The State of the (European) Union

Europe is our focus for the international press review today ahead of Monday's summit. The British, Spanish and German weigh in on the future of the Union - and what it's done for us.

IN THE PAPERS

By Elena CASAS

The Guardian, El Pais, and Suddeutsche Zeitung all publish the same interview with Angela Merkel - but they have very different takes on it.

El Pais says it's time to rebuild the union from the bottom up - as democracy has been replaced by technocracy and it no longer serves its citizens - but the Guardian is trying to win round Eurosceptics with everything the Union has achieved.

The papers are also looking at some of the stereotypes Europeans have of one another - and conclude that the French really are vain.

And it's not a happy Australia Day for Julia Gillard, reports the Sydney Morning Herald - she was besieged by Aboriginal rights protesters in Canberra.

04/05/2010 - INTERNATIONAL PRESS REVIEW

The final furlong for party leaders ahead of British election

Gordon Brown yesterday gave the most impassioned speech of his career according to The Guardian, but is it too late? The Sun reports on David Cameron’s last-ditch tour of the country during which he will forego a night’s sleep. Did it convince the Financial Times he’s got the necessary will?! The paper has become the eight national daily to support the Conservatives. These and other stories in today’s international press review: TUESDAY, 4th MAY 2010

04/05/2010 - FRENCH PRESS REVIEW

Environment put on the back burner

Libération says that a new law set to implement promises made at a 2007 environment summit in France fall far short of original goals. The left-leaning paper says that Sarkozy has abandoned his green credentials in favour of traditional conservative issues. This and other stories in today’s French papers: TUESDAY, 4th MAY 2010