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Posts Tagged ‘Lisbon’

Pay attention now

September 11th, 2009 | No Comments

Ireland will soon vote on the Lisbon treaty, but a row about banks is proving to be a distraction

Despite the government’s belief that a rejection of the Lisbon treaty next month would have grave consequences for Ireland’s position in the EU, the governing parties have yet to begin any major campaigning. The government’s attention has recently been diverted from the referendum by growing and increasingly vehement criticism of its proposal to support the financial system by establishing a National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to buy large quantities of non-performing loans from the country’s main banks. The controversy threatens the stability of the two-party coalition and although some last-minute amendments to the legislation are expected, there is a risk that the NAMA issue could cause the government to collapse.

On October 2nd Irish voters will go to the polls to vote in a referendum on the EU’s latest changes to its structures and institutions. Having rejected the Lisbon treaty at first asking in June 2008, the Irish government will put it to a second vote in recognition of the crisis that non-ratification would create for its relations with the rest of the bloc. Despite the government’s belief that another rejection would have grave consequences for Ireland’s position in the EU, the governing parties have yet to begin any major campaigning, with most cabinet members having taken holidays during August and early September. Also working against the government has been the controversy over its proposal to support the teetering financial system by buying large quantities of non-performing loans (NPLs) from the country’s troubled banks. As the proposal has become subject to growing and increasingly vehement criticism, the government has been forced onto the defensive, further distracting from the Lisbon campaign. …

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Dublin reassures Brussels over treaty “Yes” vote

September 8th, 2009 | No Comments

The Irish government has promised it will deliver a resounding ‘Yes’ vote in next month’s referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The EU’s ambitious reforms depend on Ireland’s decision and although the ‘Yes’ camp is ahead in the polls, its lead is shortening.

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Irish Lisbon support teeters

September 5th, 2009 | No Comments

Lisbon Treaty support in Ireland has dropped and the number of undecided voters has increased, but the yes are still ahead. Four weeks remain before the second Irish referendum on the treaty to streamline EU decision-making.

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Dublin admits “Yes” to Lisbon will be difficult

September 4th, 2009 | No Comments

Ireland’s Foreign Minister Michal Martin today admitted his government faces a tough task getting the EU’s Lisbon Treaty ratified next month. The Irish people are voting on the charter again, having rejected it last year.

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Irish Lisbon opponents attack fiscal cuts, markets

August 18th, 2009 | No Comments

Irish opponents of the European Union’s Lisbon reform treaty on Tuesday launched their campaign ahead of October’s referendum. Their campaign was launched with a warning the charter would leave workers worse off and more exposed to spending cuts.

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Muse: The Resistance

August 6th, 2009 | No Comments

British Trio Muse Unveil New Single, “Uprising,” Off

The Band’s Forthcoming Album, The Resistance, Due Out September 15


Muse

A glammed-up rock stomper, “Uprising” (check it below) is the first single from Muse‘s self-produced fifth studio album The Resistance, which will be released on September 15. Recorded in Italy, the album was mixed by famed audio engineer Mark “Spike” Stent, who is known for his work with U2, Depeche Mode, No Doubt, and Oasis, among many others. The single is the first new music from Muse since Black Holes and Revelations, which debuted at Number 9 on Billboard’s album chart in July 2006. Over the last few years, Muse – comprised of vocalist/guitarist Matt Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme and drummer Dom Howard – have played to sold-out crowds worldwide in support of Black Holes, which spawned modern rock hits “Knights Of Cydonia,” “Starlight” and “Supermassive Black Hole.”

In anticipation of their new album, Muse will perform at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on September 13, two days before The Resistance is released in the U.S. In addition, the band will open select shows for U2, including two shows at Giants Stadium in New York, this fall.

Muse 2009 Tour Dates:

