EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Sweden takes over at the helm of the EU on Wednesday (1 July) for a six-month presidency that will for the most part be held hostage by the bloc's complicated institutional problems as well as being overshadowed by the global economic crisis. Diplomats in Brussels are looking forward to having the bloc under Stockholm's political guidance following a turbulent first half of the year under the domestically strife-ridden Czechs, but the goodwill is unlikely to make Sweden's job much easier. Stockholm: Sweden takes over at the time for the five-year changing of the guard in Brussels Brussels will be in firm wait-and-see mode as it looks ahead to the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, a new set of institutional rules that streamlines the workings of the EU institutions, removes the veto from most policy areas and gives greater say to the European parliament on law-making. Ireland is due to vote on it for a second time in early October. Opinion polls suggest it will be a Yes this time round. But until the day the Irish vote, it will remain unclear whether the EU will be plunged into political chaos by a No vote or taken over by a frenzy of horse-trading as a Yes vote opens up new posts created by the treaty.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Sweden takes over at the helm of the EU on Wednesday (1 July) for a six-month presidency that will for the most part be held hostage by the bloc's complicated institutional problems as well as being overshadowed by the global economic crisis.
Diplomats in Brussels are looking forward to having the bloc under Stockholm's political guidance following a turbulent first half of the year under the domestically strife-ridden Czechs, but the goodwill is unlikely to make Sweden's job much easier.
Stockholm: Sweden takes over at the time for the five-year changing of the guard in Brussels
Brussels will be in firm wait-and-see mode as it looks ahead to the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, a new set of institutional rules that streamlines the workings of the EU institutions, removes the veto from most policy areas and gives greater say to the European parliament on law-making.
Ireland is due to vote on it for a second time in early October. Opinion polls suggest it will be a Yes this time round. But until the day the Irish vote, it will remain unclear whether the EU will be plunged into political chaos by a No vote or taken over by a frenzy of horse-trading as a Yes vote opens up new posts created by the treaty.
No region in Europe has been hit harder by the financial crisis than the Baltics. But help for the three countries that went from double-digit growth to double-digit decline is hard to come by. Just a few years ago, the Baltic countries were considered a European success story. Fifteen years after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were labelled the Baltic Tigers, heralded for their business friendly governments and their highly educated and creative workforce. Perhaps the best symbol of the Baltic rags-to-riches story was Skype, a company enabling its customers to make international telephone calls for free over the internet. Skype soon attracted a large following and today is a leader in international phone calls. While its founders, Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis are Swedish and Danish respectively, the company's technological innovation was masterminded in Talinn, the capital of Estonia, which the New York Times back in 2005 called "a sort of Silicon Valley on the Baltic Sea."
Just a few years ago, the Baltic countries were considered a European success story. Fifteen years after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were labelled the Baltic Tigers, heralded for their business friendly governments and their highly educated and creative workforce.
Perhaps the best symbol of the Baltic rags-to-riches story was Skype, a company enabling its customers to make international telephone calls for free over the internet. Skype soon attracted a large following and today is a leader in international phone calls. While its founders, Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis are Swedish and Danish respectively, the company's technological innovation was masterminded in Talinn, the capital of Estonia, which the New York Times back in 2005 called "a sort of Silicon Valley on the Baltic Sea."
Today, a small country in northern Europe will take charge of the large and unwieldy European Union. Our protagonist is the bold (and bald) Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister or Sweden, and his merry band of ministers and assorted political lackeys. Will he succeed, and what constitutes success in the European presidential ring? Will he increase the prestige of our small country? Ah, yes, and what will he actually attempt to accomplish while in charge?
"On 1 July 2009, Sweden will take over the Presidency of the EU......for six months, Sweden will lead the EU's work and be responsible for moving important EU issues forward....The Presidency is a unique opportunity for Sweden to lead and influence work on important EU issues. At the same time, the country holding the Presidency must be flexible and prepared to deal with unexpected issues." So says the Swedish Government. The key is in the last sentence. In current circumstances to say that this is rather an understatement is itself an understatement. The Swedish Government is facing a hurricane of uncertainty - indeed several hurricanes. Mr Reinfeldt, the Swedish Prime Minister, and thus from tomorrow the leader of the Swedish Presidency, however appears calm. Indeed he is noted for his calmness. Perhaps has resolved that the Presidency motto should be "Keep Calm And Carry On." As the young and popular economist who three years ago was deemed `the most admired man in Sweden,' Mr Reinfeldt may already have secured his place in EU history by being the last of the EU's `rotating' Presidents.
