Today was a great day in history for the democratic unification of the European people's.
Showing posts with label MyEurope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MyEurope. Show all posts
Friday, 27 June 2014
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Cameron and Europe
British Prime Minister drives a European policy and a campaign that means that a number of common rules would be scrapped. Cameron have repeatedly turned against Europe's environmental rules governing the minimum standards in environmental protection. Cameron also criticized Europe's labor rights and freedom of movement.
The conclusion is that the conservative Cameron does not believe that European environmental policy is too lame and that the big losers of Cameron's European policy is without a doubt, the environment, labor laws and the free movement of citizens .
Cameron also wants to renegotiate the British membership. It's primarily about the membership fee and the British rebate. It's not about saving necessary pounds to the British exchequer but in practice what Cameron believes that Britons should contribute with to the smaller economies in the Union. In other words, solidarity and one of the Union pillars are under attack.
This is what Cameron calls British leadership in Europe.
At home, Cameron plays on nationalist winds by criticizing the EU and especially the forces that want to reform by democratizing and federalazing Europe.
The conclusion is that the conservative Cameron does not believe that European environmental policy is too lame and that the big losers of Cameron's European policy is without a doubt, the environment, labor laws and the free movement of citizens .
Cameron also wants to renegotiate the British membership. It's primarily about the membership fee and the British rebate. It's not about saving necessary pounds to the British exchequer but in practice what Cameron believes that Britons should contribute with to the smaller economies in the Union. In other words, solidarity and one of the Union pillars are under attack.
This is what Cameron calls British leadership in Europe.
At home, Cameron plays on nationalist winds by criticizing the EU and especially the forces that want to reform by democratizing and federalazing Europe.
Sunday, 26 January 2014
I call for a PAN-European referendum
Europe needs to move forward! but it wont happen if we continue with the national battering we have in the council.
I call for a PAN-European referendum on a democratic federal European constitution. Let the people decide about their future. This referendum should be followed by national, on or off referendums in every member state.
This is the federal way, more democracy and in some cases more Europe and in others less Europe.
This would put an end to the unions within the union, it would mean no more first and second class citizens and it would mean that we could see the creation of a European federation of citizens.
I call for a PAN-European referendum on a democratic federal European constitution. Let the people decide about their future. This referendum should be followed by national, on or off referendums in every member state.
This is the federal way, more democracy and in some cases more Europe and in others less Europe.
This would put an end to the unions within the union, it would mean no more first and second class citizens and it would mean that we could see the creation of a European federation of citizens.
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Saturday, 4 January 2014
European identity
European identity is just as real and authentic as any local or regional identity in Europe.
" United in Diversity" sums it up pretty well, but I'll try to describe, according to me what is our European identity.
It's hard to find a place on earth where all or even a majority's of the people share a general identity. I think you must search in isolated tribes of indigenous people to even come close.
In most democratic parts of the world, just like in Europe, countless identities coexist with each other, locally, nationally and in larger unity's. They are cultural, political, religious and even academic identity's. Its not always without conflict but still in coexistence and with different levels of integration among themselves.
The European identity is found in and around us. Not least culturally where local and regional identity's are clear and strong on there own but just as clearly intertwined with other local and regional identities. It is equally evident in the political struggles that's been played out in Europe, where we currently, without taking something for granted can say that democracy and freedom have taken the longest straw across the continent. I don't stick my neck out by saying that no fight, no struggle and no victory for democracy has happened separately from others in Europe.
Europe has been the centre of two world wars, the Cold War and that's only in the last 100 years. Europe is also the place where the industrial revolution took off and changed conditions drastically. Religion had its borderless fights for century's. In all this, Europeans has for more than 1000 years intertwined in social, cultural and economic enterprises that shaped and developed Europe.
Many women and men from all over Europe have fought and sacrificed there life and limb for liberty and peace so that Europe would achieve what Europe is today.
