cafebabel.com

Calling Europe’s anarchist class 2008-2009: no need to smash bank windows

('james whyte',) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:42:38 -0000

Today, anarchy has nothing to offer the public; a five-year-old sat in McDonalds could think of a better way to govern the people. Those that push it – the protesters on Europe's streets, as most popularly depicted in the media - are merely self-serving fools who ignore what democracy has done for us, and who are driven by some sort of warped fantasy of idyllic life

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

Bulgaria's new government and its 'Rambo' of a prime minister

('euro topics',) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:27:02 -0000

On 27 July Boyko Borisov's 'Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria' (Gerb) party won with a clear majority, standing for the first time in parliamentary elections in early July. The cabinet operates as a minority government without a coalition partner. The press in UK, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria talk Rambo, secret agents and Catch 22-situations

Throw your toys out of the pram

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:06:59 -0000

The Irish kick off after a 'scathing electoral defeat', whilst the Germans can be heard to 'wail like cats'. Weekly language expressions from around Europe

Iran's colourful presidentials: Facebook, fights and first wives

('Metsa Rahimi',) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:37 -0000

A week earlier, the EU campaigned to mobilise voters for the European parliamentary elections. Opposition candidates know that a similar effort may be their only chance of beating the incumbent in the Iranian presidentials. Iran's campaign officially rounds up as former PM, military chief and mullah go up against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on 12 June. Overview

Alison Smale: 'by learning languages I could escape the boring life I had been living as a child in England'

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:15:00 -0000

The former German and Politics student at Bristol university is the first woman to lead the Paris-based International Herald Tribune. The multilingual managing editor talks European elections, languages and journalism

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

Post-elections: chain reactions on Europe's new colours

('Joss Corner',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:45:12 -0000

Green is the colour for victorius ecology in France and Germany, blue is the colour of the conservatives tightly tucked into the European blanker whilst the socialist pink rubs off the dye. Red deep blush for the abstainers! Correspondents from Poland to Italy comment on the 7 June results of the EU elections

European elections night: I was watching TV

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:55:58 -0000

The night that most centre-left governments took their batterings, you might have caught a show about an unemployed mother-of-two in Spain or the final of 'The Apprentice' in the UK. Glance at the programmes for which viewers gave up the EU election coverage ghost on the evening of 7 June; results came out at 8pm, signalling a lower voter turnout than 2004

EU election results: France, Holland poor socialist performance

('Lydia Bigos',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:11:42 -0000

The EU elections between 4 and 7 June 2009 have revealed the high price of political opportunism in 2005, when they opposed the European constitution

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: why Europe has been loyal to the right

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:18:37 -0000

Tepid, failed third-way socialism: with 267 out of 736 seats, the European people’s party (EPP) have won the elections for the third consecutive time in a row. Only the ruling socialist and liberal parties have felt a kinf of ‘punishment vote’ inspired by dealings of the crisis. The greens and the nationalists have taken advantage of the discontent engulfing European politics

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

Europe has voted: so what's the trend?

('euro topics',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

From 4 - 7 June 2009 the citizens of the 27 EU member states cast their votes for a new European parliament. The voter turnout was relatively low, but the trends are clear to see. In many countries right-wing parties gained a larger share of the vote while national governments were punished. The press in Holland, Poland, Italy, Finland, Austria and Hungary speak

Giovanni di Lorenzo: 'the values which inspired the creation of the EU are pathetic today'

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:23 -0000

We speak to an Italian born in Sweden, raised in Rome, who moved to Hannover aged eleven, speaking little German. Today he is the director of German weekly Die Zeit, co-editor of Der Tagesspiegel, author of a bestseller and a TV presenter. We meet in Berlin to discuss the crisis of a marriage of 27 countries on the eve of the European elections between 4 – 7 June 2009: the passion is dead and not enough economic gains to hold it together

Czech Republic: 'we are leaving behind the eggs and going to vote'… for the right

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:08:51 -0000

The new generation of the Czech right-wing is waging its political war. Its weapons are eggs and Facebook contacts. Practices of suspect ideology. The result? A huge mishmash of ideas that mix anticommunism, liberalism and support for both Tibet and Israel. The maxim on the agenda: we do not revolt without eggs, and lots of them

Sexy EU election candidates from France to Romania via Lithuania

('Darren Thompson',) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:05:21 -0000

It's European election time again. As per usual there are some 'special' candidates hoping to win a seat. In 2004, a French orchestra conductor, a British actor, a Czech cosmonaut and even a Lithuanian hockey player became MEPs. What does the 2009 edition have in store for us? Featuring Elena Basescu, Barbara Matera and Donala Meiželytė-Svilienė

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

'The notion of EU citizenship is just hyprocritical marketing'

('Aatish Pattni',) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:00:00 -0000

For all those people who have settled in other countries in the EU the notion of ‘citizenship’ mixes with that of identity; a European one. All of them will be heading off to vote for their Euro MPs in whichever member state where they have taken up residence between 4 and 7 June

'Eurogeneration' go to the polls

('Andrew Christie',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:00:00 -0000

'Europe is a massive thing'. Yet its counterpart, the European Union, is often dull. During the European elections between 4 and 7 June 2009, a crucial vote for European democracy, we ask whether young people on European voluntary service (EVS) and Erasmus programmes in Germany feel it affects them

Marco Travaglio: ‘Berlusconi, where did you get the money from?’

