100 posts
Same old Europe
NEW
Authors: Benedicta MarzinottoIn Prospect Magazine. The deal on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, which will regulate the EU’s annual budget, is a missed opportunity. As in the past, the EU was captive to agonising negotiations in...
How to read the EU budget deal? II
NEW
Authors: Benedicta MarzinottoHow to read the EU budget deal? How to read the EU budget deal? I Structural and Cohesion Funds, if properly used, can represent an important instrument for economic growth. The European Council conclusions of 8 Februar...
How to read the EU budget deal? I
NEW
Authors: Benedicta MarzinottoHow to read the EU budget deal? How to read the EU budget deal? II Now that the European Council has approved the MFF 2014-2020 commentators are indulging on an evaluation of “who wins, who losses”, whether...
Good examples of EU funded projects
NEW
The European Union budget is relatively small (around 1% of EU GNI), but it can make a big difference. Around 94% of the European Union budget supports researchers, businesses, farmers, regions, young people and many others.via Regional Cooperation -...
The Week in Bloggingportal: Show me the money, Jean Monnet and Margaret Thatcher!
NEW
Dear Jean Monnet, dear Margaret Thatcher, we here at our idealistic European project called Bloggingportal.eu (that’s for you, Jean) that functions without any government money (that’s for you, Mararet), we hope you both had a modestly co...
Institutional imbalance
NEW
A very good article written by Isabelle Durant MEP in the context of this week’s Budget Summit (“Van Rompuy’s Silent Coup d’Etat“) touches on a theme which is close to the hearts of those of us who feel that the …...
The EU Parliament Rebels
NEW
The European Council finally approved an austerity budget after lengthy negotiations, only to have the four main parliamentary groups announce shortly thereafter that they would not vote to approve it. Now what? I don't know. But there's a blizzard h...
How to read the EU budget deal?
NEW
Authors: Benedicta MarzinottoThe approval of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 was preceding by the usual agonizing negotiations, but a deal was eventually struck at the European Council of 8 February 2013. The latest deal is much l...
No secret ballot in the European Parliament on the EU budget vote!
NEW
So it looks like the European Council has agreed a real-terms cut in the EU budget for the 2014-2020 period. This has, understandably, been labelled unacceptable by the 4 largest...
The EU budget explained
NEW
We are hearing a lot at the moment about the EU Budget and the wrangling surrounding it. I thought it would be a good time to write a blog about what the EU Budget actually is and what could happen if … Continue reading →...
Meet the EU budget 'veto team'
NEW
This EU budget stuff can come across as pretty dull and confusing. To lighten things up a bit, we will turn to the universal language of football. So meet the EU's 'Veto Team' - the eleven EU leaders that so far have threatened to veto the EU budget...
Infographics illuminate EU budget
NEW
Creators of infographics, also known as data visualisations, are providing more and more interesting ways to explain complex phenomena. So often subject to misunderstandings and conjecture, the European Union budget is a clear example. Officially cal...
1st Discussion Forum: Erasmus- The Next Victim of Austerity ?
NEW
The European student exchange programme, established in 1987, is threatened by the Member States’ non-commitment to stick to their budgetary obligations. What is your opinion on this? Here is our first discussion forum.
David Cameron's chance for real reform of the EU budget
NEW
We need a productive restructuring of the EU budget and David Cameron should attempt to negotiate a 'grand bargain' for a smaller growth-focused budget with other leaders - argues Glenn Gottfried...
Much ado about little: Britain and the EU budget
NEW
As almost all European governments are cutting spending, it is hardly a surprise that the EU’s budget is under fire. The European Commission has rather optimistically proposed a real terms increase of five per cent in total spending over the next b...
EU-Call for Proposals LLP 2013: Bank Guarantees
NEW
At the DARE GA 2011 several members indicated they have difficulties in receiving tha bank guarantees required for the applications under the Lifelong Learning Call for Proposals.The DARe board asked the European Commission in a letter for advise how...
EU: MFF 2014-2020 current state of affairs
NEW
The European Parliaments CULT Committee discussed the amendments made to MEP Doris Pack report suggested by EP colleagues for the new ERASMUS FOR ALL program.The CULT Commitee suggests a new name for the program: "YES Europe" which stands for Youth,...