09/25/09 Fri Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ*

09/29/09 Tue FedEx Field Landover, MD*

10/01/09 Thu Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA*

10/03/09 Sat Carter Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC*

10/06/09 Tue Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA*

10/09/09 Fri Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL*

10/12/09 Mon Dallas Cowboys Stadium Arlington, TX*

10/14/09 Wed Reliant Stadium Houston, TX*

10/22/09 Thu Hartwall Arena Helsinki, FI*

10/24/09 Sat Hovet Stockholm, SE

10/25/09 Sun Oslo Spektrum Oslo, NO

10/26/09 Mon Parken Copenhagen, DK

10/28/09 Wed Color Line Arena Hamburg, GER

10/29/09 Thu O2 World Berlin, GER

11/01/09 Sun Le Galaxie Amneville, FRA

11/02/09 Mon Sportpaleis Antwerpen Antwerp, BEL

11/04/09 Wed Sheffield Arena Sheffield, GB

11/05/09 Thu Liverpool Echo Arena Liverpool, GB

11/06/09 Fri The O2 Dublin, IR

11/09/09 Mon SECC Glasgow, GB

11/10/09 Tue National Indoor Arena (NIA) Birmingham, GB

11/12/09 Thu O2 Arena London, GB

11/13/09 Fri O2 Arena London, GB

11/14/09 Sat Ahoy Hall Rotterdam, NL

11/16/09 Mon Lanxess Arena Cologne, GER

11/17/09 Tue Bercy Paris, FRA

11/18/09 Wed Hallenstadion Zurich Zurich, SWI

11/20/09 Fri Olympiahalle Munich, GER

11/22/09 Sun Halle Tony Garnier Lyon, FRA

11/25/09 Wed Zenith Toulouse, FRA

11/27/09 Fri Pavello Olimpic Barcelona, ES

11/28/09 Sat Palacio de los Deportes Madrid, ES

11/29/09 Sun Pavilhao Atlantico Lisbon, POR

12/01/09 Tue Zenith Limoges, FRA

12/02/09 Wed Zenith Dijon, FRA

12/04/09 Fri Palaolympico Turin, IT

*=Opening for U2



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Football honours Sir Bobby Robson

August 1st, 2009 | No Comments

Sir Bobby Robson

Leading figures from football have paid tribute to Sir Bobby Robson after his death at the age of 76 following a long battle with cancer.

Robson was a renowned and revered figure in football and led England to the World Cup semi-finals at Italia 90, where his side were agonisingly beaten on penalties by West Germany.

As a player, the wing-half had spells at Fulham and West Brom, while also winning 20 England caps.

He successfully moved into management, taking charge at Fulham, Ipswich, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona and Newcastle in his coaching career.

Here, the football fraternity leads the tributes to Robson.

FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN BRYAN ROBSON

"He called me his Captain Marvel and it stuck for the rest of my playing career. It made me very proud but it was only typical of the respect he earned from myself and the rest of the dressing room.

"I have never come across anybody with such a passion for football. We had a tremendous personal relationship as manager and skipper.

"Any criticism he had of a player was kept very private and publicly he gave all of us his total backing.

"We stayed pretty close even towards the end and, along with many other friends, I enjoyed his company in Portugal playing in his Golf Classic. He will be missed by everybody who knew him."

MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER SIR ALEX FERGUSON

"I was never too big or proud to ask him for advice which he gave freely and unconditionally. And I’m sure I am speaking for a lot of people when I say that.

"In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby Robson. I mourn the passing of a great friend, a wonderful individual, a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed.

"His character was hewn out of the coal face, developed by the Durham mining background that he came from. His parents instilled in him the discipline and standards which forged the character of a genuinely colossal human being. He added his own qualities to that which then he passed on to his sons.

"The strength and courage he showed over the past couple of years when battling against his fifth bout of cancer was indescribable. Always a smile, always a friendly word with never a mention of his own problems.

"The world, not just the football world, will miss him. Let’s hope it won’t be long before another like him turns up because we could never get enough of them."

SCOTLAND MANAGER GEORGE BURLEY

"It was a big decision for me and my parents to make such a long journey at that age," said Burley, who played under Robson after leaving his home in Ayrshire to join Ipswich as a 15-year-old.

"But Sir Bobby was like a father to me, taking a personal interest in me right from the start, always checking whether I was happy. His support and enthusiasm was the perfect cure for homesickness and helped my career to get off the ground and thrive.

"I’ll never forget when in 1973, the day before we played Manchester United at Old Trafford, he took me to one side and told me I would be making my first-team debut. I was 17 and the player I had to mark just happened to be George Best.

"My parents came down from Scotland to watch the game and I remember him getting off the team bus and presenting them with two directors’ box tickets. We lost 3-0 but Sir Bobby was magnificent, telling me how well I’d played. It did wonders for my confidence.

"I went on to play over 500 games for Ipswich in a side that drew inspiration from its manager. From 1972 we qualified for European competitions nine out of 10 years which was remarkable considering the size of our squad and our standing as a small-town club.

"That was all down to his man-management, tactics and judgement. No finer example of that was when, after we won the FA Cup, he sold Brian Talbot to Arsenal for £450,000 and spent less than that to bring in that fabulous Dutch pair Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen.

