corruption
Flare network, mapping Europe's mafia connections
Founded at the European parliament in June 2008, the anti-organised crime network want to rejig European laws and describe how EU money regenerates mafia-seized property. Interview with communications officer Roxana Smil
corruption, italy, gang, europe, organized crime, saviano roberto, mafia
The 'M' word: breaking the Bulgarian complex
In January 2009, Sofia’s then-mayor and current PM banned anti-government protests after citizen disillusion with the country’s corruption; Bulgaria is officially the poorest EU state, according to Transparency International. One year on, the remnants of a ‘protest culture’ lie in the urban, cultural and mediatic fragmentation of a society rooted in tradition, the past - and the mafia, to an extent
corruption, eu crisis on the ground, cities, initiative, urban space, radio, media
Bulgaria's new government and its 'Rambo' of a prime minister
On 27 July Boyko Borisov's 'Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria' (Gerb) party won with a clear majority, standing for the first time in parliamentary elections in early July. The cabinet operates as a minority government without a coalition partner. The press in UK, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria talk Rambo, secret agents and Catch 22-situations
corruption, boyko borisov, euweek, bulgaria, politics, european elections 2009
The Sound of Silvio: 'I'll continue to work as ever for the good of this country'
Nothing keeps Europe's mediatic hills more alive than the sound of Silvio Berlusconi's music. His colourful quips, defences and actions are fast becoming cult in the field of national politics. On 18 June, the Italian prime minister, 72, cranks up the sound of showgirls and showdowns. Quote of the day
corruption, italy, scandal, summit, media, news, silvio berlusconi
Italy and beyond: say no to criminals in European parliament
Andrea D'ambra, the same man who launched a petition in Italy to abolish mobile phone top up charges, has now launched a campaign across Europe to say 'that's enough!' to MEP's with criminal records or fines for illegal activity. This is a widespread Italian problem which is now being exported across Europe
corruption, italy, parlamento europeo, european parliament, justice, power, politics
Bulgaria: energy in transition
Bulgaria was the member state most affected by the gas crisis of January 2009. It is currently dealing with problems of corruption, the old dependence on Russia for energy, questions of national pride and 'the stupid decisions' in Brussels - not forgetting ecology
corruption, energía nuclear, renewable energies, energy, nuclear plant, past enlargements, nuclear energy
Elections, elections: buy a vote for 50 euros in Bulgaria
That's how much a vote can be worth in some areas of Bulgaria. Shortly after the country’s entry into the EU, in the 2007 national election, the problem was so prevalent in local elections that Brussels became alarmed
corruption, democratisation, enlargement, eudebate on the ground, sofia, best of cafebabel.com, european elections 2009
Governments target magistrates in reform of European justice system
Legal reform is a very delicate subject which threatens to destabilise the equilibrium between legislative, executive and judicial institutions in the EU countries. In The Spirit of Laws (1748), French philosopher Montesquieu founded the theory of the modern democratic state on the separation of the three powers. 'Every man invested with power is apt to abuse it and to abuse it limitlessly. To prevent the abuse of power, power must rein in power'
corruption, rodríguez zapatero, nicolas sarkozy, silvio berlusconi, justice, politics
Bulgarian environmentalists defy developers
Hotels and ski resorts: more and more Bulgarians are taking a stand against environmental destruction. The cases of Strandszha park and the Rila mountains in the country's south-west
corruption, environmental protection, naturschutz, environment, society, bulgaria, politics
Euro-corruption: 5% of Europeans forced to pay bribes for services
According to Berlin-based Transparency International, a non-governmental organisation that reports on corruption, western Europe is the area least affected by this curse, behind the United States and Canada
corruption, construcción, money, power, economy, eudebate2009
MEPs visit brothels, according to vice-chairwoman of liberals
Silvana Koch-Mehrin, the vice-chairwoman of the liberal party in the European parliament,
accuses Euro MPs of going to Strasbourg as though they are on ‘holiday’, adding that ‘they don’t work but go and see prostitutes’
corruption, sex, joseph daul, prostitución, strasbourg, european parliament, elections
Political stalemate in Belgium
After Belgian king Albert II rejected the prime minister’s offer of resignation on 17 July, Yves Leterme will have to find new ways to guide Belgium through its identity crisis. The latest news from the EU in Brussels
corruption, yves leterme, mobiltelefonie, sms, union pour la méditerranée, belgium, euweek
Luxembourg’s citizens on tax havens
Background on the terrestrial fiscal paradise bordering Belgium, France and Germany
corruption, fiscal paradise, billionaire, luxembourg, paradise, economy, politics
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