Referendum
Croatia EU vote: Swiss, Italian, Slovenian, Czech media react
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
referendum, vote, balkans, brussels, candidate countries, euweek, croatia
Scottish independence: Haud yer weesht, Cameron
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
referendum, scotland, david cameron, united kingdom, politics, independence
Greek referendum, ghastly mistake? Britain, Portugal, Germany, France and Latvia react
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
referendum, greece, eurozone, currency, euro, economy, euweek
Thanks for changing the Spanish constitution without telling me
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
referendum, spain, constitution, 'indignant citizens' movement, politics, society
Between Italy and Slovenia, Europe referendum conundrums in 2011
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, italy, divorce, vote, slovenia, 'indignant citizens' movement, politics
Referendum: 57% of Italians signal giant 'Vaffanculo' to nuclear power
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
referendum, italy, nuclear energy, silvio berlusconi, press review, european democracy, society
Japan radiation reaches Europe, where 14 states run 143 nuclear plants
'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
referendum, ecology, japan, nuclear energy, nuclear plant, europe, fukushima
Turkey votes yes: fit for the EU king?
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
referendum, eurotopics, turkey, candidate countries, european union
Iceland could strip Europeans of their savings
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...
referendum, iceland, economy, financial crisis, economical crisis
Cornershop: 'musicians might as well hand their credit cards over to the man on the street'
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
referendum, switzerland, bands, religion, music, downloads, best of cafebabel.com
Tories, Klaus and Kaczyński: EU 'three kings' vs Lisbon treaty
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
referendum, vaclav klaus, vote, eurotopics, poland, lech kaczynski, david cameron
67% in Ireland say 'yes' to the Lisbon treaty
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
referendum, vote, ukip, nigel farage, ryanair, constitution, ratificación
Lisbon vote no: a second referendum? How democratic
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
referendum, vote, media, ireland, opinion, politics, lisbon treaty
Lisbon treaty: I'm voting yes for jobs and climate change
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
referendum, vote, youth, constitution, climate change, ireland, opinion
Lisbon treaty: Ireland shouldn't feel obliged to vote yes
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
referendum, vote, european constitution, ireland, opinion, politics, european democracy
Lisbon treaty: Irish expats lose their vote abroad
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
referendum, vote, testimony, brussels, ratificación, ireland, politics
Libertas' Declan Ganley comeback against ‘democracy-hating’ Lisbon treaty
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
referendum, declan ganley, dublin, euweek, politicians, news, ireland
Greenland: Europe’s arctic window closes up
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
referendum, island, independence, european union, greenland, overseas, world affairs
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