Bronislaw Komorowski has been officially declared the winner of the Polish presidential election. According to election officials the acting president won 53.01% of the vote while rival Jaroslaw Kaczynski got 46.99%. Mr Kaczynski had initially accepted defeat based on an exit poll, but Mr Komorowski's camp remained cautious. Mr Kaczynski is the twin of former President Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash with 95 others in April. This run-off election was held after neither candidate gained more than 50% in the first round in June.
Bronislaw Komorowski has been officially declared the winner of the Polish presidential election.
According to election officials the acting president won 53.01% of the vote while rival Jaroslaw Kaczynski got 46.99%.
Mr Kaczynski had initially accepted defeat based on an exit poll, but Mr Komorowski's camp remained cautious.
Mr Kaczynski is the twin of former President Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash with 95 others in April.
This run-off election was held after neither candidate gained more than 50% in the first round in June.
Turkey has for the first time threatened to break diplomatic ties with Israel over its raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May. Turkey's foreign minister said a break could only be averted if Israel either apologised or accepted the outcome of an international inquiry into the raid. The Israeli government said it had nothing to apologise for.
Turkey has for the first time threatened to break diplomatic ties with Israel over its raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May.
Turkey's foreign minister said a break could only be averted if Israel either apologised or accepted the outcome of an international inquiry into the raid.
The Israeli government said it had nothing to apologise for.
Iran has accused the UK, Germany and the UAE of refusing to provide fuel to Iranian passenger planes. The allegation came days after the US enacted unilateral sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme, to penalise foreign companies trading with Tehran. Britain said it was not aware of any refusal to refuel Iranian planes, and Germany stressed there was no ban. Oil firms contacted by the BBC said they could not comment on individual contracts.
Iran has accused the UK, Germany and the UAE of refusing to provide fuel to Iranian passenger planes.
The allegation came days after the US enacted unilateral sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme, to penalise foreign companies trading with Tehran.
Britain said it was not aware of any refusal to refuel Iranian planes, and Germany stressed there was no ban.
Oil firms contacted by the BBC said they could not comment on individual contracts.
Spain's foreign minister plans to increase pressure on Cuba to release political prisoners, during a visit starting shortly. Miguel Angel Moratinos said he was going to Havana to support negotiations between the Catholic Church and Cuba's communist authorities. Spanish diplomats told the BBC there were indications the talks could lead to a substantial release of prisoners. Cuba is holding about 200 dissidents in prison, some of them on hunger strike.
Spain's foreign minister plans to increase pressure on Cuba to release political prisoners, during a visit starting shortly.
Miguel Angel Moratinos said he was going to Havana to support negotiations between the Catholic Church and Cuba's communist authorities.
Spanish diplomats told the BBC there were indications the talks could lead to a substantial release of prisoners.
Cuba is holding about 200 dissidents in prison, some of them on hunger strike.
Two French junior ministers embroiled in separate spending scandals have resigned from the government. President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Francois Fillon had decided that the two ministers must go on Sunday, a government spokesman said. Overseas Development Minister Alain Joyandet was criticised for spending 116,500 euros (£96,153) on a private jet to fly to the Caribbean for work. Greater Paris Minister Christian Blanc spent 12,000 euros on cigars. The spokesman, Luc Chatel, said Mr Sarkozy and Mr Fillon had "decided to address the consequences of the events of the past few days, that the French people neither understand or accept".
Two French junior ministers embroiled in separate spending scandals have resigned from the government.
President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Francois Fillon had decided that the two ministers must go on Sunday, a government spokesman said.
Overseas Development Minister Alain Joyandet was criticised for spending 116,500 euros (£96,153) on a private jet to fly to the Caribbean for work.
Greater Paris Minister Christian Blanc spent 12,000 euros on cigars.
The spokesman, Luc Chatel, said Mr Sarkozy and Mr Fillon had "decided to address the consequences of the events of the past few days, that the French people neither understand or accept".
