Germany more Deutschland, less Europe?
Germany is becoming more Deutschland and less Europe again, it seems.
Angela Merkel is facing all kinds of criticism in her quest to keep the European family together and solvent. The Chancellor faces a tough agenda: tackle the financial crisis, prevent a coalition collaps and replace the German president. The price she pays for her European efforts is high. Loss of home voters and sliding confidence in her local market go together with growing criticism from other European countries on Berlin.
And the German captain does not like it. The Guardian heads with "Germany signals end of Love Affair". Ian Traynor writes the change in Berlin is a tectonic shift in the EU– from pushing Europe forward to balking at the sacrifices Germany has to make. France and Germany are not the united front they appeared to be. Merkel is said to imitate Sarkozy mockingly, while the French Chef is said to boast to his team how he has bested the German Chancellor.
Merkel yesterday went to visit the German soccer team, in preparation for the world cup. To show them support of course. No doubt at the same time to signal she still is first German and then European. Because this is her struggle too. She needs to balance the interest of her market as the central economic power in Europe with that of another power, the EU. And she needs to keep credibility high at home while doing so. Ian Traynor has a point when he says better communications offer the solution to that problem. The message should be loud and clear for all Germans that Europe is good for them. Angela should stress that Germany, as Europe's biggest exporter, benefits the most from a single and strong Europe. But the opposition has a field day. It is easier in politics to criticise 'the outside world' and preach nationalism, than to see that a bigger union of powers, even with major issues to solve, is the best choice.
"In the history of the European Union, " said Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform thinktank in The Guardian, "I've never seen Germany so isolated before." This is not a good state of affairs. Germany should never be an outsider of debate and negociations in Europe. The logic for the German market also applies for Europe as a whole: Germany is both Deutschland and Europe, supporting one is supporting the other.
Can Lady Ashton get a break?
Lady Ashton, Europe's first foreign policy chief is in for some nasty weather. While the storm Xynthia raided Europe over the weekend, Lady Ashton is facing her own hurricanes in Brussels and in the international arena. As part of typical EU political deal making, the former leader of the House of Lords got a job she was neither hoping nor lobbying for. What for some seemed the best Commission post, now might turn into the worst. 100 days down the road, Ashton opposition seems to be growing.
Of course, it is easier to criticize then to help out or give credit. Jean Quatremer of leftwing paper La Libération in a sharp article cut to pieces the new chief of foreign policy, calling her "Lady Qui?" As always, this well informed journalist and popular blogger-twitterer has a point, and more then one. As do the other knife throwers who see Catherine as a main training aim on the EU target wheel. And yes, foreign affairs requires to travel a lot and be in the field where it matters.
In the Guardian today Ian Traynor writes the first 100 days on the job have not been an easy road trip for Lady Ashton. Not only is her task immense (or impossible). She does not have the ideal track record or reputation to fit the job description in the eyes of the critics. And to top this all, she has to set up and manage one of the most profound institutional changes in the EU of the last years, without the necessary machine to perform the task.
In the last 10 days, 3 key decisions made in her organization further raised the pressure on the Lady: the Portuguese right hand of Barosso was appointed as EU Ambassador to Washington without consulting the member states and a Lithuanian with UK support became envoy to Afghanistan. Her absence at a Nato-EU defense minister meeting in Majorca added to further Brussels and international scepticism.
Can the Lady get a break? This is what her vision documents for the EEAS, the European External Action Service, seem to ask. As critical as anyone can or should be, the fact remains that building Europe is not done by only criticizing it and its leaders, but by showing an open mind and a will to help it build. Don't ask what Europe can do for your country, ask what your country can do for Europe, you might paraphrase the Kennedy catch phrase.
Debate is needed, very much so. But let's make it a civilized sport. Play the ball, not the other player. The image of those who execute dirty tackles is always more damaged then those who are on the receiving end. And the whole European political game looses more credibility. The Farage attempt of comment on President Van Rompuy is a good example of this. The President did not dignify the attack with a direct response, but this sunday in a TV interview on Belgian VRT TV program 'de zevende dag" called it 'pittyful'.
