German Press Review – 07 October 2013

European Parliament

Refugees President Martin SCHULZ demands more solidarity within the European Union to host refugees. "This means also that Germany will have to welcome more refugees." MEP Manfred WEBER expressed similar opinion. MEP Cornelia ERNST said that Frontex is main part of a completely false asylum policy. MEP Hélène FLAUTRE estimates that nearly 25.000 refugees have died in the last 20 years in the Mediterranean see.

Bild, p. 2 Der Spiegel, p. 104-106 Die Welt, p. 5 die tageszeitung, p. 3

European Elections/ Der Spiegel reports in detail about the next European Elections and especially Top candidates about the difference to the last elections, i.e. that all big party families will nominate candidates for the EU Commission President. The Social democrats may nominate President Martin SCHULZ.

Der Spiegel, p. 34

Tobacco directive Süddeutsche Zeitung reports about the tobacco directive and especially about the massive lobby efforts of the tobacco industry. A number of German MEPs report about their experience with the tobacco lobby or are mentioned in the article. MEPs Matthias GROOTE, Rebecca HARMS, Renate SOMMER, Karl-Heinz FLORENZ, Holger KRAHMER and Peter LIESE are cited.

Süddeutsche Zeitung, p. 19 working hours for Süddeutsche Zeitung reports on the vote about new rules for pilots. MEPs Michael pilots CRAMER and Knut FLECKENSTEIN criticize content, intention and procedure of the planned changes of the EU Commission.

Süddeutsche Zeitung, p. 23

Lobbyism/ EU Der Spiegel reports in detail about high ranked officials of the European Commission Commission that continue their well paid career at lobby offices after having ended working for the institution. The new Ombudswoman Emily O'Reilly sees conflict of interest.

Der Spiegel, p. 70-72

Reducing The EU Commission will withdraw its proposal for a new soil protection directive. bureaucracy/ This is part of the EU legislation reduction programme announced by president directive for soil José Manuel Barroso at his speech to the state of the Union. Edmund Stoiber, protection special counsellor for reducing red tape at EU level, underlines that now the EU institutions, including the European Parliament, need to show how seriously they take these announcements. MEP Anja WEISGERBER, rapporteur, welcomes the decision.

Passauer Neue Presse, p. 9 Die Welt, p. 9