"On 1 July 2009, Sweden will take over the Presidency of the EU......for six months, Sweden will lead the EU's work and be responsible for moving important EU issues forward....The Presidency is a unique opportunity for Sweden to lead and influence work on important EU issues. At the same time, the country holding the Presidency must be flexible and prepared to deal with unexpected issues."
So says the Swedish Government. The key is in the last sentence. In current circumstances to say that this is rather an understatement is itself an understatement.
The Swedish Government is facing a hurricane of uncertainty - indeed several hurricanes. Mr Reinfeldt, the Swedish Prime Minister, and thus from tomorrow the leader of the Swedish Presidency, however appears calm. Indeed he is noted for his calmness. Perhaps has resolved that the Presidency motto should be "Keep Calm And Carry On."
As the young and popular economist who three years ago was deemed `the most admired man in Sweden,' Mr Reinfeldt may already have secured his place in EU history by being the last of the EU's `rotating' Presidents.
It was a propaganda poster, printed but never issued, during WWII.
It was rediscovered a few years ago, and has become a poster/T shirt phenomenon.)
Germany's highest court has said "yes" to the Lisbon Treaty, a piece of legislation aimed at bringing EU member states even closer together. Although the decision delays ratification, German commentators argue the conditions imposed could reduce Europe's democratic deficiencies. On Tuesday, Germany's highest court ruled on the constitutionality of the Lisbon Treaty, an agreement aimed at streamlining various functions of the European Union. So far 23 out of 27 countries have ratified the treaty which would give the EU a full-time president, a foreign minister and a diplomatic service. The majority of EU leaders hope to see the treaty go into effect by Jan. 1, 2010.The German constitution and the Lisbon Treaty: Germany's parliament will soon have a far greater say in the decisions the country's chancellor and ministers make in Brussels. The court ruled that, yes, the Lisbon Treaty is basically compatible with German law and therefore can eventually be ratified. But before it can be, further legislation must be introduced in Germany that would strengthen the national parliament's involvement in any major decision-making in Brussels. The treaty's opponents in Germany, a political minority, claimed that the Lisbon Treaty was undemocratic, that it would strip too much power from the individual EU member states and claimed that, at its core, it is just a repackaged version of the defunct European constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Germany's highest court has said "yes" to the Lisbon Treaty, a piece of legislation aimed at bringing EU member states even closer together. Although the decision delays ratification, German commentators argue the conditions imposed could reduce Europe's democratic deficiencies.
On Tuesday, Germany's highest court ruled on the constitutionality of the Lisbon Treaty, an agreement aimed at streamlining various functions of the European Union. So far 23 out of 27 countries have ratified the treaty which would give the EU a full-time president, a foreign minister and a diplomatic service. The majority of EU leaders hope to see the treaty go into effect by Jan. 1, 2010.
The German constitution and the Lisbon Treaty: Germany's parliament will soon have a far greater say in the decisions the country's chancellor and ministers make in Brussels. The court ruled that, yes, the Lisbon Treaty is basically compatible with German law and therefore can eventually be ratified. But before it can be, further legislation must be introduced in Germany that would strengthen the national parliament's involvement in any major decision-making in Brussels.
