Current Affairs

Gains for Cameron and ECR allies all over Europe

Cameron and his ECR group in the European parliament would face a considerable increase in seats if there was a European parliament election tomorrow. The share of votes of the ECR would rise three points up to 12 percent, which would be the highest level for the conservative euro-sceptic parties since 1989. The euro-sceptic parties profit from their anti-liberal immigration policy in the refugee crises.

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Demand #1 - Ever Closer Union

One of David Cameron’s conditions in his letter to Donald Tusk last week is an opting out from the clause “Ever Closer Union”. This implies a formal disengagement of the UK from participating in the integration process and on the other hand that the country wants an “à la carte” relationship with the rest of the EU without any formal obligation to participate in the European Project as leading towards a political Union.

Tuesday 17 November 2015

#WeAreUnited

Europe has been shocked yet again by another callous, cold, and calculated attack on its values and its freedom. To the people of Paris, all that we can say is that we are sorry, and that we remain united.

Saturday 14 November 2015

Polish Election Results

Tuesday 27th October, Polish PKW published the results of last Sunday’s legislative elections. With 61% of the Parliamentary seats the social conservative party PiS left behind its principal opposition, the outgoing party PO. Polish policy will therefore change entirely.

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Polish Parliamentary Elections: split on the Euro

The Autumn parliamentary elections will serve as the chance to confirm the predominance of the Law and Justice Party (PiS), who won the Presidency of Poland in a close-fought contest thus making Andrzej Duda, the rising star of the party, as head of state. If Poland’s joining the Eurozone was at the heart of the Presidential campaign, the subject is sure to re-emerge during the parliamentary campaign.

Sunday 25 October 2015

Catalonia and the referendum phenomena

What was permitted to Scotland was denied to Catalonia: A referendum regarding its independence. As a reaction the Catalonian separatists described the regional vote as a quasi-referendum with uncertain exit. Yet is the Catalonian wish for independence only another symptom of a renationalisation of Europe or could the European idea and the desire for more regionalism develop positive synergies? An alternative perspective.

Wednesday 21 October 2015

A spectre is haunting Europe – The spectre of Jeremy Corbyn

On 12 September Jeremy Corbyn was elected as new leader of the Labour Party, causing a stir among political commentators on the right and the left equally. Highly welcomed by Labour’s grass roots, the election of the 66-year old backbencher and left-wing ‘radical’ was received with great suspicion by the political establishment. One fear being his ostensible hostility towards the EU could spur a Brexit.

Friday 25 September 2015

Mass deportation, razor fences and high walls: What are the concerns of anti-immigration EU countries?

As Austria receives 10,000 migrants in just one day, the borders of the European states are being reinforced for the first time in decades. But what are the concerns of the countries against mass migration? Are they well-founded? And how are differing reactions placing strain upon the European (…)

Tuesday 22 September 2015

Jeremy Corbyn Vs Europe

Jeremy Corbyn has successfully reinvigorated the Labour party, he has brought energy and 600,000 new members to a party down-on-their-luck after a humiliating defeat. He has responded to the challenges of globalisation with bold policy proposals arguing that national governments can still reshape a country for the better. However, the UK is part of the European Union, an organisation which aids Europe to respond to both European and World problems. How would his policy proposals sit with existing EU law- Could he reshape Britain whilst keeping it in the EU?

Monday 21 September 2015

The need for increased Labour Mobility

The recent talks of a fiscal union to complement the single currency should also include proposals on how to increase labour mobility within the Eurozone.

Thursday 10 September 2015

Snubbing Schengen over a spike of growing fear of terrible violence?

The Schengen agreement, following a process which led to 26 nations (including Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein who aren’t EU Members) to suspend travel restrictions and making travel of persons and goods free within the Schengen zone – falls under national attempts to redress in the wake (…)

Saturday 5 September 2015

A new beginning for Syriza

Alexis Tsipras and Syriza searched for the confrontation with the European partners. Yet the donor countries stayed hard - no debt cut for Greece. However Alexis Tsipras wants to continue fighting. The re-election in September should reinstate him in the office, then he wants to renew the country from scratch. The new enemies are bureaucracy, tax evasion and the corruption in Greece. As long as these are not overcome the euro crisis will continue.

Monday 31 August 2015
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