The editorial of El Pais entitled "Calviño's defeat in the Eurogroup is also that of a more integrated Union" made me think. Here is why. How can a leading European paper associate "Europe" with one's own party and one's own country? This is not the first time and probably not the last. Anyway, this is … Continue reading The Calviño Defeat Reveals What Europe Is
Category: What Europe?
It’s the fight of the decade and the Polish presidency is the prize (update)
On Sunday (28 June) almost 20 million Poles went to the polls to choose their head of state, who is largely ceremonial. Yet in a country ruled by symbols, the presidency is of utmost importance. Holding it is the ultimate proof for any political party of their power and popularity. Earlier version of this article … Continue reading It’s the fight of the decade and the Polish presidency is the prize (update)
Poland Elects its President 2020
So it happens. We are in the middle of a political hurricane. Once again, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) is facing the Opposition. Can they prevail? Can they win, again? Can they prolong the momentum beyond 2020?: No. It does not seem so. The momentum clearly is elsewhere. PiS puppet president Andrzej Duda is … Continue reading Poland Elects its President 2020
Polexit in 5 steps.
Today is 16th anniversary of the biggest enlargement of EU. On 1 May 2004 some 70 million people became EU citizens. Well, nobody told them this. So in June when there was an EP election people were confused. Why again they should go to the election box? After all they have voted in referendum about … Continue reading Polexit in 5 steps.
Testing for Covid19 in EU
On 14 April there are 771k cases of the coronavirus across the EU. About 70k people lost their lives. 224k have been cured, or so we think and 477k people are still sick. Against this picture, there are hundreds of myths about Covid-19 across the EU. One of them is that there are so many … Continue reading Testing for Covid19 in EU
Is the EU democratic?
The Polish national leaders are leading a narrative that the European Union needs to reform, and should it fail to reform it faces a defeat, a failure, a cataclysm. The Polish pundits, one by one seem to follow this magical trick and consider the EU an external, an alien, a hostile force. One just example … Continue reading Is the EU democratic?
A European Green Card for #the5million?
I talk with Roger Casale, the founder of New Europeans about Brexit, #the5million campaign and the New Europeans' proposal of the European Green Card. Initially this interview was published in Polish on Onet.pl. Piotr Maciej Kaczyński: There is about one million Poles in the UK. But the migration of people around the EU is a … Continue reading A European Green Card for #the5million?
Talking Europe to Europeans
In the race for news, our national media often lose the perspective of the slowly changing realities. Sometimes they do not grab it even in 10 years. In Brussels media still write about EU Presidencies. As if they existed. They don't, since 1 Dec 2009. Please someone deliver the news to Euractiv, Politico and EU … Continue reading Talking Europe to Europeans
Macron in Warsaw
Emmanuel Macron comes to Poland today. It is his first trip to the country since coming to power in 2017. Will he reach out to the Warsaw rulers who accused his France of breaking democratic principles? What is the olive branch? The list of disagreements is long. The list of common interests seems short. Is … Continue reading Macron in Warsaw
What kind of Geopolitical Commission?
At one point this summer Ursula von der Leyen said her Commission will be “geopolitical”, as opposed to the “political” Commission of Jean-Claude Juncker. There was no meaning to the adjective back then. There is little meaning to it today. Still, the adjective is growing on the Commission. First foreign trip of the new President: … Continue reading What kind of Geopolitical Commission?
EPP in Crisis
"The EPP is dead"! Did Viktor Orbán plan a hostile take-over of the party? What are the plans for the future? Welcome to rainy Zagreb, where the European People's Party holds its congress 2019. Hashtag #EPPZagreb The Croatian capital is cold and rainy this time of the year. Grim are the moods in the great … Continue reading EPP in Crisis
Poland’s Choice 2019: Elections Stakes
On 13 October, Poles will go to the polls to chose their parliament. Who will rule Poland for the next four years? What are different political actors fighting for in this elections?
Szczerski withdraws & his book, ‘Power & Market’ (5)
Krzysztof Szczerski will not be a European Commissioner.
Szczerski on Polish history lessons (Part 4)
Krzysztof Szczerski draws lessons from Polish history for Europe
Jarosław Kaczyński: we need to limit the LGBT ideology
Jarosław Kaczyński sees a conspiracy between independent judiciary, European Union and LGBT
Szczerski: Euro’s good only for the powerful (Part 3)
Krzysztof Szczerski is a candidate for the position of a Commissioner in the College of Ursula von der Leyen. Earlier this week there was a meeting between the nominee and the Commission President. The only relevant information Mr Szczerski shared after the meeting is that he has signalled his interest in an economic portfolio. No … Continue reading Szczerski: Euro’s good only for the powerful (Part 3)
Szczerski: Europe without a soul is dead (Part 2)
Krzysztof Szczerski, the Commissioner-nominee for the Ursula von der Leyen Commission, published a book in 2017 entitled "European Utopia". I am reading it for you. Today's part: "Europe without a soul is dead". According to Mr Szczerski the European identity is based on Christianity. He seeks a special role for the Poles: "we have a … Continue reading Szczerski: Europe without a soul is dead (Part 2)
Krzysztof Szczerski’s Noah’s Days (Part 1)
Krzysztof Szczerski on Europe
Polish democracy: gay rights or gay propaganda?
In the European Elections 46% Poles took part, which is an astounding increase with the previous European votes in 2004, 2009 and 2014 (all with 20-25% participation level). In October 2018 during the local and regional elections some 55% Poles went to the polls. This was the best turn out in local and regional elections … Continue reading Polish democracy: gay rights or gay propaganda?
How the Szydło affair keeps Commissioners-nominees hostage
In the chaos of transition between the Parliaments and the Commissions there are some surprise stories, twists and attempted shortcuts. There are unintended consequences and parallel processes that impact one another. Here's one such story. 26 May, the end of European elections. Among new MEPs are two ex-Commissioners, Andrus Ansip and Corina Creţu. 2 June, … Continue reading How the Szydło affair keeps Commissioners-nominees hostage