Why progressives should not favour EU budget cuts!
NEW
In my last blog I argued that the next EU budget should be a multiannual framework of a joint and common expression of a sound economic, fiscal and social policy in Europe. The budget framework should be therefore also a starting point for a more tho...
4 points for better spending and effectiveness for Cohesion Policy to deliver growth and jobs
NEW
At the Informal Council in Nicosia, on 6 November, Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn presented 4 points for better spending and effectiveness for Cohesion Policy to deliver growth and jobs:Endorse the ‘better spending agenda’: (i.e..
Britain’s EU bill explained without the anti-European hype
NEW
Mark Reckless, Bill Cash, Douglas Carswell and the other feral Tory Eurosceptics are quite simply wrong on the EU budget. At best they have either not bothered to do their homework or quite simply and naively believe the plethora of … Continue...
Can open data improve the effectiveness of EU funding?
NEW
Roncoferraro, a small town in the northern Italian region of Lombardia, has switched to 100% renewable sources for its muncipal energy needs. A mix of different technologies, including solar power and a high-tech heating network running on locally-...
EU auditors join budget fight: ‘Show us your sheep!’
NEW
Even before the European Court of Auditors released its annual review of EU spending on Tuesday, negotiations over the bloc’s next long-term budget had already turned tense. A group of wealthy nations, led by theUK, are demanding more budgetary dis...
Merkel’s British Firestorm Comes Early
NEW
A huge effigy of Angela Merkel doing a Nazi salute (with the wrong arm) and bursting out of the Acropolis of Athens was burned during a bonfire and fireworks show in England, in an incident that comes 48 hours before U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron...
Deja vu anyone? EU auditors refuse to sign off EU spending for 18th year running
NEW
This morning, the EU’s Court of Auditors published its report on the EU’s 2011 accounts. Although the auditors concluded that the Commission’s accounts are reliable, they also found that the actual spending was “affected by material error”,...
EU Auditors: Member States and Commission must manage spending better
NEW
In 2011 the EU spent € 129.4 billion, with around 80% on agriculture and cohesion policies, where the task of implementing the EU budget is shared by the Commission and EU Member States. The European Court of Auditors (ECA) found too many cas...
Nicosia gets the thumbs down from all sides
NEW
It isn't easy being a small state and holding the presidency of the EU, especially when you have to make proposals about the future of the CAP. Cyprus has ended up being attacked from all sides for its suggestions for a way forward on the CAP budget...
Can you cut a deal? Angela asks Dave
NEW
David Gow Monday, 05 November 2012 Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has a super-charged schedule on Wednesday: after the weekly cabinet meeting in Berlin, she formally receives the annual report on the sta...
Cyprus' EU budget deal rejected by Commission and Parliament
NEW
On 30 October, the European Commission rejected the first proposals containing concrete figures for the EU's 2014-2020 budget presented hours earlier by the Cypriot presidency. The Parliament slammed the proposal for slashing spending on growth and j...
To get the best deal on the EU budget we must engage with our natural allies
NEW
Although the Commons vote on the EU budget isn’t binding, the Government is now under pressure to make demands that simply cannot be met. Calling for a real-terms cut in the EU budget would not only be unrealistic, but would … Continue re...
This latest Tory rebellion was not just cynical, it was completely bogus | Andrew Rawnsley
NEW
The result of the unholy alliance between Tory Europhobes and Labour will be to increase the cost of the EUMy congratulations to Mark Reckless – you couldn't make up a more splendid name for a Conservative MP – and the 52 other Tory rebels who te...
An MEP comments on the EU budget
NEW
From a political source not often quoted with approval by Shiraz Socialist (and for “DUP” you can also read “Labour”): Commenting on calls from Westminster for a cut to the EU budget Martina Anderson MEP said: “Those calling...
German, Austrian and UK media on Britain in EU
NEW
On 1 November British prime minister David Cameron announced that he plans to obey the will of his parliament at the EU budget summit at the end of November and use his power of veto if the result is not in the interests of the UK. While some comment...
