Visiting Auschwitz

Today 27th January is the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the media, as usual, commemorate the genocide that resulted in the death of an estimated 6 million Jewish people, 200,000 Roma people, 250,000 mentally and physically disabled people, and 9,000 homosexual men by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

I think that the rhetoric that is usually adopted in commemorating this day, obscures partially what really happened in that period. It is really difficult to understand, at least till you have the opportunity to visit Auschwitz.

I live in Poland since over six years but just the last summer I have decided and planned to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp that is located in Oświęcim, 50km from Krakow.

Visiting Auschwitz should be definitely something everyone must do at least once in our own life. Because seeing all the shoes that where gathered by the people who arrived and died there, the grey hair and the amount of cups and glasses really make you realize the dimension of what happened.

When you arrive in the Auschwitz II (Birkenau) main entrance, the guide says that an estimated 1.3 million people were sent to the camp, of whom at least 1.1 million died. And you start to think about those people in line after hours of traveling in a train and just waiting to die.

It is impossible to imagine living in the camp during the winter (where the temperature is constantly under zero), with no food, no warming clothes, nothing.

It is so hard to imagine that life, so impossible to realize how some people could survive, that words are simply not enough. You need to go there and see.

We assume that it will never happen again, but we forget easily. And it is happening now with Rohingya in Myanmar, it happened with Tutsi in Ruanda and with Bosniak in the Former Jugoslavia.

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How much do the promises of the Italian politicians cost?

This is an important year for Italy: in few weeks the Political Elections will take place. And the electoral campaign already started, with a bunch of unrealistic promises from the opponents.  

Renzi, former Prime Minister, is proposing - for instance - the abolition of the tax to the national public broadcasting company Rai. This would cost 1.8 billion Eur per year. The new left led by the current President of the Senate Grasso, is proposing instead the abolition of the University taxes, at the cost of almost 2 billion euros per year. Of course, those will be the first elections in which the generation born in 2000 will go to vote.

On the right side, we have seen the back on the political stage of the eternal outsider Silvio Berlusconi, who is proposing the abolition of almost all the taxes: for cars, for donations, for inheritance plus a new fiscal system of flat tax (40 billions). He and his alley - Lega Nord - are also proposing the abolition of the last pension reform, that will cost the impressive amount of 80 billions euro/year since 2025.

The Moviment 5 Stelle, that has good chances to win the elections, is proposing the creation of a "citizen income" that would cost 15 billions per year.

Politicians are doing to many promises that are unrealistic but they are not explain us how we can develop resources, work, wealth in a country that is in permanent decline since three decades. 

Political leadership is looking at the people who have interests to defend (pensions, salaries, properties,...) and they are not providing a vision of how we will handle our future. 

Italian electoral campaign is funny and desolately sad at the same time.

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If you are interested in the cost of the electoral promises, you can take a look at this article published by La Repubblica (sorry, in Italian).

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Something is rotten in the state of...Europe

Few days ago, I was reading an online Newspaper and I was quite surprised that in the same day two articles about Europe were published. The first was talking about how EU is strong now, after such a difficult year. The other one was showing the exactly opposite thesis.

The truth is the nobody really knows how EU is now and how it will be in the short-term.

Catalonia, immigration, Brexit are just some of the topics that demonstrate how far we are from a real Union of States.

But going deeper, there are much bigger problems that Europe will have to face next year.

The continue dispute between Poland and Eu could begin a lacerating struggle among the States. 

Austria new young Prime minister is expression of a xenophobic party and is leading a coalition with the ultra-right. This could also bring to further division in Europe, especially on the topic of immigration.

A big question mark is representing the coming elections in Italy, that could bring an Euro-skeptical Party (the Movimento 5 Stelle) at the lead of the Government.

Last but not least, the most important European leader, Angela Merkel, has lost power after the recent German elections.

I doubt the next year will be a moment of important decisions for European Union. 

But let's be positive ;)

Happy new year! 

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Can Trump be the new "glue" of Europe?

Trump is the 45th President of United States. 

We cannot predict what he will do, but for sure he will have a totally different approach of his predecessor and for sure his Presidency will have a huge impact in the World.

