Between East and West, the imbalance persists

FRANCE 24 visits the city of Leipzig, in the former East Germany, where the carmaker BMW employs 4,000 people in its factory. But, two decades after reunification, most factories have disappeared, with consequences for the wider economy.

TALKING EUROPE

Christophe Robeet

Presenter

11/02/2012 - TALKING EUROPE

Laszlo ANDOR, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Since the beginning of the crisis unemployment has risen from 7 to 10 pc and figures are expected to rise even further as some European countries plunge back into recession. What can Europe do to tackle unemployment and boost its productivity vis a vis the rest of the world?

28/01/2012 - TALKING EUROPE

Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament

The newly elected president of the European Parliament is our guest. An outspoken German MEP from the Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Martin Schulz has vowed to give the Parliament a stronger voice in Europe. He gives us his opinion on Greece, IMF rescue funds, the Commission's reaction to the Hungarian government of Viktor Orban, and the EU oil embargo against Iran.

28/01/2012 - TALKING EUROPE

The Franco-German engine, driving Europe to a better future?

For decades the Franco-German tandem has been a driving force in European integration. But it has drawn criticism from its European partners, who feel Paris and Berlin often seek to impose their agenda on the rest of Europe. So what do the French and Germans think of this duo? We analyse the results of a new survey produced by our partner for this programme, the Paris-Berlin magazine.

14/01/2012 - TALKING EUROPE

Joaquin Almunia, EU Commissioner for Competition

Joaquin Almunia holds one of the most influential portfolios in the Commission. As the EU’s antitrust regulator, he is responsible for guaranteeing fair competition across the EU. The Spanish Commissioner reacts to the downgrade of France’s sovereign debt rating, the possible merger of Deutsche Boerse with NYSE Euronext, and the rise of protectionism.

14/01/2012 - TALKING EUROPE

Taxing finance: can France go it alone ?

France is seeking to press ahead with a tax on financial transactions, and hoping the rest of Europe will follow suit. The view from Paris is that the financial sector is largely responsible for sparking the current crisis and must now contribute to its resolution. But with the UK firmly opposed to the scheme, can such a tax ever work?

- auto industry - Germany