I blogged recently about the presentation of new Private Members' Bills by those who had come out top in the PMB ballot. Today, at about 5.30pm, we will have the presentation of a whole bunch more, thirty in total, from Bone, Chope and Hollobone, which sounds like a particularly sinister firm of Victorian bodysnatchers funeral directors. They won't become law, and will probably be tabled so far down the list on Private Members' Bills' Fridays we're unlikely to get to debate them. But here they are... the new Tory party at play:
I blogged recently about the presentation of new Private Members' Bills by those who had come out top in the PMB ballot.
Today, at about 5.30pm, we will have the presentation of a whole bunch more, thirty in total, from Bone, Chope and Hollobone, which sounds like a particularly sinister firm of Victorian bodysnatchers funeral directors.
They won't become law, and will probably be tabled so far down the list on Private Members' Bills' Fridays we're unlikely to get to debate them. But here they are... the new Tory party at play:
Michael Gove today cancelled Labour's school building programme, suspending projects for 715 new schools as part of the coalition's latest tranche of spending cuts.The coalition government took its axe to another £1.5bn in spending commitments cutting £1bn from the schools budget in England and millions from the business department, communities and local government and the home office.The £55bn Building Schools for the Future programme, which will be cancelled altogether, was the biggest casualty. Some 706 new school buildings and services that already have contracts signed will go ahead but another 715 will be scrapped.
Michael Gove today cancelled Labour's school building programme, suspending projects for 715 new schools as part of the coalition's latest tranche of spending cuts.
The coalition government took its axe to another £1.5bn in spending commitments cutting £1bn from the schools budget in England and millions from the business department, communities and local government and the home office.
The £55bn Building Schools for the Future programme, which will be cancelled altogether, was the biggest casualty. Some 706 new school buildings and services that already have contracts signed will go ahead but another 715 will be scrapped.
An Irish fireman has found himself at the centre of the Russian spy scandal in the United States after his passport details were apparently used by one of the alleged spies.Eunan Gerard Doherty, from Ballyloskey, Carndonagh, County Donegal, has said he has yet to be told if his passport or a copy of it was used by Richard Murphy. Murphy was arrested in New Jersey last week, along with his wife, and both have been accused of being Russian spies.
An Irish fireman has found himself at the centre of the Russian spy scandal in the United States after his passport details were apparently used by one of the alleged spies.
Eunan Gerard Doherty, from Ballyloskey, Carndonagh, County Donegal, has said he has yet to be told if his passport or a copy of it was used by Richard Murphy. Murphy was arrested in New Jersey last week, along with his wife, and both have been accused of being Russian spies.
Plenary Session - Strasbourg Financial markets/economic governance. Parliament is set to vote on laws on EU supervision of financial markets, as well as rules on bonus payments in the banking and investment sector (debates Tuesday, votes Wednesday). The latest proposals on economic governance will be debated with Commission President José Manuel Barroso (Tuesday).External action service. The Foreign Affairs Committee will give its verdict on the creation of the EU diplomatic service (Tuesday), then the plenary will debate the plans with Catherine Ashton (Wednesday) ahead of a vote (Thursday).Terrorist finance tracking/SWIFT. MEPs will decide whether to allow a new agreement between the EU and US on the monitoring of banking data from the financial messaging system SWIFT. The Civil Liberties Committee will examine the issue first (Monday), ahead of a plenary debate (Tuesday) and vote (Thursday).Council Presidencies: Spain and Belgium. José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will present the outcome of Spain's Council presidency to Parliament (Tuesday), while Yves Leterme will set out the priorities for the new Belgian presidency (Wednesday). Passenger rights. Legislation on the rights of bus, ferry and waterway passengers will be put to the vote at second reading (debate Monday, vote Tuesday).Novel foods. A draft law on food from new sources, such as cloned animals, will also be put to the vote at second reading (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday).Restricting pollution. New rules on emissions from industrial plants look set to become law as Parliament votes at second reading (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday).Iceland/EU. Parliament will debate Iceland's application for EU membership and adopt a resolution setting out its position (debate and vote Wednesday).President's activities. Jerzy Buzek will meet the French Prime Minister, François Fillon (with a press point), and Fu Ying, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of China (both Tuesday).
Plenary Session - Strasbourg
Financial markets/economic governance. Parliament is set to vote on laws on EU supervision of financial markets, as well as rules on bonus payments in the banking and investment sector (debates Tuesday, votes Wednesday). The latest proposals on economic governance will be debated with Commission President José Manuel Barroso (Tuesday).
