British National People’s Party on Turkey’s Accession

December 9, 2009

by Kirsty Wilson Turkey’s accession is a controversial topic in the European Union (EU) as well as Nation states individually. But what people tend to ignore is the opinion of the right wing party and we as we do live in a democracy it is important for us to know their policy.
Read more »

Austria’s Freedom Party on Turkey’s Accession

December 9, 2009

by Tina Friedrich “An accession of Turkey would be a multicultural maximum credible accident, a catastrophy and could be considered a reason for Austria to leave the European Union.” These word are uttered by Andeas Mölzer, non-attached member of the European Parliament. He would like to see accession negotiations with Turkey being ceased at all.
Read more »

EU to open new chapter in Turkey’s accession process

December 9, 2009
EU to open new chapter in Turkey’s accession process

by Kirsty Wilson and Tina Friedrich The European Council has decided to open the chapter of environment in the European Union (EU) accession process with Turkey. It is the twelfth chapter opened since the beginning of the accession negotiations in 2005. In the meeting on 8 December it was also decided not to comply with Cyprus’ demand to freeze this chapter.
Read more »

‘We were not alone.’

December 9, 2009

Peaceful Revolution in the GDR district of Prenzlauer Berg: Gethsemane Church. Protests, hunger strikes, Stasi-spies and a concerned and angry crowd: the Gethsemane Church was the centre of resistance in Prenzlauer Berg against the communist government of East Berlin in October 1989. The protestors were able to get in contact with sources outside of East Berlin through a secret telephone located in the church, giving the church an important...
Read more »

How a palace of tears became a palace of joy, only to fall a new revolution.

December 9, 2009

How a palace of tears became a palace of joy, only to fall a new revolution. “From a point of departure and tears, this area has become a place of joy.” - Helmut Kohl, Former Chancellor of Germany It’s hard to imagine that the decrepit, gutted and hidden building in the picture was once the heart and soul of an entire district, an almost living, breathing symbol of the...
Read more »

Fair representation for the fairer sex

December 9, 2009
Fair representation for the fairer sex

By Teresa Smith Ladies and gentlemen, presenting: Women in the European Commission are tipping the scales, but it hasn’t been an easy road.  In Barroso’s new team, which began its reign on December 1, one in three Commissioners is from the fairer sex. Jon Worth, European blogger and co-founder of www.genderbalancedcommission.eu says nine out of 27 is a good start, but the struggle won’t be over until all of...
Read more »

E-man-cipation: One man’s view

December 9, 2009

By Thomas Moerman Mister José Manuel Barroso, the slick Portugese Commission President of the European Union, says he’s pleased with the fact that one third of the Commission jobs are held by women. Statements like this always make me cringe. National governments did their best to put forward some nice ladies for the jobs, instead of looking for the most capable candidate. Then again, it’s always nice to have...
Read more »

Word on the street: Women in the Commission

December 9, 2009

By Roos Mulders Barroso and women’s groups lobbied hard to get more women in the Commission. But do European citizens even care?
Read more »

Power to the people

December 9, 2009

The Lisbon Treaty has been good to the Parliament. The legislative power of the parliament has increased under the new Lisbon Treaty. Since the European Parliament is the only directly chosen EU institution, the ‘people’ also have increased their power.
Read more »