*Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
The former finance minister told a press conference in The Hague that the Netherlands needs a leader who will unite its citizens, rather than drive them apart. "I have always believed this," Bos said. "But I no longer think I should be the one leading Labour." Bos' Labour party is currently the second largest in the Dutch parliament. It did not fare well in the March 3 local elections, but opinion polls show it is one of the contenders to become the biggest force in parliament after the June 9 national elections. Bos suggested his leadership should be handed over to Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen, a moderate voice in Dutch politics. Cohen (62), who is also a former deputy minister, would challenge current Christian Democratic prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende and populist leader Geert Wilders for the position of Dutch prime minister.
Bos' Labour party is currently the second largest in the Dutch parliament. It did not fare well in the March 3 local elections, but opinion polls show it is one of the contenders to become the biggest force in parliament after the June 9 national elections. Bos suggested his leadership should be handed over to Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen, a moderate voice in Dutch politics. Cohen (62), who is also a former deputy minister, would challenge current Christian Democratic prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende and populist leader Geert Wilders for the position of Dutch prime minister.
Also see Wouter Bos Quits Dutch Politics by Oui. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Earlier this week (8 March), Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his intention to create a programme that would "gradually put as many Roma children as possible into boarding schools and gradually separate them from the life they live in the settlements." By doing so, this would prevent the next generation of Roma from being unable to "integrate", Mr Fico said, adding that he expected criticism from human rights organisations. Amnesty International has described the idea as a discriminatory attack on the Roma way of living. "Uprooting them from their surroundings and removing them from their families is an attack on their identity," the organisation said in a statement. The European Commission has for its part warned against possible racial segregation. "It would be probably better if the offer was made on an socio-economic basis rather than on racial grounds," the office of education commissioner Androulla Vassiliou told EUobserver.
Earlier this week (8 March), Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his intention to create a programme that would "gradually put as many Roma children as possible into boarding schools and gradually separate them from the life they live in the settlements."
By doing so, this would prevent the next generation of Roma from being unable to "integrate", Mr Fico said, adding that he expected criticism from human rights organisations.
Amnesty International has described the idea as a discriminatory attack on the Roma way of living. "Uprooting them from their surroundings and removing them from their families is an attack on their identity," the organisation said in a statement.
The European Commission has for its part warned against possible racial segregation.
"It would be probably better if the offer was made on an socio-economic basis rather than on racial grounds," the office of education commissioner Androulla Vassiliou told EUobserver.
That's a rather lame and low-key 'caution' for the same policy that became infamous in Australia. Then again, with the recent anti-Gypsy measures in EU-15 members Italy and Greece, maybe I shouldn't expect more... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Belgium and Sweden are swiftly returning ethnic Albanian and Roma asylum seekers to their countries of origin, hoping to avert an influx triggered by the recent removal of the visa requirement for Serbian and Macedonian nationals.Busses carrying 400 asylum seekers left Belgium, heading toward Serbia and Macedonia, local press has reported. The Serbian police confirmed yesterday (11 March) that the first bus had crossed into Serbian territory. Since the European Union lifted visa restrictions for Serbia and neighbouring Macedonia in December (see Background), Belgium has seen a sharp rise in asylum requests from ethnic Albanians from the Presevo valley and the region around Kumanovo across the border with Macedonia. Similarly, Sweden registered an increased number of asylum-seekers of Serbian nationality, mostly of Roma ethnicity.
Busses carrying 400 asylum seekers left Belgium, heading toward Serbia and Macedonia, local press has reported. The Serbian police confirmed yesterday (11 March) that the first bus had crossed into Serbian territory.
Since the European Union lifted visa restrictions for Serbia and neighbouring Macedonia in December (see Background), Belgium has seen a sharp rise in asylum requests from ethnic Albanians from the Presevo valley and the region around Kumanovo across the border with Macedonia.
Similarly, Sweden registered an increased number of asylum-seekers of Serbian nationality, mostly of Roma ethnicity.
