cafebabel.com

Latvia failed referendum: 1 in 4 wanted Russian as second state language

('Val Bourbon',) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:58:07 -0000

Latvian remains the only official language in Latvia. It is not the final decision that matters but the number of people who turned up to vote against the discrimination of their native tongue. The referendum held on 18 February sent a political message to Europe about the discrimination the Russian community faces

Croatia EU vote: Swiss, Italian, Slovenian, Czech media react

('euro topics',) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:13:56 -0000

A clear majority of Croatians voted in favour of EU accession in a referendum on 22 January. However, if they want to join the EU it's above all for economic reasons, European commentators write and prophesy that the EU's eastern enlargement is over for the time being

Scottish independence: Haud yer weesht, Cameron

('Annie Rutherford',) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:43:13 -0000

On 9 January, British prime minister David Cameron offended pretty much everyone in British politics by telling the Scots to hurry up with their referendum on independence. Now the Scottish parliament has confirmed the vote will take place in autumn 2014. One Scot explains why Cameron should stay out of it

Greek referendum, ghastly mistake? Britain, Portugal, Germany, France and Latvia react

('eurotopics',) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:21:48 -0000

Despite massive criticism and shares dropping worldwide, Greek prime minister Giorgos Papandreou is going ahead with the planned referendum. His cabinet voted for a referendum on austerity measures on 1 November. Some commentators dismiss the move as irresponsible; others praise the democractic act

Thanks for changing the Spanish constitution without telling me

('Sarah Marshall',) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:20:13 -0000

The country’s limit of a 0.4% GDP deficit by 2020 has found its home in the 1978 Spanish constitution, in a reform passed on 7 September. However, Spain’s second ever constitutional reform, on budget stability, was done in a record two weeks with the two biggest parties consent and without asking the people’s opinion, who subsequently protested in major cities. Elections take place on 20 November

Between Italy and Slovenia, Europe referendum conundrums in 2011

('europaeus',) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:30:31 -0000

In the past a lack of information and lukewarm participation have turned a potentially powerful tool of public reform into a strenuous but futile exercise. The unexpected results of the referendum held in Italy on 12 and 13 June bring one of the oldest form of direct democracy to the fore

Referendum: 57% of Italians signal giant 'Vaffanculo' to nuclear power

('euro topics',) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:52:08 -0000

An overwhelming majority of Italians voted in a referendum against reintroducing nuclear energy, and at the same time stopped two more government projects. Still smarting from scandals and corruption accusations, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is the clear loser, write the German, Italian, Swiss and Spanish press, even though the opposition hardly stands to benefit

Japan radiation reaches Europe, where 14 states run 143 nuclear plants

('Danielle Farrell',) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:30:00 -0000

'Would we be ready to face a nuclear disaster in Europe?' asked EU energy and environment ministers during a risk evaluation meeting on 14 and 15 March. It's a reaction to the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant in central Japan, damaged after an earthquake and tsunami on 11 March

Turkey votes yes: fit for the EU king?

('euro topics',) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:15:00 -0000

58% want extensive constitutional reform. The British, Belgian, Spanish and Czech press say the referendum on 12 September consolidates democracy - but is there potential danger for secularism and the separation of powers? Press review

Iceland could strip Europeans of their savings

('euro topics',) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:48:47 -0000

On 5 January, president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson refused to sign a law controversial among Icelanders that stipulates the repayment of around 3.5 billion euros to foreign depositors who have been unable to access their savings since the Icelandic bank failure. Now the people will decide on repayment in a referendum, a plan which has not gone down well with the foreign press. The Danish, British, Dutch and Icelandic media say...

Cornershop: 'musicians might as well hand their credit cards over to the man on the street'

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Northern English indie band Cornershop give us a talking to about Swiss minarets, metal music and releasing their comeback album - it's been seven years! - cheaply via their website

Tories, Klaus and Kaczyński: EU 'three kings' vs Lisbon treaty

('euro topics',) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:55:20 -0000

The eurosceptic Pole Lech Kaczyński plans to sign the EU reform document in the next few days, Czech president Václav Klaus refuses and British conservative leader David Cameron again promises his country a referendum if he is elected prime minister in 2010 and the treaty has still not taken effect. The Irish, Czech, German and Hungarian press react

67% in Ireland say 'yes' to the Lisbon treaty

("Daniel O'Leary",) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:15:44 -0000

On 2 October, the Irish public allowed changes to the constitution to ratify the Lisbon treaty. The 'resounding' and 'convincing' vote dispels fears that the referendum would pass by a slim margin and demonstrate a lack of Irish faith in the democratic process, and in the EU

Lisbon vote no: a second referendum? How democratic

("Daniel O'Leary",) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:16:40 -0000

It’s ironic that the Irish 'No' to Lisbon in June 2008 was taken as a blow to Europe and a step away from democracy, when the treaty would take away our right to vote at all. Focus on media bias and the illusion of choice

Lisbon treaty: I'm voting yes for jobs and climate change

('bartstoran',) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:11:05 -0000

Democracy, cross-border crime and climate change are issues that resonate with young Irish people, a 'yes' campaigner says, which is why people should vote for the EU reform Lisbon treaty in a referendum on 2 October

