A government held hostage
Italy, lurching from crisis to crisis, cannot afford to keep Berlusconi within its political workings
Editorial
The quality of democracy
Reducing Spain’s parliament to a spectacle of vetoes and shouting undermines political stability
Cash registers in the hospital
Health Ministry launches a new copayment scheme without demonstrating its advantages
Excessive optimism
The prospect of record tourism figures and revenues should not mask the need for a new model
A worrying issue
Greater caution is needed when members of the armed forces fail to respect political neutrality
A confused penal reform
Government proposals include necessary changes but reveal an authoritarian streak
Merkel triumphs
The CDU/CSU’s overwhelming victory allows the chancellor to choose her governing partner
A new leadership
Pope Francis opens the way to profound change in the Church’s relationship with society
Merkel III
If the Social Democrats replace the liberals, there will be no major shift in government policy
Loan freeze
The troika’s concern about the credit drought suggests that bank restructuring will be delayed
Catalonia and Europe
Commission and Parliament dispel the mirage of maintaining EU status after secession
Questionable regulatory agency
Savings from the new Competition Commission do not offset the doubts as to its independence
Catalonia and Spain
The democratic solution has to come from a structured dialogue leading to negotiation
A little hope
The deal reached by the US and Russia could deter Syria without the need for a military strike
A wise surrender
Giving up on the Olympics avoids an unnecessary risk for a country in crisis
After the shouting is over
The Catalan and Spanish governments must seek a solution to the malaise over independence
Not at all convincing
The justice minister is facing official opposition to the concept of “revisable permanent prison”
A decisive week for the White House
With the congressional vote on Syria, Obama is facing a crucial moment in his presidency
Disappointment
The IOC’s voting system means that lessons can’t be learned from Madrid’s failed Olympic bid
Madrid deserves it
The city has presented a balanced and coherent project to host the 2020 Olympic Games
Fallen giant
The purchase of Nokia by Microsoft symbolizes the difficulties Europe has competing globally
Too much of a hurry
Removing the judge from the “Nóos case” may erode the credibility of the Spanish courts
Duel with no surprises
The TV debate between Merkel and Steinbrück will not decide the German elections
Left to their fate
A year on, the law excluding immigrants from healthcare has given rise to great inequalities
Against equality
The different hikes in university tuition fees cause new divides along regional lines
Excessive complacency
The labor minister’s explanations do not allow for a proper evaluation of her reforms
Before the shooting starts
The US ought to reflect on the consequences of a response to Syria’s provocations
Guardians of the word
The PP is not just blocking the opposition’s proposals, but refuses to even debate them
New faces in the Andalusian government
Regional premier Griñán is stepping down to avoid hindering the administration with the ERE case
More alarm in Fukushima
The leak of radioactive water compromises the reopening of nuclear plants in Japan