It is not possible to hide from our European heritage and identity, just as we cant forget the traditions of the community that we where born in. If we do, we do nothing but lie to ourself and our children.
Monday, 30 December 2013
Öppet brev till ordförande för Europeiska kommissionen, ordföranden för Europeiska rådet och ordföranden för Europaparlamentet. (Swedish translation)
Öppet brev till ordförande för Europeiska kommissionen,
ordföranden för Europeiska rådet och ordföranden för Europaparlamentet
José Manuel Barroso, Herman van Rompuy, Martin Schulz
Vi är djupt oroade över Europas framtid.
Den pågående politiska, sociala och ekonomiska krisen hotar
att återigen dela upp kontinenten. Misslyckandet med att effektivt hantera
krisen har skapat en stor misstro mot unionens institutioner bland sina egna
medborgare. Populism och nationalism är på uppgång i alla medlemmsstater och i kölvattnet av krisen finns starka politiska krafter som öppet förespråkar en upplösning av vår union. Detta är en mycket farlig utveckling! Krisen har
också lett till skapandet av ett antal organisationer bestående av engagerade
medborgare som förespråkar ett mer demokratiskt, starkare och solidariskt
Europa. Dessa organisationer och individer tar olika initiativ och skapar forum
för debatt, information och kampanjer för att öka medborgarnas deltagande i
uppbyggnaden av det framtida Europa.
Vi är alla mycket stolta över vad EU har åstadkommit under
de senaste 60 åren men vi ser också att det mellanstatliga systemet inte längre
kan möta utmaningarna i det moderna Europa. Detta system har också en top down-strategi
som skapar en stor klyfta mellan ledare och medborgare. Vi söker efter
alternativ till detta system. Vi söker delaktighet, demokrati och
ansvarsutkrävande. Det demokratiska underskottet kan inte längre tolereras.
Krisen har gjort det mycket klart att om vi ska rädda Europa
måste vi bygga om och reformera EU, inte bara ekonomiskt utan även socialt och
politiskt. Vi står vid ett vägskäl där vägen vi väljer kommer att påverka många
generationer framöver. Detta är utan tvekan den största utmaningen som det
enade Europa har mött.
Europa går mot en federation eller en upplösning. Ett
uppbrott skulle sannolikt flytta Europa mot en ny era av divisioner och kriser
som ingen av oss vill uppleva eller lämna som ett arv till våra barn och
barnbarn. Allt fler medborgare ser ett federalt Europa som den mest pragmatiska
och långsiktiga lösningen för Europa. Frågan är, skall denna federation baseras
på ett fundament av medborgare eller på nationalstaterna?
Detta brev speglar den starka övertygelsen som en grupp av
EU-medborgare från många medlemsstater har och vi inbjuder, ordförande José
Manuel Barroso, ordförande Herman Van Rompuy och ordförande Martin Schulz till
att främja en ny fas i reformen av Europeiska unionen, mot en demokratisk
federation av medborgare.
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Made in EU
The main consequence of the crisis in Europe is unquestionably unemployment and especially youth unemployment. The consequences of this are not only economic and social but also political.
Although the crisis and the unemployment has very little to do with the Union the Unions economic and political future depends on solving the youth unemployment. It requires both political and private action. Unfortunately, the crisis has so far been fought ineffectively with national interests at heart on the expense of ordinary people.
If Europe should be able to compete in the new world, we the citizens must review our consumption patterns, not only for economic reasons but also for environmental, social and democratic reasons. We must recognize and take responsibility for the fact that cheap Asian goods can have a very high price.
"Made in EU" can be a recipe for combating youth unemployment and something we all can contribute to.
Although the crisis and the unemployment has very little to do with the Union the Unions economic and political future depends on solving the youth unemployment. It requires both political and private action. Unfortunately, the crisis has so far been fought ineffectively with national interests at heart on the expense of ordinary people.