What happened to the flair of British phlegm? Where is the legendary fair play and the fine art of British understatement? William Osler describes phlegm as "coolness and presence of mind under all circumstances, calmness amid storm, clearness of judgment in moments of grave peril, immobility, impassiveness." We wish it in strong doses to Lady Ashton and also to those who wish to disagree with her.
Iceland, new media safe haven?
Björk, Iceland's sirene.
Will her country lure media to her shores with their Song of Freedom?
Iceland for decades was the cold and far away place on the map of Europe. Besides alternative rockband the Sugarcubes, Björk and Sigur Ros, only the handball and soccer team seemed to warm the hearts of people around the globe. The country recently implemented free trade in the European Economic area, diversifying from agriculture and fishing to new economy, finance and industry. But with the financial downfall and the Kaupthing bank disaster, the Nordic country was put to shame as a "foolish little nation" and its positive image was destroyed.
A new and bright initiative might be an original and welcome step towards a better, more positive view on the Snow Land, as its first name was. The Icelandic Modern Media Initiative creates "A vision of Iceland as a haven for journalists". The plan that will be debated in parliament this week wants to make Iceland a world leader in journalism protection. The initiators of the whistle blowing website Wikileaks.org assisted in the creation of the initiative.
If accepted, this idea will be a strong counter potion for the negative and secretive image Iceland has brought upon itself, with its shady bank affairs. The concept is simple as the egg of Columbus. Where companies relocate to the Cayman Islands or Switserland for legal shields for their bank accounts, media could do the same for their publications and/ or servers.
The proposal is a bright move: while creating a much needed new economical climate change (taking some Ice out of the Iceland), it brings an image boost toward open and responsible government and management. Two birds with one stone! This initiative merits at least close attention of media managers across the globe. If it is accepted, it will create a real safe haven for those in media who wish to speak up and are under attack by forces wishing to silence them.
Eva Jolie, MEP introduces the project on the special website of the Incelandic Modern Media Initiative:
I am proud to advise the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative's proposal to create a global safe haven for investigative journalism. I believe this proposal is a strong way of encouraging integrity and responsive government around the world, including in Iceland. In my work investigating corruption I have seen how important it is to have have robust mechanisms to get information out to the public. Iceland, with its fresh perspectives and courageous, independent people seems to be the perfect place to initiate such an effort towards global transparency and justice.
—Eva Joly MEP
Barroso II: ‘a new hope’?
The European Parliament today by a large majority approved the proposed Commission team lead by José Manuel Barroso. The three major political European groups gave their support in Strasbourg; with 488 to 137 in favor and 72 abstentions. The vote is a clear mandate for a second term, yet at the same time there is a clear wish for not just a sequel but a true 'new hope'.
Joseph Daul, leader of the centre-right EPP also confirmed his support in his address to Barroso , while asking for more courage:
“The EPP group has placed its trust in you, but we ask you to have the courage to make reforms…We will judge you on the progress you make in this direction.”
Although Barroso today showed he was tired when facing the press after the meeting, his words show that he clearly has the will and firm intention to bring new hope:
“We will spend the next five years turning our vision into reality: making Europe a resource-efficient, inclusive, social market economy, reflecting what makes us special, the European way of life.”
The team will now go to work immediately, and a lot of work there is indeed.
As Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Liberal ALDE group, points out in his open letter to his fellow countryman Herman Van Rompuy, it is time to unite. He hopes the informal summit on 11 February wil be a positive "state of the Union". The Liberal leader says setbacks of the European Union are piling up: the missed opportunity to 'stand with a fist' in Copenhagen, the lack of coordinated response in the Haiti crisis, the financial troubles in the Eurozone and the lack of interest of Obama to join the Madrid EU-US summit. Verhofstadt says the heads of state must come to a single conclusion on the 11th:
Europe needs more unity and more integration; otherwise the Union will cease to play its role on the global chess board.
What is true for Van Rompuy is also true for Barroso II: only united we stand.
This is a challenge that truly resembles an epic movie. Barrosso II and Van Rompuy must bring member governments into a real alliance.