"I could not possibly get my head round how my career would have gone had it not been for Sir Bobby Robson. I owe him everything and I only hope I can be guided by the example he showed me."

ENGLAND MANAGER FABIO CAPELLO

"Sir Bobby was a wonderful man, a real gentleman. I remember very well the times I managed my teams against him.

"The first time being when Bobby was manager of Barcelona and I was in my first season with Real Madrid. Later, when he was Newcastle manager and I was with Roma we faced each other – as opponents, but always friends.

"Of course, I recall Bobby as a manager with Ipswich, but more so with England. To manage the national team for so long was a remarkable achievement, and we all remember how close he came to leading England to the World Cup Final in Italy.

"He went on to enjoy success with PSV Eindhoven, Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona before returning to ‘home’ with Newcastle.

"Earlier this year I spent some time with Bobby when he opened the new cancer treatment centre, for which he worked so hard to raise funds. He was a fantastic man, and loved by so many people. His spirit and courage was incredible. To fight cancer so many times really showed the strength of the man.

"All the time we spoke over a cup of coffee with his close family, his passion for football shone through.

"He loved the game and was extremely proud of his country and the North East region.

"I also recall the tribute dinner the LMA [League Managers' Association] hosted for Bobby when he wasn’t planning to say more than a few words. In the end he stayed on the stage for a very long time, telling story after story, much to everyone’s amusement.

"It’s extremely sad that Sir Bobby has lost his final fight against cancer, but he will never be forgotten. He really was a great man."

FORMER NEWCASTLE CHAIRMAN FREDDY SHEPHERD

"It’s very sad, especially on Tyneside. The whole of Tyneside will be grieving. Sir Bobby Robson was a great man and will be sorely missed.

"I worked with him for five years every day. He was certainly the best manager I ever worked with at Newcastle. He never put me under pressure and always tried to see my side.

"He wouldn’t put up with fools and didn’t take any nonsense. He came across as a very kind guy but underneath was very tough. He thought about football 24 hours a day and he would ring me at all hours of the day and never stopped thinking about football."

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT PRINCE WILLIAM

"I am deeply saddened to hear about Sir Bobby Robson’s death.

"His contribution to English football as a player, manager and superb ambassador for our national game has been immense.

"He will be sadly missed by football fans everywhere, and I am thinking about his family at this difficult time."

PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN

"I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of Sir Bobby Robson. I had the privilege of meeting Bobby on many occasions. He epitomised everything that is great about football in this country.

"His passion, patriotism, dedication and professionalism knew no equal during his time both as a player and a manager.

"His remarkable achievements as manager of Ipswich Town and then of England are among the most distinguished in English football history, and he was able to replicate that extraordinary success during his time at PSV Eindhoven, Porto and Barcelona.

"Over the past few years, he fought cancer with his characteristic tenacity and good humour.

"He will be sorely missed – not only in Newcastle and Ipswich, both of whom he served with such devotion, but by all sports fans in our country. My sincere condolences go to his wife Elsie and his family."</p

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Spotted online

July 21st, 2009 | No Comments

From city walks in Hamburg to a Roman literary cafe, we bring you the latest instalment of insider tips from blog network Spotted by Locals

Amsterdam: Gartine – breakfast from the owner’s garden

By Maarten-Jan Meyer zu Schlochtern

Gartine is one of my favourites for a unique breakfast, excellent lunch and English high tea – all served on antique chinaware, which has been collected by the owners with loving care over the years. The atmosphere is easy and pleasant.

All ingredients come from the owner’s vegetable garden, so the dishes are always super fresh and of good quality. On top of that, Gartine adopted 58 chickens at the foundation ‘Adopt a Chicken’ and these provide farm-fresh eggs. They also use products of the ‘Ark van Smaak’ from Slow Food Netherlands. So when you eat there, you eat ‘eco and green’.

Gartine is in a small alley called ‘Taksteeg’ in the old centre of Amsterdam, between Rokin and Spui.

• Details about this spot: Gartine, Taksteeg 7, +31 3204132. Big breakfast €10.95. Open Tue-Sun 8am-6pm.

Rome: Bar-a-book – drinking while reading

By Mariaceleste de Martino

Fabiola is the woman who runs it. She prepares excellent aperitifs served on a large wooden table in the middle of the room, so it feels like being at a friend’s party.

