euro|topics - Laurent Hassid

01/12/2008

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Hassid, Laurent

3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

Večer - Slovenia | 17/09/2008

Sarkozy's dubious views

France introduced the strict separation of church and state in 1905. Yet during Pope Benedict XVI's recent visit to France President Sarkozy triggered a war of words over the role of the Catholic Church in France. Laurent Hassid comments: "Last December Sarkozy had already claimed that France had Christian roots, and this led to a controversy. ... But Sarkozy has forgotten that binding religion with the Republic contravenes the 1905 law. Sarkozy's statements clearly reveal that he not only wants to reinterpret the law in question but that he prefers Christians over Muslims. This concept divides the inhabitants of France into different categories. ... Sarkozy's remarks about faith indicate that he is trying to revive Catholic influence on political debate. By talking about faith and religion the president conceals other domestic conflicts."

Večer - Slovenia | 09/07/2008

Abuse of power regarding French media

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that in future he himself will appoint the president of the association of state television broadcasters. "Even some of the ministers of the French government are sceptical about the announcement. .... Sarkozy's strategy is simple. He wants to weaken state television and its 3,000 employees. The [private] channel TF1, owned by Martin Bouyguesa, a close friend of Sarkozy's, lost many viewers last year. By cutting the funding for state television he is helping his friends [at the private stations]. ... In a country in which there are already very close ties between politicians and the media, this change in state television is tantamount to an abuse of power, and France will draw ever closer to the same state of affairs as in Italy under media mogul Silvio Berlusconi."

Le Monde - France | 08/01/2008

The problem with ethnic minorities in Slovenia

"Over these past few years, Slovenian society has experienced an unusual exacerbation of ethnical tensions linked to the acceptation of Balkan communities", explains Laurent Hassid, a researcher at the University of Bordeaux III, who questions Slovenia's image of 'excellence'. "The issue of the erased' has activated a hateful discourse regarding Serbs and communists and has contributed to the victory of right-wing parties led by the current prime minister Janez Jansa during the legislative elections in January 2004. Slovenia has a quality of life and political development closer to that of Western Europe, but it also carries numerous factors that are concern the rest of former Yugoslavia, notably the relationship between politics and ethnic issues. ... While presiding over the EU, it would also benefit from opening up a serene debate regarding the integration of non-Slovenians."

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