Divided UK when it comes to Europe

Article published in Cafebabel

Cushion found in the British Museum, London. Doug Wheller © Flickr

As expected, the byelections in Rochester and Strood gave another seat to defector UKIP’s MP Mark Reckless. Politicians are now focused on the general elections and future campaigns. But what about the movements in favour of Britain remaning in the European Union? 

Once again, UKIP overturned a 10,000 Tory majority to take the seat by 2,920 votes, in a byelection triggered by defector Mark Reckless. The political campaign was intense and the environment living in the UK is being pressed by the coming general elections, in 2015. Positions are being firmed and Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, ruled out the hypothese of coalition with UKIP. As for Farage, UKIP’s leader, he has stated that he would make “a deal with the devil”, to get a referendum on British’s membership in the EU. As a reaction, Mr. Clegg said "I will never sit round a cabinet table with Nigel Farage, and I should think the feeling's mutual." As for Cameron, he also ruled out the idea of coalition with UKIP let alone Labour’s leader, Ed Miliband. 

We now look at a divided Britain with internal ideological fights and no solid prospects for the future. According to the Daily Express, a quarter of David Cameron’s Cabinet would vote to leave the EU in its current form if a plebiscite was held now. What about the other UK faction who is silenced by the media and is trying to raise its voice for Britain’s continuance in the EU? Who defends Europe in the UK? 

Reaching out or breaking up? Hartwig HKD © Flickr 

Lately, we have been seeing a variety of new Associations, Movements and Think Tanks who stand up for UK and are trying to make their voices heard. British Influence, Pro Europa, Business New Europe, European Movement and Centre for European Reform are some of the examples of organisations who believe that Britain is better off inside of the Union. All of these social groups are non profit, independent of any political party and don't receive funding from the government or the EU. Their subsistence relies on donations from the private sector and their way of action is through events organisation in order to spread their voices. Through meetings, seminars and conferences, these associations bring together people from the worlds of politics and business as well as opinion-formers. 

One thing is certain, what these organisations share, is the refusal of a referendum, which, according to them, will harm the United Kingdom in several ways. Some of the Pro Europa’s reasons for why Britain should remain in the EU go from employment, exports and investment, trade, clean environment, power to curb the multinationals, freedom to work and study abroad (and easy travel), peace and democracy, influence in the world and researching fund. In fact, as Nick Clegg has already said, “leaving the Union would be an economic suicide”.

Shameless Corruption in Portugal

Article published in Cafebabel

"Most corrupted country, according to the Portuguese", Lisbon. Pedro Duarte Gonçalves © Flickr

Over the past weeks, politics in Portugal have been under fire, delighting the mainstream media. Corruption has been on the top of the agenda with high representatives of the State being caught by the Justice. 

Firstly, following the Golden Visa scheme, which allows citizens from outside Schengen Area to have a residence permit in Portugal in exchange of a minimum investment in the country of 500 thousand euros, a fraudulent scheme was found and it became a public case with the detention of high representatives of the Portuguese political scene. 

“Maze Operation” the designed name for the investigation, was exactly a maze of relationships inside of the government, opening way to bribes in order to issue golden visas. On the top of the net was the President of the Institute of Registry and Notary (IRN), António Figueiredo and Maria Antónia Enes, Secretary-General of the Justice Minister. These two are suspected to negotiate and inflate Real Estate prices in exchange of golden visas issued in a dodgy quick way, through some real estate agencies. 

Is there any way to save us from corruption? Paolo Marconi © Flickr 

According to the Judiciary Police, there is proof of bribes and also illegal transferences financial transactions through this illicit service. Another public figure caught in this scheme was the President of the Foreign and Borders Service (SEF), Manuel Jarmela Paulos, in functions since 2005, suspected of closing his eyes to this fraud. In fact, Manuel Paulos is charged of two corruption crimes, being benevolent with the fraud and charging 10% commissions to accelerate the attribution of golden visas. Between the 11 detained, one of them, Jaime Couto Alves, leads a company, Projects & Business, also suspected of collecting prospective clients. And trough this company is the link to Intern Administration Minister, Miguel Macedo, who resigned when the scandal became public. Macedo was a partner of Project & Business, but he is believed to have sold his shares in 2011. The resigned minister was caught in wiretaps which led to an investigation of his office by the Judiciary Police. The golden visa legislation was launched in Portugal, in 2012, by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Paulo Portas. 

