Erstellt am: 9. 10. 2015 - 15:38 Uhr

Tunisian group wins Peace Prize

Reality Check: Tunisia's National Dialogue Quartet; Libya; Germany & refugees; Vienna & transport, Peter Hackmair on FIFA scandal.

Nobel Peace Prize

“I am overwhelmed by this," said Houcine Abassi, secretary general of Tunisia’s General Labour Union, on learning that this year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to his Union and three other civil society organisations known collectively as the “National Dialogue Quartet”.

nobelprize.org

Tunisia has often been upheld as the success story of the Arab Spring. In the wake of the 2011 uprising it introduced up a new constitution, held democratic elections, and established a coalition government with secular and Islamist parties.

But in 2013 the country appeared to be sliding into a political crisis that would end its transition, with secular opponents demanding that an Islamist-led government step down. In the summer of that year, the National Dialogue Quartet was formed, to help support the democratisation process.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the prize is intended as an encouragement to the Tunisian people, and it hopes Tunisia will serve as an example to be followed by other countries.

Lars Bevanger Oslo was following the announcement:

Libya

Could a national unity government bring Libya’s warring parties together and end the violence and chaos which have allowed Islamist militants to gain ground and illegal migrant smugglers to operate freely?

The United Nations is hoping so, and had proposed just such a move to the country’s different factions. International Security Analyst Shashank Joshi explains how it’s meant to work and the potential stumbling blocks:

Germany Refugees

Chancellor Angela Merkel has become a champion of solidarity with refugees with her open-arms approach, but is now facing rebellion from within her own party.

The state premier of Bavaria, Horst Seehofer is reportedly considering turning back refugees who arrive at the border. Kate Connolly reports from Berlin:

Vienna election & transport policy

While the debate surrounding the refugee crisis is seen as the dominant issue of the Vienna election campaign, there are other issues in the parties’ campaigns. Such as transport and the environment. The Green’s poster proclaims “Ich bin öffi für Alles” while the ÖVP pleads “Autofahrer sind auch nur Menschen”.

Since the last election there have been major schemes such as the redevelopment of the Mariahilfer Straße to reduce traffic flow. The developments have pleased some Viennese and annoyed others. Chris Cummins went to meet both camps:

FIFA Suspensions

Two of the most powerful men in soccer – FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and UEFA chief Michel Platini - were handed 90-day suspensions by the FIFA ethics committee on Thursday. The move essentially ends Blatter’s 17-year reign as president and probably reduces Platini's chances of replacing him.

To get some reaction, we spoke to Peter Hackmair, former Austrian professional footballer who gave up his career to travel, and now coaches young players and blogs:

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