The treaty's opponents in Germany, a political minority, claimed that the Lisbon Treaty was undemocratic, that it would strip too much power from the individual EU member states and claimed that, at its core, it is just a repackaged version of the defunct European constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Yesterday, Germany's highest court rendered a decision as to the constitutionality of the Lisbon Treaty, and news reports responded, as the today's Salon so aptly documented, a veritable psychedelic lightshow of metaphors:
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - German MPs are under pressure to get an accompanying law strengthening the role of both houses of parliament in EU decision-making wrapped up before general elections at the end of September. The tight time frame follows a ruling by the country's constitutional court on Tuesday (30 June) in which it said the proposed Lisbon Treaty is in conformity with the German constitution but its ratification may only be completed once parliamentary oversight is boosted. An extraordinary session of the Bundestag has been called for 26 August Berlin is aiming to get the process fully wrapped up with the law in place before Ireland votes for a second time on the Lisbon Treaty, expected to be on 2 October, and before the German parliament is dissolved for the general elections on 27 September. An extraordinary session of the parliament has been called for 26 August where MPs are supposed to have the first reading of the new draft law. The second and third reading is expected to take place on 8 September while the upper house (Bundesrat) is to approve the law on 18 September.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - German MPs are under pressure to get an accompanying law strengthening the role of both houses of parliament in EU decision-making wrapped up before general elections at the end of September.
The tight time frame follows a ruling by the country's constitutional court on Tuesday (30 June) in which it said the proposed Lisbon Treaty is in conformity with the German constitution but its ratification may only be completed once parliamentary oversight is boosted.
An extraordinary session of the Bundestag has been called for 26 August
Berlin is aiming to get the process fully wrapped up with the law in place before Ireland votes for a second time on the Lisbon Treaty, expected to be on 2 October, and before the German parliament is dissolved for the general elections on 27 September.
An extraordinary session of the parliament has been called for 26 August where MPs are supposed to have the first reading of the new draft law. The second and third reading is expected to take place on 8 September while the upper house (Bundesrat) is to approve the law on 18 September.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - A code of conduct coming into force on Wednesday (1 July) in 25 EU member states and Norway is to bring more transparency in defence procurement contracts. But experts question its effectiveness as long as it is a non-binding agreement. To be implemented by the European Defence Agency (EDA), the EU's intergovernmental co-operation body on military procurements, the code will set standards for side-deals made by national governments when they sign defence contracts. Soldiers in Afghanistan: the European Defence Agency wants to see fewer side-deals attached to military contracts In a classic example of a so-called "offset" deal, when Hungary bought 14 fighter jets from Swedish firm Saab for around €600 million, it asked for other Swedish investments worth 110 percent of the contract value. In one of the offsets, Swedish firm Electrolux built a new €65 million fridge factory in the country. Offset distortions are normally illegal under EU single market law. But defence contracts enjoy a "national security" exemption, even if they concern materials such as soldier's boots.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - A code of conduct coming into force on Wednesday (1 July) in 25 EU member states and Norway is to bring more transparency in defence procurement contracts. But experts question its effectiveness as long as it is a non-binding agreement.
To be implemented by the European Defence Agency (EDA), the EU's intergovernmental co-operation body on military procurements, the code will set standards for side-deals made by national governments when they sign defence contracts.
Soldiers in Afghanistan: the European Defence Agency wants to see fewer side-deals attached to military contracts
In a classic example of a so-called "offset" deal, when Hungary bought 14 fighter jets from Swedish firm Saab for around €600 million, it asked for other Swedish investments worth 110 percent of the contract value. In one of the offsets, Swedish firm Electrolux built a new €65 million fridge factory in the country.
Offset distortions are normally illegal under EU single market law. But defence contracts enjoy a "national security" exemption, even if they concern materials such as soldier's boots.
Barack Obama will lobby for nuclear disarmament and a fresh start in relations with Russia during his first visit to Moscow as president next week. But little concrete progress is expected -- the hosts fear America's overtures are a trap aimed at further reducing Russia's global influence. John Beyrle, Washington's man in Moscow, would never have seen the light of day if it hadn't been for a group of decent Red Army soldiers. "My father always saw the Russians as a people that saved his life," the US ambassador recalls. "They could simply have shot him dead."
Barack Obama will lobby for nuclear disarmament and a fresh start in relations with Russia during his first visit to Moscow as president next week. But little concrete progress is expected -- the hosts fear America's overtures are a trap aimed at further reducing Russia's global influence.
John Beyrle, Washington's man in Moscow, would never have seen the light of day if it hadn't been for a group of decent Red Army soldiers. "My father always saw the Russians as a people that saved his life," the US ambassador recalls. "They could simply have shot him dead."
