EU Foreign Policy

Eurosphere agenda: “Jean-Claude Juncker’s President-elect speech… “INFOGRAPHIC: Who’s who in the new European Commission…

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INFOGRAPHIC: Who’s who in the new European Commission? EurActiv.com After his election as European Commission President on Tuesday (15 July), Jean-Claude Juncker can now start discussions with member states on how to allocate portfolios within his team. Below is an overview of all Commissioners already designated by their member state as well as presumed candidates.   … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “European Court of Justice bans German language requirement for Turkish spouse visas…

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European Court of Justice bans German language requirement for Turkish spouse visas EurActiv.com On Thursday (10 July) the EU’s top court ruled against Germany’s language requirement for Turkish spouses applying for residence in the country, rebuffing the German government and saying the right to family reunification is essential to integration in the member states. EurActiv … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: New Spy Case between US and Germany… “Europe’s Digital Reactionaries…

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Germany spy arrested on suspicion of spying for NSA   Germany Arrests Double Agent Allegedly Spying for the U.S. Mashable! by Colin Daileda German authorities have arrested a German man on suspicion of being a double agent for the United States. The man has been linked to spying on a panel investigating activities by the … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Sarkozy in custody…

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  MAIN FOCUS: Sarkozy in custody | 02/07/2014 euro|topics France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy was taken into custody and interrogated on Tuesday on suspicion of corruption and influencing judicial proceedings. This is the end of his political career, some commentators write. Others believe the French will forgive their former head of state’s misconduct.   The Scottish Independence Referendum … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Green light for Juncker

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  MAIN FOCUS: Green light for Juncker | 27/06/2014 euro|topics The EU’s heads of state and government plan to nominate Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission president today, Friday, despite the UK’s opposition to the move. This will be the first time that the European Council is not unanimous in its decision on who takes this top post. Some … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: ” Mini-summit in row over Juncker ….

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  Left-wing leaders back Juncker  BBC News | Europe | World Edition Jean-Claude Juncker‘s bid to head the European Commission receives a boost with the backing of nine left-wing heads of government The world’s most precious genes? BBC News | Europe | World Edition Why scientists are dying to get their hands on Icelanders’ DNA   … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: …”who are Podemos?

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  Just who are Podemos? open Democracy News Analysis – by Fernando Betancor Who are the people voting for Podemos? An analysis of election data reveals some surpising results… I?ve be following the impact of the ?Podemos? phenomenon on Spanish politics since the European elections late last May. It is not too much of an … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: Juan Carlos abdicates… Power struggle over Commission presidency…

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Spain’s Poisoned Chalice  FP Passport by James Badcock The Spanish monarchy is in big trouble, and not even a young, handsome new king may be able to do anything about it. MAIN FOCUS: Juan Carlos abdicates | 03/06/2014 euro|topics After almost 40 years on the throne, King Juan Carlos of Spain announced his abdication in a surprise move on Monday. … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: ” Juncker and Schulz both after presidency…

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  MAIN FOCUS: Juncker and Schulz both after presidency | 27/05/2014 euro|topics After the European elections the wrangling over the post of Commission president has begun. With the conservative European People’s Party behind him, Jean-Claude Juncker has the support of the largest parliamentary group. But social democrat Martin Schulz is also laying claim to the post. … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: #EP2014 results… Anti-semitic attack in Belgium…

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Fascists and ultra-rights @ #EP2014:25% France23% Denmark22% UK20% Austria15% Hungary13% Finland12% Greece8% Germany — Wolfgang Lünenbürger @luebue@norden.social (@luebue) May 25, 2014   MAIN FOCUS: European elections: triumph of the Eurosceptics | 26/05/2014 euro|topics Despite a loss of votes the conservatives remain the strongest force in the EU Parliament, while right-wing populist and Eurosceptic parties made massive … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Auditors slam EU’s Schengen info system…

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  Auditors slam EU’s Schengen info system  EurActiv.com The European Court of Auditors has criticised financial setbacks and delays of the new Schengen Information System (see also (https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/),  a border control software that has cost eight times more than its initial budget. EurActiv France reports. Mixed fortunes for Scandinavian Eurosceptics  EurActiv.com While the Eurosceptic Danish People’s Party could become the biggest … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: European Pirate Parties… Bosnia/Serbia floods…

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  The Pirate Bay Running Promos For European Pirate Parties In Election Week  Falkvinge on Infopolicy by Rick Falkvinge Pirate Parties:?In a last-minute visibility boost, The Pirate Bay is providing front-page exposure to the European Pirate Parties in this European Election. Offline-borns would tend to scoff at this; however, the net generation understands that this is an … Read more

Europshere agenda: Surveillance reports on several European countries… Russia backs Ukraine separatists…

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France’s surveillance: justice, freedom and security in the EU open Democracy News Analysis – by Amandine Scherrer, Francesco Ragazzi, Joanna Parkin, Julien Jeandesboz, Nicholas Hernanz, Sergio Carrera and Didier Bigo François Hollande sharply criticised US surveillance last year, but the fact remains that France also engages in mass data collection and intelligence sharing. This is an excerpt … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Pirate Parties that Plan to Enter The European Parliament, “Eurovision’s Bearded-Lady Champion…

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These Pirate Parties Plan to Enter The European Parliament TorrentFreak by Ben Jones Where you can vote pirate (click to open map) In roughly two weeks time, people all over the European Union will be going to the polls to elect the next European Parliament. Five years ago, the Swedish Pirate Party had a Russians Hate Eurovision’s Bearded-Lady … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Separatists in Ukraine insist on referendum…

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The Eurosphere is losing Ukraine open Democracy News Analysis – by Denis MacShane Ukrainians may have had high expectations, but the unpleasant truth is that the EU has offered them more than it can deliver   Ukraine in a European context open Democracy News Analysis – by Paul Lewis All in all, the fall of an unpopular, corrupt and … Read more