Cameron defeated, EU tries to minimise damages
The European Council tried to minimize damages and improve relations with the UK, aimed at reducing the risk of them leaving the EU.
Future of Europe
EU-28 WATCH No. 10 / July 2014: Spain
This document analyses the Euroscepticism and the European Parliament elections in 2014, the EU’s neighbourhood in light of the Ukraine crisis and power relations in the EU from a Spanish perspective.
The English (and British) question in Scotland
A higher degree of autonomy in Scotland can to reopen the "West Lothian question" or the "English question", if the pro-independence lose the referendum on 18 September 2014.
Turkey: Erdogan to run in first direct presidential election
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister for the last 11 years and an increasingly authoritarian and polarising figure, will, as expected, run in the country’s first direct election for the presidency on 10 August.
The European Commission’s politicisation
The European Commission’s greater politicisation is positive in the sense that it brings this essentially bureaucratic institution closer to a more democratic spirit and to the Union’s citizens.
The “Bleu Marine” failure
The elections to the European Parliament allowed the Front National of Marine Le Pen to become the first political force in France. In spite of the victory, Le Pen will have to continue looking for allies. What are you going to do now, Marine? Your dream of a broad Europhobe alliance in the EU parliament will have to wait, at least for the moment.
For a European Republic
Today we have to move away from the idea of a United States of Europe, to think of the EU as a republic, as the European res publica, and to put citizens and civil society back into the centre stage that they have abandoned.
Alexis Tsipras’ support for Juncker shows the extent to which the UK’s position is out of sync with public opinion across the EU
David Cameron has opposed Jean-Claude Juncker’s candidacy for the next President of the European Commission. While Juncker may not be the best candidate for the job, he is the most legitimate from a democratic perspective.
Albania: the long road towards the EU
On 4th June, the European Commission recommended that Albania be granted candidate status to EU member states. This is a particularly difficult time for the country to aim at joining the club.
Less Europe? It’s not that easy
To halt or reverse integration would in some cases require the treaties to be reformed, a step that many governments are reluctant to take for fear of the ensuing referendums. The real battle for Europe is beginning now.
Europe contaminated
Europe needs to change, to reinvent itself. That is the message of the European elections. Towards another Europe, a combination of more Europe in some ways, less in others, and especially, a better Europe. But the election results are discouraging.
Spain: an inward-looking and dispirited (but still pro-European) campaign
What is at stake in the European Parliament elections of 2014 in Spain is the extent to which the two big parties (PP and PSOE) are able to resist the erosion of their joint hegemony as a result of the economic crisis and the successive social unrest.