In a landmark ruling, Judge Paul Collins issued an injunction against the far-right group ordering it to comply with equality laws. He said the party's current membership rules meant it was "likely to commit unlawful acts". The 17-page judgment, delivered at the Central London County Court, found the BNP's clause that any members must agree to preserve the integrity of an "indigenous British" society was illegal and should be withdrawn. It ordered the removal of the pledge to oppose immigration into the UK and maintain Britons as the "overwhelming majority" racial group. As part of the injunction, the BNP will also have to abandon its "intimidatory" policy of sending officials to the homes of prospective new members.
He said the party's current membership rules meant it was "likely to commit unlawful acts".
The 17-page judgment, delivered at the Central London County Court, found the BNP's clause that any members must agree to preserve the integrity of an "indigenous British" society was illegal and should be withdrawn.
It ordered the removal of the pledge to oppose immigration into the UK and maintain Britons as the "overwhelming majority" racial group.
As part of the injunction, the BNP will also have to abandon its "intimidatory" policy of sending officials to the homes of prospective new members.
[...]the pledge to oppose immigration into the UK and maintain Britons as the "overwhelming majority" racial group[...]
Those BNP Britons are still pissed off about all those Angles, Saxons, and Jutes immigrating in the 5th Century and kicking their ass.
If I had any advice to gives those chaps in the BNP, it would be this:
"Mate, it's time to just let it go..." "Schiller sprach zu Goethe, Steck in dem Arsch die Flöte! Goethe sagte zu Schiller, Mein Arsch ist kein Triller!"
A senior Tory MEP has defected to the Liberal Democrats over David Cameron's stance on Europe. Edward McMillan-Scott, once leader of the Conservative MEP faction in the European Parliament, rebelled against his leader's decision to break away from the centre-right European People's Party in Europe, arguing that he wanted to forge a more eurosceptic faction in Strasbourg. After months of wrangling and a disciplinary hearing, Mr McMillan-Scott made the surprise announcement this afternoon that his days as a Tory were over.
A senior Tory MEP has defected to the Liberal Democrats over David Cameron's stance on Europe.
Edward McMillan-Scott, once leader of the Conservative MEP faction in the European Parliament, rebelled against his leader's decision to break away from the centre-right European People's Party in Europe, arguing that he wanted to forge a more eurosceptic faction in Strasbourg.
After months of wrangling and a disciplinary hearing, Mr McMillan-Scott made the surprise announcement this afternoon that his days as a Tory were over.
A diplomatic row has erupted after Sweden's parliament voted yesterday (11 March) to officially declare the Turkish mass killing of Armenians in World War I as "genocide".The vote, passed narrowly by just one vote in the Swedish Riksdag, led to immediate and furious reaction in Ankara, with Turkey recalling its ambassador to Stockholm and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan cancelling a planned visit to Sweden. The condemnation of the 1915 events was mainly driven by Sweden's centre-left opposition, which Erdogan accused of exploiting the issue in order to make political gains ahead of Sweden's general elections in September. However, centre-left parties were not alone in passing the resolution. They were joined by four MPs from the governing centre-right coalition and these votes proved decisive in securing the result. MPs who supported the vote described it as an important symbolic victory for Swedes of Armenian descent.
The vote, passed narrowly by just one vote in the Swedish Riksdag, led to immediate and furious reaction in Ankara, with Turkey recalling its ambassador to Stockholm and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan cancelling a planned visit to Sweden.
The condemnation of the 1915 events was mainly driven by Sweden's centre-left opposition, which Erdogan accused of exploiting the issue in order to make political gains ahead of Sweden's general elections in September.