Russia, whose foreign policy is traditionally fixated on America ...
Huh?
If by "traditionally" the writer means "since 1946," ok.
Up until 1946 the Russians didn't give two cents about the US; the US didn't give two cents about Russian. If anything Russia -- working from memory here -- played nicey-nicey as they wanted to use the US against British Empire ... which Russia DID care about.
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader has announced he will resign and withdraw from politics. "I have decided to withdraw from active politics and not to run for the presidency," Mr Sanader said. The announcement came as a surprise. Croatian media had speculated recently that Mr Sanader, 56, would run for president next year.
"I have decided to withdraw from active politics and not to run for the presidency," Mr Sanader said.
The announcement came as a surprise. Croatian media had speculated recently that Mr Sanader, 56, would run for president next year.
Europe's heaviest smokers, the Greeks, can no longer light up in public places as of July 1. Can they make it stick this time? It's Greece's third try at kicking the habit, but critics fear loopholes in the legislation - and its unpopularity - mean it could prove as ineffective as previous attempts. More than 40 percent of Greece's population smokes, with six out of ten being exposed to passive smoke in their workplaces. Around 20,000 Greeks die a year from tobacco-related ailments, according to the country's health minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos. Many European Union countries have laws to limit exposure to second-hand, or passive, smoking. Britain and Ireland have the strictest rules, where smoking is banned in enclosed public places, public transport and workplaces, as well as restaurants and bars. EU aims for standardized smoking laws
It's Greece's third try at kicking the habit, but critics fear loopholes in the legislation - and its unpopularity - mean it could prove as ineffective as previous attempts.
More than 40 percent of Greece's population smokes, with six out of ten being exposed to passive smoke in their workplaces. Around 20,000 Greeks die a year from tobacco-related ailments, according to the country's health minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos.
Many European Union countries have laws to limit exposure to second-hand, or passive, smoking. Britain and Ireland have the strictest rules, where smoking is banned in enclosed public places, public transport and workplaces, as well as restaurants and bars.
EU aims for standardized smoking laws
JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel defended his ultranationalist foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, on Tuesday after reports emerged that President Nicolas Sarkozy of France had urged that he be replaced with the leader of the centrist opposition, Tzipi Livni. Mr. Sarkozy made the statement in a private meeting last week at the Élysée Palace attended by Mr. Netanyahu and a number of aides to both men, comparing Mr. Lieberman to Jean-Marie Le Pen, the far-right anti-immigrant French politician. Several participants at the meeting confirmed the reported statements.Mr. Lieberman's spokesman said that Mr. Sarkozy's comment amounted to grave and insufferable meddling in the affairs of another democracy. Israeli radio broadcasts were filled with discussion of the episode, with right-wing members of Parliament assailing France and expressing indignation, while some on the left said that Mr. Sarkozy was correct.
Mr. Sarkozy made the statement in a private meeting last week at the Élysée Palace attended by Mr. Netanyahu and a number of aides to both men, comparing Mr. Lieberman to Jean-Marie Le Pen, the far-right anti-immigrant French politician. Several participants at the meeting confirmed the reported statements.
Mr. Lieberman's spokesman said that Mr. Sarkozy's comment amounted to grave and insufferable meddling in the affairs of another democracy. Israeli radio broadcasts were filled with discussion of the episode, with right-wing members of Parliament assailing France and expressing indignation, while some on the left said that Mr. Sarkozy was correct.
His narrow margin of victory in the last election notwithstanding.
So. What does Mr Sarkozy expect to obtain from either Netanyahu or Livni in return for his semi-secret, learned opinion of Knesset skullduggery? Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
Italy's head of state has appealed to politicians to call a "truce" so as not to embarrass the country as it hosts next month's G8 summit. President Giorgio Napolitano did not specify which issues he wanted political parties to stop fighting over, but debate has been dominated in recent weeks by a series of scandals over the private life of the prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. "It would be good, from here to the G8, given the delicacy of this huge international event, to have a truce in these controversies," Mr Napolitano said.
