The relationship between Paris and Berlin is a crucial factor in the evolution of European policy. Eventually, if trust is maintained between the two sides, even when they do not see eye to eye, some agreement will always be found on delicate issues. Without such an agreement, it would not be possible to reach consensus on a wider “pan-European” agreement.
Between President Macron’s administration -- which looks like it’s set for five more years of incumbency -- and that of the new German chancellor Scholz, indications are that a basis exists for a convergence of views. The two leaders know each other and both seem to share a commitment to a greater development of European unity but in a cautious mode, not least in how the eurozone should be run. On this point, France will likely remain more open to a revision of the zone’s financial rules than will be Germany, where the Liberals as part of the governing coalition, will dig hard into their resistance against “too much” change.
It will also be interesting to see how a balance of perspectives is going to be found by the two countries in the energy sector, especially in the nuclear field.
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GAMING
Even today, I remain puzzled regarding how, right from the very start, there was wide acceptance among us of internet gaming as a worthwhile economic and financial activity. True, it has left and is still leaving substantial earnings, but perhaps one could have expected a greater caution in coming to terms with a sector that feeds off the “vice” of betting? On top of which as experience shows, internet gaming attracts the activity of money launderers and organized criminal rings.
As far as I know, there was little to no awareness of these aspects -- no warning was ever issued by private sector bodies, trade unions, the Church or academia. Indeed instead, enthusiasm for the gaming business seems to have been generated on the assumption that it was a “high technology” sector because it plays out on the internet.
Meanwhile it still remains difficult on the basis of the published official statistics, to determine exactly how big internet gaming really is and the extent of its total contribution to the economy.
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DEMONISATION
Right wing activists regularly moan in public about how they get to be victimised. This is naturally unacceptable whenever it really happens, and all such cases merit condemnation.
On the other hand, it has to be noted that the right regularly sets about demonising its political adversaries or people who fail to conform to right wing expectations. Such demonisation is pushed relentlessly, with words of contempt expressed repeatedly against a given target, and over a range of communication modes. About this, no critical comments are expressed.
The most recent personality to be demonised in this way was the Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Anġlu Farrugia. In an effort which has been ongoing and will likely still be sustained at the time this blog appears, no consideration was given to the role of which he is in charge, and which in my view he is running well. Right wingers have not kept back from deploying across the board their choice of harsh language by which to denigrate him.
Their campaign deserves to be fully condemned.