There is a list of wines by the glass – not a great variety, I must admit, but they are good at least. The food is homemade: cous cous, vegetable quiches and pies, tarts and little pizzas, sandwiches (mostly vegetarian) and many other snacks, including cakes at times. I like it here because it is located in one of my neighbourhoods, so it really makes me feel at home.

The furniture is totally random – you are surrounded by shelves of books that you can buy – vintage like the neighbourhood. Post second world war kind of design, just like most of the buildings that have been either rebuilt or restored after the area was completely shelled by US aircraft during the war. Now, it is considered one of the trendy-bohemian areas in town.

If you want to do as the Romans do, this is one of the real Roman places to pick.

• Details about this spot: Bar-à-book: drink including buffet food €10,
via dei Piceni 23, S.Lorenzo & Pigneto; +39 (0)645 443358. Tue-Sun 4pm-1:30am. Brunch on Sun 12-4pm.

Lisbon: Miradouro da Gra̤a Рthe perfect viewpoint

by Maureen Moore

A picture is worth … oh it’s such a cliché I am not even going to finish the sentence, but this is one picture opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. (The photo is looking up towards the tree-canopied viewpoint, not from it.)

From the top of a hillside, hugging the historic and picturesque castle neighbourhood, you can see a maze of red tiled rooftops below, the Baixa district, a river to the south and the red 25th of April bridge beyond that – there is not much that this view doesn’t take in. Just take the 28 tram to one of its end destinations – Graça – and walk left towards the cliff.

A pleasant terrace lined with trees and a small kiosk café serving hot and cold drinks makes it an ideal spot to recharge your batteries. All of Lisbon’s beauty lays below you in her haphazard and slightly dishevelled, but charming, manner. It’s these views that bring the romance to the city.

• Details about this spot: Miradouro da Graca, Alfama & Graça.

Brussels: Recyclart – the sound of the underground

By Wouter Spitters

If you’re not interested in spots where you have to be hip and trendy but want something more ‘underground’, then Recyclart is the place for you.

Literally because of its location beneath the railway track, and even more so because this former railway station is an alternative artistic hotspot. Meet your cultural soulmates in the bar, or have a look at the art exhibitions, photography expositions or architecture projects.

Want to move your feet? Go the the frequently organised parties or concerts and shake your body to the rhythms of dubstep, electro, worldbeat or guitar noise. Disko disko partizani!

• Details about this spot: Recyclart, Rue des Ursulines 25; +3225025734
Tue-Fri 11am-5pm (bar), 12pm-3pm (food).

Hamburg: Alsterwanderweg – away from civilisation and back


By Ute Kreitz

The “Alsterwanderweg” is a hiking trail that runs along the Alster River for about 56km. The southern section of the trail (22km) leads through the ‘Alstertal’ (Alster valley) with wonderful parks and villas, along the outer and the inner Alster, and terminates directly in the heart of Hamburg: at the harbour where the Alster runs into the Elbe River. The trail is very popular with locals year-round as every season brings its own charm to this scenic route.

Take public transport up north to Poppenbüttel to begin your five-hour adventure, either on foot or by bicycle. As you head south, you’ll sometimes follow the meandering river on its right then on its left again.

There are some sections where you’ll need to cross or walk along a street. Some of the many rowing clubs and locks on your way down to Winterhude have restaurants with gorgeous views of the river.

After passing through Eppendorf, you’ll reach the spacious Alsterpark on the outer Alster, a very wide section of the river with a beautiful view of the inner city’s skyline. Finally, you’ll know you’re on the last stretch of the path when you pass under Kennedy – and Lombardsbrücke to arrive at the inner Alster and the city centre.

Leave the Alsterarkaden behind you and terminate this exciting hike at the “Baumwall” or “Landungsbrücken” metro stop. Although the direction of trail is marked by signs, be sure to bring a map with you.

• Details about this spot: Alsterwanderweg, Hamburger Wanderverein e.V, Spaldingstrasse 160; +49 40230086.

• These are edited extracts from spottedbylocals.com.

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UK backs Blair for EU president, Kinnock says

July 16th, 2009 | No Comments

• Kinnock says government will support former PM
• Tories say: ‘He should be let nowhere near the job’

Tony Blair is a leading contender to become the first president of the EU and has the full backing of the British government for the job, the new Europe minister, Lady Kinnock, announced today.

In 10 years as prime minister, Blair shunned the single currency, backed Bush over Brussels and went to war in Iraq. Many in Europe have never forgiven him.

