It is simply appalling to see your country take one hit after another on the international scene. Yesterday at noon, as my plane landed at Luqa airport and I switched on my smart phone, the first news alert I received was that Malta plummeted in the press freedom index. According to Reporters Without Borders press freedom in Malta is in a “problematic” state. It is incredible that in just 12 months Malta was knocked down 18 places, the sharpest drop among 180 countries. I was returning from Strasbourg, home to the Council of Europe. Together with my colleagues from both sides of the house we attended committee meetings and plenary sessions. Over there Malta was on the agenda for all the wrong reasons. It was heart-wrenching to see the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe opening the session by reasserting the Chamber’s resolve to fight corruption and seek justice in the case of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. This … [Read more...] about Yes Prime Minister
Yes prime minister
Today in Italian politics: Italy’s latest candidate for prime minister is a real clown
A carnival-goer in Venice (not a candidate for PM). Photo: Marco Bertorello/AFP In the run-up to the Italian general election on March 4th, The Local is bringing you a daily round up of who's done what and why in the fast-moving world of Italian politics. Days to go until Italy votes: 6 This time next week we'll know how Italy voted. Read Friday's daily politics recap here to find out about tense protests, and the EU's Jean-Claude Juncker backtracking over fears Italy would be left with a non-operational government. If you prefer to start at the beginning, catch up on all our election coverage so far here. THE HEADLINES After a weekend of protests, Rome has had enough Tens of thousands of people marched in rival far-right and antifascist demonstrations across Italy on Saturday. Police said a campaign rally by the anti-immigration League attracted some 20,000 people (closer to 50,000 if you take the party's word for it) in Milan, where antifascist … [Read more...] about Today in Italian politics: Italy’s latest candidate for prime minister is a real clown
Ian McConnell: Yes Prime Minister, Scottish Government has solution to Tory-fuelled student debt problem
MOST of Theresa May’s high-profile education speech this week was typical Tory fayre, big on Victorian-style values and at least a bit condescending. However, it was fascinating to watch the Prime Minister highlight, and seemingly lament, the burden of student debt. The Conservatives do not always show a great deal of self-awareness as they lecture to the electorate on all sorts of issues with a “we know best” tone. Nevertheless, Mrs May’s focus on student debt was remarkable. In part, she appeared to mention student debt in the context of her apparent suggestion that significant numbers of middle-class youngsters were going to university merely because this is what people expected of them, as she expounded on the benefits of “technical education”. Loading article content While student choice is obviously important, this was certainly among the most patronising parts of her speech, which is saying something, with Mrs May’s comments in … [Read more...] about Ian McConnell: Yes Prime Minister, Scottish Government has solution to Tory-fuelled student debt problem
Euronews speaks with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the World Economic Forum in Davos
With the World Economic Forum in full swing and the world’s leaders present in Davos, Euronews took the opportunity to discuss tensions between the European Union and Poland with the country’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Prime minister, what is your take on how the polish economy is doing? How it did last year, and what is the forecast for this year? 12 months ago many brokerage houses and financial institutions actually forecasted that there would be maybe 2 percent or 2.5 percent of GDP growth in Poland for 2017. The actual growth was 4.5 percent so we have exceeded all expectations. So you do share all this Davos optimism coming from the International Monetary fund’s forecast on Monday? Yes and no. I share it with regard to some aspects and with regard to Poland, of course, because there is lots of optimism about our economy and this part of the world. But, as in the magic mountain of Thomas Mann, one hundred years ago the elites which also gathered … [Read more...] about Euronews speaks with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at the World Economic Forum in Davos
Jim Duffy: Holly Willoughby for Prime Minister!
0 Have your say Whether you like it or not, Donald Trump was America’s reaction to that useless President – Barack Obama. Life is good for Obama right now as he coins it in, laughing at what he let into the White House. Trump was voted in by Americans. Let’s not forget that fact. He didn’t just pop up one day to the White House with guys like “Sloppy Steve” Bannon and start dismantling the integrity of the Oval Office. No, President Trump is a bona fide elected President. But, what he has started by breaking the grip of career politicians on high office is now becoming pretty interesting. Enter Oprah Winfrey…At the Golden Globes awards last Sunday night, she was on fire. The multi-millionaire TV mogul delivered a stirring speech that moved the audience within the event and around the USA. Her delivery was immense and many commentators started to look beyond for more strategic meaning. The speech stirred emotions and pent-up frustration … [Read more...] about Jim Duffy: Holly Willoughby for Prime Minister!