cafebabel.com

Megaupload vs Sopa and Pipa: it'll be e-right on the night

('Adam Wyett',) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:44:29 -0000

Act one: stop online piracy. Act two: protect international property. Act three: shut down a famous file-sharing site. Act four: anti-counterfeiting trade agreement. We call for a bit of order in the debate on internet freedom versus intellectual property rights which has kicked off 2012

Schulz, new president of European parliament: Martin who?

('Catrin',) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:07:40 -0000

Do you know who the president of the European parliament is? If not, read on: Martin Schulz isn't afraid of courting controversy and is planning to shake up the way Europe is run

Pass the buck, Murdoch and Brooks

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:13:10 -0000

During the British parliamentary hearing of the news tycoon Murdochs on 19 July, a friend analysed the 'father-and-son's game of patty-cake': 'I pass the buck to you, you pass it back. Pass pass pass pass, oh, and then pass it to competitor papers, because it's clearly their fault. And then pass it to News of the World because how can one or two men be responsible for a company that's just SO big?' Is it a phrase which translates well to other European idioms?

MEPs are ‘carbon dioxide skunks’ going from parliament to parliament

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:23:29 -0000

The battle of how bad the European parliament in Strasbourg’s carbon footprint led to a furious statistics war. But one thing is for sure: the members of European parliament who travel between their seats in Brussels and Strasbourg every month are not helping the environment

France's Karima Delli on MEP salary increases

('Andrew Burgess',) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:45:00 -0000

On 3 March MEPs voted to increase their monthly allowances by a further 1, 500 euros. It comes just one year after voting to a first increase by the same amount: an extra 27 million euros over two years, at a time when citizens all over Europe tighten their belts. We speak to the French MEP for the greens

Fare dodger, stowaway or free rider?

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:15:00 -0000

Does the Arab uprising mean more 'stowaways' for Europe? Why does a stowaway in French mean the same thing as a fare dodger? Why is fare dodging in Italy called 'pulling a Portuguese'? Expression of the week

Viktor Orban: who's been a naughty boy at the European parliament?

('euro topics',) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:27:41 -0000

A fierce dispute broke out between Hungarian prime minister and EU parliamentarians during Orbán's speech marking his country's EU Council presidency. The MEPs were above all critical of Hungary's new media law. While Orbán's reaction cast his country in a dim light, the criticism went too far and was implausible, write Hungarian, German and Slovakian commentators

Vegetarianism: 'Eating Animals' in Europe

('Nettah',) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0000

Jonathan Safran Foer’s 2009 novel, published in March 2010 in the UK, has just been released in German. The 33-year-old American has fast become the new vegetarian messiah. While it reached the top three of the Der Spiegel bestseller list, only 1.3 million Germans follow a vegetarian diet, a mere 1.6% of the population

Europe's politician loudmouths

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:54:31 -0000

British prime minister David Cameron was accused of 'going offscript' by former foreign secretary David Miliband after a series of press conferences where he accused Pakistan of 'exporting terror'. Do Europe's eurosceptic politicians have the biggest mouths when it comes to diplomatic rows? Expression of the week

'Copii de bani gata', rich Romanian club

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:15:03 -0000

They're treated with similar disdain and contempt everywhere, but nowhere with such hatred as in Romania. The Romanian nouveau riche are nicknamed 'born with money' or 'kids with rich parents'. Where's the problem?

Perspective: what has the EU done for LGBT rights?

('AMR',) — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:45:00 -0000

The international day against homophobia and transphobia is celebrated on 17 May in over fifty countries around the world, and as the Baltic Pride parade in Lithuania on 8 May showed, people are taking action in even the most homophobic places

Nick Clegg for European British prime minister?

("naomi o'leary",) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:13:10 -0000

Since 1918 the prime minister of Britain has been either labour or conservative. Red or blue. The 6 May elections were set to be no different. The two-party system seemed safe. Murdoch's papers screamed blue. Until Mr. Nick Clegg, leader of the liberal democrats, entered. The final televised leaders' debate in the UK takes place on 29 April

Minimum European income to fight poverty?

