EU targets politicians, military chiefs in sanctions on Russia
The European Union has released the names of 15 new targets of sanctions because of their roles in the Ukraine crisis
MAIN FOCUS: West extends sanctions against Russia | 29/04/2014
euro|topics
The EU and the US extended their sanctions against Russia on Monday, imposing further visa bans and freezing more accounts. Commentators criticise the West’s reaction as far too hesitant, and see an international peace-keeping mission in eastern Ukraine as the more sensible approach
The Front National and other Eurosceptic parties are becoming increasingly popular and are dominating the political discourse. What are the consequences, both on the national and European level?
The rise of the Front National (FN) in France can be explained, firstly, by the failure of traditional government parties ? the Socialist Party (PS) and the centre right party (UMP) ? to echo people?s concerns and to offer working solutions with tangible results. Second, by the change of leadership it operated in 2011. Marine Le Pen has orchestrated a break-up with her father?s old party. The lifting she gave it was well-timed and necessary for an organisation that had become deflated. But beyond a new figurehead and a general rise in popularity of so-called extreme right-wing parties across Europe, the Front National?s potential has been fundamentally altered. Unless the centre-right reacts, or the social-economic conjecture improves, the FN?s popularity may prove long-lasting
Numbers 7 and 8 of 40 arguments for independence: a chance for genuine international co-operation and a potential step towards federalism.
Over the next few weeks, I’m publishing 40 reasons to support Scottish independence. Here are 7 and 8. For 1, 2 and 3, clisk here. For 4, 5 and 6, see here.
7) A chance to join a networks of nations
?Swedes, Norwegians and Danes remain on amicable terms; they trade, co-operate and visit each other socially any time they like. They don?t need a pompous, blustering state called Scandinavia, informing them from Stockholm how wonderful they all are, but (kind of) only really meaning Sweden.? – Irvine Welsh, 2014
The union makes Scotland’s international relations almost one dimensional. Independence opens the door to a much wider range of collaborations across our islands, region, continent and planet.
Croatia’s far-right movement is very distinct, compared to other countries. How have the fall of Yugoslavia and the EU accession affected its development and where does it stand today?
In the last round of You tell us! blogs (part one, part two), we offered some thoughts on the nature of political apathy, which seems to be recognised as a concern all around Europe. What I am happy about is that, having admitted as much, one really tough topic has surfaced in the ensuing discussion. And actually, it concerns those who routinely exploit this apathy, combining it with the socio-economic crisis ? that is the far right. I’m going to offer a Croatian perspective on this
The far-right nationalist party Ataka kick-started their European elections campaign in Moscow this week. What is the special relationship between the far-right and Russia in Bulgaria?
Politics has been in a sorry state in Bulgaria for the last 14 years. For a country that was still in its dressing-gown while its Central European neighbours were fully-dressed and on the streets in 1989, Bulgaria managed a rather quick catch-up. By 1997, it was on its way to enforcing much-needed political and economic reforms, joining NATO and setting the stage for its European integration. By 2001, Bulgaria had had its first full four-year term Cabinet, which had dealt with hyperinflation, political corruption, and had even passed its first lustration law. In comparative politics terms, Bulgaria was a consolidating democracy and a growing economy, similar to that of the Slovak Republic
The Kremlin?s marriage of convenience with the European far right
open Democracy News Analysis – by Anton Shekhovtsov
Putin?s strong-arm tactics in Eastern Ukraine and ?moral, family-based? policies have won him ardent support from far-right European groups. But they should not be under any illusions..
We need to talk about Europe
open Democracy News Analysis
Why are populist movements and parties appealing to increasing numbers of voters? We discuss the main traits of populist movements and parties in Europe – and what threats they bring to democratic societies (Video, 5 mins 49 secs)
European elections: Rivals for EU Commission president
BBC News | Europe | World Edition
The rivals to be the next face of the EU
Pro-Russia rebels parade western hostages
FT.com – World, Europe
Hostage crisis adds to tensions in Ukraine as Russia builds up troops on eastern border in prelude to what Ukrainian leaders say could be invasion
Fears of Russian invasion in Ukraine growing
EurActiv.com
Eurobarometer: Only half of Europeans say they have good working conditions
EurActiv.com
Eurosceptics will gain national influence, study says
EurActiv.com by Kelly Thomas
Europe seeks alternative gas supplies
FT.com – World, Europe
Ukraine crisis forces the continent to address its reliance on Russia
Putin?s strong-arm tactics in Eastern Ukraine and ?moral, family-based? policies have won him ardent support from far-right European groups. But they should not be under any illusions…
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