However, centre-left parties were not alone in passing the resolution. They were joined by four MPs from the governing centre-right coalition and these votes proved decisive in securing the result. MPs who supported the vote described it as an important symbolic victory for Swedes of Armenian descent.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Georgia cannot "put itself on hold" until the new EU arrangements created by the Lisbon Treaty start working, but needs to flag up the persisting problems with Russia's strong foothold in the two breakaway enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a senior Georgian official told EUobserver. "There is a change of administration in Washington and a reset policy towards Russia, a new EU with its new structures which is not yet a mature process - there are some other priorities on the international arena, but still, this conflict didn't disappear. It's still here," Temur Yakobashvili, Georgia's minister for re-integration said while in Brussels earlier this week to promote his government's new strategy of engagement with the rebel regions. A year and a half ago, Georgia made headlines when Russia engaged in a full-scale military invasion after the Caucasian republic itself invaded South Ossetia. The war ended with a ceasefire brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was then chairing the rotating EU presidency.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Georgia cannot "put itself on hold" until the new EU arrangements created by the Lisbon Treaty start working, but needs to flag up the persisting problems with Russia's strong foothold in the two breakaway enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a senior Georgian official told EUobserver.
"There is a change of administration in Washington and a reset policy towards Russia, a new EU with its new structures which is not yet a mature process - there are some other priorities on the international arena, but still, this conflict didn't disappear. It's still here," Temur Yakobashvili, Georgia's minister for re-integration said while in Brussels earlier this week to promote his government's new strategy of engagement with the rebel regions.
A year and a half ago, Georgia made headlines when Russia engaged in a full-scale military invasion after the Caucasian republic itself invaded South Ossetia. The war ended with a ceasefire brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was then chairing the rotating EU presidency.
...Soon the US search engine company plans to send cars equipped with cameras out onto Germany's roads once again, to photograph every house and every block and create three-dimensional maps for the company's Street View project. Aigner is now insisting that Google should ask permission before violating the privacy of German citizens. Most of all, the minister's attacks reveal just how divided the German government is when it comes to the online world. Fixing a Broken Relationship In the power struggle over who has the say over digital issues, the cabinet in Berlin seems to be firing off broadsides somewhat at random. On Tuesday of last week, Germany's Constitutional Court ruled that a law requiring telecommunications companies to retain data from telephone, email and Internet traffic is unconstitutional. The law was introduced by former Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries, a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), as implementation of an EU guideline. Ironically, the critics of data retention included her successor, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberg, a member of the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP). Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière had earlier invited Web activists, bloggers and experts to his ministry for a three-hour exchange of views. "The relationship between the government and Internet users is impaired, and I intend to fix it," he promised. And while Aigner was attacking Street View, the chancellor appeared to give Google Street View her blessing in her weekly video address. Merkel said that citizens who didn't want to be photographed by Google could opt out by simply submitting a form letter, the template for which could be found on the Consumer Protection Ministry's Web site. Some people interpreted this as an attempt to muzzle Aigner, until the government's press office made it clear that Merkel's statement was a "communication glitch."
Fixing a Broken Relationship
In the power struggle over who has the say over digital issues, the cabinet in Berlin seems to be firing off broadsides somewhat at random. On Tuesday of last week, Germany's Constitutional Court ruled that a law requiring telecommunications companies to retain data from telephone, email and Internet traffic is unconstitutional. The law was introduced by former Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries, a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), as implementation of an EU guideline. Ironically, the critics of data retention included her successor, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberg, a member of the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP).
Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière had earlier invited Web activists, bloggers and experts to his ministry for a three-hour exchange of views. "The relationship between the government and Internet users is impaired, and I intend to fix it," he promised.
And while Aigner was attacking Street View, the chancellor appeared to give Google Street View her blessing in her weekly video address. Merkel said that citizens who didn't want to be photographed by Google could opt out by simply submitting a form letter, the template for which could be found on the Consumer Protection Ministry's Web site. Some people interpreted this as an attempt to muzzle Aigner, until the government's press office made it clear that Merkel's statement was a "communication glitch."
