Articles archive
Slovakia to become next Hungary under political strongman Fico?
Despite concerns, Robert Fico is evolving into a mature and predictable politician - which may prove that he has learned from his past mistakes and those of other leaders including Viktor Orban - claims Pavol Demes
A history lesson for Britain's 'amnesiac' Eurosceptics
British Eurosceptics are fond of arguing that when the UK joined the European Economic Community there was no warning that the bloc had political as well as economic implications. Pure nonsense, writes our secret columnist
Jihadists regrouping in Africa, claims think-tank
New terrorist threats could be faced as al-Qaida "regroups" and "re-energises" in Africa, a new report from the Royal United Services warns
National political parties and the EU - dysfunctional separation
Parties must introduce a European dimension into national politics and take seriously transnational party organising if citizens are to be given real choice when they vote - claims Professor Robert Ladrech
EU countries criticised for cutting aid budgets
European Union countries have been accused by non-governmental organisations of "turning their backs" on the world's poorest people by slashing their international aid budgets
Europe in recession until late 2012, S&P warns
Europe's recession will drag into the third quarter of 2012 before returning to modest growth late in the year and into 2013, says Standard & Poor's
Will Basque peace process stall as the economy distracts minds?
The next few months will see the entry into the European Parliament of the first deputy whose party had links to the banned separatist political arm of ETA – or Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, which translates to Basque Homeland and Freedom – but will the peace process really gain momentum amid so many uncertainties – asks Francesco Guarascio
The 2012 US election - through the prism of the economy
Every policy issue will be debated through the prism of fear about an economy that is in the middle of a feeble and uncertain recovery - writes Harvard University lecturer Elaine C. Kamarck
Roma and Traveller population still being persecuted in Europe
For too long, European governments have swept the issue under the carpet - it is time to wake up and put a stop to persecution of these marginalised communities – argues Amnesty International director Kate Allen
Euro crisis response ineffective, say MEPs
The eurozone sovereign debt crisis has been badly handled by Europe's political leaders and has made future European integration more difficult, according to a majority of MEPs surveyed in a new poll
Portugal 'on track' but recession deepening
Portugal will suffer a deeper recession this year than previously forecast but won praise from the troika for its "remarkable" fiscal consolidation efforts this year and last
Croatia's shrinking economy unlikely to boost EU
Hopes that Croatia will give Europe a financial boost when the country joins the EU next year now seem misguided
EU hopes petition tool will create 'European demos'
A direct democracy tool allowing ordinary citizens to propose legislation to the European Commission – if they gather the support of at least one million people – was launched at the beginning of this month
Elections in Burma - important but not a radical change
The EU has to demand much more than a small number of democratic by-elections before it lifts sanctions, brutal military rule must also be addressed – says Barbara Lochbihler MEP
Can we trust cloud computing, ISPs and social networks?
There is much fear, uncertainty and doubt out there when it comes to security on the internet and with it an undermining of trust - writes Ross Macdonald