They must at the same time make the Parliament a critical yet strong ally in the new voyage.
And to top it all, through decisive political action and honest, clear and well balanced communication, they must urgently improve the credibility of the EU towards the citizens and the world.
Only then will positive involvement in Europe become a logical and pan European idea. May the Force be with them!
HaikuHerman.eu
Marketing with a 'clin d'oeil'… A translation service wants to catch the eye of international clients in an original way… they created a haiku-website where the Haiku-making head of the EU tribe seems to create your Japanese wisdom poem on demand…
You fill in a web address and the site makes an automated haiku. When the thought mechanism gets stuck, it proposes a haiku in Dutch.
For www.eurolynx.eu, I received the haiku below, well adapted to the view from my window…
Wintery and white
I'm in love with the snowflakes
A fleeting romance
2020 Strategy holds key to EU future
European Union leaders will place the creation of a 10-year programme aimed at boosting Europe’s competitiveness and economic growth at the heart of their discussion in Brussels next month. Herman Van Rompuy, the EU’s first full-time president, will chair the meeting. On Monday Van Rompuy announced during his first day on the job that he was summoning national heads of government to Brussels for the February 11 event. Tony Barber in the Financial Times adds the balance exercise will be difficult and lists the missed targets of the Lisbon treaty, to put salt in the wound.
The 2020 strategy must be the successor of the ambitious Lisbon agenda, that had sounded promising at the time but left many hungry for results. Former Dutch prime minister Wim Kok said in 2004 “Lisbon is about everything and thus about nothing. Everybody is responsible and thus no one.” The business world and governments need 'a fix', especially since the crisis further destroyed the chances of reaching most objectives. With many Eu countries in deep crisis or even near bankruptcy, with Greece as sad head of the pauper pack, the debate will be complex and with far reaching consequences for all Europeans, especially for the next generation.
Van Rompuy rings a bell and makes a wish
The brand new President of Europe has started work today by ringing the bell at the Brussels stock exchange, as part of his first official work visit as new leader of Europe. A very symbolic place to start: a lot of his worries and headaches will come from the economic markets. Haiku Herman wished for a better year then the financial annus horribilis 2009 and who could disagree with him…
Fireworks over Lisbon
On 1 December 2009, history was written, the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, thus ending several years of negotiation about institutional issues.
The Lisbon treaty sparked debate… the ‘yeahs’ and ‘nehs’ had their say, like in the IIEA Lisbon debate in in Google Studios.
The Treaty of Lisbon amends the current EU and EC treaties, without replacing them. It provides the Union with the legal framework and tools necessary to meet future challenges and to respond to citizens’ demands.
1. A more democratic and transparent Europe, with a strengthened role for the European Parliament and national parliaments, more opportunities for citizens to have their voices heard and a clearer sense of who does what at European and national level.
2. A more efficient Europe, with simplified working methods and voting rules
3. A Europe of rights and values, freedom, solidarity and security
4. Europe as an actor on the global stage
The Treaty of Lisbon gives Europe a clear voice in relations with its partners worldwide. It harnesses Europe’s economic, humanitarian, political and diplomatic strengths to promote European interests and values worldwide, while respecting the particular interests of the Member States in Foreign Affairs.
This is not a small step in the future of Europe, it is a major leap forward.
So fireworks were in order, with the European Hymn and a Presidential speech!
Van Rompuy is First President of Europe
Reuters announced Christian Democrat Van Rompuy is the First President of Europe.
T
he ‘Haiku man’ and Prime Minister of Belgium crowns his career with this key European position. He is blessed with the gift of diagnosis, synthesis and a philosophical humor, as Belgian paper ‘De Standaard’ states. The British papers were less enthusiastic and already nicknamed the politician as ‘Rompy’.
Together with Dehaene, he became the most important architect of the crisis policy that steered Belgium into sound budgetary waters, enabling it to join the euro zone in 1998.
Curious to see how blogs all over Europe will respond.
People can send in their congratulations for the brand new Number One of Europe to Flemish radio program ‘De Ochtend’, but… it must be in the Haiku form!