Posts Tagged Lisbon Treaty
Taking the EEAS for a spin…
Posted by Natalie Hamill in European Union on 09/03/2011
It has recently emerged that the EU’s foreign policy arm is to get a PR facelift. Catherine Ashton, the designated architect and builder of the EU’s External Action Service (EEAS), is to use £8.5 million to sharpen its image.
Danish Lessons
Posted by Natalie Hamill in European Union, Politics on 12/01/2011
On Tuesday, a group of Danish citizens were given the go-ahead to challenge the legality of Denmark’s ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The UK government would be well advised to pay close attention to the proceedings as it finalises its European Union Bill.
A crowded marriage
Posted by David Conway in European Union on 09/02/2009
If last weeks’ British wildcat strikes were redolent of protectionism, comments evoking similar feelings made by the French President have proved inflammatory to Prague, writes Lara Natale. Czech Prime Minister/incumbent EU President Mirek Topolánek has suggested that they may even end up contributing to the Czech Republic’s existing disinclination to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.
2009: a pivotal year for the EU?
Posted by Pete Quentin in European Union on 03/11/2008
The next European Parliament elections will take place in June 2009.
Direct elections for the European Parliament were introduced in 1979 in an attempt to increase the European Union’s democratic credentials – after all it is difficult for an appointed authority to lecture the developing world about the moral superiority and practical advantages of democracy (the European Commission and Council should take note). However at the last European Parliament election in 2004 turnout was only 45.6% across the EU, down from 49.51% in 1999 and 62% in 1979. In the UK only 38.9% of people voted. Raising voter turnout is crucial because the 2009 EP election will provide the only chance for EU electorates to have any say at all in the EU for the next 5 years.
French Ambivalence
Posted by Pete Quentin in European Union on 20/10/2008
A report published by the independent Brussels-based think tank the Thomas More Institute for European Studies examines the performance of the French Presidency of the EU Council so far, assessing its contribution to the long term development of EU policy. The Presidency, which started in July this year and will end on 31st December, scored 11.5 out of 20 possible marks for its mid-term performance, writes Judith Gollata.
‘Make Britain Great Again’-How the Tories could loosen Britain’s ties with Brussels (as well as those within the party)
Posted by David Conway in European Union on 29/09/2008
In an interview held with the The Sunday Times yesterday, former Tory leader William Hague emphasized that, should the Tories win power in 2009 or 2010, a ‘Conservative government could still hold a referendum on Europe, even if the Lisbon Treaty had already been ratified.’ Considering a national ballot on Britain’s EU membership may seem a rather bold and possibly even clever move (if as stated in the article’s comment section the Tories are to ‘make Britain Great again’) – if only there was nothing else on that agenda, writes Judith Gollata.