05/09 – Today’s headlines from across the EU

EUROPEAN HEADLINES

BBC Europe –Merkel refugee policy blamed for CDU regional defeat. The right-wing AfD party, only formed three years ago, came second in the chancellor’s home state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, polling 21%. One senior CDU figure blamed the mass influx of refugees without documents. Some 1.1 million refugees and migrants entered Germany in 2015

Financial Times Europe – May rejects radical shake-up of immigration rules for EU citizens. Stance poised to inflame Brexit hardliners. US and Japan warn of investment risk.

Wall Street Journal Europe – G-20 struggles for growth panacea. Meeting risks losing focus as nations push pet projects and spar over steel production.

International New York Times – Mother Teresa is made a saint by pope. Canonisation honours a lifetime of working with “the poorest of the poor.”

FRANCE

Le Monde – Marine Le Pen is looking for a presidential strategy. The National Front leader is back in business on Saturday 3 September, with a speech in Brachay that will mark the start of her campaign.

Les Echos – Banks reopen their doors to loans. In July, mortgages reached record levels and personal loans remained buoyant. The European Central Bank’s low rate policy has positive effects on the economy.

GERMANY

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung – The SPD, clear winner despite losses in the Northeast. Sellering can continue to rule in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The AfD becomes the second strongest force. Right-wing NPD out of the Parliament.

Süddeutsche Zeitung – Success for the AfD in Schwerin. The right-wing populists reach 20 percent at regional elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. All parliamentary parties lose. The SPD clearly remains the strongest force.

ITALY

La Repubblica – Chaos in Rome, Raggi slows down the directorate. Muraro is being inspected but does not resign. Di Maio “We have rules.”

Il Sole 24 Ore – EU firms: the labyrinth of taxes. Ireland the most convenient, not only with Apple. France and Italy at the rear.

POLAND

Gazeta Wyborcza – Judges against mono-power. First President of the Supreme Court Małgorzata Gersdorf said at the Authorities Congress of Judges on Saturday that judges were not politicians or a group of “pals”. They are people who stand up for the Rule of Law.

SPAIN
El Pais – Cuidadanos and Podemos are against the agreement proposed by Sanchez. Today, the PSOE’s executive is to approve the beginning of the negotiations by its Secretary General.

Expansion – The Ibex companies create 50,000 jobs. Last year’s hiring process raised the number of employees in the world to 1.42 billion.

UNITED KINGDOM
The Times – Migration points system will not work, says May. PM refuses to rule out favourable treatment for EU nationals.

The Guardian – May refuses to guarantee Brexit pledges. Prime minister declines to guarantee point-based system and extra £100m a week for health service as Japan and US warn of exit risks to Britain.