If Europe should be able to compete in the new world, we the citizens must review our consumption patterns, not only for economic reasons but also for environmental, social and democratic reasons. We must recognize and take responsibility for the fact that cheap Asian goods can have a very high price.
"Made in EU" can be a recipe for combating youth unemployment and something we all can contribute to.
Monday, 2 December 2013
Cameron calls for limit on European freedom of movement
Eurosceptics, with Cameron at the frontline are attacking the foundation of the European Union, the Citizen’s, as a strategi to slowly dismantel the union.'
Freedom of movement is the perfect exempel of this and if Cameron succeeds with his attempt to discriminate against certain European citizen’s, we won’t have a true European citizenship to fight for anymore.
Who could of thought that European leaders in 2013 seriously want to take back freedoms claimed by the people. If we let this happen, it will be the beginning of the fall, not only for the Union but also for many other of our citicens rights.
I say we have taken to much crap from Cameron and it is time that we stand up for each other against this kind of compromising with our rights.
Who could of thought that European leaders in 2013 seriously want to take back freedoms claimed by the people. If we let this happen, it will be the beginning of the fall, not only for the Union but also for many other of our citicens rights.
I say we have taken to much crap from Cameron and it is time that we stand up for each other against this kind of compromising with our rights.
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
The year of citicens
2013, the year of citicens draws to a end and it would be fitting to make a short evaluation.
YOC was initiated by the Union as a means to get closer to the people or perhaps the citizens closer to the Union.
What's the result?
The first question should be if the majority of the citizens are familiar with the YOC and its purpose.
The second question, if it brought them closer to the Union.
Something that must be raised as a very good example in this evaluation is the vice presidents citizenship dialog. It is unprecedented in European and national politics that a leader of this magnitude are meeting with citicens for a open dialog in this way.
The dialogue, however, would have made a greater impact with better media coverage and a greater commitment and support from national governments.
On the negative YOC just confirmed that European institutions is a extension of national governments and therefore lacks the ability to single-handedly push for closer ties to the citizens.
My conclusion is therefore that Europe needs independent democratic institutions acting within a given mandate independent of national governments. This means that national representation to the union must be independent from national governments. (more on this later)
YOC was without a doubt a great attempt by EU institutions to narrow the gap to its citicens but without the right tools to properly succeed.
Friday, 22 November 2013
In the footsteps of nationalism
Nationalism has reached its strongest position in Europe since World War II and it looks the same in most European states. We see both moderate nationalism and fundamentalistic nationalism on the rise.
Postwar reconciliation and integration policies are facing its biggest threat in 60 years. I am not referring to the economic crisis, but on how populist and even fundamentalistic movements utilise the crisis, that is the real threat. The established parties in Europe often respond by abandoning its own ideals and just copy these populist ( at best ) policies. Some examples of this is the migration policy and free movement in the EU.
So what follows in the footsteps of nationalism?
Europe can testify about the impact of nationalistic politics, the scars are still evident. The result was and is appalling.
Even moderate nationalists strive to achieve total homogeneity. Not only when it comes to language, faith and sexuality. Here is the dividing line between the moderate and the fundamentalistic nationalists very thin. Nationalism in all forms celebrates and strengthens the likeminded and oppresses the liberal minded. Putin's Russia is a recent example of this.
EP elections in 2014 will set the political agenda in Europe for many years to come and is therefore crucial for Europe.
Postwar reconciliation and integration policies are facing its biggest threat in 60 years. I am not referring to the economic crisis, but on how populist and even fundamentalistic movements utilise the crisis, that is the real threat. The established parties in Europe often respond by abandoning its own ideals and just copy these populist ( at best ) policies. Some examples of this is the migration policy and free movement in the EU.
So what follows in the footsteps of nationalism?
Europe can testify about the impact of nationalistic politics, the scars are still evident. The result was and is appalling.