He's unpopular, he's isolated and he has made enemies within his own party. President Nicolas Sarkozy is having trouble finding any success. Regional elections across the country threaten to turn into a debacle for the French leader's conservative UMP party. The presidential trips to the far flung corners of his nation are part of the Nicolas Sarkozy's plan: Whether it be industry, arts, culture or science, the French leader likes to find the appropriate backdrop to announce reforms, new programs and plans of action. Last Sunday, he announced new subsidies for farmers inside a stable at an agricultural fair. Employment and job training were themes introduced in the district of Doubs in eastern France. The presidential appearance at the round table is supposed to symbolize Sarkozy's close connection with the French people. "I am happy to be here," Sarkozy said, praising the region of Franche-Comté (which includes the district of Doubs) as "the most important industrial region of France." But even though the president's visit was carefully staged and took place in front of a well-mannered, welcoming crowd, the lightning visit to the city of Pontarlier, in Doubs, didn't exactly come across as an exercise in statesmanship. Instead of being perceived as victorious, Sarkozy appeared to be both overly sensitive and aggressive.
He's unpopular, he's isolated and he has made enemies within his own party. President Nicolas Sarkozy is having trouble finding any success. Regional elections across the country threaten to turn into a debacle for the French leader's conservative UMP party.
The presidential trips to the far flung corners of his nation are part of the Nicolas Sarkozy's plan: Whether it be industry, arts, culture or science, the French leader likes to find the appropriate backdrop to announce reforms, new programs and plans of action. Last Sunday, he announced new subsidies for farmers inside a stable at an agricultural fair. Employment and job training were themes introduced in the district of Doubs in eastern France.
The presidential appearance at the round table is supposed to symbolize Sarkozy's close connection with the French people. "I am happy to be here," Sarkozy said, praising the region of Franche-Comté (which includes the district of Doubs) as "the most important industrial region of France." But even though the president's visit was carefully staged and took place in front of a well-mannered, welcoming crowd, the lightning visit to the city of Pontarlier, in Doubs, didn't exactly come across as an exercise in statesmanship. Instead of being perceived as victorious, Sarkozy appeared to be both overly sensitive and aggressive.
French premier Francois Fillon has announced plans for a bill banning the full Muslim veil for the spring. His announcement comes just days ahead of regional polls which are expected to end in heavy defeat for the ruling party.
Eurozone countries agree deal to bail out Greece Exclusive: Germany plays pivotal role in rescue package, despite resistance at home
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Friday that eurozone members unable to overcome budget problems should leave the euro, in an article for London's Financial Times newspaper. "Should a eurozone member ultimately find itself unable to consolidate its budgets or restore its competitiveness the country should, as a last resort, exit the monetary union," the finance minister wrote. Schaeuble also defended the concept of a "European Monetary Fund," modelled on the International Monetary Fund, which he had presented to the German media last weekend, unleashing a political debate in Europe. While France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have backed the proposal, top Bundesbank and European Central Bank (ECB) officials have expressed criticism.
Schaeuble also defended the concept of a "European Monetary Fund," modelled on the International Monetary Fund, which he had presented to the German media last weekend, unleashing a political debate in Europe.
While France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have backed the proposal, top Bundesbank and European Central Bank (ECB) officials have expressed criticism.
I don't think Central/Eastern European EU member states are too happy with the behaviour of the German and Austrian banks in their countries since 2004 but you can tell me the view from the ground there. In any case, These banks are not doing too well right now (see for instance this).
A little farther afield, I know Croatians are already leery of the perceived German takeover of their economy and they're not even in the EU yet. Seeing the way German talking heads are treating Greece, I can imagine a serious eurosceptic backlash just when Croatia's EU accession looks to be 21 months away. The brainless should not be in banking -- Willem Buiter
On the other hand, Raiffeisen has the worst customer service fame in Hungary, and Erste Bank got some fines and court orders too. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
In Greece, it is well understood that corporate proxies from other nations also are involved in unfriendly political operations.
