http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:43:36 +0200 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:43:36 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/samaras-government-in-greece-survives-broadcaster-battle-a-906466.html#ref=rss Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras almost fell over his decision last week to shut down public broadcaster ERT. But on Monday night, an unexpected court ruling helped him stay in power. How long will the peace last? Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/samaras-government-in-greece-survives-broadcaster-battle-a-906466.html Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras almost fell over his decision last week to shut down public broadcaster ERT. But on Monday night, an unexpected court ruling helped him stay in power. How long will the peace last?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-imf-admits-serious-mistakes-on-greek-bailout-a-904093.html#ref=rss The International Monetary Fund conceded on Wednesday that it lowered its own standards on the Greek bailout, underestimating the effects of austerity and making overly optimistic projections for Greece's economy. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-imf-admits-serious-mistakes-on-greek-bailout-a-904093.html The International Monetary Fund conceded on Wednesday that it lowered its own standards on the Greek bailout, underestimating the effects of austerity and making overly optimistic projections for Greece's economy.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greece-wants-to-slow-public-sector-layoffs-to-avoid-unrest-a-903868.html#ref=rss Huge protests, massive strikes and tear gas: That is the horror scenario that is driving the Greek government to ask for more time to lay off thousands of public sector workers. Athens doesn't want to scare away tourists in the summer season. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greece-wants-to-slow-public-sector-layoffs-to-avoid-unrest-a-903868.html Huge protests, massive strikes and tear gas: That is the horror scenario that is driving the Greek government to ask for more time to lay off thousands of public sector workers. Athens doesn't want to scare away tourists in the summer season.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-government-to-test-stimulus-instead-of-austerity-a-901946.html#ref=rss With the euro crisis refusing to relent, the German government is backing away from its austerity mandates and planning to spend billions to stimulate ailing economies in Southern European. But can the program succeed? Mon, 27 May 2013 11:24:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-government-to-test-stimulus-instead-of-austerity-a-901946.html With the euro crisis refusing to relent, the German government is backing away from its austerity mandates and planning to spend billions to stimulate ailing economies in Southern European. But can the program succeed?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/top-job-cutter-in-greece-worries-about-going-too-far-a-901234.html#ref=rss Antonis Manitakis has the most thankless job in Greece. Tasked with slashing the grotesquely bloated public sector, he is hounded by troika officials, reviled by his countrymen and afraid of cutting too deep. Thu, 23 May 2013 11:54:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/top-job-cutter-in-greece-worries-about-going-too-far-a-901234.html Antonis Manitakis has the most thankless job in Greece. Tasked with slashing the grotesquely bloated public sector, he is hounded by troika officials, reviled by his countrymen and afraid of cutting too deep.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-failing-to-combat-youth-unemployment-a-900621.html#ref=rss Europe is failing in the fight against youth unemployment. While the German government's efforts remain largely symbolic, Southern European leaders pander to older voters by defending the status quo. Mon, 20 May 2013 13:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-failing-to-combat-youth-unemployment-a-900621.html Europe is failing in the fight against youth unemployment. While the German government's efforts remain largely symbolic, Southern European leaders pander to older voters by defending the status quo.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/emir-of-qatar-buys-greek-island-and-sparks-new-hope-on-ithaca-a-900519.html#ref=rss Despite the country's crippling financial crisis, residents of the Greek island of Ithaca have found new hope after the Emir of Qatar bought a nearby island for his summer retreat. The purchase has sparked a rush on local real estate and could bring new development. Fri, 17 May 2013 16:13:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/emir-of-qatar-buys-greek-island-and-sparks-new-hope-on-ithaca-a-900519.html Despite the country's crippling financial crisis, residents of the Greek island of Ithaca have found new hope after the Emir of Qatar bought a nearby island for his summer retreat. The purchase has sparked a rush on local real estate and could bring new development.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cosmetic-surgery-up-in-greece-despite-crisis-a-898543.html#ref=rss The economic crisis has forced thousands in Greece to rely on volunteers for even basic health care services. Meanwhile, wealthier Greeks are having more facelifts and breast implants than anywhere in the world. Why? Wed, 08 May 2013 12:31:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cosmetic-surgery-up-in-greece-despite-crisis-a-898543.html The economic crisis has forced thousands in Greece to rely on volunteers for even basic health care services. Meanwhile, wealthier Greeks are having more facelifts and breast implants than anywhere in the world. Why?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/neo-nazis-and-right-wing-extremists-gaining-support-in-greece-a-894596.html#ref=rss Nowhere else in Europe are neo-Nazis and right-wing extremists profiting as greatly from the financial crisis as in Athens. As they terrorize the country with violence, the police stand back and prosecutors are powerless. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/neo-nazis-and-right-wing-extremists-gaining-support-in-greece-a-894596.html Nowhere else in Europe are neo-Nazis and right-wing extremists profiting as greatly from the financial crisis as in Athens. As they terrorize the country with violence, the police stand back and prosecutors are powerless.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/saffron-farming-cooperative-thrives-in-greece-despite-crisis-a-893527.html#ref=rss As the economic crisis ravages their country, a community of Greek farmers is prospering. Their cooperative specializes in saffron, the world's most expensive spice, which is keeping the community afloat and attracting global attention. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:30:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/saffron-farming-cooperative-thrives-in-greece-despite-crisis-a-893527.html As the economic crisis ravages their country, a community of Greek farmers is prospering. Their cooperative specializes in saffron, the world's most expensive spice, which is keeping the community afloat and attracting global attention.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/unemployment-and-recession-in-greece-lead-to-brian-drain-a-893519.html#ref=rss Greece's sky-high unemployment and shrinking economy are leading to significant brain drain, a new study has found. The number of young scientists leaving Greece has become painfully high, as more professionals abandon their homeland for better opportunities abroad. