Articles archive
Whatever the voters say, austerity still rules
Candidates opposed to harsh austerity measures did well in Italy's elections – but the same has been true elsewhere yet fiscal consolidation still rules – as demonstrated by the latest powers handed to the European Commission, writes our secret columnist in Brussels
Greens slam 'unambitious' EU on fish discards
Green MEPs have attacked EU governments over an 'unambitious' deal reached overnight on the planned reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, but ministers described it as a 'historic moment'
Putting the fun into the European Union
The EU is not loved – even its most convinced members apologise for it. What it really needs is something to make it more appealing. But what would do the trick, asks our resident satirist in Brussels
Increasing tax on beer is beyond the pale
Pubs are closing at an alarming rate and people are switching to dangerous but cheap illegal alcohol as a consequence of rising beer taxes, warns John O'Connell
How sound recording can limit workplace disputes
Making sound recordings of confidential meetings with employees, like performance reviews, and disciplinary or grievance interviews, can help managers avoid the common pitfalls that often lead to employment tribunals, writes Maxine Park
Child domestic workers: 'time to protect us'
Children make up nearly 30 per cent of the world's 50 to 100 million domestic workers, working long hours for little or no pay and at risk of exploitation – but now governments have a chance to do something about it, writes Jo Becker
Beppe Grillo the only winner in Italian vote deadlock
Italy faces political stalemate after an election that handed the balance of power to the anti-establishment comedian Beppe Grillo – whose tactics may now be replicated across Europe
Britain could stay in 'permanent recession' after downgrade
The loss of the UK's AAA rating is just the start of 'permanent recession' for the country if drastic action – like cutting back welfare spending – is not pursued quickly, argues Godfrey Bloom MEP
Move Brussels to the Washington model - says Andrew Duff MEP
Andrew Duff MEP is a British politician leading the charge towards federalism. He talks to Justin Stares about the creation of a United States of Europe
'Fundamental reform' needed after horsemeat scandal
The horsemeat scandal has highlighted the vulnerability of the food supply system in Europe – and fundamental reform is needed in order to fix it, writes Bart Staes
EU long-term economic outlook a 'real puzzle'
A lack of investment since the height of the financial crisis and uncertainty about how quickly structural reforms will have an effect make it difficult to make predictions about the long-term economic outlook for the EU, a report says
Citizens want greater protection from Google
Google's business is dependent on collecting more data about us and our online identities but consumers do not trust that either the company or regulators take their privacy concerns seriously enough – writes Emma Carr
Bulgaria attack reveals dangerous new Hezbollah
The recent attack in Bulgaria revealed that Hezbollah has decided to rehabilitate international terrorism, by incorporating the tactics it honed in the domestic sphere and almost perfecting plausible deniability, writes Hassan Mneimneh
Housing associations face 'storm clouds' in UK
Benefit reform and the so-called 'bedroom tax' has created uncertainty for housing associations in the UK, leading them to be more risk-averse and less entrepreneurial, writes Graham Manville
EU leaders pledge support for new Cyprus president
EU leaders have welcomed the election of centre-right candidate Nikos Anastasiades in Cyprus's presidential election at the weekend