Sweden considers a veto on the EU budget
NEW
According to the Swedish daily, Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden is the country that pay the most to the EU budget, and in the budget proposal they will end up paying even more. This makes their minister … Continue reading →...
Lithuania ranks 1° in EU Structural & Cohesion funds absorption rate
NEW
Source: www.esparama.ltTags: LithuaniaAbsorption ratesAttachment: Statistics on Structural and Cohesion funds in Lithuania (2 November 2012).pdfCountries_2: LithuaniaTopics_2: Absorption Rates...
The budget cirkus
NEW
On November 22. and 23. the 27 EU leaders will meet in Brussels for a fresh round of summit talks. The meeting is an extraordinary summit arranged only to deal with the budget negotiations. Here’s … Continue reading →...
"Labour's shameful EU budget vote" by George Irvin
NEW
The Labour Party was congratulating itself yesterday on having joined with Tory rebels to defeat the Tory-led government by voting to cut the EU budget. In truth, this was sheer opportunism. While the two Eds (Miliband and Balls) may believe that sup...
Labour, you've made your point about the EU – now make the case for it | Polly Toynbee
NEW
In tough times it is only right that the EU budget be trimmed, but the left must never forget the benefits of membershipPolitics is often a rough trade, everyone knows it and the public despises its practitioners for it. It was ever thus, back to anc...
Labour’s approach to EU budget reform is all wrong
NEW
If anyone in the Labour Party should know how the European Union works it’s Peter Hain. A member of the Convention of the Future of Europe in the early 2000s, Hain will have seen how sensible proposals, compellingly argued, can lead to results...
The EU budget needs to be increased, not cut or frozen | John Palmer
NEW
When it comes to the EU budget, political discourse quickly reverts to the most basic and ill-informed populismThe debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday night saw a united front of Eurosceptic Tory MPs and the Labour opposition demand a cut in...
Commons defeat on EU budget
NEW
The House of Commons recently voted against the government on the issue of the EU budget (by 307 votes to 294), demanding that the EU budget for the next 7 years be 'reduced in real terms'.Naturally the eurosceptics have been overjoyed by this news.
Clegg on Europe: the details are complicated, the overall message is clear
NEW
So, Nick Clegg wants the UK to stay part of cross-European anti-crime arrangements and will do so by agreeing to opt out of them all. Plus he isn’t happy with plans to increase the EU’s budget and wants to block them by opposing cuts in the budge...
EU budget: Ed Miliband twisted the knife but the Tory right held the handle | Richard Seymour
NEW
On Europe, Miliband has shown that he can be opportunistic, but that's all he can hope for from his side of the houseIn yesterday's parliamentary debate, Ed Miliband pointedly compared David Cameron to John Major. He knew what he was doing. In a few...
EU budget rebellion: David Cameron is now stuck in a corner | Paul Goodman
NEW
In the process of trying to dampen the revolt, the prime minister merely inflamed it further. It's typical of his European policyDavid Cameron was beaten by his backbenchers on the EU budget even before he lost Wednesday evening's vote. During prime...
Labour’s anti-EU vote
NEW
The Labour Party was congratulating itself yesterday on having joined with Tory rebels to defeat the Tory-led government by voting to cut the EU budget. In truth, this was sheer opportunism. While the two Eds (Miliband and Balls) may believe that sup...
Britain in Europe #6: Should David Cameron veto the EU budget?
NEW
Last night, the British government suffered a “stinging defeat” in the House of Commons after more than 50 Conservative rebel backbenchers joined forces with opposition Labour MPs to demand a real-term reduction in the EU’s budget...
Why David Cameron can threaten to veto the EU budget
NEW
Over on the Spectator's Coffee House blog, we argue,When in 1996 the US Congress threw out Bill Clinton’s Federal budget they precipitated a partial shutdown of the US Government. However, anyone looking at the growing prospect of a UK EU budget...
A shameful night for British politics
NEW
David Seymour Thursday, 01 November 2012 The headlines and speculation which followed last night's Government defeat over its EU budget strategy were predictable and certainly justified over the precarious posi...
Labour and the Commons vote on the EU Budget
NEW
The UK government was defeated in a non-binding vote in the House of Commons yesterday, with rebel Tories being joined by the opposition Labour Party to call for a real terms cut in the EU Budget (307 votes for, 294 votes against). Though David Camer...