But the long-held suspicion in European politics was confirmed when Lady Kinnock, the Europe minister in Strasbourg for the parliament’s opening session, said that although Blair had not formally declared his candidacy, it was “certainly” the government position to support him.

“I am sure they would not do it without asking him,” she said. “The UK government is supporting Tony Blair’s candidature for president of the council.”

It was the first definite statement on the matter. The Blair camp, in Jerusalem as he continues his current job as a Middle East envoy, was caught off guard. “Nothing has changed. The job doesn’t exist, so there is nothing to be a candidate for,” said a Blair spokesman.

The post will be created under the Lisbon treaty, streamlining the way the EU is run, if the Irish endorse it in a referendum in early October. Blair would be the first sitting president of the EU, appointed by European government chiefs for a minimum of 30 months and a maximum of five years.

If the Irish vote yes on 2 October, EU leaders are expected to decide who will get the top job at a summit at the end of October.

“Blair is seen by many as someone who has the strength of character, the stature,” said Kinnock.

“People know who he is and he would be someone who would have this role and step into it with a lot of respect and I think would be generally welcomed.”

British diplomats were also caught off-guard and cautioned that Kinnock’s remarks remained speculation.

“The reality is Lisbon has not entered into force,” said a diplomat. “Blair has yet to say whether he will stand.”

Downing Street went further than it had in confirming that Blair was the government’s candidate, if he wanted it, but indicated Kinnock had gone further than No 10 had wanted.

“What the prime minister supports is Tony Blair’s candidature for the president of the European council if Tony Blair decides that that is what he would like to do and as and when such a position exists.

“I’m not sure I would characterise it [Kinnock's remarks] as an announcement. I don’t think it is any surprise that the Europe minister in this government has said that we would support Tony Blair as a candidate.”

William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, said the post would be “enormously damaging” for Europe. “Any holder is likely to try to centralise power for themselves in Brussels and dominate national foreign policies. In the hands of an operator as ambitious as Tony Blair, that is a near certainty. He should be let nowhere near the job.”

The founder of New Labour will almost certainly encounter stiff opposition, although he has few peers in Europe who could match him for international name recognition or contacts.

Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Swedish prime minister who took over the rotating presidency of the EU this month and who will chair the October summit, is known to be strongly opposed to a “President Blair”.

He told the Guardian todaythat he would not get into any discussion of names for the post, while a senior European diplomat said that the Europe president post would be “the absolute top subject” at the October summit.

José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Spanish PM who takes over the EU presidency after Reinfeldt in January, is also an opponent. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany is not believed to be keen. France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy, an early fan of Blair for the role, might calculate that it would be better to side with German and Spanish leaders than support the British.

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UK ‘backs Blair for EU president’

July 15th, 2009 | No Comments

Tony Blair

Ex-prime minister Tony Blair is the UK candidate for president of the European Council, Europe Minister Baroness Kinnock has apparently confirmed.

At a briefing for journalists in Strasbourg, Lady Kinnock said the UK was supporting Mr Blair for one of the most powerful posts in the EU.

Asked if this had been discussed with Mr Blair, she said the government "would not do that without asking him".

The post depends on Irish backing of the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum.

But this is the first time a UK government minister has publicly announced Tony Blair is a candidate for the job.

Previously, ministers have said that as there was at present no job, any talk of supporting a specific candidate was premature.

Lady Kinnock went on to say Mr Blair had the "strength of character" and "status" to take on the job.

She added: "People know who he is, and he could step into this new role with a lot of respect and he would be generally welcomed."

Later, an official emphasised that the Irish Republic has yet to hold its referendum on the Treaty.

But the official added that if and when the treaty came into force and Mr Blair decides run as a candidate, Mr Blair would have government support. </p

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Tories give up Eurosceptic leadership at EU

July 15th, 2009 | No Comments

Timothy Kirkhope surrenders leadership of new group to Polish MEP after deal to secure a vice-presidency of the parliament for the Pole unravels

The Conservatives were today forced to forfeit the leadership of their new Eurosceptic grouping in the European parliament in order to prevent it from falling it apart on its first day.

Timothy Kirkhope, the Tory leader in the chamber in Strasbourg, had to surrender the leadership of the new group to the Polish MEP Michal Kaminski after a deal to secure a vice-presidency of the parliament for the Pole unravelled, triggering a major row.

On the first day of the new parliament on Tuesday, the veteran Tory MEP Edward McMillan-Scott defied the party whip and stood for one of the vice-presidency posts despite Conservative pledges last week that Kaminski would be backed for it.