Definitely huge effects are expected in the relation between US and Europe. Few days ago Trump attacked the European Union institution, pointed out the uselessness of NATO, stated the will to improve the relations with Russia and drafted an economic policy based on autarchy more than on globalization.

Under those considerations, which Europe can we expect in the next 4 years?

Few points should be highlighted.

First, the declarations of Trump had the effect to compact the Eu Leaders. The pride to be Europeans came up suddenly. We love to criticize Eu, but sometimes we are also able to see how positive can be, and we will probably see it more after Brexit.

Second, and this can be considered a good news, the TTIP seems definitely over. New US President wants to renegotiate even NAFTA, o we cannot expect free trade agreement with Europe and it is probably better for us. 

Third, if Trump will go ahead with a release from NATO of US, countries like Poland or Baltic States will be somehow forced to get closer to Eu. And Eu will be forced to take care by herself about the security of the Region.

We are already missing Obama, probably not so much for what he really did, but for what he represented. But maybe this change will give new life to Europe and, this is my wish, we will see a united power trying to fight against terrorism, iniquity, social conflicts.

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Brexit: a Union based on the fear?

In few days we will know what British people want. If they see their future still in the European Union or not.

Media highlight every day the negative consequences of a Brexit. UK economy could be high impacted by this decision, with decrease of wealth, moving of major corporations to the "Continent" and loss of occupation. On the other side, a Eu without UK would be weaker and less balanced.

Every time there is a fact or event that can touch the basis of the European Union, the debate is always focused on the fear to lose something. It was like that for Greece, for the raise of Marie Le Pen in France, recently for Austria, and now for Brexit.

These local crisis can have huge impacts at the European level, but we don't know or we don't want to discuss about the reasons we need to stay in Eu.

We cannot simply justify Europe with economy.

The ruling class is not able to listen the symptoms of a deep disease that affects Europe. Those come from the raising of borders, the will to leave the Union, the win of xenophobic and eurosceptical parties all over the Continent.

European Union is dying and the most dramatic thing is that she tries to survive just on the fear and not with the idea to build a better place to live.

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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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Is Finland the new sick man of Europe?

In the last quarter, as indicated by Eurostat, all the European Countries have seen increasing their GDP except four: Portugal (0%), Estonia (-0.5%), Greece (-0,5%) and Finland (-0.6%).

The case of Finland, in particular, is worrying and needs to be highlighted.

Helsinki is crossing the worst economic crisis since many years and the outlook for the future is not encouraging. The Minister of Finance himself has defined Finland as "the new sick man of Europe".

There are three main causes of this situation: the crisis of the most important Finnish company, Nokia; the economic weakness of Russia (main importer of Finnish goods) and the high cost of labor.

The ageing population and the difficulties to make labor reforms don't allow to expect a better situation in the imminent future.

Two considerations about Finland.

First, the case of Finland is another sign of a general problem in Europe. Everybody has to follow rigid economic policies that don't consider the differences between one Country and another. But at the same time, nobody can depreciate the value of the currency. The result is a paralysis that can be solved or with a European economic policy or breaking Euro. 

Second, Finland had a strong position against a common policy for the refugees. Another contradiction in Europe: support from Brussels is very welcome, but solidarity is not contemplated.

It is Europe herself to be sick.

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Which kind of Europe can fight against the terrorism?

Terrorism highlighted once again the contradiction of Europe.

From one side, it seems clear that without a central body for the European Security and Intelligence, it will be difficult to fight against terrorism. From the other, the Member States have not the real will to give power to a European subject and lose their full sovereignty.

It is always the same problem. We want a stronger Europe, a strong political subject in the World, but we don't really want a Europe so strong to cloud Uk, Germany, France and the others.

We need to face a form of terrorism that is endogenous, as the terrorist were born in Europe. At the same time this phenomenon has an international dimension and a global action.

Can we really think to face it with just a cooperation among the Countries? Or is it urgent to do a step forward in the direction of the European Integration?

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Why the new settlement for the Uk in Eu is a huge mistake

Finally Uk will stay in the European Union. Brexit has been avoided, at least for the moment and till the referendum in June announced by David Cameron.

