Archive for the ‘EU-Lisbon-Treaty’ Category
German speaking at sale
Posted by: Hajo Friedrich in Brussels bubble, EU, EU-Lisbon-Treaty, Media on February 18th, 2010
Goethe Nachtisch-Bein (Photo: andriz/flickr)
Difficult times – also for Germany and the german language. It seems that Baroness Ashton is not interested in German as one of the working langugages in the coming EU-diplomatic service.
That might be one reason, that the Goethe Institut Brussels offers again free German language courses - especially designed for EU-journalists and diplomats who have already a basic knowledge in German and want to expand it. Read the rest of this entry »
No sensitiveness – precisely
Posted by: Hajo Friedrich in Brussels bubble, EU-Lisbon-Treaty, Geldentwertung, Transparency on December 11th, 2009
Barroso - talking precisely, certainly (Photo: Hajo Friedrich)
The Greece state is nearly bancrupt and the EU-officials don’t hesitate a second to ask for a salary increase of 3,7%. Yes, officially it’s is their right, and all EU-member-states adopted the legal base. But still there is a difference between legally and legitimacy. Certainly, precisely, Mr. Barroso.
Why do you insist on this, José Manuel Barroso, was asked at todays press-conference after the Brussels EU-summit. “We have to respect the law” and “we can’t go against the european law” and “it’s only about to implement the legislation”.
Yes, President Barroso is right. Precisely. The Commission is the guardian of the treaty. Certainly. What would happen, if the Guardians would say: “Come on, times are bad, we earn enough money; let’s give up our right”. Read the rest of this entry »
On the duty of civil EU-disobedience
Posted by: Hajo Friedrich in EU, EU-Lisbon-Treaty, European Parliament, Media on November 20th, 2009
Herman Van Who listens the Council President
It was nightmarish – last night in the European Council press hall. Applause for Herman Van Rompuys long, written press declaration and Mrs. C. Ashtons little speech – foremost by a clique of well paid officials.
I know, we have to obey – the Lisbon Treaty. But I would like to open a discussion on the question: Isn’t it time to think about ways of civil disobedience against the EU-bubble.
The question is not: EU or not EU. The question is: What kind of a EU. There are different ways. EU-elite makes us believe, that there is only one: their way. That contributes to the image or the similarity of Brussels with Moscow/Peking. No wonder the remark of Paul Goosens (flemish journalist) in last nights press conference: The decision to nominate and choose Mr. Van Rompuy (Van Who?) seems to be as non-democratic as in China.
Herman Van Rompuy - dreaming (Photo: Hajo Friedrich)
You may say: everything is correct – in application of the Lisbon Treaty. But the nomination and election of Mr. Herman Van Rompuy (Van Who?) is the contrary, which was promissed by the Lisbon treaty: to make the EU more transparent, democratic and effective. The procedure was neither transparent, nor democratic. Effective? Yes. From the perspective of the EU-elite. Not a good sign for future policies.
Good times for citizens and ideals of european (re)unification seem to be over. It seems to become colder in the EU. We are living in diferent crisis and others are in front of us – but not for the EU-power-elites. They looked quite happy last nicht: new posts, new competences. In the European Parliament there is above of all few professionalism to deal with the new competences.
Commissions president José Manuel Barroso subtle power game – to demonstrate, who is the master in the Brussels EU-institution bubble: me, me me!
Mrs. C.Ashton and Mr. Barroso in uniformity
“In the middle of blind people the one-eyed is king” – if i may translate so a german say. Honor Mahony is right. We are disappointed, because Europe and their people deserve a better government. At least a Jean-Claude Juncker should have been the first EU-President.
Barroso and the States-secretary Van Rompuy are mere caretaker in the circle of the EU-power-elite and under control of the influential heads of state and government .
They react. They don’t act. Because of the blindness and incompetence of politics they only administer. And they cover the ongoing games and desaster on the financial markets and the unability of Europe to give the right answers on climate-change, wars and civil wars worldwide etc.
Friends of Europe - of what Europe? (Photo: Hajo Friedrich)
Barrosos etc. main task is and will be: The show (casino capitalism, excessive use of ressources etc.) must go on – with some slight cosmetic changes. The purpose of several public relations campaigns: to give the citizens the feeling (not the certainty) that good politicians like Merkel/Sarko/Brown have everything under control. Symbolic use of politics.
Nice flowers
Barroso(s) for all
Posted by: Hajo Friedrich in EU, EU-Lisbon-Treaty on November 13th, 2009
EU-garden gnome (Photo: Hajo Friedrich)
Thats’ it. Please, Heads of State, listen to me. I’ve the idea, to solve all your problems with placing persons on the top of the EU.
