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european democracy
Hey diddle diddle, Viktor Orban and the fiddle
The people jump over the moon. 'Hungary is bewitched by Orban - as if he were the pied piper of Hamelin,' commented the Berlin-based Hungarian nobel laureate Imre Kertez in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde in February. The populist flute tones are mainly directed against threats from the outside: the USA, Europe, IMF but as well Roma and Jewish people. 'Orbanistan' is the new nickname given by the international press to the Hungarian republic. Europe’s bad boy is Viktor Orban. His ruling fidesz party has a juicy two-thirds majority, bringing a new constitution and media law criticised by international human rights organisations. As the gang at cafebabel Budapest describe it, 'Our prime minister wakes up in the morning, has an idea, and by mid-week it's passed'. He restructures 'on the qt': alternative locations close down, right-wing extremists become theatre directors, state television is censored. Meanwhile international media sound the alarm and rarely sparks fly against ‘Mr. Viktator’ in the European parliament. But other than financial pressure, the EU didn’t play many of their human rights cards against the country. An ever politicised youth are fighting for a place to protest on 15 March, a national holiday, in Budapest (Image: ©Kristof)
Schulz, new president of European parliament: Martin who?
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
european democracy, european institutions, european parliament, politics, elections
Bye bye eat pray sado-love Europe 2011
Humiliation, pain and sadism were some of the key emotions felt over this past year. Unemployed, previously unheard European citizens helplessly clung onto the wheel of fortune 2011 as we watched key political figures fall and saw a strengthening of belief in ourselves as we tried to understand the change that was happening. It was a violent year but a certain peace navigated the courses of the waters and a long-lost love ranked high on the charts. All we aim to have left for 2012 is hope. Season's greetings and see you in the 'happy' new year! (Illustration: © Kristof)
Berlusconi’s greatest crime is humiliating Montesquieu
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
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
european democracy, media, meglena kuneva, boyko borisov, facebook, politics, elections
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
european democracy, greece, euro, economy, euweek, eurozone, currency
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
european democracy, economic growth, angela merkel, belgium, economy, european institutions, european council
From Breivik to Khaled Said: a digital revolution
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?
european democracy, anders behring breivik, civil society, europe, internet, arab spring, jasmine revolution
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
european democracy, italy, nuclear energy, referendum, silvio berlusconi, press review, society
Identikit of a pure, indigenous European
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
european democracy, identity, tower of babel, racism, nationalism, immigration, poland
'Real democracy NOW!': #spanishrevolution becomes #europeanrevolution
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
european democracy, democratisation, precarity, internet, youth, barcelona, madrid
What are you doing on 29 April? European republicans on rise amid British royal wedding hysteria
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
european democracy, monarchy, prince charles, wedding, london, royal family, love
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
european democracy, europe, japan, nuclear energy, nuclear plant, referendum, ecology
BBC poll 'everybody loves Germany': a German reacts
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
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
european democracy, angela merkel, euweek, jean-claude juncker, europe, mep, economical crisis
Egypt: President Mubarak's men in pro-democracy clashes
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
european democracy, democratisation, egypt, hosni mubarak, arab spring, foreign policy, european film academy
Viktor Orban: who's been a naughty boy at the European parliament?
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
european democracy, freedom of opinion, media, viktor orbán, hungary, euweek, european media
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