The new agreement recognizes the special status Uk has always had in Europe. London won't never be part of a Federal Union and will keep a large autonomy on her credit system.

In my personal opinion, this agreement is a mistake, for two reasons.

First, from the economic perspective, Uk and especially the City will keep their influence in the European market without taking responsibilities and costs.

Second, from the political point of view, Uk will definitely not support the European integration. But at the same time, she will stay in Eu. 

This is a non-sense situation. In the last year we have seen how economic interests have completely destroyed the idea of European Union. From Greece to Uk, the idea of Europe simply died.

This situation will be probably stable for the next ten or twenty years, as nobody has a real interest to change the status quo. The problem of the integration will be back once European influence won't exist anymore. Let's hope it won't be too late...

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Where is Poland going?

Poland is considered as the best example of how positive can be the effects of being part of European Union.

European Funds, investments of the world most important corporations, political stability, German support and polish industriousness changed radically the country. Poland today is the most developed Eastern country, one of the world center for outsourcing and one of the most dynamic market in Europe.

The new Polish Government

Analyzing the last political elections in another post, I highlighted two main reasons for the victory of Law and Justice party. From one side, a large part of the Country is still poor: there is a huge discrepancy between the rich west and the rest of Poland. On the other, the development has been so quick that generated fear and confusion in a quite homogeneous society.

Now the new government needs to prove that a real change is in progress. But they started modifying the composition of the Constitutional Tribunal, and introducing new rules in the public media sector and in the judiciary power.

The relation with Eu is becoming more complex, also after the opposition of Poland to receive refugees arrived in Greece and Italy.

Two considerations must be done.

The first one regards Poland itself. Which country does she want to become? A solid member of Eu that contributes to the integration process, or a member that wants just to take profit from Europe without paying any price? 

If Poland is a two-speed country, this is not a fault of Europe, but the result of internal policies. If the salaries are still low and the costs are increasing, the new government should work to help people, not to limit the controls on his activities.

The second consideration affects directly Europe. As we wrote already many times, the idea of Europe is too weak to be able to go on with the integration. Too many countries don't want to pay any cost to be in Europe. And till European Union won't be able to have her own communication, everybody will unload their faults on Brussels.

Poland is the best example of European investments. But it can turn out as the worst surprise. 

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Three main challenges for Europe in 2016

The year that is going to end has been very difficult for Europe.

The Greek crisis, the situation in Syria, the immigration, the terrorist attacks are the main events of 2015. Europe seems always weaker and disoriented, unable to take any leadership as political subject in the World.

Next year doesn't look easier. There will be at least 3 main challenges that Europe will have to face.

First, the economic crisis is not ended yet. The solution found for Greece seems more a palliative that a real answer to the problems of the Country. Also Finland is not passing a good period caused by the relations with Russia and for the problems with Nokia, it can become the new sick man of Europe. Will be Europe able to mitigate and solve the economic contrasts between the different Countries?

Second: the international context is getting more and more complex. Isis, the contrasts between Russia and Turkey and the Syrian war are exasperating the international relations. Will be Europe able to manage the tensions at her borders?

Third and last, Europe has lost credibility this year. The European institutions were outclassed by the leadership of one Country - Germany. Many voices were raised against terrorism and Isis, but not a unique action was really agreed. Euro is always more criticized, but nothing have been done to mitigate the social contrasts and to propose a new governance. Will be Europe able to do it in 2016?

Will be Europe able to transform herself in a political subject?

History can always change.

Happy New Year!

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Europe! If you can hear us, knock once for yes!

In Paris there was a terroristic attack never seen before. Brussels was blocked for days, becoming a kind of ghost city. 

On the other side of Europe, in Turkey, the tensions inside the country are every day increasing. Few days ago a prominent pro-Kurdish, lawyer and human rights activist, Tahir Elci has been shot dead in the south-east of the country.

Over all, in the international arena, the contrasts between Turkey and Russia could weaken the efforts against Isis. An important effect on the main problem that is currently affecting the security of Europe.

But the question is: where is Europe itself?

It is in such a difficult situation that the most important economic and political subject in the area should have the leadership for facing the crisis. Instead, as usual, Europe speaks with different voices, bringing different national interests.

