Egypt should not repeat the Algerian crisis

Egypt’s situation is in serious risk of paralysing the little that is still working in the country. And it is also moving fast towards a dead end. It is time to realise that a repetition of the Algeria’s crisis of the early nineties is now becoming a real possibility. One should remember the very high costs that Algerian crisis brought in, during so many years, both in terms of human suffering and underdevelopment.  The Egyptian leadership has to be able to rise to the very dramatic challenge that the country faces, be able to talk sense to the nation and propose a way forward that is as inclusive as possible.

If that is not the case, Egypt will move closer to violent unrest. 

In France the political establishment is too heavy

After some in-depth discussions in France, just a word to summarize so many opinions: concern. Indeed, France is not going in the right direction and her people are, in so many ways, very disappointed with the current situation and the lack of true reform of the state institutions. Or, the state takes a lot of resources and many of its institutions are just simple bureaucracy and jobs for the political animals that people the republic. 

Brazil

Back home, after a three-week trek across Brazil. I should actually say, after visiting a couple of places because the country is so vast and diverse that in a few weeks one can only get a light grasp of a very rich, intense and dynamic nation such as Brazil. Three weeks is just enough to get a break off the pessimism and self-destruction that is gaining ground in Europe and breath a bit of the optimism and confidence in the future. And feel the sense of opportunity that is now so strong in that country. Were I young, I would move there, I thought, on my way back to “little” Europe! 

The Portuguese kindergarten

The IMF has just published a review of Portugal’s public expenditures. The report came as a bomb at a time when the public debate about 2013 State budget had already generated an avalanche of political fights and great instability, including within the governing parties. Now, with the IMF’s recommendations on the table, the country looks like a big fire being dealt with gasoline. There is widespread cacophony, exaltation and very little self-examination and reflection. It is like a kindergarten without any adult in charge.