Erstellt am: 3. 11. 2011 - 15:49 Uhr

An hour is a long time in politics

Reality Check: Greece turmoil, Arab League tries to mediate in Syria, Education Volksbegehren, Oakland "occupy" protests, Smoke free soccer

Back in the 1960s, the then British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, said "a week is a long time in politics". Half a century later, an hour is a long time in politics.

A week ago, everyone was settling down to the idea that European leaders had fixed the Euro crisis - if only temporarily. The banks would take a 50% loss on the Greek debt, and the main bailout fund would be increased. Seems like a long time ago now, doesn't it?

On Monday, Chinese President, Hu Jintao, arrived in Vienna and all the talk was about China stepping in to help the EU out of its financial woes. China seemed to be keen to do business, and it was widely expected that a deal would be struck at the G20 meeting in Cannes to sure up Chinese investment in Europe.

On Tuesday, Greece's Prime Minister, George Papandreou, announced that Greece would hold a referendum on the bailout deal, and the world went into a rather surreal mode in which former taboos were broken and things started changing from minute to minute. Angela Merkel came out and told Greece to make up its mind whether it wants to be in the Euro or not - something unthinkable until, well, about 18 hours ago.

Then around lunchtime today, rumous started buzzing around the news wires that Papandreou was about to resign. This was denied, then proposed again - in fact at one time the BBC's home page had 2 headlines that he was about to go, and one that he had no plans to resign.

In the Reality Check Redaktion we started pulling the Euros out of our pockets and examining them to see whether we had any Greek ones - and wondering whether they will be worth anything by the time we go home this afternoon. What else can you do, in the midst of so much confusion?

Political Analyst Johannes Pollak told John Cummins that while snap elections are looking likely (though whether they are called today, tonight, tomorrow or at the weekend is still open) it's still unlikely that Greece will leave the EU or the Euro.

Arab League trys to start peace talks in Syria

The Arab League has been trying to mediate in a deal between the Syrian government and protesters for a cease fire and for negotiations to be started. However, although Damascus agreed, government troops opened fire on civilians in Homs within hours. Syria analyst, Riem Allaf, looks at the likely next steps and the role the Arab League might play.

Launch of the education petition

The Volksbegehren on education reforms is being launched today. Herbert Lackner of Profil looks at the measures it is calling for and the likely support it will receive.

"Occupy" protests in Oakland, California

The Californian port of Oakland has been closed by the "Occupy" protests.

Our Washington DC correspondent, Priscilla Huff, describes how the protest movement is spreading, and how it is being seen by the public in general.

Smoke free soccer

Euro 12 will be a smoke free tournament, with smoking banned from all areas at the matches. Kristiana Mauer-Stender of the World Health Organisation`s Tobacco Control Program explains the impact this will have on the international anti-smoking campaign.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.