POLITICS & POLICY
Italy – Debt crisis: EU concessions
Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was very satisfied learning that the European Commission decided to concede to Rome “unprecedented” margins on the application of deficit rules for 2016. The decision was confirmed in a letter released by the Commission, in which it is written that Brussels accepts Italy’s request to spend an extra 0.85% of its GDP. The condition is that Italy must be ready to “tighten its belt” in 2017 more than currently planned.
Source: The Local, 18/06/2016
Netherlands – EU membership: No to a referendum
A majority of Dutch people does not want a referendum on EU membership for the Netherlands. According to an Ipsos survey, 54% of the respondents said they did not want a referendum while 46% declared they wanted one. Nevertheless, if there were a poll, it appears that 64% would vote against leaving the EU. Apart from the PVV and socialists who tend to be undecided, all Dutch parties continue to back EU membership.
Source: Dutch News, 18/05/2016
THE STATEMENT
“[W]hen I hear the EU being compared to the plans and projects of Adolf Hitler I cannot remain silent. Such absurd arguments should be completely ignored if they hadn’t been formulated by one of the most influential politicians of the ruling party”.
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council (referring to Boris Johnson)
Source: BBC News 17/05/2016
NUMBERS
54,574
The number of identified migrants and refugees in Greece.
Source: Ekathimerini, 18/05/2016
HUF 340 million
The amount of money requested to K&H for home purchase subsidies from January to February in Hungary.
Source: Bbj, 18/05/2016
Photo Credits CC: Kancelaria Premiera
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