('James Friscia',) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:35:47 -0000

Given persistent shortcomings of minimum wage policies, legislators and organisations instead debate the merits of ‘minimum income’ to combat poverty in Europe. But it remains to be seen whether the EU parliament will force continent-wide reforms

Europe makes 2010 its year for fighting poverty and social exclusion

('Alison Frank',) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:15:00 -0000

When the 'Lisbon strategy' was launched in March 2000, EU member state leaders said that they wanted to take decisive steps towards eliminating poverty. Ten years later, during the worst economic crisis since 1929, the EU has named 2010 its year for fighting poverty and social exclusion. It’s about time, too

Europe: ready for birth of abortion law?

('Nicola Potter',) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:00:00 -0000

On 13 April, the first-ever 'Brussels March For Life' took place in Belgium, which legalised abortion in 1990. Almost a month earlier though, women's rights pioneer Simone Veil became the sixth women ever to be 'immortalised' at the French academy. But 35 years after her 'Veil Law' legalised abortion in France, the topic remains a controversial issue

Julien Frisch: quick chat about blogging in Europe

('James Friscia',) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:00:00 -0000

Believe in the European concept? Fantasise about a more transparent bureaucracy in Brussels? The answer is to blog. Well, this German does. The Berlin-based editor of bloggingportal.eu, a European blog portal, predicts what online European news will bring us in the coming years

Europarl TV: 'technology is more fast-paced than the institutions'

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:15:00 -0000

In September 2008, the TV channel started streaming parliamentary sessions and news features on MEPs and their speeches on the European parliament’s webpage. The challenge is to give the institutions a human face - press service chief Jean-Yves Loog tells us how

Daniel Cohn-Bendit lets rip on new EU 'commission of hypocrites'

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:00:00 -0000

'Just before St Valentines Day we tell Mr Barroso 'Je t’aime moi non plus'' - the French-German co-president of the pan-European greens was more than slightly sceptical about the approved commission on 9 February. See the video (in French)

Marc Guerrero: Catalan MEP on Spain, unemployment and van Rompuy

('theroxbox',) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:00 -0000

Youth unemployment has become one of the biggest challenges facing the EU. In Spain the figure has reached 43% amongst those aged 15-26. We discuss this problem and the new era that Europe faces with the youngest ever leader of the European liberal democrats (ELDR)

Internet: 'the great anarchist event' no longer ours to 'control'

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:10:44 -0000

When Irish telecommunications company Eircom blocked customer access to the Pirate Bay in September, you could almost hear a faint, sardonic chuckle erupt from internet users all over the world. As Britain and France impose their own legislation to cut off internet access for filesharing offenders, the EU parliament and commission hold talks to formalise their positions on 4 November

A seat in the European Parliament; a snake or a ladder?

('Sarah Gray',) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:45:00 -0000

Today you won’t find EU politicians hammering on the doors of the European Parliament, especially if they dream of becoming heavyweights in national politics. There are still some politicians keen to be MEPs, however, but their motives aren’t always what they seem...

Swedish Pirate Party MEP Christian Engström: ‘Europe is stronger than the US’

('Waldemar Ingdahl',) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:43:53 -0000

The newly elected pirate MEP, 49, a former computer programmer from Stockholm, talks about the EU-US relationship, eyes turning towards Sweden again and Europe’s second wave of pirate parties. Part I in a special edition marking the six-month Swedish presidency of the EU

Jerzy Buzek: first eastern European to lead in EU

('euro topics',) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:17:54 -0000

The 736-strong new EU parliament has elected former Polish prime minister Jerzy Buzek as its new president by a large majority at its constituent assembly. Snippets from the media reaction in Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, France and Finland

Barroso is his own enemy

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:17:06 -0000

Barroso is hoping for a second five-year mandate as president of the European council, but the members of the European parliament want the Portuguese conservative to present a schedule before they give him their support

