11/03 – Today’s headlines from across the EU

EUROPEAN HEADLINES

FT Europe – ECB cuts rates and boosts QE to ratchet up eurozone stimulus. Option kept open on further reduction. Cheaper loans soften banking impact.

WSJE – Europe sharply increases stimulus. ECB unveils package of rate cuts, bond purchases and new loans for banks.

INYT – How to explain Trump to your children. Candidate’s raucous style and sexual boasting pose a challenge for parents.

BBC Europe – Ex-Putin aide Mikhail Lesin died of ‘blow to the head’. A former aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was found dead in the US last year, died of a blow to the head, officials say. Mikhail Lesin also had blunt force injuries to the neck, torso, arms and legs, Washington DC’s chief medical examiner said. The 57-year-old was found at the city’s Dupont Circle hotel in November. Lesin was former Russian press minister and a one-time head of the powerful Gazprom-Media Holding group.

FRANCE

Le Monde – French youth on the verge of breaking from François Hollande. Student and college student organisations call for new demonstrations against the El Khomri labour reform.

Les Echos – The ECB risks it all to boost growth. Zero rates, bond purchases, loans for banks: a new package of measures. Tepid response on stock markets as doubts remains regarding the plan’s effectiveness.

GERMANY

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) – Security experts accuse Moscow of systematically weakening the EU. Propaganda and political influence. MP Sensburg: Russia uses Snowden.

Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) – The EU wants to cut alternate escape routes. The Balkan route is closed – Italy and Bulgaria now want to avoid becoming transit countries. Less than 500 refugees arrive every day in Bavaria.

ITALY

La Repubblica – ECB: the Draghi avalanche. Yesterday, the ECB launched a new shock therapy. Mario Draghi has decided to cut the main interest rate to 0% and to expand the Quantitative Easing programme to €80 billion per month.

Il Sole 24 Ore – ECB cuts rates and boosts QE. Draghi: measures for growth. Stock exchanges on the rise and then slow-down (Milan -0.5%), the Euro jumps to $1.12.

POLAND

Gazeta Wyborcza – Attempt to outtalk Venice. Today, the Venice Commission passes its final opinion on the Constitutional Tribunal issue in Poland. The Polish Government sends a large delegation to convince the Commission that a “good change” in Poland is genuine. If the representation fails, Law and Justice (PiS) will probably ignore the opinion.

SPAIN

El País – The majority at the Congress rejects the agreement between the EU and Turkey. The government insists that Rajoy has not to submit to MPs’ control while in duty.

The Times – Obama lays blame for Libya mess on Cameron. President Obama launched an extraordinary attack on David Cameron last night for allowing Libya to deteriorate into lawlessness and become a haven for Islamic State.

The Guardian – Labour plan to borrow billions for investment. Labour would borrow billions of pounds to fund public investment projects, while exerting an “iron discipline” over day-today spending, shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said.