Is Austria another problem for Europe?

Norbert Hofer has won the first turn of the Presidential Elections in Austria. He is the leader of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) and the direct successor of Jörg Haider, died in 2008.

FPO is an anti-European and xenophobic party, strong opponent of Brussels and of the European policies for the refugees.

If Hofer wins the second turn (22nd May), Austria will become another problem for Europe, after Poland and Hungary. 

There are two elements to highlight in this election.

First, once again, electorate is more oriented to vote for not-traditional parties.

The Socialist and the Popular party, that lead Austria since the II world war, got 11% of the votes. There is a need of change that unbelievably the traditional parties are not able to issue. It is the same situation in many countries also bigger as Italy and Spain. Changing the leadership and the structure of those parties, could be the first step for the change of the political scenario.

Second, Europe is probably crossing the worst phaseo of her recent history. 

It is clear that the situation has it is now, it is destined to blow up.

Over all, the shortsightedness of the European leadership is disarming, as usual.

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The numbers of the Syrian Crisis

In these days migration is the key word on all the media in Europe. The increase of the numbers of refugees, especially from Syria, has brough different answers from the Eu Countries and the debate about how to manage the crisis is still open.

But what do we know about Syria war? Which are the numbers that can explain us the tragedy that is going on in this Country?

The Syrian war started in 2011 during the Arab Spring, with protests against the president Bashar al-Assad. The conflict sees many different actors: the national Army (supported also by Hezbollah), ISIS, the Free Syrian Army and other forces.

The number of victims seems currently close to 300 thousand, under severe human rights violations.

The gravity of this situation has caused the displacement of around 7 million of Syrians (out of 18 millions in total). It is estimated that 4 million people moved abroad from Syria to  Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

More than a million is currently in Lebanon (that has a population of 4.5). Turkey accepted almost 2 million of refugees.

The situation in Syria is every day worst. And that is why people are leaving the Country.

At the same time the reaction of Europe has been, as always lately, incoherent and egoistic. Even if Eu is a leading donor for the crisis with 3.9 billion Euros, the treatment of the refugees has not been the best possible, as we have seen recently in Greece (left alone to face the immigration) and in Hungary.

Number of refugees per Country since 2011 (NYT)

Europe is the richest area in the World. It is not acceptable that it doesn't take actions in a humanitarian crisis that is happening at its borders.

The voice of Germany that wants to change the rules of the European immigration policy, seems finally a good start for changing direction. Let's hope that there won't be just words, but also facts.

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Working abroad? Wonderful...but where?

Everyone, at least once in his life, has thought to live and work abroad. It can be interesting, usefull for language skills and a good plus on the curriculum.

Leaving your Country is a very good decision. Even if it can be the best place in the word, you will find always something more interesting abroad.

But the main question - once you have decided to move abroad - is: where to go?

Of course, if there is a "sentimental relation" as cause, the Country destination is obvious (almost always). But if you have to take this decision objectively the answer can be more difficult.

You can choose your destination on the basis of the average salary you can earn. In this case cities like Zurich or Copenhagen can be the right choice. But it is not so easy to get a job over there because the competition is very high and the skills required are very specific.

If the most important thing is to taste a multicultural environment, for sure the destination should be a European Capital. London or Paris, Dublin or Berlin, all can be the perfect city to discover new cultures, meet people from all over the World and find a good job. The only possible problem is that these cities attract many foreigners, so the competition is very high and it can pass a lot of time till you find a job.

The third option is to move to Eastern Europe. In Poland, Hungary or Bulgaria there are many positions available, less competition than in other most famous cities and at the same time an unexpected international environment (due to many corporations that installed outsourcing centers over there). The negative aspect is the salary, still much lower than in the Western Europe.

Anywhere you want to go, you should be patient and motivated. Moreover, you need to be optimistic and prepared to sacrifices.

Good luck!

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Immigration: the face of an Europe we don't want!

What it is happening in Italy and in Europe in these days is a shame.

3279 immigrants died in 2014 in the Mediterranean Sea, and this year there are already 1754 victims. The 18th of April one only incident in the Sicilian Channel caused more than 700 victims. 

And what is Europe doing?

Immigrants at the Milan Station (2015)

The Governments are talking about rules, law and national competencies. In the meantime, today in some train stations in Italy (like in Milan and Rome), there are hundreds of immigrants that want to reach their families in the north of Europe but Schengen has been temporary suspended and they actually live in the stations.

Egoism seems the predominant feeling in these days all around Europe, when the topic is the immigration, as well as the Greek crisis or the social policies for the people with less opportunities.

In a very interesting article published on the Italian newspaper La Stampa, it was reported that 170 thousand immigrants "destibilized" Europe last year, but Turkey had to face to an immigration from Syria and Iraq of more than 2 million of people and Lebanon - a country of 4 million of inhabitants - hosts 2 millions of refugees.

Europe is the biggest economy in the world. Even in this difficult period, we should not forget that solidarity is one of the most important value of our common roots.

Should we leave people sleeping and living under the bridges or in the stations? Is this the Europe we want? Is this the spirit we want to pass on the new generations?

I don't.

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