December 5, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
Interesting article from Eurozine on the problems of defining European cultural – and even geographical – borders. Considering the current opposition to Turkish EU entry (because Europe’s, like, Christian, y’know?), the question of precisely what Europe is is being continually … Continue reading
December 1, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Two years and one week ago: confusion as the Orange revolution kicked off, as supporters of Viktor Yushchenko – now the president – took to the streets to protest apparent vote-rigging by the then prime minister Viktor Yanukovich (now prime … Continue reading
November 30, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
(An overly simplified, probably overly opinionated overview of the “Special Relationship”) Britain’s position in the post-WWII Europe was always envisaged by the Americans as the middle-man. They liked the idea of a united Europe after having (albeit belatedly) found themselves … Continue reading
November 29, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
French Interior Minister Nicholas Sarkozy has, as expected, announced his candidacy for the conservative UMP party’s presidential nomination. With 70% support amongst the party faithful, in recent months it has looked as if the only thing that could lose him … Continue reading
November 29, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
The always tip-top Jim Bliss has a follow-up to my post of yesterday, with some intriguing points about the constitutional implications of the Republic of Ireland’s apparent involvement with secret CIA flights: “An independent neutral republic not only has a … Continue reading
November 28, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Everyone’s focussing on the collapse of the talks about Turkish entry (Guardian, Independent, Times, Financial Times, Le Monde (in French), Le Figaro (in French), EU Observer, Deutsche Welle (German press review – in English), EurActiv) – but, let’s face it, … Continue reading
November 24, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Italy overview
There’s a top-notch overview of the historical difficulties facing the new Prodi administration in Italy courtesy of the supremely readable Phil Edwards, up now at The Sharpener. More knowledgable and insightful analysis than anything else you’re likely to have read … Continue reading
November 23, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Right-winger in favour of EU!
Via Jarndyce (yes, I know… I nearly fainted from shock…) I’ve found my first right-wing blogger in favour of staying in the EU! (Yes, I know… I nearly fainted from shock…) It’s about bloody time one of these cropped up … Continue reading
November 23, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
The Dutch elections are confusing me. Nanne has the results and is trying to work out potential coalitions, but no one is agreed on what’s going to happen next. The New York Times reckons the country will swing to the … Continue reading
November 22, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Simon Heffer: Blogger
(Originally published on The Sharpener) Simon Heffer is not a columnist for whom I usually have much time – although his biography of Enoch Powell was relatively interesting, that was more down to the subject than the author. If anything, … Continue reading
November 16, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
France’s next president could be decided today as the Socialists vote in a three-way primary for their candidate to take on Chirac’s expected conservative successor, Nicholas Sarkozy. The front-runner for the socialists (on 49% – via) is currently thought to … Continue reading
November 14, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on European Parliament welcomes the puns
According to today’s EU Politix press review, it is looking increasingly likely that the next president of the European Parliament will be the centre-right EPP group’s leader. (Yep, that’s the same group that David Cameron promised the tories he’d pull … Continue reading
November 13, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
For those still following the extraordinary rendition story, the secret CIA flights allegedly transporting prisioners from The War Against Terror, attention should be turned to Poland, where – according to the EU Observer – “a three day trip to Warsaw … Continue reading
October 17, 2006
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
The winning logo for next year’s celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome: And in the accompanying story, the killer quote: “The winner was named amid reports that the EU is scaling back celebration plans, fearing public … Continue reading