EU Politics

EU Politics

Joel Labbé and Gilles Bertrand – fishing reform

I put a politician and a fishing spokesperson in front of the camera to ask them about Greenpeace, and what is needed for the future of fishing policy in France. First you will see Joel Labbé (Senator for Europe Ecologie Les Verts), and then Gilles Bertrand from l’Association des Ligneurs […]

EU Politics

26-27 May – Arctic Sunrise at Saint Malo – photos

26 May – Arctic Sunrise allocated a berth that is hidden away in Saint-Malo 26 May – evening sunshine on Arctic Sunrise at Saint-Malo 27 May – Photosynth panorama at Saint-Malo, including projection on the wall 27 May – early light at Saint Malo 27 May – morning light 27 […]

EU Politics

Candidates for President of the European Council

The European Council elects its President by a qualified majority for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. This means that Herman Van Rompuy, the current incumbent, cannot run again. This is also the only one of the top EU positions that has no role for the […]

EU Politics

Candidates for High Rep for EU Foreign Policy

The High Rep is appointed by the European Council, acting by qualified majority. However as the person is also a Vice President of the European Commission, their nomination has to also be approved in the same way as the rest of the College of Commissioners. If 2014 works as 2009 […]

EU Politics

EPP candidates for Commission President

In a previous post I analysed the likely candidates from the centre left PES for Commission President. Here I examine who the centre right EPP might put forward. It is worth bearing in mind that the nomination process depends on the outcome of the European Parliament elections, according to Article […]

EU Politics

New Europe | It’s Time To Protect Schengen

For me it was a journey by rail like any other: a Paris to Milan TGV between two work assignments. Until, between St Jean de Maurienne and Modane, stations near the border on the French side, four policemen passed through the train asking all passengers for passports. “Why,” I asked […]

EU Politics

PES candidates for Commission President

Every five years Brussels has a bout of political intrigue. It is the time when a new European Parliament is elected, and connected to that, a new team of European Commissioners chosen. The European Parliament elections are due in May 2014, and with the Commission due to be chosen in […]