The straw that broke the camel's back 

Last week, the media bomb exploded when former Prime Minister and former Socialist Party leader, José Sócrates, was detained. Despite a large percentage of the Portuguese population have serious issues against Sócrates, his detention has targeted the media with lots of criticism. The former Prime Minister was arriving to Lisbon Airport, coming from Paris, and he had a flashy and shrill reception not only with the police but also with the hungry media. 

José Sócrates is accused of qualified tax fraud crimes, corruption and money laundering. After an exhausting interrogatory, enforcement measures were known yesterday and the former Prime Minister is in custody, in Évora, where he asked to be transfered, moving away from Lisbon. The public opinion is divided regarding this case, with some people strongly supporting the Justice’s way of action and others condemning its invasive conduct. 

This is the first time in the history of the Portuguese democracy that a former Prime Minister is confronted by the Justice, however, corruption cases in Portugal are sadly common. Apito Dourado, Freeport, Submarinos, Taguspark e Face Oculta are some of the many examples that have rotten the state of the Portuguese democracy. Let us not forget the words of the Justice Minister, Paula Teixeira da Cruz, “the time of impunity is over.” 

What is Youth Guarantee?

Article published in Cafebabel

Lost generation? Petra © Flickr

After the financial crises which deeply affected Europe, the lack of job opportunities for young Europeans all over the continent was one of several social consequences. 

Between 2007 and 2013, youth unemployment reached high numbers across Europe, increasing from 15.7% to 23.4%. As a reaction to this social disaster, the European Commission decided to implement a new programme – Youth Guarantee – to benefit all young people under 25 years. This initiative entails jobs, apprenticeships, and traineeships, as well as continuing education. 

Cafébabel decided to interview António Polica, who started working on Youth Guarantee in 2009 when he was a board member of the Italian Youth Forum (delegate to labor and social affairs), and he explained the purpose of this programme better. According to Polica, the Youth Guarantee is a technical measure aimed at fighting long-term youth unemployment and preventing the “NEET” phenomenon, offering a new opportunity to work or train within four months after losing a job or finishing school or university courses. Beneficiaries are young people under 25 years of age. Polica also explained that in some countries, like Italy, the benefits are extended up to 30 years old. 

A successful implementation? 

The programme’s budget is 6 billion Euros. However, the countries most affected by the crisis, Italy and Spain, received half of the total budget (around 3 billion Euros). Only the countries with a youth unemployment rate higher than 25% are beneficiaries of Youth Guarantee funds. Naturally, the implementation of such an ambitious programme faces some problems. Polica warned that Youth Guarantee needs a holistic approach to young people’s lives in order to be really effective. Moreover, Youth Guarantee does not create new job spots; however, it develops guidelines for a new oriented growth approach which Polica considers necessary to definitively solve the problem of youth unemployment as well as unemployment in general. 

When asked about the effectiveness of the programme in different countries, Polica said that it has already been successfully implemented in several countries, like Finland, for instance. But since European Union countries are different from each other , the YG must be implemented taking the differences among the countries into account. “To do copy-paste is not enough,” said Polica.

Naturally, for a successful implementation of the Youth Guarantee programme, there must be strong cooperation between stakeholders in order to assure the necessary quality for the programme’s beneficiaries. Thus, EU countries are currently developing national Youth Guarantee Plans and the Commission is helping each country to develop its plan. If we look at Finland, we have a clear success story. After the implementation of the programme, a study showed that in 2011, 82.5% of young job seekers had received a successful offer. For instance, in Portugal, a country strongly weakened by the crisis, the programme is called “Impulso Jovem,” and it has helped a lot of young students looking for their first experience. 

Limits of the Youth Guarantee 

However, the programme has its disadvantages as many of the beneficiaries complain about the low monthly allowances or even about the work that is given to them, alleging that it’s not the best way of getting ready for the professional world. Despite the measure being a co-partnership with European funds, it is up to each country to know how to better implement the programme, in order to achieve productive and successful results. This is one of the major problems of the programme as many of the European countries seem to ignore how to functionally set up the scheme. Another deterrent factor is, naturally, the underlying bureaucratic process, which delays and muddles the procedure.