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/unemployment-and-recession-in-greece-lead-to-brian-drain-a-893519.html Greece's sky-high unemployment and shrinking economy are leading to significant brain drain, a new study has found. The number of young scientists leaving Greece has become painfully high, as more professionals abandon their homeland for better opportunities abroad.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-commission-concludes-germany-owes-billions-in-war-reparations-a-893084.html#ref=rss A top-secret report compiled at the behest of the Finance Ministry in Athens has come to the conclusion that Germany owes Greece billions in World War II reparations. The total could be enough to solve the country's debt problems, but the Greek government is wary of picking a fight with its paymaster. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:18:15 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-commission-concludes-germany-owes-billions-in-war-reparations-a-893084.html A top-secret report compiled at the behest of the Finance Ministry in Athens has come to the conclusion that Germany owes Greece billions in World War II reparations. The total could be enough to solve the country's debt problems, but the Greek government is wary of picking a fight with its paymaster.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/lancet-study-european-austerity-costing-lives-a-891308.html#ref=rss As the euro crisis wears on, the tough austerity measures implemented in ailing member states are resulting in serious health issues, a study revealed on Wednesday. Mental illness, suicide rates and epidemics are on the rise, while access to care has dwindled. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:08:24 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/lancet-study-european-austerity-costing-lives-a-891308.html As the euro crisis wears on, the tough austerity measures implemented in ailing member states are resulting in serious health issues, a study revealed on Wednesday. Mental illness, suicide rates and epidemics are on the rise, while access to care has dwindled.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fears-of-return-of-euro-crisis-plague-central-bankers-and-imf-a-886681.html#ref=rss The recent Italian elections demonstrated that the specter of the return of the euro crisis is never far away. Not a single problem in the currency zone has been definitively resolved and some are questioning if the European Central Bank might have to intervene again. Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:49:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fears-of-return-of-euro-crisis-plague-central-bankers-and-imf-a-886681.html The recent Italian elections demonstrated that the specter of the return of the euro crisis is never far away. Not a single problem in the currency zone has been definitively resolved and some are questioning if the European Central Bank might have to intervene again.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/reforms-stall-in-athens-as-troika-considers-next-aid-tranche-for-greece-a-885723.html#ref=rss The troika is back in Athens this week and with all eyes on Italy, Greece feels it has little to fear. But important reforms have stalled and the government's belt-tightening efforts seem paralyzed. Politicians are playing for time and hoping for fresh money. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:35:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/reforms-stall-in-athens-as-troika-considers-next-aid-tranche-for-greece-a-885723.html The troika is back in Athens this week and with all eyes on Italy, Greece feels it has little to fear. But important reforms have stalled and the government's belt-tightening efforts seem paralyzed. Politicians are playing for time and hoping for fresh money. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/crisis-plays-leading-role-in-greek-berlinale-films-a-883466.html#ref=rss Times are tough in Greece, and three films from the country that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival this week reflect that difficult reality. Dark, surreal and frightening by turns, they zoom in on a society under massive pressure. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:24:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/crisis-plays-leading-role-in-greek-berlinale-films-a-883466.html Times are tough in Greece, and three films from the country that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival this week reflect that difficult reality. Dark, surreal and frightening by turns, they zoom in on a society under massive pressure.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/chief-greek-statistician-charged-for-revealing-true-size-of-debt-a-882942.html#ref=rss He was hired to bring Greece's debt statistics in line with European norms. Now, chief statistician Andreas Georgiou faces jail time for allegedly producing inflated budget deficit numbers. He says he was merely being honest, and he has plenty of support in Europe. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:37:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/chief-greek-statistician-charged-for-revealing-true-size-of-debt-a-882942.html He was hired to bring Greece's debt statistics in line with European norms. Now, chief statistician Andreas Georgiou faces jail time for allegedly producing inflated budget deficit numbers. He says he was merely being honest, and he has plenty of support in Europe.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-far-right-party-has-made-contact-with-bavarian-neo-nazis-a-881303.html#ref=rss The Greek right-wing extremist party Golden Dawn has established contacts with German neo-Nazis in Bavaria. The group, which is represented in Greek parliament, is also attempting to set up a cell in the southern German state. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:07:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-far-right-party-has-made-contact-with-bavarian-neo-nazis-a-881303.html The Greek right-wing extremist party Golden Dawn has established contacts with German neo-Nazis in Bavaria. The group, which is represented in Greek parliament, is also attempting to set up a cell in the southern German state.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-city-government-plans-trip-to-athens-for-lesson-on-austerity-a-878836.html#ref=rss The city-state of Berlin is no stranger to debt and budget deficits. In order to reach its goal of a balanced budget by 2016, the city is looking to Greece for some penny-pinching tips. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:36:47 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-city-government-plans-trip-to-athens-for-lesson-on-austerity-a-878836.html The city-state of Berlin is no stranger to debt and budget deficits. In order to reach its goal of a balanced budget by 2016, the city is looking to Greece for some penny-pinching tips.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/amnesty-international-blasts-greece-on-treatment-of-asylum-seekers-a-874073.html#ref=rss Greece's treatment of migrants and asylum seekers is so appalling that it has become a humanitarian crisis, Amnesty International charges in a new report. It cites squalid conditions at refugee facilities and authorities who are doing little to combat the problem. Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:18:04 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/amnesty-international-blasts-greece-on-treatment-of-asylum-seekers-a-874073.html Greece's treatment of migrants and asylum seekers is so appalling that it has become a humanitarian crisis, Amnesty International charges in a new report. It cites squalid conditions at refugee facilities and authorities who are doing little to combat the problem. ]]>