President Giorgio Napolitano did not specify which issues he wanted political parties to stop fighting over, but debate has been dominated in recent weeks by a series of scandals over the private life of the prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
"It would be good, from here to the G8, given the delicacy of this huge international event, to have a truce in these controversies," Mr Napolitano said.
There's a berserk nightclub host running the country who's suspected of white slavery (importing Eastern escorts to "dress up as Santas" for his late night philandering). There's a major health and hospital scandal in Bari that regularly supplied flesh to a person indicated as a "final user." The Council President is caught having dinner with two top Supreme Court justices just before they're supposed to deliberate on the constitutionality of one of his ad personam laws granting him total immunity before the law. The government is slamming through legislation with confidence votes that will institute private militia and make "clandestinity" a crime. Another law will practically prevent prosecutors from using wiretaps and make it impossible to report a crime in the press until there's a trial.
To hell with G8. The only controversy is this scoundrel's deathhold on the state and its institutions. Let the press and the opposition do their job while they still can.
The Government's flagship e-borders programme is in disarray and could breach EU law, major transport operators said. The £750 million programme to collect electronic records of everyone who enters and leaves the UK will also miss Home Office deadlines, they said. Ferry, air and rail firms lined up to criticise the scheme at a meeting of the Home Affairs Committee of MPs.
The £750 million programme to collect electronic records of everyone who enters and leaves the UK will also miss Home Office deadlines, they said.
Ferry, air and rail firms lined up to criticise the scheme at a meeting of the Home Affairs Committee of MPs.
In a surprise announcement, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said he was resigning and quitting politics altogether after a 20-year career. He said the time had come for others to take over at the top. At a hastily arranged press conference, the 56-year-old conservative leader of the country's ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), said he had "decided to withdraw from active politics and not to run for the presidency." "My work is done, my political life is over," Sanader told reporters on Wednesday. "I have decided that I have done my part - now, it is time for others." The country has faced growing economic troubles due to the global downturn, but Sanader said this had not prompted his move. "I never ran away from problems," he said.
At a hastily arranged press conference, the 56-year-old conservative leader of the country's ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), said he had "decided to withdraw from active politics and not to run for the presidency."
"My work is done, my political life is over," Sanader told reporters on Wednesday. "I have decided that I have done my part - now, it is time for others."
The country has faced growing economic troubles due to the global downturn, but Sanader said this had not prompted his move. "I never ran away from problems," he said.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group - the new eurosceptic party formerly known as the Independence-Democracy Group - announced its party name and political programme on Wednesday (1 July). The new party of 30 MEPs also intends to campaign against the Lisbon Treaty in the second Irish referendum likely to be held this October, with the party's co-president, Nigel Farage of UKIP, laying down a strong marker at the party's first meeting in the European parliament. Nigel Farage outlined the new party's anti-Lisbon Treaty stance "We will do our damndest in the second referendum to make sure that the people of Ireland understand that these so-called `guarantees' that they were given at the recent European summit, frankly are not worth the paper that they were written on," he said. Irish prime minister Brian Cowen successfully secured legal guarantees in the areas of taxation, social issues and neutrality from EU leaders who met in Brussels last month, in the hope they will persuade Irish voters to back the EU's reforming treaty a second time round.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group - the new eurosceptic party formerly known as the Independence-Democracy Group - announced its party name and political programme on Wednesday (1 July).
The new party of 30 MEPs also intends to campaign against the Lisbon Treaty in the second Irish referendum likely to be held this October, with the party's co-president, Nigel Farage of UKIP, laying down a strong marker at the party's first meeting in the European parliament.
Nigel Farage outlined the new party's anti-Lisbon Treaty stance
"We will do our damndest in the second referendum to make sure that the people of Ireland understand that these so-called `guarantees' that they were given at the recent European summit, frankly are not worth the paper that they were written on," he said.
Irish prime minister Brian Cowen successfully secured legal guarantees in the areas of taxation, social issues and neutrality from EU leaders who met in Brussels last month, in the hope they will persuade Irish voters to back the EU's reforming treaty a second time round.
