Photo by aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash On a continent hit by a spate of coups and hindered by leaders resistant to stepping down at the end of their constitutional terms, Senegal stands out as a democratic beacon. Among other democratic credentials, they have in President Macky Sall a leader who believes in transition and the country’s life after…
Photo by Manny Becerra on Unsplash A senior French MP has thrown his weight behind a campaign in Britain for overseas parliamentary constituencies. The campaign, run jointly by New Europeans UK and Unlock Democracy, says the UK could benefit by giving a “voice” to the 3.5 British citizens living abroad. French parliamentarian Alexandre Holroyd is one of 11 representatives of French citizens living abroad and took part in…
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash There are fears about the impact enlargement could have on the EU’s political power in the world, says a new survey. It says Poland and Denmark are the most optimistic on this question, with a plurality of 43% and 35% of citizens, respectively, believing Ukraine’s accession would have a positive…
Photo by Dmitriy Altynnikov on Unsplash The international community, including the EU, has been urged to throw its weight behind closer integration between Central Asian countries. Specifically, the West is asked to support the creation of a Central Asian Union to foster closer relations between the various countries, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, in the region. The demand…
Photo by Travel With on Unsplash The West, including Europe, is heading for a potential fresh “struggle” with Russia and China in the race to win influence in Central Asia. That is one of the messages to emerge from a conference in Brussels on “Central Asia and the EU’s Historic Choice.” The lively debate on 7 December heard…
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash The past two months have been a troubling and difficult time for Europe. While the war in Ukraine continues to raise concerns about the continent’s security, our attention has been divided by the outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East. While both issues are hitting international headlines, on…
Photo by Stock Birken on Unsplash Some 70 years before Benjamin Franklin borrowed the phrase, English playwright Christopher Bullock in 1789 wrote in his comedy The Cobbler of Preston: “T’is impossible to be sure of anything but Death and Taxes.”. In the UK as in most European countries both certainties can happen together, with tax on inherited wealth…
Photo by Andy Newton on Unsplash A former Europe Minister in the UK has ridiculed the appointment of former British PM David Cameron as the country’s new foreign secretary as an “odd gimmick.” Dr Denis MacShane, a former Europe Minister under Tony Blair, told EU Political Report: “David Cameron is known globally as the politician who kneeled before…
Photo by Tomáš Nožina on Unsplash The European Green Party has “congratulated” the new Spanish government formed by PSOE, Sumar and regionalist parties. The message on Thursday came after Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez clinched a vote in parliament to lead Spain for another term as prime minister. He has secured a four-seat majority in the…
Photo by Sam te Kiefte on Unsplash The European Greens held their Green Leadership Council this week, a chance for Green Party leaders from all over Europe to “sharpen their common vision and plan” for the upcoming European elections. The Greens, in the elections in 2024, hope to build on electoral gains in the last Euro poll and…