A nightmare called EU budget

Article published in Cafebabel

How complex is the EU budget? Dagny Gromer © Flickr

The “budget season” has begun across Europe and all Member States are now in uproar estimating their future spendings for the upcoming year. At a European level, journalists complain about the EU lawmakers, who have created a range of complexities, blaming them of being political forces trying to make the European Budget a complex process of difficult interpretation. 

As a matter of fact, even inside of the Union, the 2015 budget has been reason for some confusion as Budgets Committee MEPs have said that “giving the European Union a budget must take priority over redistributing resources to EU member states”. This statement follows the discussion over the gross national income (GNI), which has been constantly growing after the £1.7 billion bill that the UK was theoretically obliged to pay by the 1st of December. Despite the situation being reasonable under control (after a stubborn Cameron sending out his clear message towards the EU), this topic has brought the discussion to the top of the agenda. Nevertheless, the Commission has already proposed an amendment to the rules on the adjustment of the EU budget contributions from Member States. This amendment offers an extended deadline for payments until the 1st of September 2015, free of interest. 

The Administrative Budget Process 

Stairs to heaven...budget? Jose Antonio Cotallo López © Flickr 

In fact, according to the Commission's website, the bureaucratic budget process goes from “Budget adoption” to “Budget implementation” to “Accounting for the budget”. The first step includes “draft budget”, “amending letters”, “adopted budget”, “mobilisation of contingency margin” and mobilisation of the flexibility instrument”. 

As for the “Budget implementation”, the second step, Commissioners in charge of the Budget have to deal with “amending budgets”, “use of budgetary allocations” and “mobilisation of the European globalisation adjustment fund”. At this point, Europe is facing the “second step”, as there is already a draft budget and Commissioners are now working on the amending budgets. 

The last step, “accounting for the budget” groups topics like “analysis of the budgetary implementation of the structural funds”, “annual activity report”, “financial report”, “annual accounts of the European Union”, “report on budgetary and financial management” and finally, “discharge”. This procedure resembles pretty well a Kafkaesque image of how knotty this process can be, just like his work, “The Trial”, from 1914. 

Outcomes from the Finance Ministers Meeting 

The European Union budget is estimated to be 146.4 billion euros for the 2014-2020 period, which represents a decrease of 3% compared to the last budget. The money is supposed to go to several areas from farming, health, foreign policy, among several others. However, not only the situation regarding the GNI and the Member States is making the process more thorny, but also the dispute between the institutions, with the Parliament wanting to know which unpaid bills from 2014 remain unpaid before renegotiating projects for 2015. Just to give a clear idea, in 2010 there were €5 billion of unpaid bills registered, rising to €23.4 billion in 2014. The forecast for 2015 is of €28 billion. 

Following a ECOFIN press conference chaired by the Italian Economic and Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, on the 7th of November, Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva, who is in charge of the EU Budget, said that "The Commission has acted very quickly to make a proposal that would avoid imposing this kind of burden on national treasuries this year and in the future. We have included flexibility in extraordinary circumstances. However, the rules must remain precise in order to safeguard the EU’s financial soundness, which is important for our citizens, business, universities, farmers and others right across Europe”. 

At stake is the annual automatic adjustment, which normally goes unnoticed, but this year, due to the big disparity in some countries, like UK and Netherlands, the issue has been a priority, overshadowing the EU budget. “We had a very constructive discussion on the broader issue of the European budget and on the specific issue of the GNI [resources based on gross national income at market prices] corrections. On the broader topic there is clearly support from the Council and it was reflected in conclusions for a timely advancement and conclusions of the negotiations on the 2014 Amending Budgets and the 2015 Draft Budget,” said Kristalina Georgieva at the ECOFIN meeting, trying to clarify the EU and Member States financial situation. 

Naturally, people want to know where does the money come from and, most important, where does it go to, and despite the lack of explicitness, the Commission is being urged to clarify this intricate process to all EU citizens. 

Before such a complex and sensitive situation, the European agenda is giving priority to the EU budget. On the 14th of November a meeting was held, in Brussels, where the ministers responsible for the budget reconvened in order to quicken and define the political and economical guidelines to adopt. 

Later, on Monday 17th, the deadline for an agreement to be struck on the EU’s 2015 budget was supposed to be settled but the Parliament and the member states failed to reach a deal on the EU budget for the coming year. According to the Swedish permanent representative, the parliament and governments were "too far apart and a new proposal by the Commission will be the next step.”

