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Crossing Europe A-Z

Spain | Philosophers on the Rise

Spain’s political system favours two long-time established parties, the People’s Party and the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Worker’s Party). Next to these two, there exist some smaller parties, who especially cover regional topics of the independence-minded Catalonian and Basque region. Since September 2007, this has changed. A new party has emerged: the UPD (Unity, Progress, and Democracy) arose from the Basque people’s movement ¡Basta Ya! (“That’s enough!”) which had turned against the Basque terrorism and the way the President Zapatero’s government dealt with it. In December 2000, the movement has won the Sakharov prize for the defence of human rights and freedoms awarded by the European Parliament.

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Many leading Spanish intellectuals, for example the philosophers Fernando Savater and Carlos Martínez Gorriarán, support the young party. Rosa Díez, former member of the Socialist party and of the European Parliament, is now the party’s front-runner. The experienced politician wants change the firmly established structure of the political system so that smaller parties like the UPD will be more successful. At the 2008 parliament elections, the party gained 1.19% of the votes. The European Parliament elections are now the next big test for how well the new party has been able to rally support within the Spanish people.

9 comments

Sunday, June 7 2009 By epolitik - Crossing Europe A-Z

Slovenia | Conflict with Croatia

slov_shaggyshoo

Slovenia's European election campaign missed any European aspects stated an Austrian newspaper. As in other member states, the financial crisis was a big deal. Moreover, unsolved border issues with Croatia dominated, as usual, the discussions. These problems are not well known within the EU, but postponed accession talks with Croatia this year. Both countries are arguing mainly about the line of demarcation in Piran bay. This all leads to tension between people from both countries. While some Croatians want to boycott Slovenian goods, Slovenians feel validated in judging the others as arrogant and snobbish.

Piran bay.

Picture is reserved under a Creative Commons Licence (shaggyshoo/flickr).

5 comments

By epolitik - Crossing Europe A-Z

Portugal | Ejaculatory Prayers Heavenwards

The weather forecast for Portugal on Sunday, the 7th of June: Clouds are covering the sky, with a temperature of 12 to 16 degrees. The chance of rain: 74 percent. So, if you want a shiny weekend, all the Portuguese should pray in sunday's worship. May be, they also should light a candle for the closing of the European Election in the afternoon.

church_at_Obidas.jpgThe politicians are worried about a low turnout - like many of their colleagues in the other countries like Slovakia, Poland, Ireland, ... ! Therefore, they started a big campaign in the last couple of days - and hope, that their work will influence the voter's choice. But bad weather and the missing enthusiasm of the Portugues for the European Union and the elections, they also should light a candle in the church.


Image is preserved under a Creative-Commons-Licence (dynamosquito/flickr).

17 comments

Saturday, June 6 2009 By epolitik - Crossing Europe A-Z

Sweden | Potpourri

Here what came to my mind while thinking about Sweden and the upcoming elections. Just extend this list if you'd like:

Snow storms in April | EU presidency from July to December 2009 | A handsome prince | Furniture with do-it-yourself assembly instructions | Funny city names (at least for a German girl.. sorry): UPPSALA rocked already years ago | Not only elks on street signs but also cats | Swedish Jack Sparrows capturing politics | Köttbullar and potatos | Red hair and red houses | High-class music: Mando Diao for the dancers, Kristofer Astrom for the dreamers

pippi_CDrewing.jpginbus_hmboo.jpgswedensignhauskött

Photos are private or reserved under a Creative Commons Licence. All by flickr: Pippi/CDrewing, inbus/hmboo, snow/-12C, köttbullar/incinerator, house/kreativkind.

26 comments

Thursday, June 4 2009 By epolitik - Crossing Europe A-Z

Poland | Black candidate runs for European Parliament

The representation of minorities is often adopted by members of the European Parliament, who belong to the majority in ethnic and religious respects. Although millions of Europeans are coloured, just a few deputies are black for instance, concerning notably Nirj Deva, Syed Kamall or Sajjad Karim (all for the United Kingdom).

Patrick Kibangou, born in Congo, is an engineer who lives in Poland for over 29 years taking polish citizenship. His father was a French Senator. Even though his chances to get elected are remote, because of not being placed on the top of the list of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), he shows ambitious courage.

Patrick Kibangou

9 comments

Sunday, May 31 2009 By epolitik - Crossing Europe A-Z

Lithuania | The EU Karate-Lady

European Union budget commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite won Lithuania’s presidential elections on May 18th 2009. The independent candidate won with over 66% of the vote. The country has been hit very hard by the crisis; this is why the Lithuanians elected someone experienced in economic and financial matters. Grybauskaite is the first female president in the history of Lithuania but nobody would doubt that she’s able to handle the situation. Already being compared to Magret Thatcher, the “iron lady”, Grybauskaite shows her personal strength with a black belt in Karate. Which by the way, in combination with her excellent proficiency in Russian, could help to improve the country’s relations to Russia.

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Her government will definitely not be euro-sceptic. Still, only 40 % of the Lithuanians plan to participate in the European elections. Maybe the Lithuanian citizens feel that they have now a perfect representative in Brussels: a woman who knows her way around in the EU and at the same time has the possibility to advocate Lithuanian interests in the Council of the European Union – the institution which most people consider to be more important than the European parliament.

Friday, May 29 2009 By epolitik - Crossing Europe A-Z

Slovakia | Singing Tail-Light

Slovakia_Pic 1 What a battle: On October the 15th, Poland beat Slovakia in the FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifiying Match with 2 goals to 1, with a spectacular turn in the 85th and 86th minute by Stanislav Sestak, striker of the German football club VFL Bochum. Currently Slovakia (12 points) is two points ahead of Poland (10 points) in the chart.

On June 7th, the two countries will fight a totally different battle in a totally different qualifying modus: Who will be the tail-light in the European Parliament Elections 2009? In 2004, Slovakia had the least voter participation of all countries, with just 17 percent. Followed by Poland with 21 percent.

Slovakia_Pic 2Old Town Hall in Bratislava
















After all the effort the Slovakian Government doesn´t want a reprise like in 2004. Róbert Hajšel, chairman of the information office of the European Parliament in Bratislava, said, it was the saddest statement in the whole history of European Elections. His explanation: “If you fully trust and support something, you don’t want to change it and if you don’t want to change it, you don’t care to come and vote.”.

Nevertheless, the Slovaks tried to do the best preparation for June the 7th, with the help of a new star in the country’s entertainment business. The 17-year-old Viera Berkyova won the show “Slovakias Next Superstar” in 2008 and wowed the crowd with a special song – about the European currency, the Euro. The song became an unexpected major hit in the charts. May be a good sign for the votes next Sunday – and an appropriate instrument to get the Slovaks ready for the election, too.


Images are preserved under a Creative-Commons-Licence (roblisameehan/flickr and iandanielbrown/flickr).

10 comments

Thursday, May 28 2009 By epolitik - Crossing Europe A-Z

Romania | Party time in Parliament?



Just look at these photos. What do you think who this woman is?
''- An It-Girl?''
Yes.
''- Romania's Paris Hilton?''
Yes.
''- Someone with maybe wealthy or prominent parents?''
Yes.

It is Elena, daughter of Romania's president Traian Basescu. And guess now what comes next? RIGHT: 28-year-old Elena Basescu is a candidate in the upcoming European elections. There will be more than 750 MEP in the new parliament so why not having a sexy female disco queen among them?
Monday, May 25 2009 By epolitik - Crossing Europe A-Z

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