November 15, 2005
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
In case you missed it, they (again) finally seem to have sorted out a compromise cabinet, plus a few policy agreements which many are predicting are likely to lead to the coalition’s (and perhaps the country’s) imminet collapse – largely … Continue reading
October 21, 2005
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Not content with reforming the voting system ahead of April’s elections, apparently to give himself a better chance of beating ex-EU Commission bod Romano Prodi (aka a potential Nosemonkey political hero for his consistant refusal to join any political party), … Continue reading
October 17, 2005
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Another load of Blairite EU-nonsense? An attempt to make it look like we’re actually making an effort after the US farm subsides offer and ahead of the WTO meeting this week? Or is this just Prescott picking up his notes … Continue reading
October 11, 2005
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
(I hate migranes by the way – I’ve been out of action for eight hours today…) Tax-dodging media mogul Rupert “I really shouldn’t say this, but” Murdoch has announced that he won’t be taking sides in the Italian elections expected … Continue reading
October 10, 2005
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
Looks like the balance of power in europe has shifted – Angela Merkel to take over the German Chancellorship. So, the left(ish) anti-war, pro-France leader of Europe’s largest economy is replaced with a right-wing, pro-war, pro-Busher who has hinted at … Continue reading
October 7, 2005
by Nosemonkey
7 Comments
So Howard steps aside gracefully, leaving chaos in his wake; Blair clings to power even after saying he’s going to go, breeding resentment and fear respectively among his heir’s and his own supporters; Kennedy faces down his internal opponents and … Continue reading
October 6, 2005
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Well, after Turkey and Croatia, now it looks like Brussels is turning its attention to Ukraine, with Orange Revolution head Victor Yuschenko’s Prime Minister (no, not the fit one, she’s gone – the new one…) heading off for talks in … Continue reading
October 4, 2005
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Heh – via a friendly French reader, Le Monde ponders why, as Gordon may have to wait a while longer to become Prime Minister, doesn’t he go off and save France, Germany and Italy from their disastrous heads of state … Continue reading
September 26, 2005
by Nosemonkey
8 Comments
The country works via a complex federal structure based on various different bodies elected in various different ways – from fairly straight PR through to the indirectly-elected Federal Supreme Court. The majority of powers remain devolved to a local level … Continue reading
September 22, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on The constitution rears its ugly head once more
Today the European Parliment’s Constitutional Affairs Committee is expected to follow yesterday’s entirely sensible point from Commission head Jos� Manuel Barroso that debate on the future of Europe has stalled with an announcement that the old provisional constitution is dead … Continue reading
September 16, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Kroes, Merkel and Commission impartiality
German elections: Controversial Dutch EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes (who caused a bit of fuss a year ago during the confirmation hearings for Barroso’s Commission thanks to her links to umpteen business interests and unproven allegations of shady dealings) has … Continue reading
September 15, 2005
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
If you know nothing about what’s going on in Germany or why it’s important, you could do worse than start with Sign and Sight’s handy and succinct overview. First up, is Merkel going to push for an extra round? She’s … Continue reading
September 12, 2005
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
German elections: Less than a week to go, and Schr�der seems to be making a last minute comeback. There’s a good overview of the complexities of the German voting system at European Tribune, explaining the potential coalitions (also discussed – … Continue reading
September 9, 2005
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Awwww! Poor Charles Clarke! His massively intrusive plans for poking into every aspect of our insignificant lives seem to have run into a bit of opposition: the European Telecommunications Network Operators’s Association has branded Charlie’s data retention plans illegal, dubbed … Continue reading