 Step-by-step... 

EU budget voted in the Parliament, in 2012. © European Union 2011 PE-EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari 

The EU budget is proposed by the European Commission and afterwards is decided by the Parliament and the Council in negotiations that normally last 21 days. After the results, it must be approved by both institutions before the President of the Parliament can officially sign the budget. Juncker, as the President of the Commission, should simplify all the Budget process along with Frans Timmermans, Dutch Commissioner and first vice-president, who has a mandate for better regulation, and Kristalina Georgieva, the vice-president with responsibility for budget and administration. 

Moreover, the current complex situation commingling the EU budget and the obligations that Member States have towards the EU, is not helping to make the financial picture clear. At least the Commission has already recognised an internal need to make information more accessible and foster more transparency regarding the GNI.

Are we living a new Cold War?

Article published in Cafebabel

Relationship between West and East are getting colder again. © Talk Android

As we follow the recent worldwide developments we can’t help but ask ourselves: is History repeating itself? We witness now the biggest tensions between the West and East since the Cold War. But the similarities have become even bigger, if we look at the other side of the Atlantic, as well as to the Middle East, with the United States sending troops to Iraq. 

The relationships between Russia and the West are freezing, with the European leaders condemning Putin’s order of sending tanks to Ukraine and his motionless stance. In fact, following the G20 Leaders’ Summit last weekend (15-16 November), in Brisbane, Australia, Putin was strongly criticised and once again, he turned his back away saying that he was going back to Moscow, “we have completed our business,” said Putin justifying his departure. 

Putin threats the United States 

A few weeks ago, Russian jets were seen and immediately intercepted over European airspace, raising doubts and suspicions about what Putin is up to. Later, four Russian warships entered international Australian waters, close to the northeast coast, immediately attracting three Australians warships to ascertain. The peak of this ideological war happened when President Putin condemned the United States and its meddling position as an international actor. The Russian President has clearly left a hostile message to the United States. “Is it the exceptionalism of the US its way of leadership beneficial for everyone? And its constant interference on the world’s affairs brings welfare, progress, democracy? Should we stand still and watch? I allow myself to say that it’s not like that. Not at all,” threatened Putin, during the meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club.

If we put all the puzzle’s pieces together, we know that something very fishy is going on and that Putin’s speech was definitely a threat. The international community has been sanctioning Russia over the Ukrainian invasion led by Russian troops that began in March 2014. Putin’s desire to control the Eastern regions of Ukraine is so hefty, that is leading towards a new “iron curtain” which can have terrible repercussions for Europe and the world. 

European Reactions 

European leaders are not being mild towards Putin. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister David Cameron tried to adopt a more diplomatic way of approaching stubborn Putin by saying "if Russia takes a positive approach towards the Ukraine's freedom and responsibility, we could see those sanctions removed.” 

France is also in this amalgam. At stake is a Mistral-class assault warship retained by Holland’s government over concerns about Putin’s involvement in the situation in Ukraine. Russia has demanded the handover of the war machine by the end of November. 

Meanwhile, Russian Ilyushin transport plane was seen, once again, flying into international airspace in Estonia and Lithuania, without an official flight plan. They were intercepted by two Dutch F16 fighter jets. As a reaction to the growing military activity in Ukraine, Britain’s defense ministers, as well as the three Baltic States and four Nordic countries, have all agreed to enlarge intelligence and air force cooperation. 

Analogy with the past? 

Cold War Map. Jeroen Elfferich © Flickr 

This is not the end of this two-sided hostile and defensive history. Similar to the alliances created during the Cold War, strategical pacts are being made today, in the XXIth century. Strategical pacts or defensive alliances, the truth is that recently the United States has reinforced its partnership with China and Iran (yes, Iran). 

With China, Obama is about to make a deal concerning a trans-Pacific trade which would eliminate tariffs on goods and services and change labour regulations, government procurement, intellectual property, as well as environmental protections. "What we are seeing is momentum building around a Trans-Pacific Partnership that can spur greater economic growth, spur greater jobs growth, set high standards for trade and investment throughout the Asia-Pacific," said the US President. Moreover, the two world’s largest economies have agreed to grant visas to each other's citizens valid for up to a decade in a deal that aims to fortify business ties with China. 

