Photo by Noah Peterson on Unsplash According to an article published in the UK Daily Telegraph, Sir Keir Starmer the leader of the UK Labour Party will extend the vote in the UK to millions of EU citizens if Labour wins the next general election. Under manifesto plans for the biggest expansion of the franchise…
Politics
Free Belarus!
Photo by Andrew Keymaster on Unsplash The EU parliament is currently staging an exhibition on Belarusian political prisoners. The exhibition ‘Belarusian martyrology – political prisoners in Belarus’ invites visitors to get acquainted with the life stories, portraits and voices of the people who chose democracy over dictatorship. Belarusian artist Xisha Aniolowa started creating portraits of political prisoners in 2020. She…
The Proof of the Pudding
Photo by Ian Dooley on Unsplash It is said that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill clearly endorsed this when he sent back to the kitchen a dull dessert, complaining that the pudding had no theme. It raises the question as to which pudding best represents the…
UK National Rejoin March
Democracy Under Threat in Africa
Photo by Random Institute on Unsplash MEPs have voiced concern at the “alarming” situation in west and central Africa for democracy. On 30 August, immediately after ballots closed in Gabon and President Ali Bongo was officially elected for a third term, a group of military officers announced his removal from office, his arrest and the…
European Parliament 2024 Elections
Photo by Yellow Cactus on Unsplash MEPs will vote this week on the composition of the European Parliament for the 2024-2029 parliamentary term. Taking into account demographic changes in the Member States, Parliament initially proposed an updated distribution that would provide for a minimum of additional seats. This is also said to respect the principle of “degressive proportionality” without…
EU Condemns Sham Elections as Illegitimate
Photo by Lukáš Lehotský on Unsplash The European Union says it “strongly condemns” the holding of local elections in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has “temporarily” occupied. A strongly worded statement issued on Monday called the elections “illegitimate”. They were held at the weekend in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol and in…
People at the Core of Transformation in Uzbekistan
Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash In Uzbekistan, the process of democratisation of administration and decision-making is based on the will of society. A large-scale transformation, launched in 2017, today covers all areas, writes Bobur Bekmurodov. Today, it is obvious to everyone that the reforms in the country have gained momentum, and Uzbekistan has stepped into a new…
Wopke Hoekstra Nominated as Commissioner
Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash The Socialist group in the EU parliament has reacted to news reports that the outgoing Dutch government of Mark Rutte will nominate foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra as its candidate to be the country’s next European Commissioner. In a statement issued on Friday, the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament state: “As…
Politics and Asylum
Photo by Ravi Sharma on Unsplash Over the past century the UK has had a proud record of accepting refugees and asylum seekers. Just like today there were often loud voices against, but the Prime Ministers of the time had the courage of their convictions and made them welcome. After the second world war and the resettlement of…