the the future

It has been a hot summer in Germany. It appears that temperatures have been too high for a heated election campaign. The debates have been sluggish and drawn out. And even if the major TV duels are yet to be fought: what are the issues that will jolt the Germans from their summer lethargy and make them flock to the polling stations?

Arguments over equitable taxation or the merits of the state and its institutions have been exchanged for ages. Likewise, the price of abandoning nuclear power and achieving the energy transition is perceived as a permanent topic. So far, none of these disputes have really hit home. Nothing has truly gripped the public and sparked the kind of debate that captivates the mind beyond the evening news and comment pages.

The only issue to defy the general weariness is the discussion about civil liberties and democracy triggered by whistleblower Edward Snowden's actions. Of course, the runup to an election is not a time that would allow for an objective investigation of programmes such as Prism or Tempora. But the debate on secret services, surveillance and civil rights should indeed be pursued – now more than ever.

No other country in the European Union has benefited more in terms of its democratic development from being firmly rooted in the EU than Germany. When, if not now, is the time to defend the shared values that allowed this country to evolve after 1945, and again since 1989? If the European commitment to freedom, democracy and justice is to carry any weight, the debate about data privacy and civil rights must be a central campaign issue.

The word from Berlin is that the German public remains largely unmoved. But voters are left indifferent because the debate has been absurdly reduced to the question of whether Merkel or the SPD's Frank-Walter Steinmeier (who was previous in charge of foreign affairs) knew more or less about the collaboration between the NSA and the German intelligence agency BND, and acquiesced in it. If you want to engage the citizenry, then the real argument is about how we can meet Snowden's request for asylum in a democratic country.

Engaging the people means contesting some of the alarming approaches adopted by western security policy since 9/11. Getting the people involved means defending the European way, which is not anti-American, but seeks to realign the relationship between liberty and security. The prerequisite for this, however, is that we place greater belief in, and demand more of, our common European way.

Is standing up for European values too great a risk in Germany, nearly 25 years after reunification? In Brussels, necessary decisions have been put off for quite some time. As the date of the German election draws nearer, the more openly it is admitted that nothing will happen before the end of September.

Many Europeans were expecting the German campaign season to spawn precisely those heated debates on EU policy. They do not want philosophical musings, but clear answers: what will happen in Greece? What can we learn from the failure of a strategy that relied solely on austerity measures? How can Europeans escape the debt trap? How will we correct the design flaws of the euro? How must a banking union be constructed to safeguard states and citizens against repeated bankruptcy through speculation and other shady dealings? How can we achieve economic recovery and the long-term renewal of Europe's industries? How will we make good on the European promise of a better life in the face of growing poverty and unemployment, particularly in the union's southern and eastern regions?

These are vital questions – for Germany and for Europe. There has been a tendency to steer clear of these questions in this federal election campaign. Germany's political elite is given to a certain fear of the electorate whenever the EU crops up as an issue. Yet it is the same elite that has long neglected to explain to the public how valuable the EU is for us in every way, and has instead never missed an opportunity to proclaim that the community is costing us too much. That is why Germany again lacks an impassioned debate about the rights and wrongs of the future European path.

As a German European, I am disappointed by the mixture of incapability and carelessness back home. After all, in today's EU a lot, albeit not everything, depends on Germany. And Germany itself has enjoyed great economic success over the past 50 years, thanks to debt cancellation, the Marshall plan, German reunification and above all, thanks to Europe. The existence of the European Union has also allowed German society to evolve and has made the country one of the most popular destinations.

The debate about our shared European future is an existential one. It requires passion and attractive ideas. That would be good for the German electoral campaign – and for the reputation of German politics in Europe.

• Translated by Jan K Schwing

GermanyEuropeEuropean UnionRebecca Harmstheguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds


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Greece international Charis Mavrias signs three-year Sunderland deal

The 19-year-old winger, who has won two caps ... scoring six goals. Aside from his two full international appearances, Mavrias has also been capped at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level.

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Greece Gets Boost With TAP Decision

After a steady flow of dismal news, Greece’s energy aspirations received a boost this month with the choice of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline to deliver gas from Azerbaijan to the European market.

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Analysis: New Greek rescue promises euro drama, not crisis

LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The need for a new rescue program for Greece promises a drawn-out drama of late-night negotiations but is unlikely to trigger the sort of crisis that has threatened the breakup of the euro in the recent past.

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Dutch finance minister says new support for Greece 'inevitable'

Mr Dijsselbloem, who also leads the Eurogroup meetings of finance ministers, admitted that it was "inevitable" that more action would be required next year to reduce Greece's debt burden, but said any assistance would depend on its progress on ...

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Sunderland sign Greece winger Mavrias from Panathinaikos

No transfer fee was disclosed, although media reports put the figure at 2.5 million pounds, and he becomes the 11th player signed by manager Paolo Di Canio during the transfer window.

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Sunderland signs Greece midfielder Mavrias

SUNDERLAND, England (AP) - Sunderland says it has completed the signing of Greece midfielder Charis Mavrias from Panathanaikos on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old Mavrias, who has played twice for Greece, made 70 ...

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Premier League

The 19-year-old Greece international, who has two caps to his name, passed a medical after arriving in the North East on Wednesday. Mavrias is the second youngest player to play in the Champions League - at the age of 16 years and eight months - and has ...

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Schalke criticizes police action against its fans during Champions League match against PAOK

by  Associated Press Schalke slams police action during match with PAOK Associated Press - 22 August 2013 08:41-04:00

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) — Schalke is criticizing local police for using pepper spray and batons against Schalke fans displaying a Macedonian banner during its Champions League qualifying match against the Greek club PAOK.

The police say they used violence because the situation had threatened to escalate as PAOK fans felt provoked and threatened to attack rival supporters.

But Schalke says the police response was "disproportionate" and condemned it.

Police say 30 people needed medical attention and had to have their eyes washed out.

Greece has a long-running dispute with Macedonia over the former Yugoslav republic's name and says only its northern province can be called by that name.

Some Schalke fan groups have a friendly relationship with supports of the Macedonian club Vardar Skopje.

Wednesday's match ended in a 1-1 draw.

News Topics: Sports, Men's soccer, Professional soccer, Soccer, Men's sports

People, Places and Companies: Germany, Macedonia, Western Europe, Europe, Eastern Europe

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Greek bailout talk ruffles German election

BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Angela Merkel's opponents are assailing her credibility after her finance minister said Greece will need a third bailout package — injecting Europe's debt crisis for the first time into the campaign for next month's German elections.


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Greek bailout talk inserts euro crisis into German vote, gives Merkel opponents ammunition

Chancellor Angela Merkel's opponents are assailing her credibility after her finance minister said Greece will need a third bailout package — injecting Europe's debt crisis for the first time into the campaign for next month's German elections.

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