Gordon Brown and Lord Mandelson today confirmed that the bill for the part-privatisation of the Royal Mail has been shelved. Mandelson, the business secretary, told peers that current "market conditions" would not allow a partial sale of the Royal Mail that would ensure value for money for the taxpayer. He told the Lords: "Market conditions have made it impossible to conclude the process to identify a partner for the Royal Mail on terms we can be confident would secure value for the taxpayer. "There is no prospect in current circumstances of achieving the objectives of the postal services bill. When market conditions change we will return to the issue." In an interview with Sky News, Brown said that the government had "looked around the marketplace" and concluded that there were no buyers or investors willing to take a stake in the Royal Mail.
Mandelson, the business secretary, told peers that current "market conditions" would not allow a partial sale of the Royal Mail that would ensure value for money for the taxpayer.
He told the Lords: "Market conditions have made it impossible to conclude the process to identify a partner for the Royal Mail on terms we can be confident would secure value for the taxpayer.
"There is no prospect in current circumstances of achieving the objectives of the postal services bill. When market conditions change we will return to the issue."
In an interview with Sky News, Brown said that the government had "looked around the marketplace" and concluded that there were no buyers or investors willing to take a stake in the Royal Mail.
If there are no buyers or investors for Royal Mail during a recession, then Britain should be highly skeptical of any buyers or investors that come along when times are good. Is there any doubt that these buyers or investors would squeeze out profits from the postal service during good times, leaving behind a shell of a postal service to be bailed out by the government when times are bad? I think not.
I don't think even Mandy believes he's doing this to improve delivery services.
Tony Blair's ambition to become Europe's first president have been set back by stiffening opposition from Sweden and Spain, the two countries chairing the EU for the next year. Senior officials in Stockholm, which assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU today, said they feared a President Blair would be a divisive figure, triggering friction between small and large European countries, and added that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Spanish prime minister, was even more strongly opposed to Blair securing the post and usurping Madrid's running of the union next year.
Senior officials in Stockholm, which assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU today, said they feared a President Blair would be a divisive figure, triggering friction between small and large European countries, and added that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Spanish prime minister, was even more strongly opposed to Blair securing the post and usurping Madrid's running of the union next year.
When are we finally going to be rid of this rotten little man?
The European Union's small and medium-sized countries do not want a strong leader as the first full-time president of the European Council, according to Fredrik Reinfeldt, the prime minister of Sweden, which took over the presidency of the EU yesterday (1 July). Reinfeldt said that EU governments were divided over the powers and influence of the new figure, who will, if the Lisbon treaty comes into effect, chair the European Council for up to five years. The permanent president is supposed to work alongside the government leader of the country that, under the existing system, holds the rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers. Reinfeldt said that while some member states thought that the president should be a strong personality, others wanted a consensus-seeking chairman. The choice, he said, would be "a balance between those who want a strong leader - a figure leading Europe - or more of a person presiding over meetings and co-chairing with the rotating presidency". He added: "Small and medium-sized countries are less interested in a strong leader." Reinfeldt's comments reflect growing resistance from some national governments to appointing a high-profile figure such as Tony Blair, the former UK prime minister, as the first full-time president, for fear that he might marginalise leaders from smaller countries and compete with leaders from the big member states.
Reinfeldt said that EU governments were divided over the powers and influence of the new figure, who will, if the Lisbon treaty comes into effect, chair the European Council for up to five years. The permanent president is supposed to work alongside the government leader of the country that, under the existing system, holds the rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers. Reinfeldt said that while some member states thought that the president should be a strong personality, others wanted a consensus-seeking chairman. The choice, he said, would be "a balance between those who want a strong leader - a figure leading Europe - or more of a person presiding over meetings and co-chairing with the rotating presidency". He added: "Small and medium-sized countries are less interested in a strong leader."
Reinfeldt's comments reflect growing resistance from some national governments to appointing a high-profile figure such as Tony Blair, the former UK prime minister, as the first full-time president, for fear that he might marginalise leaders from smaller countries and compete with leaders from the big member states.
