Latest news with #ForzaItalia
Euractiv
30-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
Silvio Berlusconi haunts Germany's media scene
BERLIN – A brief wave of political nostalgia swept through the German government's press briefing in Berlin this week, when a spokesperson announced that Silvio Berlusconi would be the next high-profile guest to visit Friedrich Merz's Chancellery. One problem: the longest-serving prime minister of post-war Italy died two years ago – as a member of the press corps quickly pointed out. In fact, it's not Silvio, but his son Pier Silvio Berlusconi who's been invited to Berlin to discuss his family's attempt to take over Germany's second-largest private media company, ProSiebenSat.1, via the late patriarch's media empire, MediaForEurope (MFE). The plans initially surfaced in March, but MFE announced on Monday that it would raise its offer to stakeholders to take full control of the company, in which it currently holds a 30% stake. The move has aggravated concerns about the editorial direction of ProsiebenSat.1, which operates two of Germany's largest private broadcasters, prompting rare interference from Berlin. 'A change of ownership must not lead to a restriction of journalistic independence,' warned Germany's Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Wolfram Weimer. He said that he had invited Berlusconi, as it was important to review "who is behind" the takeover of "such an important institution". The bid has revived the spectre of Silvio Berlusconi – the four-term prime minister, media magnate, and former owner of the football club AC Milan. The German press long viewed his string of private and political scandals from afar, often with a mixture of fascination and disdain. In the late 2000s, as EU countries like Italy struggled under billion-euro debt burdens, frugal Germans were bewildered by the repeated electoral success of Berlusconi and his centre-right party, now known as Forza Italia. That frustration was rooted not only in his stubborn reluctance to reform Italy's debt-laden economy, but also in Berlusconi's repeated legal entanglements, including allegations of tax fraud and bribery – such as paying hush money over his infamous 'bunga bunga' sex parties. He denied all charges. Independence at stake? These days, the focus of German concerns over MFE's takeover bid is less about Berlusconi's scandal-strewn party lifestyle and more about media impartiality. 'We have been warning about the takeover by Berlusconi's heirs for some time now,' said Mika Beuster, chair of the German Journalists Association (DJV) . In the 1990s and 2000s, Berlusconi's broadcasters, such as Italia 1 and TG4, were known – and often criticised – for steering their editorial lines toward a right-wing or pro-Berlusconi direction. The media empire is still considered to be close to Forza Italia, while Berlusconi himself had good relations with Russia's pariah president, Vladimir Putin, which is now raising eyebrows in Germany. Beuster from the DJV said he was "concerned about jobs in journalism, and on the other hand, because of the troubling proximity of MFE media to right-wing populist positions." Pier Silvio Berlusconi has attempted to assuage such concerns though his reassurances have been met with scepticism. MFE, he said, was not seeking 'total control', but rather a stake that would allow the company to 'provide a clear direction, grounded in a joint vision'. While it would not be easy for the German government to stop a takeover, Berlusconi will need to persuade stakeholders and best the Czech investment conglomerate PPF Group, which currently holds a 15% stake in ProSiebenSat.1 and is looking to increase it. *Nicoletta Ionta contributed reporting. (aw, jp)
Saudi Gazette
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Macron's recognition of Palestine draws European support
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will formally recognize the State of Palestine in September has drawn widespread backing from European leaders, with some hailing it as a vital step toward Middle East peace, while others voiced caution. Macron declared Thursday on X that France will formalize its recognition of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly this September. 'I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,' he said, calling it a move rooted in France's 'historic commitment to a just and lasting peace.' The announcement was welcomed by several European leaders. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said: 'This is an important contribution towards implementing the two-state solution, which offers the only lasting basis for peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.' Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose country recently recognized Palestine, wrote: 'I welcome that France joins Spain and other European countries. Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution.' Scottish First Minister John Swinney urged the UK to follow suit, calling the recognition 'essential for peace.'Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon praised France's move as 'a bold step for peace,' reaffirming her country's commitment to a negotiated two-state solution based on international Czech Republic reiterated its support for Palestinian statehood but emphasized that recognition must come through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Czech President Petr Pavel echoed this stance while speaking in governments, including Germany and Italy, adopted a more cautious said it does not plan to recognize Palestine in the near spokesperson Stefan Kornelius stated that Berlin sees recognition as 'one of the final steps' in the peace process, which must be achieved through stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and Hamas's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterated Rome's support for a two-state solution, but emphasized that recognition should be reciprocal.'Recognition of the new Palestinian state must take place at the same time as their recognition of the state of Israel,' he told members of his Forza Italia Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said he would submit a proposal to recognize Palestine before the UN General underscored the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stressing the need for urgent aid access.'Let us not lose sight of the most pressing urgency: the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza,' he said, calling for sustained pressure on Israel to allow large-scale aid is now set to become the first G7 member state to formally recognize Palestinian statehood. Currently, 149 out of 193 UN member countries recognize the State of Palestine. — Agencies