Kaminski’s bid for a vice-presidency then failed, and McMillan-Scott ignored pleas from David Cameron to make way for the Pole.

The Poles then threatened to abandon the new caucus of “European conservatives and reformists” on its first day unless Kaminski was made the group leader in the parliament.

Kirkhope went to an emergency meeting with the Poles in Strasbourg and proposed sharing the group leadership with the Pole.

He was rebuffed and had to step down as the overall fraction leader.

The 55-strong grouping is the fourth biggest caucus in the new parliament. The Tories are the strongest national contributor, with 26 members, while the Poles of the Law and Justice party are the second biggest contingent with 15 seats.

Cameron formed the new grouping, mainly with new EU member states from eastern Europe, to campaign against the Lisbon treaty.

The move brought an end to two decades of collaboration with the mainstream centre-right parties in the EU.

The dispute with the Poles in the first 48 hours of the new parliament highlights the volatility of the new caucus and raises questions about its durability.

McMillan-Scott, a vice-president in the outgoing parliament and a long-serving MEP, was expelled from the Conservative delegation in the European parliament.

He could yet decide to rejoin the mainstream centre-right European People’s party, making him the sole Briton in the parliament’s biggest fraction.

While proclaiming his loyalty as a lifelong Conservative, McMillan-Scott is known to believe Cameron’s new allies in Poland are “racist and homophobic”.

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Blair in frame to become first EU president

July 15th, 2009 | No Comments

Britain’s new Europe minister says ex-prime minister’s candidacy would have full backing of British government

Tony Blair is a contender to become the first president of the EU with the full backing of the British government, the new Europe minister said today.

Glenys Kinnock, in Strasbourg for the opening session of the new European parliament, said that although the former prime minister had not formally declared his candidacy, it was “certainly” the government position to support him.

“I am sure they would not do it without asking him,” Lady Kinnock said. “The UK government is supporting Tony Blair’s candidature for president of the council.”

The new post is to be created under the Lisbon treaty, which will streamline the way the EU is run if it is endorsed in an Irish referendum in early October.

Blair would be the first sitting president of the EU, who will be appointed by European government chiefs for a minimum of 30 months and a maximum of five years.

If the Irish back the treaty on 2 October, EU leaders are expected to decide on who will get the presidency at a summit at the end of that month.

“Blair is seen by many as someone who has the strength of character, the stature,” Kinnock said.

“People know who he is, and he would be someone who would have this role and step into it with a lot of respect and I think would be generally welcomed.”

While Blair has declined to declare himself as a candidate before the outcome of the Irish referendum, Kinnock’s remarks were the first solid confirmation that he is to run for the job.

However, British diplomats said her comments remained speculation for the moment because the Irish could yet vote down the treaty – as they did in their first referendum last year.

“The reality is Lisbon has not entered into force,” one diplomat said. “Blair has yet to say whether he will stand.”

A spokesman for the ex-PM said: “The job doesn’t exist, so there is nothing to be a candidate for.”

If he stands for the post, the founder of New Labour could yet in to stiff opposition in Europe.

Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Swedish prime minister – who took over the rotating presidency of the EU this month and will chair the October summit – is known to be strongly opposed to a Blair presidency.

Reinfeldt told the Guardian he would not get into any discussion about names for the post, while a senior European diplomat said the presidency would be “the absolute top subject” at the October summit.

Reinfeldt said he expected to oversee the launch of the Lisbon treaty, “including the elected council chairman [Europe president]“.

He added that if the treaty was ratified by all member states, he expected “very many names” to be put forward for the presidency.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Spanish prime minister, who will succeed to the EU presidency after Reinfeldt in January, is also an opponent of Blair.

France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, an early fan of the idea of President Blair, appears now to have turned lukewarm.

William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, said the creation of a new EU president “could be enormously damaging for Europe”.

“Any holder is likely to try to centralise power for themselves in Brussels and dominate national foreign policies,” he said.

“In the hands of an operator as ambitious as Tony Blair, that is a near certainty. He should be let nowhere near the job.

“It shows what a grip Lord Mandelson now has over Gordon Brown that he has been forced to support his bitterest rival.”

 

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Swedish PM sounds climate alarm

July 15th, 2009 | No Comments

Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt (file pic)

Sweden is to brief Euro MPs on its priorities as the new holder of the EU presidency, with jobs and climate change expected to figure prominently.

Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt is expected to say he will push for an EU deal on funding for green measures, with a global deal as the big prize.