Meanwhile, Iran and the US are getting closer to a historic nuclear deal, following Vienna talks, which could determine the end of 12 years of deadlock over Iran’s nuclear programme. However, this alliance is making too many waves, as France, one of the six nations involved in the negotiation (US, UK, Germany, Russia and China) is more opposed to nuclear concessions and Iran itself has said that the deal is possible but "excessive demands" by the west could derail chances of an agreement. 

Nevertheless, the US has already secured its alliance with China and relies on the European Union for any possible cooperation as well. If the deal with Iran won't be fruitful, then the scenario will be grey. Moreover, we should pay attention, once again, to America's moves in Iraq. Was Putin right on his condemning statement towards the meddlesome US?

LuxLeaks: How The Biggest Global Corporations Have Cheated Us

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People manifesting against corporate greed. Charles Edward Miller © Flickr

One week, a scandal. After a week under the Commission's presidency, Jean-Claude Junker has already been accused of having colluded with facilitating corporate tax dodging. 

After an investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and media across 32 countries, 548 Luxembourg tax rulings were leaked, exposing a scheme approved by the tax office of Luxembourg, during the time when Juncker was Prime Minister of the duchy. At stake, is a law which allows corporations of magnanimous tax immunity from royalties, through complex webs of internal loans, interest payments and filtered profits, through Luxembourg subsidiaries. In other words, a bulky tax con-trick. 

A lot of renowned big world corporations, from Apple to Deutsche Bank and from Burberry to Amazon, have all protected secret tax deals from Luxembourg, allowing many to reduce their tax bills. Meanwhile, during a Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, Luxembourg finance minister Pierre Gramegna, said that "this is an untenable situation for us and our citizens in Europe, who have to pay taxes while some companies pay so little." 

This scandal unleashed an outrage within the MEPs, who have immediately reacted, demanding explanations and clarifications over the case. Socialists, Greens and Liberals, in the European Parliament, have been increasing pressure towards the Commission's President, in order to have factual answers. 

The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, did not spare criticism towards Juncker, pointing out the lack of credibility attached to the Commission's chief. "What worries me most is the fact that the reported practices were manifestly legally possible in some countries. This reality means that we need to urge the member states to work with us to end systematic tax evasion practices in Europe, be it in Luxemburg or any other country,” said Schulz. 

The defendant, Juncker, faced the journalists in the Commission and later he appeared in the Parliament, where he stated once again that the law was legal and approved by the Commission at the time. But he forgot to mention that his government wrote and devised the law. However, the Commission’s President recognised that “even if the corporate tax relief is legal, it might not be ethical.” As a last measure, Juncker announced a proposal for a common tax base in the European Union. 

Luxembourg is not the first tax haven we hear about. The extent of this tax scheme is worldwide, and this is a major issue that deeply affects our lives, yet there is not much we can do as citizens besides spread social awareness. Tacitus, a Roman politician, once said, "the more laws a government enacts, the more corrupt the government". Through an ancient Roman illustration, we have the picture of one of the most shameful contemporary spectacles happening in the European Union. 

Tax evasion infographic. © European Union 2013 - European Parliament

UK on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Article published in Cafebabel

Political environment in the UK. Andrés pór © Flickr

A few days to the by-elections in Rochester and Strood and following the £1.7 billion bill charged by the Commission, the UK is experiencing moments of pure anxiety. 

Firstly, we see a Conservative Party losing even more ground to UKIP as a new poll has shown that more than a quarter of those who voted Conservatives in the 2010 General Election (27%) are now planning to vote for UKIP. Farage’s party is also to be expected to take support of Labour and the Lib Dems. However, this sudden turn has allowed Labour to jump up four points ahead of the Conservatives, according to the Daily Express. 

Nevertheless, the Conservatives have now a reason to calm down. After receiving a huge bill from the EU, that was haunting Cameron, Chancellor George Osborne has said that Britain is to pay £850 million of the £1.7 billion. The imbursement will be made in two instalments in the second half of the next year, which means that it will be after the general election and without punitive interest charges. “Now we’ve halved the bill, delayed the bill and no interest on the bill” said Osborne to the Huffington Post. 