The EU Budget: The Truth
NEW
The raging europhobia of the Tory right, now in unholy tandem with Labour after the Opposition’s shamelessly cynical move to vote along with them simply to embarrass the Prime Minister, means that there is a lot of mindless chatter in Britain ...
MPs have remembered their role – that's the real significance of tonight's vote
NEW
'The issue of Europe has come back to haunt the Conservative Party' was how the News at Ten introduced the story of the government's defeat. 'The bastards are back', was Newsnight's retro take on the event. Almost every pundit is determined to cover...
‘The Veto’
NEW
A brief one this week, but just a linguistic observation. David Cameron talks about ‘using the veto‘ a lot these days (and it will be said a lot more in the days to come). However, it’s never clear what this ‘veto’ is. T...
The UK and the EU budget – the FACTS
NEW
Number of View: 359Amid intense debate and widely differing figures appearing in the media concerning the EU’s multi-annual financial framework for the period 2014-2020 we outline the facts about the European Commission’s proposal below.
The EU budget's value, not size, is what's important | Olaf Cramme
NEW
While debate rages on whether or not the EU budget should be cut, it is how it is used in this economic climate that mattersThere is at least one thing about the EU that everyone seems to agree on: when it comes to political communication, Brussels i...
Britain's budget battle
NEW
David Gow Wednesday, 31 October 2012 Forty years ago, when Britain joined the then EEC, the CAP accounted for up to 90% of the EU budget and the “highlight” of the year was the farm price marathon in which...
EU Budget Factsheet
NEW
Wednesday, 31 October 2012 Negotiating positionThis is an opportunity to use the proximity of our negotiating position to that of Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands to call for a reform of the EU. To do that we must offer practical solutions in B...
EU budget: Britain's race to the bottom | Editorial
NEW
The balancing act between domestic and European priorities is often a precarious one, but David Cameron is danger of making a serious blunderTensions between domestic political imperatives and the wider European interest are in the warp and weft of t...
David Cameron's pro-EU charade cannot go on much longer | Simon Jenkins
NEW
The PM talks tough on the European Union but claims to support it. His position is hopeless. A new deal is neededAfter Wednesday's vote in the House of Commons, David Cameron could find himself the last "pro-European" in Britain. He will leave for Br...
Cameron’s EU budget veto is a powerful tool for change
NEW
Over on the Telegraph blog, we argue:Labour has joined the battle over the EU’s next long-term budget. The budget, to run between 2014 and 2020, will be discussed at an EU summit on 22 and 23 November. David Cameron wants a “real terms freeze
EU Budget Contortions Get Serious
NEW
Negotiations over the EU's next seven-year budget have begun in earnest and the latest compromise from the Cypriot presidency isn't making anyone happy.
EU to UK: budget rebate “no longer warranted”
NEW
Britain's Cameron, left, talks with EU Commission president José Manuel Barroso at May's summit. With last night’s release of new numbers by Cypriot negotiators, the debate over the EU’s seven-year budget is beginning to heat up, with...
Rising tension in EU over budget
NEW
Tensions in the EU are beginning to rise as the EU moves towards the discussion on the 2014-2020 budget with both domestic and external pressures on David Cameron(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9643328/David-Cameron-under-pressure-on-all-si...
EU draft budget shows €50bn in cuts
NEW
A fresh draft of the EU’s long-term budget has shaved €50bn from the original proposal, in a partial concession to the UK and other member states determined to contain the bloc’s spending. The draft, circulated late on Monday night, marked the...
It's not all Balls
NEW
The ploy by Ed Balls and Douglas Alexander to call for Dave Cameron to secure real cuts in the EU budget is a way of setting an elephant trap for the prime minister. They know if they were in office they would have great difficulty in securing such...
Cameron Pressed on EU Budget
NEW
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron is facing pressure at home to take an even more stingy approach to negotiations over the European Union's next multiyear budget.
EU Staff Calls Strike Over Budget
NEW
The main unions representing EU employees have called a strike for Nov. 8 to protest a push from several member states to cut staff and administrative costs during the bloc’s next budget period.