A UN special conference on climate change, set for Copenhagen in December, is already shaping Sweden’s priorities.

The new European Parliament, with 736 MEPs, began work on Tuesday.

In the climate change negotiations the EU is wrestling with the problem of burden-sharing – how to spread fairly the cost of switching to a low-carbon economy.

The economic crisis has put huge pressure on state budgets and industry, complicating the introduction of green measures.

Sweden will hold the EU presidency for six months, under the current rotation system. But if the Lisbon Treaty is finally ratified by all member states the next presidency will run for two-and-a-half years.

SWEDISH PRIORITIES

  • Reaching an EU deal on funding green measures to curb global warming
  • Getting Lisbon Treaty implemented smoothly
  • Creating conditions for economic recovery in Europe, including action on jobs

Diary – New-look Euro Parliament

Sweden’s EU challenges

See distribution of seats within the European Parliament

Sweden took over the presidency from the Czech Republic on 1 July.

It says it wants the Lisbon Treaty to come into force during its presidency. The next big hurdle is the second Irish referendum, scheduled for 2 October.

On Tuesday the European Parliament elected former Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek as its new president.

A 69-year-old conservative, he is the first politician from the former communist bloc to chair the parliament.

The elections last month produced an assembly of 736 MEPs with the centre-right forming the biggest bloc.

Mr Buzek will hold the post for two-and-a-half years – half of the parliament’s five-year mandate. Under a deal struck before Tuesday’s vote, a Socialist MEP will serve as president for the other half.

MEPs will postpone for at least two months a vote on reappointing European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, a veteran Portuguese conservative. Sweden had hoped the vote would happen this week.

Mr Barroso has the support of all 27 member states, but his centre-right allies in the assembly do not have a majority.

  • EPP – European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)
  • PASDE – Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in Europe (centre-left)
  • ALDE – Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (liberal)
  • GUE/NGL – European United Left-Nordic Green Left (left-wing)
  • Greens/EFA – Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens and regionalists/nationalists)
  • ECR – European Conservatives and Reformists Group (right-wing)
  • EFD – Europe of Freedom and Democracy (Eurosceptic)
  • NI – Non-attached (MEPs not part of any group)

These groups may change if new alliances are formed. The number of MEPs will increase to 754 if the Lisbon Treaty comes into force.
New European Parliament groups

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Euro parliament elects new leader

July 14th, 2009 | No Comments

European Parliament in Strasbourg

The European parliament will begin its new five-year term in Strasbourg on Tuesday following elections last month.

One of the first tasks of the 736 MEPs will be to elect a new parliament president. Former Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek is expected to be chosen.

But they will postpone for at least two months a vote on reappointing European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso.

The new parliament will include right-wing groups that made gains in June, including the British National Party.

Correspondents say it is not clear how British MEPs from the political mainstream will interact with their two colleagues from the BNP.

It is also not yet clear whether the BNP will be form a new bloc with other far-right MEPs – including those from Hungary’s Jobbik, France’s National Front, Belgium’s Vlaams Belang, Bulgaria’s Ataka, the Danish People’s Party, and the Dutch Freedom Party – or be independent.

Strongest bloc

June’s election produced a clear victory for centre-right parties across Europe.

Although the 25 British Conservative Party MEPs have left the European People’s Party to form the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), the EPP remains the strongest bloc in parliament with 264 seats.

The centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in Europe (PASDE) is the second largest bloc with 183 MEPs, followed by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) with 84.

NEW PARLIAMENT IN FIGURES

  • Half of MEPs were re-elected, half are new
  • Highest proportion of newly-elected MEPs is from Lithuania
  • Youngest MEP – Emilie Turunen (Danish), 25
  • Oldest MEP – Ciriaco De Mita (Italian), 81
  • Women MEPs – 35.3% (31.2% in old parliament)
  • Finland has most women MEPs (61.5%)
  • Malta has no women MEPs

See distribution of seats within the European Parliament

Quite how influential the ECR will be in the new parliament should become clear when the members and chairmen of the powerful committees are decided, says the BBC’s Dominic Hughes in Strasbourg.

The EPP and PASDE are expected to share the presidency of the parliament over the next five years, with Mr Buzek, a former conservative Polish prime minster, likely to be the first to occupy the top job for two-and-a-half years.

Our correspondent says the president sets the tone of the parliament and can rule on points of order. The post holder also represents the assembly to heads of state and government.

Absent from the session, however, will be a vote on the reappointment of Mr Barroso as president of the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm.

