The Czech Republic, France, and the Passing of the Presidency Baton Ever since the most recent wave of enlargement (at least), the European Union cannot exactly be described as an homogenous entente. The coexistence of 27 countries of such varied geopolitical and economic weight and with such different traditions of political culture can only occur on the basis of coalitions created to balance out their various interests and aims. The current EU Presidency trio of France, the Czech Republic and Sweden is more than instructive as concerns this problematic situation.
The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU: Europe in Harmony? Rarely has the European public ever been quite this uncertain as to whether a Member State can handle the challenges connected with the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Most of the concern is over whether controversial Czech President Václav Klaus may attempt some sort of provocation.
The World in Crisis - Manifesto for the Czech Presidency of the European Union In times of crisis, the poor suffer the most. The cumulative effects of global economic downturn, climate change, and energy and food crises call into question the entire economic model and policies of the past quarter of a century. And yet a world in multiple crisis opens windows of opportunity. More stable, equitable and sustainable economies are already springing up locally. To retain greater control over local food, energy and money, to achieve a stable climate and fairer consumption, a global vision of alternative economics and politics is also needed.
Grand plans, money and falls – seeking values and answers in the financial crisis The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU comes at a watershed period. Europe and the world are being shaken by a global crisis. Many people agree, however, that the watershed concerns more than just the economic crisis. Every crisis is an opportunity for reflection and change. The current global financial crisis indicates that after 25 years a change in political thinking is once again impending. Coming into play are new forms of economics and politics, lifestyle and international order.
Stumbling Blocks to the Adoption of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech Republic In the months leading up to the start of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Czech and European media speculated on whether the Czech President and Prime Minister would overcome their mutual conflict and represent the country consistently. The first days of 2009 have shown that management of the Czech Presidency’s external communications is fully in the hands of the Prime Minister, but on matters requiring engagement in the domestic political debate, the Czech PM continues to lose for the time being. Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech Parliament is one of these matters.
Green Party successes in formulating governmental priorities In October 2007, the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic publicized the first version of its priorities for the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. The materials were based on preparations which had begun immediately after the 2006 elections. The government, namely the Subdivision of the Deputy Minister for European Affairs (Útvar místopředsedy vlády pro evropské záležitosti - ÚMVEZ), was the body responsible for compiling the priorities and managing the commenting procedure.
Make a Virtue of Necessity Whereas globalisation during the past 20 years has been a powerful engine of growth, we now experience the downside of the worldwide interlacing of the markets: a global recession. In Europe, North America and Japan - still the centres of world economy - economic output shrinks and in the new booming economies of Asia and Latin America at least the growth rates are shrinking. Europe's economy is by no means separated from the US-economy. This became clear already during the financial crisis that spread quickly from Wall Street to the European banking system. Also China needs the support of the world economy since its growth has been mainly driven by exports to the USA and its gigantic trade surplus has been invested in US government bonds. The same applies for the Indian software industry and the countries depending upon the export of resources - their incomes dropped to rock bottom quickly.
The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU In January 2009 the Czech Republic assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Presidency provides the Czech Republic with a unique opportunity to influence the agenda of the EU for six months. The task of the Czech Republic is to inspire and to moderate the debate among the 27 member states and to represent the EU externally
Hungary: Green Chances in the new Parliament The next Hungarian parliament could include two green formations: Dialogue for Hungary (PM), which will surely have some members in parliament, and Politics Can Be Different (LMP). If LMP surpasses the election threshold an independent parliamentary group is guaranteed. By Róbert László