The absence of Europe in these days is impressive. It is so evident that we should have a European Intelligence, a European Security System, and overall a European Political view. 

Terrorism, economic crisis, international contrasts cannot be solved by one Country or by coalitions. We need a subject that can lead the crisis and not that just suffer the decision of economic lobbies and external political powers. 

The political question of the European integration has been postponed for too long time. It is the moment to take an action in this sense. 

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Paris attacks: how media and politics generate fear and hate

After the terroristic attacks in Paris, the fist feelings of everybody have been fear and shock.

It is impressive to see a bar where died bodies lie near the tables of the terrace. It is so easy to imagine yourself there. It is automatic to think that it could happen in the bar behind the corner of your street, where maybe you are used to drink a cappuccino on Sunday morning.

The feelings of these days couldn't be different. It was the same after 9/11 and after the attacks in Madrid and London. People died in those attacks have their story and their face, so close to our story and to our face.

What is intolerable is the reactions we have seen from media and from politics in the last week.

From one side, media pointed out the aggression to France without considering almost at all what happened few days before in Beirut (40 people died and more than 200 injured). They didn't put the same rhetoric when the attack at the Russian airplane caused 224 dead persons.

From politics, rhetoric is combined with a blind decisionism. From one hand we have heard embarrassing comments about immigrants and refugees. From the other, we have assisted to worthless reactions, like many raid in Syria that for sure have caused many other dead.

Media and politics put always our society at the centre of the World. They don't try to understand, they just want to emphasize the situations in order to have more readers or followers and more electors.

The only products is fear. And fear generates hate. Will it be a war between hates?

We can just hope that this massacre in Paris will open our eyes on the reality. Even if fear seems leading us towards the opposite direction.

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The decline of Berlusconi - le retour de la momie?

Few days ago, Silvio Berlusconi participated in a political meeting in Bologna (the most left-oriented city in Italy) that has ratified the alliance with the Lega Nord party.

Berlusconi and the leader of Lega Nord Matteo Salvini

Is this a return of Berlusconi?

Two considerations are needed to answer.

First, the season of the former Prime Minister ended years ago. He was the head of the Government for four times in the last  20 years. He was the deus ex machina of the Italian political system also having a large support of the electorate and a huge power in the Parliament. But if we consider the results he got, we can just see a lack of decisionism and a weakness against the main lobbies of the country.

Second, if he was able to come back to the political scene, it would be anyway as support of Matteo Salvini, the leader of Lega Nord, who has radicalized the political debate with positions xenophobes and anti-Eu. The risk for Berlusconi is to become a mascotte more than a leader.

We all remember when he left Palazzo Chigi for the last time (November 2011). When he decided to participate in the political elections 2013 Libération cover had the title "Le retour de la momie?" and Berlusconi's face. 

Who is writing this post has never been a supporter of Berlusconi. Anyway, it is very sad seeing a person of 79 years who has not the strength to leave the political scene. An act that could facilitate the creation of new forces in the centre-right political area.

Yesterday Helmut Shmidt died. He served as Chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. When he left the Government and the Parliament in the 80s, he continued to make politics in a non-institutional way. Another kind of politician.

Libération (2012)
Regarding the participation of Berlusconi at the Political Elections 2013 after having left the Government in 2011

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Elections in Poland: the victory of the fear

The result of the last political elections in Poland has caused a wide debate in Europe about their consequences. But nobody has tried to understand why Law and Justice won those elections.

Poland is one of the most important economies in Europe. Its GPD grew up also during the last years of crisis. Many foreign companies invested in Poland for the low salaries and for the high-level education system. Last but not least, Poland received a huge amount of money in the last twenty years from Eu. 

So why have not the government of Tusk Party been confirmed?

Two main reasons.

First. a part of the country has not been touched by the development. A large part of the population is poor and the salaries are still too low, even if the cost of life in many cities raised quickly in the last years. It means that the discrepancy between riches and poor has increased deeply.

Second, the changes have arrived probably too quickly. This has caused fear and confusion in a society quite homogeneous and with a long history of communism. 