Punishment for governments, more independence for EU parliament

('Cat82',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:45:32 -0000

The elections have led to a protest vote against national governments. As a result, the European parliament now has more power to counteract the European council

EU elections 2009 record abstention: no ‘europeanisation’ of countries

('Hayley Worsley-Carter',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:42:17 -0000

A participation level of just 43.5% is the product of a European election campaign that was too focused on national issues. Mainstream media makes European politics seem a depressing subject, leaving only the web to provide us with passionate and beneficial debates surrounding the concept of Europe

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen wants Jose Manuel Durao Barroso out

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:28:12 -0000

On 5 June the French daily Le Monde will publish a tribune written by the leader of the party of European socialists, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. It marks the first time that the Dane dares the incumbent EU commission president to not get a second mandate. Weekly newsbite

Women on the verge of a political equality attack

('Darren Thompson',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:45:00 -0000

The only country that has more female than male representatives in the European parliament is the Netherlands. Estonia and Sweden follows behind with relative equality. Weekly news

The Europe-shaped hole in the Polish campaign for June elections

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:45:00 -0000

Obviously, this is not a country-specific phenomenon, but a pan-European one. What is not typical is the lack of any debate between the main political parties, even on domestic issues. The ruling party and the main opposition party seem to be focused exclusively on the names that supposedly ensure the highest possible score

Turnout won't be 45% at the European elections this time!

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:38:02 -0000

We were sulky voters in 2004. It was the worst case in the history of the European parliament. Only 45% of Europeans made the effort, despite the fact that this assembly is the one making the decisions affecting our everyday life. Lame!

Only 30% of voters mobilised for European elections 2009

('Annika Thornton',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:45:00 -0000

With six months to go until the parliamentary elections, a meagre 30% of people surveyed were confident of going to vote between 4 and 7 June 2009. Europe needs to rediscover its passion for politics, or it risks losing it completely!

Trust me, I'm the European parliament

('Andrew Christie',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:15:00 -0000

52% of Europeans trust the European parliament - 3 percentage points fewer than in 2007. Nonetheless, it remains the most highly regarded European institution among its citizens

EU election campaign is hypocritical, because there's no choice

('samantha',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:38:20 -0000

On 17 March the European parliament launched its communication campaign in view of the European elections in June 2009. The German agency which produced it has, for the first time in EU history, used elements taken from concrete politics to encourage participation. Despite this the Italian government has found it non-communicative (and has announced that it is making a new one), without mentioning the fact that it recalls the wave of anti-Roma feeling which has swept through Italy lately

Green Monica Frassoni: 'Barroso out, woman in'

('Lydia Bigos',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:56:43 -0000

The leader of the European green party is tired of the current head of the European commission: the time has come for a woman to take charge

Brussels: a city of life-long interns

('rhiannon_nicolson',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:26:52 -0000

We meet young foreigners in a capital full of multinationals, institutions and the need for multilingual interns

Lívia Járóka: female, Roma and Euro MP

('rhiannon_nicolson',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:33:52 -0000

The first female Roma member of the European parliament takes stock of her first term in office and announces that she will run in this year’s European elections in June. We talk women, Roma statistics and the EU institutions

Spain’s extreme right: no to Turkey, no to globalisation

('Astrid vW',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:16:48 -0000

The Spanish people’s party’s failed attempts to create a strongly right-wing organisation has provoked up to six groups from this spectrum into planning their candidacy in the next European elections on 7 June, but their prospects look bleak

Italian right-wing parties of Europe, unite!

('samantha',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:03:37 -0000

'Tricolour flame', 'new force', 'the right' - these Italian political parties are to the 'right of the centre right'. How should they organise themselves for the European elections in June 2009?

