opinion
PIIGS unwelcome in the EU parlour: war of words rocks Eurozone
Despite Silvio Berlusconi’s dreams, the next member of the Eurozone is unlikely to be Israel; even Croatia or Turkey have taken a back seat. The current pan-EU squabble is over who should have been admitted to the eurozone in the first place
opinion, economic growth, economical crisis, tower of babel, languages, portugal, eurozone
Unions, strikes and snow: Europe's 12 days of christmas discontent
Is spreading the misery really the best way to get what we want? Inspired by the British High Court banning British Airways’ cabin crew's decision to take twelve festive days of industrial action, we take a look at the latest glut of stars and strikes to hit Europe
opinion, economical crisis, bologna process, christmas, financial crisis, recession, ireland
Copenhagen climate: what the EU is being asked to commit billions for
Confused by talk of CO2 concentration and parts per million? In the run up to Copenhagen, what is all the fuss about climate change?
opinion, netherlands, environmental protection, copenhagen, natural disaster, environment, climate change
Babelblogs on bureaucracy: a Lithuanian looks for medical help in Tel Aviv
Health insurance is not institutionally universal here in Israel. My advice? Don't go to live in Israel unless you're perfectly healthy and have no inclination towards extreme sports, and so on. And don't wear high-heels, just in case
opinion, languages, bureaucracy, medicine, doctors, documents, blog review
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
opinion, jean claude juncker, eu president, high representative of foreign affairs, jan peter balkenende, david miliband, tony blair
European bloggers describe their Berlin walls
Monday is 9 November, the day when the Berlin wall was brought down. To reflect on this iconic modern historical event for the eurogeneration, citizen journalists from five cafebabel.com local teams - Sofia, Budapest, Turin, Strasbourg and Istanbul - simultaneously blogged one day about the walls they see in their cities
opinion, communism, event, architecture, budapest, history, blogs
Calling Europe’s anarchist class 2008-2009: no need to smash bank windows
Today, anarchy has nothing to offer the public; a five-year-old sat in McDonalds could think of a better way to govern the people. Those that push it – the protesters on Europe's streets, as most popularly depicted in the media - are merely self-serving fools who ignore what democracy has done for us, and who are driven by some sort of warped fantasy of idyllic life
opinion, bank, fortis, dexia, economical crisis, london, culture
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
opinion, european constitution, referendum, ireland, vote, ukip, nigel farage
Five reasons why Italian should be Europe's lingua franca
There are various solutions to fortifying Europe and creating mutual understanding. As far as I am concerned, Dante’s language is perfect for the common good of all Europeans
opinion, european identity, languages, italy, identity, politics, society
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
opinion, referendum, ireland, vote, media, european union, politics
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
opinion, referendum, climate change, ireland, vote, youth, constitution
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
opinion, european constitution, referendum, ireland, european democracy, vote, european union
2 days in Warsaw: Solidarnosc, cult Polish documentaries and Berlusconi
For two days at the end of April 2009, the Polish capital becomes the 'centre of Europe' as the EU's largest centre-right party descend on the city. Quality time spent between British, Spanish and Polish colleagues raises an understanding of what the last twenty years mean, and the gap between east and west. Opinion
opinion, director, divorce, communism, european popular party, culture, donald tusk
The European parliament should have a stronger role
Tommaso Padoa Schioppa, economist and former Italian finance minister, has launched an appeal for MEPs and candidates to reinforce the parliament's strength against a backdrop of crisis and global instability. This manifesto has been signed by: Jerzy Buzek, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Jean-Luc Dehaene, Jacques Delors, Wim Kok, Paavo Tapio Lipponen, Péter Medgyessy, Wolfgang Schüssel, Mario Soares, Peter Sutherland and Guy Verhofstadt
opinion, economical crisis, manifesto, european parliament, european elections 2009, eudebate2009, the eu in the world
Island fever: Martinique and Guadeloupe’s 'people are suffocating'
The fuse lit in Guadeloupe in reaction to high living costs and an alienating 'cultural integration' has ignited Martinique. Could French Guiana in South America and La Réunion in the Indian Ocean follow, before the flames reach mainland France? Opinion from a young Martinican
opinion, protest, guadeloupe, manifestation, martinique, house, society
Bologna Process: French universities react
At the end of 2008, Spanish, Italian and Greek universities showed their discontent. In 2009 it is France’s turn to denounce the consequences of the Bologna Process, which recommended a more hierarchical ‘management’ of universities. A professor explains why
opinion, university, bologna process, education system, professeurs, professor, school
ETA kill again: Bombay's terrorist echoes in Europe
I hear the echo on 3 December less than 100km from my house. A man falls to the floor after repeated shots in the chest and head. It hurts to be Basque at these moments, when the pride of belonging to this magic and milenial people is torn out of you again; the terrorist group condemn us to living in the hell of identity
President-elect Obama: the US changes
History was marked on 4 November. With 52% of the popular vote, the Americans clearly chose the 47-year-old senator of Illinois to be the 44th president of the United States. Perspectives, as the widescreen bows George W. Bush out and Obama campaign fever peaks in the Paris fashion and Barcelona art worlds. Plus a voice for defeated rival, John McCain
Teachers in France and Germany: not lazy sacks
Spending your time passing on your knowledge of and passion for language and literature - what a wonderful job! However in German and French society, the profession is still unable to shake off its crop of clichés. Vies from two teachers from either side of the Rhine
opinion, germany, gerhard schröder, teaching, rhein, rhine, cliche
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