cafebabel.com

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

Berlusconi’s greatest crime is humiliating Montesquieu

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0000

It is too late now to name and shame, useless to lament the past, and so only reflection can now help. Silvio Berlusconi has drained power of its authoritarian and institutional nature, placing himself above all institutions, degrading the spirit of Montesquieu and throwing into question the reasonable balance of constitutional powers. However, the credits are finally rolling on his leadership

Rosen Plevneliev: Bulgaria’s 'Bob the Builder' is new president

('bistra andreeva',) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:59:37 -0000

Aged just 47, the former construction minister has managed to stay the nice kid on the block. The most popular minister in cabinet (up until now) does not belong to any political party, but was backed by the ruling party. Yet not everyone is happy with the German-educated politician being in the presidential position for the next five years

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

Eurozone summit: perspectives on economic crisis

('Brussels Blogger',) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:05:03 -0000

We have heard these words so often that they have lost all meaning: global crisis, market failure, bank recapitalisation. Tonight once again, European governments will be searching for a way to minimise the crisis. Yet even if grounded in good faith, these decisions could simply stimulate current problems and protests

From Breivik to Khaled Said: a digital revolution

('cbinns',) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:53:17 -0000

The year 2011 showed us the force of new media in political debates, whether in the European protests, the Arab revolutions or the terrifying attack committed in Norway in July. Political engagement is now affordable for everyone, everywhere. Is this immediacy which now defines political engagement compatible with our democracies?

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

Identikit of a pure, indigenous European

('Aatish Pattni',) — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:30:00 -0000

The True Finns are the third largest political party in Finland. Are these nationalists and eurosceptics an exception to the rule in their Nordic region? Alongside the new leader of the National Front party in France, Marine Le Pen, the collection of ‘Indigenous Britons’ in the UK and Italy's Northern League, Europe has never been more inhabited by so-called ‘pure’ Europeans. There are fewer than they would have us believe; at the risk of scaring those who wish it to stay that way

'Real democracy NOW!': #spanishrevolution becomes #europeanrevolution

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:15:00 -0000

Spain’s so-called 15-M has become 29-M, referring to the dates of the sit-in protests of a Spain in May which saw local elections swinging to the favour of the opposition conservatives. The rage is sweeping Italy, Belgium and France

What are you doing on 29 April? European republicans on rise amid British royal wedding hysteria

('Lucy Russell',) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:01:08 -0000

As a Brit currently living in Germany, many people have recently been asking me excitedly about the up-coming British royal wedding. Mostly people are surprised, or even disappointed, when I explain that no, I won’t be watching the wedding, but rather probably inviting friends around for a 'this is not a royal wedding' party

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

BBC poll 'everybody loves Germany': a German reacts

('hkeet',) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:39:49 -0000

Every year, the British public service broadcaster asks a representative sample of citizens from all corners of the globe which of the 16 largest nations has a positive influence on the world. 2011's answer was the same as the previous few years: of 29, 000 people from 27 different countries, 62% voted for Germany followed by Britain and Australia, with Iran, North Korea and Pakistan lagging behind

Franco-German 'competitiveness pact' spanner in Europe's works

('Carol Howard',) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:43:29 -0000

The revival of the German-French axis after the numerous discords of recent years should be greeted with pleasure. Yet in the Merkel-Sarkozy era there is not much left of what was once the ‘driving force for European integration’. A Franco-German ‘competitiveness pact’ suggests a lost sense of solidarity and a deep distrust of EU institutions

Egypt: President Mubarak's men in pro-democracy clashes

('euro topics',) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:51:43 -0000

Several people were killed in Cairo on 2 February in the violent clashes between supporters and opponents of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. The Slovenian, Swedish and German press blames the regime for the escalation of violence and bemoans the low level of EU and US support for the opposition

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

Ludicrousness from Lukaschenko Land: 1994, 2001, 2006, 2010

('Annie Rutherford',) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:00:39 -0000

It is a dictatorship and it is our dictatorship: in Europe, right next door to the EU. On 19th December it’s that time again: Belarusian citizens will be called upon to elect their president. In the lead up to this date one Frenchwoman in Berlin discusses the ludicrousness from Lukashenko land on cafébabel.com. Claudine Delacroix’ fifth post considers 'modest election forecasts and idiots in the opposition'

Birgitta Jonsdottir, Iceland's woman politician blogger

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:30:00 -0000

The politician, blogger and Wikileaks ‘friend’ from Reykjavik, 43, proposed a law which aims to convert the island into a model of digital transparency and safe haven for journalists; it was passed in June. Interview with a mother-of-one who is ‘everything but your traditional politician’

