Articles archive
European health spending falls for first time since 1975
As indebted European governments pursue austerity cuts in public services, the first fall in health spending across the continent for nearly 40 years is highlighted by the OECD
'We need more Europe on defence', say five EU nations
EU countries needs to cooperate more closely on defence so that the bloc can take its share of responsibility and respond to future challenges, five member states have said, without giving precise details of how it would work
The eurozone never had more than a sporting chance
If there had not been a global economic crisis all might have been well, in time. But the national markets within the single market showed their different degrees of resilience to the shocks which hit them – and the eurozone became an incipient transfer union – writes our secret columnist
'Exhausted' Greeks start to see extremism as a way out of crisis
Desperate citizens are being increasingly drawn by promises of 'another' way out where Greece will be isolated, inward looking and determined to target 'foreign enemies' – warns Dimitris Katsikas
Ashton blames Hamas for Gaza crisis
The EU's foreign policy chief has condemned the violence between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza that has resulted in civilian deaths on both sides – and pinned the blame for the crisis on Hamas
Cycling is the Cinderella service of transport policy
At the moment, 7 per cent of European citizens use bicycles as their main mode of transport but cycling receives only 0.7 per cent of EU funding available for transport - writes Julian Ferguson
A blueprint to end eurozone recession
The three point plan for the indebted eurozone countries now in recession is simple, though not easy. We must recognise bad debt for what it is, stage orderly exits from the single currency and pursue radical economic reforms - claims Professor Philip Booth
Why are nurses seen as 'easy targets' for cuts?
Healthcare, and nurses in particular, have been seriously affected by government spending cuts with decision-makers apparently blinded to the consequences of austerity – write Paul De Raeve and Nina Kirk Olesen
Mosquito-borne diseases: time to change minds on GM
Through genetic engineering a gene can be inserted into a strain of mosquitoes that prevents the survival of the next generation – and with Europe seeing an invasion of new disease-carrying insects, it is time to have a more refined debate on GM, writes Hadyn Parry
Fighting Islamist extremism on university campuses
It is not easy to moderate hate-filled speeches when British students consider the UK government to be Islamophobic. Justin Stares talks to Student Rights, the organisation left to pick up the pieces of a broken policy
The psychology of high-profile public figures and sex scandals
Work and love are not centre-stage with pathological narcissists, who are busy with a life and death struggle to preserve their inflated self-image, writes psychologist Mats Eriksson
Eurozone hit by double dip recession
The eurozone has slipped into recession for the second time since the financial crisis hit, official figures published today revealed, a day after strikes and rallies took place across the region in protest against austerity policies
Is Borg suitable for European Health Commissioner role?
Tonio Borg's political record on abortion, homosexuality and immigration has raised several questions about the compatibility of his personal beliefs and values - and the duties of the European Health Commissioner - warns Monika Kosińska
'Miracle' needed to end EU budget deadlock
European leaders will meet in Brussels next week for a marathon summit aimed at shaping the common budget until 2020 – but the road towards a deal is bumpier than ever, Francesco Guarascio reports
Croatian foreign minister: 'if not Europe, then what?'
As Croatia prepares to join the EU next year, its foreign minister Vesna Pusic tells PublicServiceEurope.com that the bloc needs to restore a sense of solidarity between its member states