The former Portuguese PM has support of all 27 member states, but his centre-right allies in the assembly do not have a majority.

The Greens bloc, which increased its number of MEPs to 52, said in a statement on Monday that it did "not trust him to wholeheartedly implement the policies that Europe urgently needs" as a result of his handling of the economic crisis in recent months.

The chairman of the PASDE, Martin Schulz, meanwhile said EU nations had made a mistake by trying to force a vote well before Mr Barroso’s term ended in October.

"They wanted to rush this through, and we have prevented that. We will see and hear in September what Mr Barroso has to say and discuss with him," he said. "What I have seen over the past weeks does not make me hopeful."

The Swedish presidency, which took over from the Czech Republic on 1 July, will lay out its priorities for the next six months on Tuesday.

  • EPP – European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)
  • PASDE – Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in Europe (centre-left)
  • ALDE – Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (liberal)
  • GUE/NGL – European United Left-Nordic Green Left (left-wing)
  • Greens/EFA – Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens and regionalists/nationalists)
  • ECR – European Conservatives and Reformists Group (right-wing)
  • EFD – Europe of Freedom and Democracy (Eurosceptic)
  • NI – Non-attached (MEPs not part of any group)

These groups may change if new alliances are formed. The number of MEPs will increase to 754 if the Lisbon Treaty comes into force.
New European Parliament groups

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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Man Utd move for ‘new Ronaldinho’

July 13th, 2009 | No Comments

• Ferguson targets 18-year-old tipped as ‘new Ronaldinho’
• United offer financial package of £7m plus add-ons

Manchester United have re-established formal contact with the Brazilian club Gremio about trying to reach a compromise over a fee for Douglas Costa, the talented 18-year-old who has been hailed as “the new Ronaldinho” in his country.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, rates Costa as the brightest young talent currently playing in South America but the Premier League champions could not convince Gremio to allow him out on loan when negotiations began earlier this summer and believe the deal can happen only if the Porto Alegre club drastically lower their valuation.

Gremio have severe financial issues and are acutely aware that selling their most prized young asset could be the answer to those problems. With that in mind, they have informed prospective buyers they want £21m. United regard that as excessive for a player who has not yet played 20 senior games but they are hoping Gremio’s position is negotiable and have put together a financial package, with an initial outlay of £7m, plus a series of success-related add-ons if the player lives up to the promise that has brought him to the attention of Ferguson via John Calvert-Toulmin, the club’s principal scout in Brazil.

The transfer hinges on whether a compromise can be agreed and United are hoping the influential deal-maker Chris Nathaniel can help to convince Gremio that they risk getting nothing at all if they continue to play hardball. Nathaniel, whose extensive list of clients includes Rio Ferdinand and Robinho, is prominently involved with Costa and has spent the last few days in Brazil, in the process holding extensive talks with Gremio’s hierarchy.

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• Terry in Chelsea talks as Man City prepare bid

Manchester City are also aware of Costa’s burgeoning reputation but they, too, regard Gremio’s demands as exorbitant and would rather pay significant transfer fees for established players. United’s policy is different, targeting players below the age of 25 if large sums are involved, and Costa fits into their transfer strategy as a young, talented footballer whose value should feasibly go up in future years, just as happened with Cristiano Ronaldo, who was 18 when he signed from Sporting Lisbon.

Costa, a Brazil under-20 international, has other admirers in Spain and Italy but has indicated he would like to move to England and become United’s fourth signing of their summer, following Luis Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and Gabriel Obertan to Old Trafford.

Carlos Alberto, Brazil’s outspoken World Cup-winning captain in 1970, recently accused United of “raping Brazilian football” and urged Fifa to intervene to prevent the country’s best young players from being lured away by Europe’s leading clubs.

United, however, are proud of their expansive operation in South America, having plucked three Brazilian players – Rafael and Fabio da Silva plus Rodrigo Possebon – from relative obscurity in the past two years.

Costa, who joined Gremio at the age of 11 and is contracted to the club until February 2013, helped Brazil to victory in the South American Youth Championship in January and February, scoring three goals in the process, but United’s interest in the player dates back more than a year before that. Gremio is the club where Ronaldinho made his breakthrough and Costa has obvious similarities in terms of his ability to run with the ball and beat opponents from his favoured role between midfield and attack, as well as being a free-kick specialist.

Any deal would be dependent on the player receiving a work permit but United have never had significant problems obtaining the necessary paperwork in the past.

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