And everyone says...blame on you!! Hartwig HKD © Flickr 

Despite this situation, political rivalries are increasing with Miliband accusing Cameron of “weasel words” over position on leaving EU. The Labour leader said the UK prime minister is ragged between national interest and the demands of his backbenchers who want to leave the Union. To mark its stance, Miliband has promised to business chiefs that he will never take Britain out of the EU. However, the conflicts sprung up even inside of the Labour Party, where a plot to oust Miliband from the leadership was running between Labour MP’s. The Labour leader denied everything on an interview, in BBC. As for Cameron, he is trying to gain points by announcing that EU migrants will be banned from claiming jobless benefits under the new tory plans as well as by unveiling £15 billion to widen UK motorways. 

On the extreme right wing of the political spectrum, we see Farage claiming once again that Britain is “the EU’s cheap labour economy” and warning that the issue of immigration “is going to get bigger”. However, UKIP’s image was a bit tarnished after MP Mark Reckless failed to show up to debate his Conservative rival, Kelly Tolhurst, during the hustings held in Rochester. The organisers left an empty chair in front of his name card to emphasise his absence. 

Meanwhile, the BBC broadcast is under pressure after having denied the Greens on the TV election debates. Greens, Plaid Cymru and SNP are pressuring the broadcaster to include them after UKIP’s inclusion.

New European Health Goals to 2014-2020

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Will European health systems see some progress in the future? Alex Proimos © Flickr

In a European Union counting over 500.000 inhabitants, we should ask ourselves, what does the Union mean for health and health systems? 

In fact, the actions taken by the EU affect the health of the European population and, naturally, the performance of the health systems. It is vital to understand the role of health within the European Union, especially in a time of change, when health systems have to deal with new challenges driven by the threat posed by the financial crisis and the surge of euroscepticism in politics. 

The Commission, as the executive body of the EU, is responsible for proposing legislation and implementing decisions, among several other executive functions. If we focus on Health policy, the Commission opens doors to a complex world that influences our daily lives. The European Health sector embraces a huge variety of services ranging from steering EU Public Health; ensuring health security; improving healthcare; risk assessment; taking action against diseases; health in society; fostering good health; indicators and data; pharmaceuticals and medical devices. 

Health Projects to 2014-2020 

With the recent establishment of the new Commission comes along a Health programme 2014-2020 which main purpose is to fund health initiatives. Therefore, the EC Health has a budget of €449.4 million to support cooperation projects at EU level, actions in cooperation with Member State health authorities, the functioning of non-governmental bodies and cooperation with international organizations. Additionally, and of extreme importance, the access’ facilitation to a better and safer healthcare for Union citizens, is one of the top priorities of the Commission for the framework 2014-2020. 

If we look at the demographic context in constant expansion, we find ourselves confronted with a big threat to the sustainability of health systems. The fragile economy within the Union is also a factor to take in account as it limits the availability of resources to invest in healthcare. In the same way, it is crucial to tackle the rising of health inequalities between and within Member States as well as the prevalence of chronic diseases. “Responding to the wide disparities observable across the member states in pathologies, treatments and outcomes, healthcare strategists are starting to examine more systematically how existing instruments could be used to level up the performance of each country’s healthcare system – to get better value for every euro spent,” wrote Peter O’Donnell in the European Voice. 

In addition to this, one of the Health policies’ objectives entails health promotion, diseases prevention and fostering supportive environments for healthy lifestyles. According to Professor Grégory Ninot, from the University of Montpellier, in France, the important goal to achieve is to discover how to change unhealthy behavior and maintain healthy behavior in patients with chronic diseases. “The question is how to conceive a new healthy system dedicated to chronic disease care and how to improve the quality of life of these patients,” said Ninot regarding the French healthcare system. 

A "new deal" for Health promotion 

As to operational objectives, the Commission proposes to identify, disseminate and promote the adhesion of evidence-based and good practices for cost-effective prevention and health promotion activities as well as implement better preparedness and coordination in health emergencies. Similarly to the famous New Deal, a range of domestic programs enacted in the United States between 1933 and 1936 to tackle the crisis, Caroline Costongs, Managing Director from EuroHealthNet, has suggested it is time for a “new deal” regarding health promotion to accompany institutional renewal in the EU. “To tackle the root causes of these [health] inequalities, investment in early childhood and education is needed as well as better employment conditions, safe housing, and universal social protection systems,” she said. 