Middle East Eye
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Germany, Italy say they have no short term plans to recognise Palestinian statehood
Germany has no plans to follow France in recognising Palestinian statehood, a spokesperson has announced. "Israel's security is of paramount importance to the German government," said the spokesperson. "The German government therefore has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term." Germany has maintained ties with Israel throughout its war on Gaza and has never formally recognised Palestinian statehood. Earlier on Friday, Italy also responded to France's announcement by refusing to immediately recognise a Palestinian state. "A Palestinian state that does not recognise Israel means that the problem will not be resolved," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a meeting of his conservative Forza Italia party on Friday.
The Sun
25-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Germany rules out short-term recognition of Palestinian state
BERLIN: Germany is not planning to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term and said its priority now is to make 'long-overdue progress' towards a two-state solution, a German government spokesperson said on Friday. 'Israel's security is of paramount importance to the German government,' said the spokesperson. 'The German government therefore has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term.' France's decision to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September also drew condemnation from Israel and the United States, amid the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. Germany's stance on Israel is strongly influenced by what it regards as a special responsibility to atone for the Nazi Holocaust against European Jews in which six million were killed during Hitler's 1933-45 regime. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the decision late Thursday, shortly before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would hold an emergency call with France and Germany on the humanitarian situation in Gaza on Friday. Britain's immediate priority is alleviating suffering in Gaza and securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a cabinet minister said on Friday, even as Starmer came under growing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state. Italy's foreign minister said on Friday that recognition of a Palestinian state must occur simultaneously with the recognition of Israel by the new entity. 'A Palestinian state that does not recognise Israel means that the problem will not be resolved,' Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a meeting of his conservative Forza Italia party. France's move, though symbolic, underlined Israel's increasing international isolation over its devastating war in Gaza and could open the door for other major nations to perhaps follow suit. PALESTINIAN LEADER WELCOMES FRENCH MOVE Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a statement welcoming the French move, credited the leadership of Saudi Arabia with playing 'a key role in encouraging France's decision to recognise the State of Palestine', the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported. 'President Abbas urged all countries, especially European nations that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine, to do so based on the internationally endorsed two-state solution,' it cited Abbas as saying. Saudi Arabia has been pushing France to recognise Palestine over the past year with efforts led by Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan, said a source close to the royal court. Palestinians have long sought to create an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem - lands Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war - through a mediated peace process. Many accuse Israel of having destroyed Palestinian statehood prospects through increased settlement building in the West Bank and by levelling much of Gaza during the current war. Israel rejects this. The Palestine Liberation Organization recognised Israel's right to exist in peace in 1993 at the start of the U.S.-backed peace process which set up the Palestinian Authority, which Abbas heads, in what Palestinians hoped would be a stepping stone towards statehood. But Hamas and other Palestinian Islamist militants who dominate Gaza and frequently clash with Israeli forces in the West Bank refuse to recognise Israel. Hamas' 1988 founding charter called for the destruction of Israel, although Hamas leaders have at times offered a long-term truce with Israel in return for a viable Palestinian state on all Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. Israel regards this as a ruse. - Reuters
LBCI
25-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
New Palestinian state must recognize Israel to ensure peace: Italy's FM
The recognition of a Palestinian state must occur simultaneously with the recognition of Israel by the new entity, the Italian foreign minister said on Friday, the day after France said it would recognize Palestinian statehood in September. "A Palestinian state that does not recognize Israel means that the problem will not be resolved," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a meeting of his conservative Forza Italia party in Rome. Reuters
