Tag archive for ‘European election’
The Future of Social Democracy: A Spanish Vision
To solve our current problems realist and practical policies are required, but they must also always retain a social-democratic ethos.
The European election of July 2009 showed an interesting paradox: despite the fact that, according to data from the European Election Study (1986-2004), 58 per cent of European citizens position themselves as centre-left or left, the [...]
What now for Social Democracy in Europe?
The reality is more complex than a simple story of social democracy in inevitable decline.
On the face of it these are testing times for left-of-centre, social-democratic movements in Europe. The results of the June 2009 European parliamentary elections served to stress the point that in spite of the economic meltdown, social-democratic parties have been largely [...]
Social Democracy: A Force That Is Distrusted But Not Yet Spent
Ordinary people will only start voting for social democrats once more if they ditch the policies that are making their lives a misery.
Social-democratic parties were the main losers of the 2009 European elections. Green parties may have done well in their traditional strongholds (France, Germany, Sweden, Luxembourg), but their scores remain marginal elsewhere. And almost [...]
Britain’s Future in the European Union – Stay in warts-and-all or Leave
The elections to the European parliament are around the corner and many commentators and analysts in Britain are using this occasion to attack the European Union with rather cheap arguments. Most of these opinions seem like a deflection of national debates and ambiguities onto the European level. But they remind us about the fundamental decision the UK has to take sooner rather than later: whether to stay in the Union warts-and-all or leave altogether.
The 2009 European Elections: More of the Same, unfortunately!
In a few weeks’ time citizens of the European Union across the continent will take part in this year’s European Parliament elections. Many others, probably the majority of eligible voters, will once more shun away from the voting booths. The reasons for increasing voter apathy and growing nervousness (bordering on Euro scepticism) about the EU [...]
European Parliamentary Elections 2009 – Time for a new Direction
Europe has been a fascinating idea of peace, stability and social justice. After decades of unstable balance of power systems, disastrous conflicts and two World Wars, a new era in Europe’s history began when the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was established. The idea ‘to create peace through integration’ became a reality. Following decades [...]
My Case for Europe
Malta is quite unique. Although we have our fair share of problems as anywhere else in Europe, few would doubt that, particularly in view of our small size, Malta offers experiences not easily replicated in other larger countries.
At the same time, however, we must not allow this trait to stand in our way of maximising [...]