Lisbon treaty: Ireland shouldn't feel obliged to vote yes

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:22:57 -0000

Remember that other time that Irish voters were told they had returned the wrong result in Nice in 2001? Citizens shouldn't feel they 'owe' anyone on 2 October

Lisbon treaty: Irish expats lose their vote abroad

('Angela Steen',) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:14:05 -0000

The only Irish citizens who are able to vote abroad are diplomats or army personnel. For others, it’s a question of finding the time, money or strength to take a Ryanair flight back home for the second referendum on 2 October, which almost all 27 EU members have ratified

Libertas' Declan Ganley comeback against ‘democracy-hating’ Lisbon treaty

("naomi o'leary",) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:00:00 -0000

He opposed the Lisbon treaty. He got 600 candidates to run for his party across all the 27 member states in 2008; yet only one was (re-)elected in Hungary. The Galway multimillionare, 41, resigned from politics after his failure. But the Libertas leader is back to push for a second Irish No

Greenland: Europe’s arctic window closes up

('laurenthompson',) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:00:00 -0000

On 21 June, Greenland will become yet more independent with regard to Denmark. A new system voted via a referendum will give inhabitants the right to their own energy resources, concerning about thirty domains

Lisbon treaty and recession Europe, give us a kiss

('Andrew Christie',) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0000

In these times of economic crisis Europe is able to laugh and is supposedly stronger for it. Even the Lisbon treaty gives a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. 2009 will be a decisive year

German, Slovak media on Czech 'Lisbon treaty' yes

('euro topics',) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:13:55 -0000

On 27 November the constitutional court gave a green light to the Lisbon treaty. Judges in Brno rule that the treaty neither impinges on Czech sovereignty nor violates the country's constitution. Will president Václav Klaus sign the document? Press review

Confusion over the future of the Lisbon treaty

('Fiona Herdman Smith',) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:42:17 -0000

The European commission says that 24 of the 27 member states have approved the Lisbon treaty. The ratification process is still taking place in two other states, with Ireland having rejected the Treaty. But is this really the case? Analysis

Europe: between pragmatism and utopia

('Igor Caldeira',) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:15:06 -0000

Dutch, French, Irish - synonymous with ‘eurosceptic’? Does 'No' mean 'No Europe', 'No to Europe' or 'No to this Europe'? What other Europe could there be if there is just one geographical, political, historical and cultural reality?

Irish ‘no’: not a no to EU candidate Croatia

('Sergej Zupanic',) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0000

The historical vote against the Lisbon treaty after a referendum on 13 June puts a halt to further expansion in the European Union. But we will be meeting the EU’s 28th member in 2010

Irish “no”brings European impasse

('David Robinson',) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0000

In the European debate, we always come back to the same topic: democracy. Now that the Irish have rejected the Lisbon Treaty, Europe’s chronic inability to create ‘true’ democracy is once again at the forefront of the debate.

Lisbon treaty: French preach about the Irish vote

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Many partisans of European construction were grieved – the French the first. However, Kouchner and his preaching cronies only rubbed the Irish up the wrong way – the Irish with the chance to decide

The Lisbon Treaty: the story behind the Irish “NO”

('Chris Yeomans',) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:36:17 -0000

Step by step, Europe has slid towards ever close political union. Yet from the signing of the Treaty of Nice, through to The Lisbon Treaty the EU has yet to arrive at a true democratic process.

Ireland stamps its Eurosceptic foot

('Stella Willborn',) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:01:24 -0000

A low turnout, but a seismic result that raises more questions than it answers about Europe’s future direction. This and much, much more in our weekly round up from Brussels.

Dustin to Lisbon: Eurovision turkeys and European treaties

('Angela Steen',) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0000

Will Ireland vote no in a referendum on 12 June? It is the only European public to voice its doubts about the Lisbon treaty, which has been ratified by fifteen EU member states and needs the remaining twelve votes to work

No Lisbon treaty referendum for the Brits

('Adriano Farano',) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

A Europhile goes against the British PM's masquerade, as the bill has its first reading in the House of Lords on 12 March

Ireland: 64% unsure on ratifying Lisbon treaty

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Debates continue in the EU - to partner or accede Turkey? Plus a new 'Justice Forum' from the European commission - the latest news from Brussels

Apple gets fair on UK music downloads

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Portuguese no to reform treaty referendum, the pan-EU music marketplace and Sarkozy’s press conference

Gordon Brown’s referendum conundrum

('Sarah Gray',) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Under pressure from all sides, and from within his own party, the British PM continues to resist a referendum on the EU constitution

'The most interesting part of my Plan A+ is the +'

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The vice-president of the European Parliament, 46, suggests reducing the four parts of the constitutional treaty and putting it to a transnational referendum

EU elections shelved in Romania

Fri, 18 May 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Bulgaria is holding European parliamentary elections on 20 May, but Romania is delaying their own after PM Triceanu suspended his president. An internal referendum is due on 19 May

Portugal sits on the fence

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0000

The February 11 referendum on the decriminalisation of abortion has garnered mixed reactions

Looking for a cure for the European crisis

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 02:00:00 -0000

Europe is working to find a lasting cure for the crisis.