Equal Rights

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Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash Political debate across the EU has recently been dominated by the cost-of-living crisis, the rising cost of health and social care and the cost of supplying additional weaponry to combat Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the UK a new issue has risen to the top of the agenda: what should be the…

Charles Michel’s speech to the Verkhovna Rada

We reprint in full here EU Council President Charles Michel’s speech to the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv today:- Dear Speaker, dear Ruslan, Distinguished Members of the Verkhovna Rada, Excellencies, dear friends, thank you for your warm welcome. I am moved to be here amongst you. For nearly a year, the world has looked with horror…

New Vice President for European Parliament

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Photo by Yellow Cactus on Unsplash Members of the European Parliament have voted to elect Marc Angel (S&D) as Vice President, sitting in the Bureau of the Parliament.The vote was held in the wake of the suspension of the former Vice President Eva Kaili, who was caught up in allegations of corruption at the heart of the ‘Qatargate’ scandal….

Tribute to David Sassoli

David Sassoli

A solemn commemoration and tribute has been held the late President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli. The Italian Socialist MEP passed away when he was in office, on 11 January 2022, aged 65. His premature death spurred deep emotions among the whole European family and the international community.  The Socialist group, in a statement…

Attack on Democracy in Brasil

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Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash The Left group in the European parliament has criticised supporters of former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro for storming key government sites including the Congress. It has echoes of what happened in the U.S two years ago when far right demonstrators,  backed by ex President Trump, stormed the U.S Congress. The disorder comes…

Azerbaijan Opens New Embassy in Israel

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Photo by Orxan Musayev on Unsplash The opening of a new Azeri Embassy in Israel has been hailed as a significant step in advancing the cooperation between the two countries and constitutes a natural continuation of the centuries-old friendship between the Azeri and Jewish nations. 30 ministers and members of the Israeli Knesset wrote an open letter of…

Breaking The Code

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Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash In 2003 Tony Blair appointed the first UK Ethics Adviser to investigate ministerial sleaze. Why the UK should need such a role while no EU Prime Minister has felt a similar need says something about the unique state of UK politics, writes Philip Bushill-Matthews.  Voters have the right to expect that anyone…

Qatargate Rattles the European Parliament Cage

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Photo by Michal Matlon on Unsplash The European Parliament has just voted for a series of measures aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption, following the revelations in the ‘Qatargate’ scandal.  The measures include: A cooling off period for MEPs to prevent revolving doors; to prohibit financial ties with lobbyists; stricter rules on ‘friendship groups’; improved whistleblower protection;…

Who cares?

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Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash Christmas is a time when families come together to care for each other: this year, with waves of strikes in the public sector paralysing the UK, millions of people are struggling even to care for themselves, writes Philip Bushill-Matthews. Public support for the various strikes is variable: but support for healthcare strikers…

Threat to Europe’s Stability and Security

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Photo by Jorgen Hendriksen on Unsplash Russia’s “war of aggression” against Ukraine continues to threaten the stability and security of  Europe, says a leading Brussels-based think tank.  The conflict, says the European Policy Centre will “add to the challenge for many who are struggling to afford energy and food this winter.” But one thing is “certain”, it says,…