Even moderate nationalists strive to achieve total homogeneity. Not only when it comes to language, faith and sexuality. Here is the dividing line between the moderate and the fundamentalistic nationalists very thin. Nationalism in all forms celebrates and strengthens the likeminded and oppresses the liberal minded. Putin's Russia is a recent example of this.
EP elections in 2014 will set the political agenda in Europe for many years to come and is therefore crucial for Europe.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
We can only have one citizenship
As the integration in the European union has deepened and through the expansion of the EU, we have seen a two-speed union emerge.
At the same time, several proposals from both national and European leaders say that the Union should consolidate different levels of integration within the framework of the Union in order to be able to move integration further.
The core of the Union would be fully integrated in some form of a political union, followed by multiple levels of lower integration around that core. Proposals for a second Parliament for the eurozone has also been on the table.
What does this mean in practise and what are the consequences for the Citizens in a Member State residing in the periphery of the unions integration? Well, we can already see how different levels of integration has consequences for individual citizens. Citizens from Romania and Bulgaria have been denied access to Schengen and have openly been targeted as social tourists at the same time as some national leaders advocates for a limit on their freedom of movement and other rights of European Citizens. The very foundation of the European citizenship, namely the right to live and work throughout the Union is threatened. Taken together this has already created different levels of citizenship.
What we see here is a tendency towards a first and a second-class citizenship. It is a unacceptable development!
There are also national Governments that actively and openly, not only trying to counter deeper integration but also seeks to reverse integration, which in turn made integrationists come up with a counter proposal, a new form of membership, called associated member for those Member States who feel integration has gone to far.
The consequences this would bring to individual citizens is alarming. In a strong and United Europe all citizens must have the same rights and the same opportunity's. Something that seems to call for a European Constitution. The Member states that through democratic processes choose to remain outside the necessary future integration should instead leave the union as a hole, with the option to fully join the Union at a later time.
Otherwise, Europe are at risk of consolidating various levels of citizenship permanently.
At the same time, several proposals from both national and European leaders say that the Union should consolidate different levels of integration within the framework of the Union in order to be able to move integration further.
The core of the Union would be fully integrated in some form of a political union, followed by multiple levels of lower integration around that core. Proposals for a second Parliament for the eurozone has also been on the table.
What does this mean in practise and what are the consequences for the Citizens in a Member State residing in the periphery of the unions integration? Well, we can already see how different levels of integration has consequences for individual citizens. Citizens from Romania and Bulgaria have been denied access to Schengen and have openly been targeted as social tourists at the same time as some national leaders advocates for a limit on their freedom of movement and other rights of European Citizens. The very foundation of the European citizenship, namely the right to live and work throughout the Union is threatened. Taken together this has already created different levels of citizenship.
What we see here is a tendency towards a first and a second-class citizenship. It is a unacceptable development!
There are also national Governments that actively and openly, not only trying to counter deeper integration but also seeks to reverse integration, which in turn made integrationists come up with a counter proposal, a new form of membership, called associated member for those Member States who feel integration has gone to far.
The consequences this would bring to individual citizens is alarming. In a strong and United Europe all citizens must have the same rights and the same opportunity's. Something that seems to call for a European Constitution. The Member states that through democratic processes choose to remain outside the necessary future integration should instead leave the union as a hole, with the option to fully join the Union at a later time.
Otherwise, Europe are at risk of consolidating various levels of citizenship permanently.
Monday, 27 May 2013
What Europe needs
Welcome to my newly born blog,
About Europe!
Here you will read my thoughts on current European politics and especially my thoughts on Europes integrated future.
Why now? It's simple! Europe needs it, not necessarily my voice, but it needs you and me to get involved in European affairs. Our future depends on it. Europe will change and that change must come from the people. It doesn't matter if you agree with my thoughts or not. The important thing is to get involved and join the debate.
This is not a academic blog or a blog for scholars. It is a blog for you and me. I hope you will get inspired to join the debate about our Europe.
Darmell
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