External action service. The Foreign Affairs Committee will give its verdict on the creation of the EU diplomatic service (Tuesday), then the plenary will debate the plans with Catherine Ashton (Wednesday) ahead of a vote (Thursday).
Terrorist finance tracking/SWIFT. MEPs will decide whether to allow a new agreement between the EU and US on the monitoring of banking data from the financial messaging system SWIFT. The Civil Liberties Committee will examine the issue first (Monday), ahead of a plenary debate (Tuesday) and vote (Thursday).
Council Presidencies: Spain and Belgium. José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will present the outcome of Spain's Council presidency to Parliament (Tuesday), while Yves Leterme will set out the priorities for the new Belgian presidency (Wednesday).
Passenger rights. Legislation on the rights of bus, ferry and waterway passengers will be put to the vote at second reading (debate Monday, vote Tuesday).
Novel foods. A draft law on food from new sources, such as cloned animals, will also be put to the vote at second reading (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday).
Restricting pollution. New rules on emissions from industrial plants look set to become law as Parliament votes at second reading (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday).
Iceland/EU. Parliament will debate Iceland's application for EU membership and adopt a resolution setting out its position (debate and vote Wednesday).
President's activities. Jerzy Buzek will meet the French Prime Minister, François Fillon (with a press point), and Fu Ying, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of China (both Tuesday).
Legal affairsBetter protection for victims of crime, and especially of domestic crime, the fight against human trafficking, sexual exploitation and child pornography, reinforced legal co-operation among Member States and better access to justice for citizens are Belgium's key legal affairs priorities as set out by Justice Minister Stefaan De Clerck. To take account of greater mobility in Europe, laws on cross-border divorce (Rome III) and on succession and wills are also high on the Belgian Presidency's agenda. Mr De Clerck also looked forward to making progress on mutual recognition of judicial decisions, cross-border judicial and police co-operation, a European investigation order, and reinforcing the powers of Eurojust. Finally, the Presidency also aims to "find some solutions to get the ball rolling" on the Statute for a European Private Company.Single marketFor the single market, a European patent is the key priority, said Enterprise and Simplification Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne."80% of my energy will be invested in the European patent", the minister told MEPs. The first step for this patent is the language regime, presented last week by the Commission. Consumers' rights, the late payments directive - on which the Belgian Presidency hopes to reach a first reading agreement with Parliament - and copyright will also be major issues during the Belgian Presidency, he concluded.
Legal affairs
Better protection for victims of crime, and especially of domestic crime, the fight against human trafficking, sexual exploitation and child pornography, reinforced legal co-operation among Member States and better access to justice for citizens are Belgium's key legal affairs priorities as set out by Justice Minister Stefaan De Clerck.
To take account of greater mobility in Europe, laws on cross-border divorce (Rome III) and on succession and wills are also high on the Belgian Presidency's agenda. Mr De Clerck also looked forward to making progress on mutual recognition of judicial decisions, cross-border judicial and police co-operation, a European investigation order, and reinforcing the powers of Eurojust. Finally, the Presidency also aims to "find some solutions to get the ball rolling" on the Statute for a European Private Company.
Single market
For the single market, a European patent is the key priority, said Enterprise and Simplification Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne."80% of my energy will be invested in the European patent", the minister told MEPs. The first step for this patent is the language regime, presented last week by the Commission. Consumers' rights, the late payments directive - on which the Belgian Presidency hopes to reach a first reading agreement with Parliament - and copyright will also be major issues during the Belgian Presidency, he concluded.