The key is your wonderful puppet/scapegot/garden gnome: Mr. José Manuel Barroso. “Barroso for all 3 EU-top-posts” – that’s the solution. Also the EU Court of Auditors would applaud – an exellent opportunity to save EU-taxpayers money. Read the rest of this entry »
Van Rompuy – Van Who?
Posted by: Hajo Friedrich in EU-Lisbon-Treaty, Media, Transparency on November 3rd, 2009
Hermann Van Rompuy (Photo: houbi/flickr)
Do you know Herman Van Rompuy? No. Don’t worry. It is not important, to know this politician.
You insist to know, who is Herman Van Rompuy? O.K. I’ll tell you. He is the Belgian prime minister. And he seems to be the most likely candidate for the first European Union presidency.
His qualification? Defintely low profile - precise illustration of EU’s state of affairs.
As President of the European Council of Ministers Herman Van Rompuy would preside over the coming 2,5 years the European Summits-sessions – whicht takes place at least four times a year in Brussels.
Yes or out – unworthy exercise
Posted by: Hajo Friedrich in EU, EU-Lisbon-Treaty, Media on October 2nd, 2009
The way, the EU-power-elite tries to get the Lisbon treaty accepted discredits the content of the paper. They and – by the way – nearly all journalists may name it “Reform”treaty, and pretend it will bring more “Democracy, Transparency and Efficiency”. This might be true. But, who profits most from the treaty? Definitely not the citizens, I dare to say. Read the rest of this entry »
Google – Goodfather and/or Gravedigger?
Posted by: Hajo Friedrich in EU, EU-Lisbon-Treaty, Media, Transparency on September 8th, 2009
Photo: Jim Barter/flickr
The Brussels “Google-Books-Settlement”-Hearing (agenda see below) was interesting and shed light on one of the most important topics on EU-level: the control of informations and the access to the cultural heritage in the Brussels-bubble so called Information Society.
The Brussels hearing gave different Google-representatives a wonderful opportunity to present the Google Books-businessmodel and – by the way – a prominent seat in the the discussion and Q&A-rounds on EU-level. Read the rest of this entry »
Taliban in the EU-Parliament?
Posted by: Hajo Friedrich in EU, EU-Lisbon-Treaty, European Parliament on July 12th, 2009
Markus Ferber (Photo: Hajo Friedrich)
Political communication is tricky. Using new methods of public relation is not always successful. This experience made Markus Ferber, co-chairman of the german CDU/CSU-group in the European Parliament, with his latest like video message on the judgement of the highest german court (Bundes-verfassungsgericht) on the EU-Lisbon-treaty.
Ferbers “boss”, Mr. Horst Seehofer, who ist not only CSU-party-chairman, but also “Ministerpresident” of the “Free State” of Bavaria, blamed Ferber’s video message targeted to the inner circle of the CSU. Ferber’s method wouldn’t be CSU-like, it’s a method, “only used by the Taliban”, said Seehofer.
Good Luck for Markus Ferber, that he just got his comfirmation for another five years shelter in the EP. Time enough to make his mind up – or looking for another job.
What is the conflict between Ferber and Seehofer?
As a consequence of the german highest court-judgement Seehofer is asking for more power of the german parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) and the chamber of the german Lander (Bundesrat). Both institutions should be enhanced in prescribing federal government Germany position in EU-affairs.
Ferber is against it. Like many other german MEPs he fears, that Germany could stop EU-policy and -legislations by time-consuming asking the Parliament in Berlin and the german Länder.
Charismatic politician Seehofer criticized Ferber, who tried to explain in his video clip, that this would weaken Germany’ position in the power struggle concert of the 27 EU-member states.
Ferber is not alone. He has powerful allies: Federal chanceler Angela Merkel and the big partner-party, CDU, are also not be amused about Seehofers demands.
I think, Horst Seehofer is – in general – right. The german parliament (Bundestag) and the representation of the german länder (Bundesrat) should be much more engaged in EU-affairs. Not only by implementing decisions after they are ready-made in Brussels and Strasbourg – also by discussiong and deciding on EU-policy.
„We want, the that EU is able to work, but the EU must also be democratic legitimate”, said Seehofer. He might know quite well, that no government on earth likes to lose power. So conflicts between Munich and Berlin/Brussels are programmed.
Anyway. The demands for more influence of Bundestag and Bundesrat are another interesting consequence of the highest court decisions. It is a pity that judges in Karlsruhe have to tell politicians, how to improve the management ot the important EU-policy.
