Herman Van Rompuy

Eurozone summit: perspectives on economic crisis

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

by blog Bruxelles @ // 26/10/11

herman van rompuy, economic growth, angela merkel, politics, belgium, european institutions, economy

The 61st hour: no love for 'Europe day' on 9 May

Poor Greece, tough nuts Schwarzenegger, people's populism and economic depression. Robert Schuman, the-then French foreign minister who proposed the concept of the European Union on 9 May 1950, would be rotating in his grave. In spite of its celebratory pompous institutionalism and political speeches today, Europe is not in its finest hour

by Pablo Fraile @ // 09/05/11

herman van rompuy, politics, best of cafebabel.com, euweek, arnold schwarzenegger, populism, schengen zone

Europe's politician loudmouths

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

by English language version of cafebabel.com @ // 18/08/10

herman van rompuy, politics, pakistan, europe, best of cafebabel.com, david cameron, elections

Belgium elections: rise of radical Flemish nationalist party, N-VA

13 June 2010 marks just under twenty years since Belgians went to the polls for an early election. Belgians have voted six times in the last seven years: surrealism? Maybe. The last years resemble one long-winded election campaign, during which not one party made the smallest concession

by English language version of cafebabel.com @ // 11/06/10

herman van rompuy, vote, politics, belgium, nationalism, yves leterme, europe

Herman Van Rompuy: One Hundred Days

It’s been 100 days that Herman Van Rompuy has embodied the European Union, which is currently stuck between a slow economic recovery and the stormy negotiations over the financial aid for struggling Greece. Before an audience of members of the Belgian European movement, the country’s former prime minister recalls his daily duties in a role that is very much ‘work in progress’

by zoedeyork @ // 31/05/10

herman van rompuy, eu presidency, politics, belgium, europe, josé manuel barroso, european union

Europe is more like a granddad than mother courage

Once more, the EU puts nation-state logic above mutual interest. The European virus strikes again with the nomination of the Belgian Herman Van Rompuy for the post of the permanent president of the EU council, explains Jean-Dominique Giuliani, director of the Robert Schuman foundation

by Jean-Dominique GIULIANI @ // 27/11/09

herman van rompuy, catherine ashton, politics, fondation robert schuman, expresso, european council

Hello? Could you put me through to the EU president please?

On 19 November we finally find out who will represent Europe as president of the EU council, a new post which was created by the Lisbon treaty and which enters into force on 1 December. Lacklustre candidates, socialists and conservatives, the ping pong balls between national policies, men and women – these are some of the issues in question. Whoever it will be, the future face of Europe won’t have an easy time of gathering 27 national concerns under one hat; the EU council is also responsible for choosing the future head of diplomacy in Europe, in the post of high representative for foreign affairs

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Historical dinner live: on the menu, one president

Tony Blair? (or David Miliband?) Herman van Rompuy? Peter Balkenende...? The culmination of a long, outdrawn and rather undemocratic process that is shaping the future of Europe is nigh; 19 November, to be precise, and the cafebabel.com Brussels team are invited - check their blog out this evening

by Arnaud Houdmont @ // 19/11/09

herman van rompuy, politics, eu president, jan peter balkenende, jean claude juncker, tony blair, job

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

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?

by Geoffrey Grandjean @ // 28/05/09

herman van rompuy, fortis, vote, politics, belgium, financial crisis, yves leterme