The position of Law and Justice towards immigration, European Union and homosexuality is alarming. But its victory is just another sign that something is wrong in the communication of the idea of Europe. And something is wrong in this kind of economic development. 

It is time to reflect about that.

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3 possible scenarios after the Catalan Elections

In Catalonia the new Parliament is going to be led by the Independentists. This can bring important consequences in Spain and in Europe.

We can see at least three different scenarios. 

First. The win of the Independents can start a democratic process for the independence of Catalonia. This could create a domino effect in other Countries, like in Scotland or Belgium. The tensions could increase and new referendum could take place in those countries. 

Second. Madrid imposes its power and no changes will be done in the relation with Catalonia. This could create a very fluid and nervous situation. The unilateral declaration of independence of Barcelona could be an unexpected outcome. And after that, the unpredictable reaction of the Central Government.

Third, the most probable, the new strong power of the Independentists could reasonably bring to a new Constitution with a real federalism. This option could preserve the unity of the State giving, at the same time, an answer to the request of autonomy by Catalonia.

Above all, we have to consider that the 47,7% of votes for the independence is not the majority. This means that the will to leave Spain is not prevalent in Catalonia. And this is a date, not an opinion.

Considering all, a new Federal Constitution seems the best solution possible.

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Greece - the elections of the disillusionment

The elections of the 20th September 2015 will be remembered as the most apathetic of the last years in Greece.

After the enthusiasm of July for the referendum about the new agreement between Eu and Greece, the defeat of Tsipras has made mostly indifferent the population towards who will lead the Country in the next years.

Tsipras has won with more or less the same percentage (around 35%) Syriza got in the last elections in January. Also Golden Dawn and Nea Democratia reached a similar result.

The real winner has been the abstention. Just the 53% of the Greeks went to vote, one of the lowest result ever registered in the elections.

Is this surprising?

Of course not, for people who voted 5 times in the last 6 years with no effects of the policies imposed by Brussels.

The real problem in Europe is that the lost of sovereignty of the States (Greece first), doesn't really correspond to an increase of power of the only democratic European Institution. The Parliament, of course.

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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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The right to say NO

Yesterday Greeks decided. 

After many years of austerity that didn't bring any positive results in the economy and, overall, in the people life, Greeks have decided that was enough.

Celebrations in Syntagma Square (Athens)

It was enough to be oppressed by reforms that have made the Country much poorer that ten years ago. It was enough to be under a constant blackmail. It was enough to be considered the black sheep of Europe even after all the efforts done to respect what Europe wanted.

The result of the Greek referendum points out two political elements. The first is that asking people what they want, it is always the best way. Democracy works when it is really used. And in a community, people must be informed and must have the right to decide.

The second element is that Europe doesn't work at all. This vote is not a victory of Tsipras, it is the defeat of Brussels, the defeat of the IMF and overall, the defeat of the German idea of the European Union. 

And tomorrow? 

Greeks have been brave, as we don't know what will happen in the next weeks. They gave us a lesson: a small Country can decide its destiny also against the most important and powerful powers of the world. Let's hope that this vote will have positive effects on Greece and on the entire Europe.

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The default of Greece is the default of Europe

Once again all Europe is focused on Greek crisis.

After the failure of the negotiations between Greece and Eu , Athens have decided to ask directly the population about the new agreement proposed by Europe.

Is this a good decision?

Definitely yes.

First, a referendum is the most democratic instrument possible. Population must be involved in such a decision that, in a way or in the other, will deeply touch their lives.

Second, the choice made by the Greek government has put pressure on the European Institutions. If Greeks will vote against the agreement, the crisis that can born in Europe is unpredictable. 

The small Greece represents the paradox of an Europe that has completely forgot its values. 

This situation is just the result of the contradictions of the European States. They don't want a strong Europe, as they don't want to lose power. So the rules of the game are not clear and strong enough. 

Greece got huge benefits to be part of Europe, but now it is smashed between the pressure of Germany and France and the fear of the population.

Many years of austerity didn't change anything. The situation got worse and worse. And today we are still here, looking at the Cradle of the democracy, that can collapse together with the ideal of a Federal European Union.

One thing is sure: the imminent default of Greece is the default of all Europe. 

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