Parliament should approve the reworked EU-USA SWIFT bank data transfer agreement this week, said the Civil Liberties Committee on Monday. MEPs rejected the previous agreement four months ago, but have since negotiated certain safeguards with the Council and the US Treasury Department, and won an undertaking that the EU will develop a system that precludes the need to transfer data in bulk to the USA. The recommendation that Parliament as a whole authorise the conclusion of SWIFT II was drafted by Alexander Alvaro (ALDE, DE), and approved in committee with 41 votes in favour, 9 against and 1 abstention. If Parliament backs it in plenary on Thursday at noon, the agreement will come into force on 1 August.The key to the deal for the European Parliament is the eventual elimination of "bulk" data transfers. In exchange for backing the agreement, MEPs won an undertaking that work on setting up an EU equivalent to the US "Terrorism Finance Tracking Program" (TFTP), which would preclude the need for bulk data transfers, will start within 12 months. Once Europe has a system enabling it to analyse data on its own territory, it need only transfer data relating to a specific terrorist track.
Parliament should approve the reworked EU-USA SWIFT bank data transfer agreement this week, said the Civil Liberties Committee on Monday. MEPs rejected the previous agreement four months ago, but have since negotiated certain safeguards with the Council and the US Treasury Department, and won an undertaking that the EU will develop a system that precludes the need to transfer data in bulk to the USA.
The recommendation that Parliament as a whole authorise the conclusion of SWIFT II was drafted by Alexander Alvaro (ALDE, DE), and approved in committee with 41 votes in favour, 9 against and 1 abstention. If Parliament backs it in plenary on Thursday at noon, the agreement will come into force on 1 August.
The key to the deal for the European Parliament is the eventual elimination of "bulk" data transfers. In exchange for backing the agreement, MEPs won an undertaking that work on setting up an EU equivalent to the US "Terrorism Finance Tracking Program" (TFTP), which would preclude the need for bulk data transfers, will start within 12 months. Once Europe has a system enabling it to analyse data on its own territory, it need only transfer data relating to a specific terrorist track.
afew: (26 June 2010)
The European Union's member states have accepted demands by MEPs to amend a draft data-sharing agreement with the United States that has already been initialled. The changes to the so-called SWIFT agreement, named after the company that communicates data on electronic banking transfers, concern how the EU oversees data extraction by US officials working on the Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme (TFTP). The proposed changes have been communicated to the Americans and are not expected to be particularly controversial.
The European Parliament looks set to give the green light to a controversial deal governing the sharing of bank data between the EU and the US after securing guarantees on privacy - concessions Washington said had been "difficult."
The signing in Brussels today (28 June) was made possible after Spain, the current holder of the rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers, accepted demands from MEPs for changes to the text. The changes, which were accepted by the US, pave the way for the European Parliament to approve the agreement at its last plenary before the summer break, in Strasbourg next week. EU member states gave their written consent today.
A new role for Europol ... An EU representative in the USA to monitor data processing ... Right of redress for European citizens ... Data retention and deletion
A new role for Europol
...
An EU representative in the USA to monitor data processing
Right of redress for European citizens
Data retention and deletion
The key to the deal for the European Parliament is the eventual elimination of "bulk" data transfers. In exchange for backing the agreement, MEPs won an undertaking that work on setting up an EU equivalent to the US "Terrorism Finance Tracking Program" (TFTP), which would preclude the need for bulk data transfers, will start within 12 months. Once Europe has a system enabling it to analyse data on its own territory, it need only transfer data relating to a specific terrorist track. ... The SWIFT network has been used for several years by the US Treasury Department under the TFTP to identify, locate and track down people suspected of terrorism as well as their financial backers, in the wake of the attacks of 11 September 2001. SWIFT has provided the Treasury with targeted data to trace the movements of terrorism-related funds. ... This co-operation initially took place in great secrecy but was revealed by the press in June 2006. The European Parliament then demanded that a framework be established to ensure appropriate data protection and prevent the data being used for purposes other than counter-terrorism. As a result, a transatlantic dialogue was set up and the EU obtained certain safeguards. In return the services of the EU Member States could benefit from information processed by the USA under the TFTP.
The SWIFT network has been used for several years by the US Treasury Department under the TFTP to identify, locate and track down people suspected of terrorism as well as their financial backers, in the wake of the attacks of 11 September 2001. SWIFT has provided the Treasury with targeted data to trace the movements of terrorism-related funds.
This co-operation initially took place in great secrecy but was revealed by the press in June 2006. The European Parliament then demanded that a framework be established to ensure appropriate data protection and prevent the data being used for purposes other than counter-terrorism. As a result, a transatlantic dialogue was set up and the EU obtained certain safeguards. In return the services of the EU Member States could benefit from information processed by the USA under the TFTP.
