Posts Tagged eu
The rise of the Hungarian Viktator?
Posted by Natalie Hamill in European Union on 06/01/2012
By Lucy Hatton
There is suggestion that Hungary’s position in the European Union may no longer be tenable after the coming into force of the new Hungarian Constitution, or Fundamental Law, on 1 January. This controversial constitution has been heavily criticised for being overly right-wing and eroding the democracy so precious to Hungary since the fall of communism in the country in 1989. The contradiction between some of the provisions of the new constitution and those democratic values inherent in the treaties of the EU has led to the claim from a former US Ambassador to Budapest, that Hungary “won’t be tolerated if it no longer counts as a democracy”.
Schengen enlargement shaping up for March 2012
Posted by Natalie Hamill in European Union on 18/11/2011
Earlier this week, Finland announced it no longer opposes Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen zone in 2012, providing their entry is managed in two-phases. No doubt in pre-Eurozone crisis days Finland’s decision to drop their veto would have been closely analysed, but the fact that it has only captured limited attention should not be considered a reflection of its impact on shaping Schengen: the EU’s internal border-free club.
It’s déjà EU… all over again
Posted by Natalie Hamill in Economics, European Union on 10/11/2011
By Scott Benson
On 10th October, a vote of no confidence, which was tied to plans to enhance the European Financial Stability Facility, forced Slovakian Prime Minister Iveta Radičová to step down. Exactly a month later, the Greek and Italian Parliaments have put similar pressure on their respective leaders to resign.
Greek Expectations
Posted by Natalie Hamill in European Union on 02/11/2011
If there is one thing we should learn from the Eurozone crisis it is to expect the unexpected and, whatever you do, don’t breathe a sigh of relief too soon. With every hard-negotiated plan to keep the euro area afloat another twist emerges; for who could have predicted that Greece – given a lifeline just a week ago after an eleventh hour summit – would be so ready to cut its own rope and potentially take the rest of Europe down with it. Mere days after the markets bounced back and headlines declared there was ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has left many in the EU horrified by his decision to put the latest bailout package to a Greek referendum.
A CAP on Growth
Posted by Natalie Hamill in European Union on 27/10/2011
By Scott Benson
Last night’s Eurozone summit may have provided a plan to help solve the immediate sovereign debt crisis but the competitiveness of European industries still remains a cause for concern. This is particularly true in agriculture where EU policy-makers struggle to reconcile the demands of the industry with environmental sustainability.
EU holds back UK economic recovery
Posted by Nick Cowen in European Union, Press Release on 17/10/2011
Britain must plan exit strategy from failing EU, but should keep trade links
As Europe’s leaders gamble their nations’ finances on saving the Euro, a new Civitas report reveals that the European Union is damaging Britain’s economic recovery and sapping job growth. Time to Say No, by Ian Milne, shows that a break with the EU need not represent a drastic break with Europe itself. Instead, it will permit a pragmatic reform of trade and immigration relations. Existing international institutions can achieve this without the current burdens of bureaucracy in the EU. It will also revive democracy at home.