To conclude, the Commission has undergone the biggest institutional reform for the last 30 years and the potential benefits for healthcare are enormous. The appointment of a new college brings a new structure and way of working. Only time and a deeper commitment from all the new Commissioners will show if this new measures and strategies will lead to a successfully path.

First week of Foreign Affairs under the new Commission

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Painted portrait of Federica Mogherini. Thierry Ehrmann © Flickr

In a hectic European agenda, Ukraine, Eulex, Arab-Israeli conflict and Libya marked Mogherini’s first political steps as High Representative. 

After her first official week in office, European High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini has already made some moves on the twitchy European political scene. To begin with, Mogherini condemned the non-official separatist votes in eastern Ukraine, following the legislative elections which gave way to the pro-Western party leading the country. As a matter of fact, the EU can’t recognise elections made in a region in conflict without official representation. She also stated Europe’s position in regards to the corruption scandal in Eulex, the EU’s rule of law mission in Kosovo. The case refers to leaked documents saying that Eulex officials colluded with criminal suspects using bribes to silence cases. In reaction, the High Representative decided to create an external inquiry, initiating an investigatory process after two senior EU officials refused to give more information on the corruption scandal. Following this decision, Gabriele Meucci, EULEX Head of Mission, announced that the Mission is fully committed to cooperate and lend complete support to the authority in charge of the review. 

Mogherini in Gaza. Will the EU do more than simply listen? European External Action Service © Flickr 

In her first official trip to Jerusalem and Ramallah, on the 6th of November, the Foreign Affairs’ chief incited Israel to “reverse” its latest settlement expansion. At stake is the extension of the Ramat Shlomo settlement, whose houses are very close to the Beit Hanina Palestinian area, in east Jerusalem, an open way to likely clashes between the two rival communities. The European Representative said that “the political will to restart peace talks” must be the position to adopt concerning a better relationship between Israel and Palestine. 

The official first week ended with Mogherini’s statement, where she announced the EU’s full support for the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Bernardino Leon, for the promotion and encouragement of a political solution in Libya. “The EU remains committed to assisting the Libyan people in finding political ways to solve the crisis and to ensure unity, governability and institution building for a future of peace and stability for all Libyans,” said the High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

Angry Hungary over a Repressive System

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Hungarians protesting against the recent Government's initiative. Humans Development © Flickr

Thousands of citizens have raised their voices against Orban's government as an attempt to block the recent adopted tax on internet traffic. 

For the past months, Hungary has been in the European newspapers quite often and not for the best reasons. First, it was the global attack against the nomination of Tibor Navracsics, current Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Commissioner, whose position regarding Human Rights was quite controversial. Later, the most recent explosive episode happened after prime minister Viktor Orban announced the decision to impose a tax on internet traffic, triggering outrage from thousands of Hungarians. 

Viktor Orban during EPP meeting. European people's party © Flickr 

Orban was often criticised for his concentrated effort on censoring independent media in the country. Let us all remember about the generated polemic around Navracsics’ portfolio, which, thanks to social pressure, changed “Citizenship” to “Sport” (also an easy and quick solution to guarantee the Hungarian Commissioner his position as it was a bit fragile after being asked to go through a second hearing in Parliament). 

Not the first issue with Hungary 

In January 2011, the European Commission published a press release about a new media law implemented by the Hungarian government saying: “Hungary's new media law, which requires all media to register as such and provide ‘balanced’ coverage of national and EU events, was debated by the Civil Liberties and the Culture committees in Strasbourg on Monday.”

Some MEPs urged Hungary to withdraw the law immediately, whilst others urged it to wait until the European Commission had assessed its compatibility with EU legislation and fundamental rights. The Hungarian Justice minister promised to amend it if necessary. Despite the fact that the criteria must be the same for all Member States, almost four years later the free media topic appears not to have changed, while Tibor Navracsis jumped up and now plays an important role in the European spectrum… Is this congruent? 

In regards to the recent measure to be adopted by the Hungarian government over internet traffic taxation, the spokesman of Neelie Kroes, ex Vice-President of the Commission and in charge of Digital Agenda, by saying that this is a “terrible idea” and furthermore, “it’s not a question of whether the law is legal or not but it’s part of a troubling pattern of behavior and laws from the Hungarian government”. Naturally, over the past days, Hungary has been the stage for massive demonstrations against Orban’s government and his primitive ideas concerning freedom of information.