Major successesSome of the major achievements of Parliament's negotiators in the second phase consolidate the key principles agreed during the first round. On international negotiations, the new agreement includes detailed provisions taking into account the enhanced role of Parliament under the Lisbon Treaty. These relate both to access to information and to participation in international conferences. Also on programming, there are revised provisions to improve the involvement of Parliament.Furthermore, major improvements were achieved in issues concerning information on Commission meetings with national experts on EU legislation, the use of soft law, Parliament's access to classified and confidential information, new rules for the participation of Commissioners in election campaigns, a review of all pending proposals at the beginning of a new Commission's mandate, as well as a commitment by the Commission on adaptation of the "aquis communautaire" to the new regime of delegated acts.BackgroundThe relations of the European Parliament and the European Commission have been governed by a Framework Agreement since 1990. This agreement is updated every five years. The last agreement was concluded in 2005. The current update is guided by the new institutional architecture under the Lisbon Treaty, with the establishment of two equal legislative and budgetary branches. The Framework Agreement defines the political responsibilities of each institution towards the other and sets rules on the flow of information between them.
Major successes
Some of the major achievements of Parliament's negotiators in the second phase consolidate the key principles agreed during the first round. On international negotiations, the new agreement includes detailed provisions taking into account the enhanced role of Parliament under the Lisbon Treaty. These relate both to access to information and to participation in international conferences. Also on programming, there are revised provisions to improve the involvement of Parliament.
Furthermore, major improvements were achieved in issues concerning information on Commission meetings with national experts on EU legislation, the use of soft law, Parliament's access to classified and confidential information, new rules for the participation of Commissioners in election campaigns, a review of all pending proposals at the beginning of a new Commission's mandate, as well as a commitment by the Commission on adaptation of the "aquis communautaire" to the new regime of delegated acts.
Background
The relations of the European Parliament and the European Commission have been governed by a Framework Agreement since 1990. This agreement is updated every five years. The last agreement was concluded in 2005. The current update is guided by the new institutional architecture under the Lisbon Treaty, with the establishment of two equal legislative and budgetary branches. The Framework Agreement defines the political responsibilities of each institution towards the other and sets rules on the flow of information between them.
To avoid making EU legislation over-complicated and technical the Lisbon Treaty introduced a new system for delegating to the Commission limited powers to make minor changes to laws, provided these do not affect the "core" legislation decided by Parliament and the Council. Such changes may be needed to take account of scientific or technical progress or specific events, or to update quantitative values. For example Parliament has decided that the Commission may change the technical requirements for a rabies vaccination to be deemed valid for a "pet passport", in order to take account of scientific progress. ... Before the Lisbon Treaty took effect, the Commission's implementation of much EU legislation was overseen by committees of Member State experts, via a so-called "comitology" system. This system has now been abolished, and the Treaty instead distinguishes between "delegated" acts and "implementing" acts. This Q&A focuses on delegated acts, on which Parliament is to state its position at the April plenary session, in Strasbourg.
To avoid making EU legislation over-complicated and technical the Lisbon Treaty introduced a new system for delegating to the Commission limited powers to make minor changes to laws, provided these do not affect the "core" legislation decided by Parliament and the Council.
Such changes may be needed to take account of scientific or technical progress or specific events, or to update quantitative values. For example Parliament has decided that the Commission may change the technical requirements for a rabies vaccination to be deemed valid for a "pet passport", in order to take account of scientific progress.
Before the Lisbon Treaty took effect, the Commission's implementation of much EU legislation was overseen by committees of Member State experts, via a so-called "comitology" system. This system has now been abolished, and the Treaty instead distinguishes between "delegated" acts and "implementing" acts. This Q&A focuses on delegated acts, on which Parliament is to state its position at the April plenary session, in Strasbourg.
Lord McAlpine, Lord Laidlaw, Baroness Dunn and Lord Bagri have resigned from the Lords to keep their "non-dom" status get this then: they get to KEEP their titles despite leaving the Lords
get this then: they get to KEEP their titles despite leaving the Lords
