Brussels resembles a mini-state unto itself, with demography, culture and politics a thing apart from the rest of the nation, freelance writer David Ritter reports from Brussels.
EU
Croatia turn up late to EU party
Last weekend Croatia took to the polls to vote on whether the country could proceed towards accession into the European Union. With almost all votes counted, 66 percent of Croats supported membership, writes Keshia Jacotine.
Greek PM’s gamble: say yes or 8 billion euros down the toilet
The hardball has started on Greece, with the IMF and European leaders letting it be known that the 8 billion euros due to be paid to Greece in about 10 days won’t be paid without a “yes” vote in Prime Minister Papandreou’s referendum.
Rundle: crisis, from the Greek, the moment at which a patient lives or dies
The EU bailout of Greece is in fresh crisis today, following the announcement by prime minister Georges Papandreou that the country will go to a referendum on the package.
Crikey Conversations: Obama makes up ground on the Russian front
Improving relations with Russia is a classic win-win proposition; it reduces the pressure on the West and also strengthens the more progressive forces in Russia by drawing the country more closely into the European net.
Crikey Says: Forget Europe, the US is on life support
Greece is on life support. Spain is ailing. Britain is far from well. But the really sick patient in the global emergency ward isn’t in Europe.
Euro bailout: like giving a drunk another drink
Will the latest proposed bail-out solve Euro debt worries? Only if you believe in fairy tales, like the one about the country that thought it could solve a debt problem by borrowing (or, heaven forbid, printing) more money.
Guy Rundle: Rundle’s UK: are these the most passive, fatalistic people on the planet?
Are these the most passive, fatalistic people on the planet? asks Guy Rundle of the British. Maybe it’s because the bad stuff is so ever-present, and the good stuff can often recede from view.
Guy Rundle: Rundle in Athens: how could this not get interesting?
“I would say the Greek economic crisis is 20% global, 20% Europe based ….60% due to Greece,” says Dmitris Papadimoulis in the ante-room of his party’s offices in the Athens parliament.
Guy Rundle: Rundle in Athens: it’s all Greek to me
The euro has been one of the most startling stages in the EU process, since former arch-enemies the Germans and French were brought together in the Coal and Steel Community in the early 1950s.
Merry Christmas (banana war is over)
The European Union has finally agreed to lower tariffs on banana imports, ending the 15-year “banana war” over the preferential treatment given to growers in the Caribbean and Africa over those in South America.
Neopolitan pizza: now officially protected by the EU
The EU is now enforcing strict guidelines on the creation of Neapolitan pizzas around the world: ONLY San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo-milk mozzarella, an eighth-of-an-inch-thick crust, hand-stretched dough and a wood-fired oven will suffice.
We think we’ve got problems — Greece has a backlog of 30,000 refugees
Rather than self-righteous indignation on asylum seekers, we need to regain our sense of perspective — in Greece, there is an estimated backlog of at least 30,000 refugees waiting to be processed, writes Tony Barrell.
EU Presidency: a bogus, pompous, ludicrous, overpriced job
The European Union doesn’t need a President, says George Walden: the EU is not a country, and pretending it is is a dangerous farce that will impede the body’s ability to work effectively.
Europe’s first President: Herman Van Rompuy
Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy has been named the first President of the European Union. Former British PM Tony Blair reportedly snared the job first, but bowed out to appease Europe’s centre-right majority.
The new EU President: meet the contenders
The European Union will announce its new President this week, following a rather sketchy closed-door process. HuffPo introduces the candidates and the bookies’ odds on their chances.
Europe gets onboard the Road Train to cleaner highways
The EU is exploring a novel way of reducing fuel consumption: linking cars via wireless sensors into “road trains” on Europe’s motorways, with one lead vehicle “pulling” all the others along while the drivers kick back and save on fuel.
Power to the people: forgive the tyrants
Forgiveness of a dictator and ensuring an end to their actions is more crucial than prosecuting them for war crimes, writes Sholto Byrnes. Refusing to seek vengeance shows victims “to be better than their oppressors”.
European elections: how the results unfolded
The emerging theme from the European elections: poor results for the centre-left and a number of smaller parties — including some from the political fringe — making great strides.
Briefly Business: Selling Out, John Stewart, Green law
Sold out: the latest must have sales strategy … Tearing down the iPhone 3G … Does NAB boss John Stewart have the best job in the world? … Boomtime for the global bourgeoisie … EU considers “green” legislation.