Immigration at the top of the Agenda after Conflict between Cameron and Clegg

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Banksy's portrait about immigration in the UK. Duncan Hall © Flickr

After the quarrel between Conservatives and Lib Dems over the referendum, immigration is at the top of the UK’s political discussion, with Germany fiercely opposing Cameron’s plans. 

The UK is facing difficult moments as their decision-making process is, somehow, very dependent on Europe’s approval. And Europe is not happy with Cameron. In fact, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has already shown her opposition to Cameron’s desire of a renegotiation plan regarding migration policies. “Germany will not tamper with the fundamental principles of free movement in the EU,” Merkel said. 

Despite this steady stance from Germany, Cameron has indicated he will make changes within the union. The UK prime minister intends to prepare a manifesto, pledging to bring in quotas for low-skilled migrants from the EU. However, let us remember Cameron’s promises to bring annual immigration down before the last general election, which have completely failed. 

Disorder reins among Conservatives 

But the issue around migrants remains, as Conservative Michael Fallon’s comments made even more controversial when he said that some parts of Britain are “swamped with immigrants.” Later, pressured or not by his fellows conservatives, Mr. Fallon admitted his migrant remark was careless. The atmosphere amongst Conservatives is tense, and disorder reins in a party on the verge of facing elections. 

This lack of cohesion was seen when Tory Minister Nick Boles said that the UK can’t control immigration. “Britain does not have control over immigration into the country, and voters have to accept that as a member of the European Union, that will always be the case,” Mr. Boles said to the Huffington Post. 

Furthermore, he believes the prime minister’s pledge to crack down on inward migration was an attempt to compete with UKIP, as the by-elections are approaching and its supporters are reaching a record high after the EU bid to get £1.7 billion off the UK, according to a ComRes poll. 

EU referendum: ruling parties blame each other 

However, the icing on the cake for the Conservatives happened after the coalition bid for the EU referendum collapsed after a Tory and Lib Dem row. Both parties kept blaming each other for the failure. Conservatives accused Nick Clegg of undermining the legislation by putting an impossible £1 billion price tag on his support whilst the Lib Dems denied all the claims, accusing the Conservatives of pulling the plug on their own bill in a bid to gain the advantage in their battle with the UKIP.

Russia Raises Suspicions Flying Around Europe

Article published in Cafebabel

Russian T-95 bear bomber aircraft. North Dakota National Guard © Flickr

Not once, not twice, Russian aircraft was seen and intercepted by several European Air Forces. What is Putin up to? 

The announcement came from NATO but also from several European governments who had to prepare their air fleet in reaction to security measures after a large number of Russian aircraft were seen flying close to European airspace two days in a row. However, there were no actual incursions into national space which would have severely amplified the seriousness of the incidents. 

According to Jay Janzen, a spokesman for NATO’s military command in Mons, Belgium, the unusual activity took place on the 29th of October in Western Europe, when four Tu-95, strategic nuclear bomber planes, and four Il-78 tanker aircraft flew over the Norwegian Sea. 

Norway immediately sent F-16 fighter jets to intercept them. Six of the planes flew back to Russia but the other two Tu-95 skirted the Norwegian coast, flew past Britain and finally looped west of Spain and Portugal, attracting Portuguese F-16s. Afterwards, the two Russian bombers appeared to return to Russia. The defensive reaction was composed by Norway, Britain, Portugal, Turkey, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. 

Russia: the Aircraft Respected International Law 

Provocative behaviour? This is happening at a fragile moment between the West and Russia – probably the worst moment of their relationship after the Cold War – and the European community was taken by surprise with these sudden movements perpetrated by Russia. 

As a response to Portuguese media, the Russian embassy in Portugal declared that the aircraft was respecting all International Law norms, and hadn’t entered foreign or restricted airspace. According to the embassy, International Law norms do not foresee any restrictions and they do not require giving pre-warnings regarding airplanes flying over international water. 

The Portuguese Defense Minister noted that “the interception was not in national airspace but in airspace under national jurisdiction,” said José Pedro Aguiar-Branco. On the other side of the Atlantic, U.S officials assumed the flights were a show of force by Putin’s government. 

This all make us think about our real security and freedom. Power game or not, Russia is now under observation and after all these mysterious incursions, we can assume that relations between West and East will be even harsher with Russia being the target of repeated criticisms and sanctions and shamelessly ignoring them.