debating progressive politics in Europe and beyond
The crisis has shown the urgency of rejecting the neoliberal ideology currently dominating EU policy-making and reigning in the far-reaching influence of corporate lobbies. There has been a lively debate about the influential role of lobbying in Brussels over the last few years, centred on the lack of transparency around lobbyists’ activities. Scandals linking MEPs to [...]
It is frustrating that there was yet another Council meeting in Brussels and again none of the necessary steps were taken. Angela Merkel basically got what she wanted. Apart from Britain and the Czech Republic everybody looks set to sign up to her fiscal union, which will set in stone a constitutionalised version of the [...]
The European Council is meeting in Brussels and crucial decisions are expected regarding both crisis resolution and medium-term reform of the euro area. A grand bargain is likely to emerge in which the ECB will do more to backstop euro area governments and reduce their borrowing costs. In return member states, at least in the [...]
Last night’s deal to save the euro came pretty much in the mid-range of my expectations. I went through many of the main issues in yesterday’s column, and won’t repeat them here. A few additional points are worth making, though. While agreement has been reached on principles (‘voluntary’ Greek debt write-down, bank recapitalisation, efforts to [...]
The Eurozone crisis plays on to a familiar tune. Finance ministers meet on the weekend only for markets to dismiss their efforts the following Monday. This column argues that Europe’s leaders have lost touch, that the ECB has the firepower but is not prepared to use it, and that the outcome of all this is [...]
Reports about European Commission plans to adjust the salaries of its officials and reduce staffing levels raise some concerns. On wages and salaries, the European Commission has been urging countries to drop or reform wage indexation systems, not least in Belgium, where most EU officials live and work. It is therefore odd to read that [...]
Today is car-free Sunday in Brussels. For most bruxellois it is a chance to walk, skate or cycle around familiar streets in an unfamiliar guise, namely without the noise, smell, stress, pollution and accident risk that, on 364 days a year, are caused by private motor vehicles. Especially given decent weather, like today, it is [...]
Yesterday evening I commented on the current talks of the Eurozone finance ministers on Al Jazeera International. Watch below what I had to say.
So the Irish voted “yes” and barring any last minute grandstanding from Vaclav Klaus, we will finally get the Lisbon Treaty. The debate now is about who will get the big jobs, starting with the full-time Presidency of the Council. Tony Blair is the hot favourite and would, in my view, be excellent for the [...]
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