The Spanish parliament is to approve today the nomination of Mariano Rajoy as Prime Minister. The new PM is to announce a roadmap to emerge from the crisis, but will outline budget cuts only once the final figures for the 2011 deficit are known.
100 days that will change Spain – El Mundo
The Swedish car maker has declared bankruptcy after its former owner, the American group General Motors, refused to transfer to Chinese carmaker Youngman technological patents it still holds. Youngman, the only candidate to take Saab over, has withdrawn its bid.
GM is the last straw that broke Saab – Svenska Dagbladet
"Germany has ran up the white flag," writes the EU-phobic tabloid, after the German Minister of Foreign Affair, Guido Westervelle, insisted that "the United Kingdom is an indispensable partner in the European Union".
Germans beg us to stay in the EU – Daily Express
Teachers, postal workers, civil servants, local officials, bus and tram drivers are to protest against public sector pension reform which the new coalition (nicknamed the "bow-tie government" due to PM Elio de Rupo's preference for this accessory) is to approve on December 22.
Thursday - the first bow-tie strike – La Libre Belgique
Abu Dhabi airline Etihad Airways aims to rescue struggling Air Berlin and compete with Lufthansa on the European market. The emirate airline has increased its stake in Air Berlin from 2.99% to 29.2%. The property of one of Abu Dhabi's richest families, Etihad Airways aims to make the emirate a hub for air traffic and is seeking European partners.
Air Arabia – Handelsblatt
To avoid a repeat of the doctors' strike that has just ended, the Slovak government is to present a bill that allows for fines of up to 3,300 euros, revocation of medical licenses, and prison for striking practitioners in the event of a state of emergency.
Jail for strikers - Government threatens doctors – Pravda
During a visit to the Kosovar capital Pristina on December 19, the German Chancellor called on Serbia and Kosovo to implement joint management of border-crossing points. She demanded that Kosovar Serbs dismantle unilateral border structures and barricades on roads leading to Serbia.
Serbia cannot meet Angela Merkel's demands – Blic
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