Even mid-sized states are not happy. EurActiv: Big member states 'backing out of EU', warns Hungary FM (27 April 2009 )Balázs, who is a former EU commissioner, said that large member states were looking to "strengthen" the role of other institutions as alternative decision-making fora. The foreign minister said Germany had been working "to seize economic institutions and to strengthen the G20" since 2007. In line with views recently expressed by Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht (EurActiv 21/04/09), he argued that the aim of such actions was to leave smaller EU member states "behind", with larger members preferring to deal with states that have "similar influence and weight".and EU increasingly governed by the few, Belgian FM warns (21 April 2009)With just a year to go until the Belgian EU Presidency, the country's foreign minister denounced the functioning of the Union, which he said is increasingly governed by an "executive board of big countries". Speaking on Monday (20 April) at the opening of an annual diplomatic conference in Brussels, Karel de Gucht said Belgium would make full use of its presidency in the second half of 2010 to re-establish the EU institutional balance, which he said was in "danger". "It is absolutely unacceptable that small groups of member states put in danger the normal institutional process," de Gucht said. "Belgium has the duty of trying as quickly as possible to re-establish the institutional balance."
EurActiv: Big member states 'backing out of EU', warns Hungary FM (27 April 2009 )
Balázs, who is a former EU commissioner, said that large member states were looking to "strengthen" the role of other institutions as alternative decision-making fora. The foreign minister said Germany had been working "to seize economic institutions and to strengthen the G20" since 2007. In line with views recently expressed by Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht (EurActiv 21/04/09), he argued that the aim of such actions was to leave smaller EU member states "behind", with larger members preferring to deal with states that have "similar influence and weight".
The foreign minister said Germany had been working "to seize economic institutions and to strengthen the G20" since 2007.
In line with views recently expressed by Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht (EurActiv 21/04/09), he argued that the aim of such actions was to leave smaller EU member states "behind", with larger members preferring to deal with states that have "similar influence and weight".
With just a year to go until the Belgian EU Presidency, the country's foreign minister denounced the functioning of the Union, which he said is increasingly governed by an "executive board of big countries". Speaking on Monday (20 April) at the opening of an annual diplomatic conference in Brussels, Karel de Gucht said Belgium would make full use of its presidency in the second half of 2010 to re-establish the EU institutional balance, which he said was in "danger". "It is absolutely unacceptable that small groups of member states put in danger the normal institutional process," de Gucht said. "Belgium has the duty of trying as quickly as possible to re-establish the institutional balance."
Speaking on Monday (20 April) at the opening of an annual diplomatic conference in Brussels, Karel de Gucht said Belgium would make full use of its presidency in the second half of 2010 to re-establish the EU institutional balance, which he said was in "danger".
"It is absolutely unacceptable that small groups of member states put in danger the normal institutional process," de Gucht said. "Belgium has the duty of trying as quickly as possible to re-establish the institutional balance."
Torna alla luce un altro autoritratto di Michelangelo. Sarebbe stato individuato nella Cappella Paolina, in Vaticano, nel corso dei nuovi restauri presentati ieri dalle autorità pontificie. [...] L'autoritratto michelangiolesco è stato individuato tra i personaggi della Crocifissione di San Pietro, affrescata da Buonarroti dal 1545 al 1550.
[...]
L'autoritratto michelangiolesco è stato individuato tra i personaggi della Crocifissione di San Pietro, affrescata da Buonarroti dal 1545 al 1550.
The political left must stop "holding up egalitarianism as the ideal", Communities Secretary John Denham has told the Fabian Society think tank. Basing fairness purely on "society's response to those in greatest need" risked being unpopular, he said. He called for a "different, more nuanced view of fairness and equality".
Basing fairness purely on "society's response to those in greatest need" risked being unpopular, he said.
He called for a "different, more nuanced view of fairness and equality".
Meaning one which isn't. and New Labour wonders why its traditional base has abandoned it? This sort of pandering to the rich is why.