'Free', 'partly free', 'not free': press freedom in Europe

('Andrew Burgess',) — Wed, 12 May 2010 10:30:00 -0000

American NGO Freedom House uses three categories to rank the degree of press freedom in countries across the world. On 3 May 2010, world press freedom day, each region of Europe learnt its category: the press in western Europe is 'free', central Europe is 'partly free' and in eastern Europe the press is 'not free'. But there are signs that the trend could change

Guide to Twitter tongue

('Nicola Potter',) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:30:00 -0000

Tweet tweet. During both world wars carrier pigeons relayed short, sometimes vital messages, backwards and forwards when the electricity lines were out. Today, it’s Twitter’s 140 character posts which play the role of social network messenger…as long as you can master its language. So what are the basic ABCs of European Twitter?

Europe vs the US: seven reflections

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:27:17 -0000

It’s been a year since Barack Obama was inaugurated president of the United States on 20 January. But despite his inspiring speeches, he is no Franklin Roosevelt, and even if he were, he needs 60 out of 100 votes in the US Senate to pass anything. Since the end of world war two, a power has emerged with the real potential to carry the world forward

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

Daniel Riot: 'In France, journalists are almost indoctrinated'

('Araceli Turmo',) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:32:47 -0000

A convinced European and friend of cafebabel.com succumbed to cancer on 28 February. Riot was a self-proclaimed pest. Having fallen for Europe as a young boy, he used to be a regular critic of both politicians and journalists and tried to join the European debate whenever possible

European parliament presidency candidate: Great Scot, it's Graham Watson

('bellaonbabel',) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Graham Watson, leader of the liberal bloc of the European parliament, has launched 2009's first ever electoral campaign for the presidency

A visit to the European institutions on the island of Brussels

('edesposti',) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:30:00 -0000

The European parliament in Brussels is an enormous machine employing thousands of people. The enterprise is large enough to make an impression on any passing visitor, and diverse enough to allow them to discover the undercurrent of inequality lying hidden behind the veil of democracy

Sarkozy's last attack on the European parliament

('Helen Swain',) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:15:00 -0000

The French six-month presidency of the European Union is up on 31 December. Nicolas Sarkozy, who repositioned France at the centre of the EU and brought the political atmosphere up to date, is not happy with what the parliament is doing… and has not minced his words in Strasbourg!

Do you know when the EU elections are? Nor do 75% of Europeans

('Annie Rutherford',) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

The paradox in this is that Ireland remains one of the EU member states most interested in this election, despite hindering the ratification of the Lisbon treaty

Your right to petition the European parliament!

('Jessie L.',) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:31:18 -0000

Around 1, 000 petitions each year concern the free movement of people, goods and capital - and you can do it online too

Regional representations can communicate EU policy to citizens

('Hilary Arrowsmith',) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:37:53 -0000

At a regional policy debate on 8 October, journalist Sabine Berger commented that ‘regional representations and MEPs can help.’ Over 250 regional representations in Brussels voice the interests of their respective areas.

What the fridge is the European parliament?

('Neil Saddington',) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:45:00 -0000

Every five years, MEPs are elected democratically across Europe. A look behind the scenes of this legislative power. Plus, a video

What the fridge is the council of ministers?

('Neil Saddington',) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0000

Not to be confused with the European council, the council of ministers makes decisions which touch all member governments of the EU. But what do they really do?

Europe: where homemade cheese disappears

('Sarah Gray',) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0000

As do passport stamps...but peace, diversity and change prevail. cafebabel.com readers choose their three terms which best define the Europe we’re still dreaming of. Anthology.

Defence Europe

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0000

With the Union for the Mediterranean, Europe has once again demonstrated its attachment to diplomatic life. Can EU foreign policy limit it to being a soft power? Interview with Swedish EU representative Jesper Haglund

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.

Cinema: Persepolis hits the UK

('Jens Wiesner',) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Released on 25 April in an English-dubbed version, a review of Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi's Oscar-nominated animation of a girl displaced in Vienna

No love for lobbyists?

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0000

In the upcoming weeks, conservative MEP Alexander Stubb is due to propose a new legislation to control the some 15, 000 lobbyists in Brussels

Jean Quatremer: a nation has been born - Flanders

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0000

The crisis between the Flemish and francophone Belgians continues. After 172 days without a government and big provocations by the Flemish political class, has Belgium come to a point of no return?

Ukraine crisis and a passive Europe

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The fifth elections in three years, the latest by presidential fiat, take place on 30 September. Europe needs to sit up and pay more attention for the country to be an effective stabile democracy

Zapatero, Brown, Sarkozy: turbo-politics, baby

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The newly elected French president exemplifies perfectly the new style of European politics, which gets results, at all costs