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:45:00 -0000

In 2001, he put one question to ‘The Cavalier’ - Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi - in his book, ‘The Smell of Money’, repeated it on his TV programme Satyricon. It’s never been answered. Three questions to the Italian journalist who dared to ask

EU women: Polish, Danish, Irish and Portuguese residents of Paris’ La Garenne speak

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0000

Its residents often describe it as a village, but the Parisian suburb of La Garenne-Colombes is just two kilometres awar from La Defense, the financial hub in the northwest of the French capital. Five ‘Garennoise’ Europeans describe how they feel about being EU citizens

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

EU election expressions: politics makes for strange bedfellows

('Lindsey Evans',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

As a third of voters in Europe get set to vote in the European elections between 4-7 June, we ponder expressions ranging from 'election sausages' in Poland to 'rolling balls around' in France. Weekly sayings

Languages: Dutch amidst French in bilingual Brussels

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:27:21 -0000

On the footpaths of Brussels your ears catch a litany of languages. In this European city, the official status of the bilingualism can be seen everywhere, especially in job advertisements. Is this a question of identity or discrimination in recruitment?

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!

Lost in Europe: the long story of Dublin II, national laws and EU immigrants

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:15:00 -0000

Clandestine immigrants, regular immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees or repatriates; these many types of status all boil own to just one condition, that of immigrants faced with a legislative system that is constantly being redefined to be European. They come from so many different places, but in the majority of cases, the only destination awaiting them is temporary detention centres

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

Brussels crisis: be creative, become an entrepeneur

('Sarah Pybus',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The crisis is confronting young entrepreneurs in Brussels. Whilst some have excellent qualifications, those who don’t have a battle on their hands

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

Luca Romagnoli: 'The EU always follows American interests'

('Michelle Williams',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:45:07 -0000

Since 2004, the national secretary of the Italian right-wing party 'Fiamma Tricolore', 48, has been an MEP - despite not supporting any particular party

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

What the fridge is EUdebate2009.eu?

('Helen Swain',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0000

A spin-off of our politics section, this website in six languages is set to spice up the 2009 European elections

Anti-immigration, eurosceptic 'freedom party': what Geert Wilders wants

('Christian Derlagen',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:49:56 -0000

The far right Dutch party has gained four seats in European parliament elections: to date, it is the second best result in Netherlands, after the christian democrats with 5. Participation has fallen to 36.5%. Dutch press and analysts say it may provoke new parliamentary elections, because the ruling coalition (of the christian democrats and the social democrats) has been weakened

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?

Run-up to Swedish EU presidency: Turkey-EU blame game

('Anna Patton',) — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:01:12 -0000

Sweden, one of the most pro-Turkey member states, takes over the EU presidency in July 2009. But this may not be enough to kick-start negotiations for Turkey to enter the EU, which began in October 2005. Is there a common interest? Analysis

EU elections on 7 June in Belgium to contend with crisis and regional elections

('Geoffrey Grandjean',) — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:54:59 -0000

On 7 June there will be two kinds of elections in Belgium: European and regional elections. In December 2008, prime minister Yves Leterme’s resignation ended the political crisis in Belgium. So what's really at stake in this context? Can a European issue emerge among the omnipresent discussions on its future?

Eur…οpa! As EU elections comes round, 27 European citizens in Athens speak

('Media Consulta',) — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:53:27 -0000

Whether they are from Finland to Cyprus, or Germany and France, the first charter EU member states, as well as from 'newcomer' states Romania and Bulgaria, 27 Athenians talk about their Europe and how they think it should be. The EU elections take place between 4 and 7 June 2009, with 736 seats in the EU parliament open to 9, 000 candidates

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?

Italy: to vote or not to vote in EU elections on 6-7 June?

('Julia Karlysheva',) — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:45:00 -0000

But most importantly, why vote? The European elections between 4 and 7 June 2009 are victim to a changing and uncertain political landscape

EU elections: French right and left submit candidates, but what if Europe is standardised?

('Darren Thompson',) — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The main French opposition party (socialists, PS) and the union for a popular movement (UMP, headed by president Nicolas Sarkozy) are having difficulties entering totally into the electoral contest. The latter started to reflect on their European electoral manifestos under the French presidency of the EU, which was between July and December 2008

Antonio López-Istúriz White: 'not looking into taking in the Irish Fianna Fáil party'

('Gemma Turner',) — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:34:47 -0000

For the European elections in June 2009, the experts predict a third consecutive victory for the European people’s party, albeit with a lesser majority. The conservatives have to recover from the split with the Tories, announced by William Hague, as well as the changes that this crisis has caused in their electoral programme

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