Italy and beyond: say no to criminals in European parliament

('Michelle Williams',) — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:43:57 -0000

Andrea D'ambra, the same man who launched a petition in Italy to abolish mobile phone top up charges, has now launched a campaign across Europe to say 'that's enough!' to MEP's with criminal records or fines for illegal activity. This is a widespread Italian problem which is now being exported across Europe

Eurofreaks, eurosceptics and euroabstainers: youth parliament talks

('Andrew Christie',) — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:15:00 -0000

We’ve had 30 years of the right to elect representatives in EU parliament, which has moved from an advisory board to a fully-fledged legislative institution. However, the increase in power of the only EC institution to be elected directly via universal suffrage has coincided with a consistent fall in voter turnouts. Voter turnout in the EU elections is around 20 points lower across the board than in national elections

Joseph Daul: ‘when we get up and turn on the light, it’s the EU who decides what type of light bulb we can use’

('Joss Corner',) — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:26:09 -0000

If the European centre-right wins the European elections again between 4 - 7 June, they will be able to use the key political positions in order to advance the EU. Helping Europeans combat the crisis and involve them in the construction of a community project: those are two sizeable challenges. Interview

Parlorama.eu, europarl.europa.eu & votewatch.eu: sites name and shame MEPs

('Lindsay Irish',) — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:15:16 -0000

In response to the controversy surrounding the website parlorama.eu, which was established to assess the attendance rates of MEPS, the European parliament has agreed to publish its own statistics before the elections. Judge for yourself

Libertas: eurosceptic, but first real europarty?

('Matthew',) — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:45:00 -0000

The Irish European parliament elections in June 2009 represent a key moment in Ireland’s future relations with the EU. The Lisbon treaty was rejected in June 2008; will Ireland elect many eurosceptic MEPs? Or are the Irish population really interested in a more inclusive and cohesive EU?

Calendar: vote for EU elections in UK and Ireland on 4-5 June

('Lydia Bigos',) — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:35:05 -0000

The European elections this summer take place over four days, 4 - 7 June - here is a summary of when exactly for all of the EU-27 countries, plus possible reasons why they will - or will not - vote in elections which pick the European parliament for the next five years. Plus, videos

Closed down 'parlorama.eu' transparency portal can claim victory

('Lydia Bigos',) — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:12:48 -0000

Before the European elections between 4 - 7 June 2009, you will know which MP’s aren’t working as hard as they should be thanks to a French portal which was closed down recently - the latest titbit of news from Brussels

The European parliament should have a stronger role

Mon, 04 May 2009 12:15:00 -0000

Tommaso Padoa Schioppa, economist and former Italian finance minister, has launched an appeal for MEPs and candidates to reinforce the parliament's strength against a backdrop of crisis and global instability. This manifesto has been signed by: Jerzy Buzek, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Jean-Luc Dehaene, Jacques Delors, Wim Kok, Paavo Tapio Lipponen, Péter Medgyessy, Wolfgang Schüssel, Mario Soares, Peter Sutherland and Guy Verhofstadt

Parlorama.eu portal reopens despite EU politician threats

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:34:00 -0000

On 24 April, political pressure temporarily gagged the website which classifies Euro MPs according to their plenary sessions and parliamentary commission attendances. It is due to make a triumphant comeback with three new linguistic versions to boot on 4 or 5 May

62% of Europeans aren't aware of the EU elections taking place

('euro topics',) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:32:38 -0000

Just seven weeks before the European parliament election 62% of voters are not even aware it will take place. According to a Eurobarometer study, only 28% of those elegible to vote intend to cast their ballots. Are Europeans weary of Europe?

Daniel Cohn-Bendit: 'converting back to ecological ways is the only way to save jobs'

('Andrew Burgess',) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:15:00 -0000

The electoral campaign of the green party has been launched. Inspired by their Green New Deal, they want to transform industrial, housing and agricultural worlds in the short and the long term. For the French-German MEP, this will not be pleasurable

European parliament resists pressure about 65 hour weeks

('Lydia Bigos',) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:35:16 -0000

On 2 April, the Czech presidency of the EU failed to reach an agreement with the parliament about working hours, which the European council intend to extend to 65 hours a week