The European Parliament will not hold a vote on José Manuel Barroso's re-appointment as Commission president at its July plenary, it emerged yesterday (1 July) after the liberals and socialists agreed to wait until the second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty this autumn. Guy Verhofstadt, the new leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), said his group will oppose holding a vote on Barroso's re-appointment during the Parliament's opening plenary session on 15 July (EurActiv 25/06/09). The former Belgian prime minister, who was elected unopposed as ALDE leader on Tuesday, said he and his group will "not accept timetables imposed on Parliament," dealing a blow to the centre-right EPP group and the Swedish EU Presidency who were pushing for a quick decision on the new Commission President. Earlier, the Greens group had announced that they would oppose a July vote on Barroso, joining calls made on 18 June by the socialists. Unless positions change, it therefore appears that there will be no majority for putting a vote on the Parliament's agenda when the Assembly's political group leaders meet on 9 July to discuss the issue.
Guy Verhofstadt, the new leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), said his group will oppose holding a vote on Barroso's re-appointment during the Parliament's opening plenary session on 15 July (EurActiv 25/06/09).
The former Belgian prime minister, who was elected unopposed as ALDE leader on Tuesday, said he and his group will "not accept timetables imposed on Parliament," dealing a blow to the centre-right EPP group and the Swedish EU Presidency who were pushing for a quick decision on the new Commission President.
Earlier, the Greens group had announced that they would oppose a July vote on Barroso, joining calls made on 18 June by the socialists.
Unless positions change, it therefore appears that there will be no majority for putting a vote on the Parliament's agenda when the Assembly's political group leaders meet on 9 July to discuss the issue.
Sweden plays for time to win early Barroso vote | Policies | EU governance | Commission | European Voice
The European People's Party (EPP) is still pushing for a vote in July. French MEP Joseph Daul, who was re-elected EPP president on 23 June by an overwhelming majority, said that the vote should take place in July. "We need to know who is going to be the president of the Commission. The presidency must be stabilised in a crisis period," Daul said.But although the EPP remains the largest group in the new Parliament, with 264 members, it has also lost members to the new right-wing group. Cecilia Malmström, Sweden's EU affairs minister, said in Brussels, on Monday (21 June): "Waiting until October for a leader of the Commission would leave us in a power vacuum. This would be very unfortunate for the whole European Union."
"We need to know who is going to be the president of the Commission. The presidency must be stabilised in a crisis period," Daul said.But although the EPP remains the largest group in the new Parliament, with 264 members, it has also lost members to the new right-wing group.
Cecilia Malmström, Sweden's EU affairs minister, said in Brussels, on Monday (21 June): "Waiting until October for a leader of the Commission would leave us in a power vacuum. This would be very unfortunate for the whole European Union."
You are a senior judge on the Constitutional Court, about to give a ruling on the constitutionality of a bill giving the Prime Minister immunity from prosecution during his period of office. Do you thresh out the arguments in the public court hearing? Or do you invite the Prime Minister to dinner with his Justice Minister for a private chat? Peter Gomez takes up the story, which has led many, including Antonio di Pietro, to call for the resignation of the two judges:-The escort cars arrived, one just after dinner, one just before. Quietly, they drove down the steep descent to the parking lot of a an elegant block of flats hidden in parkland near via Cortina d'Amezzo in Rome. It was in this way that the neighbours of the Consitutional Court judge Luigi Mazzella were able to witness the prelude to one of the most worrying, and politically embarrassing meetings organised by the Berlusconi government. A meeting between the Prime Minister and two of the highest judges in the Court which, a few weeks from now, will decide whether or not to throw out the Alfano law, which makes it impossible to bring the prime minister to trial while he remains in office.The inhabitants of the block of flats had already realised a few days back that this was going to be an important meeting. Ilva, Mazzella''s wife, had asked them not to park in front of the garage: "Don't be surprised if you see bodyguards and a bit of traffic - we've got important guests", she had told her friends. As L'Espressohas been able to reconstruct, it was in this way that Berlusconi, Justice Minister Alfano, Under-Secretary Gianni Letta, and the head of the Senate Constitutional Committee Carlo Vizzini arrived at the judge's residence. With them came a colleague of Mastella, Paolo Maria Napolitano, who had been elected to the Constitutional court in 2006, after previously serving as head of the personnel office of the Senate, Gianfranco Fini's aide in the second Berlusconi government, and State counsellor.
