The Newsletter n°736 — 14 nov. 2016
La Lettre
Jean-Dominique Giuliani
—
14 November 2016
Do you necessarily have to be rude, vulgar and abusive to be incorrect enough and with that have a chance of being elected?
The British referendum on the Brexit and now the result of the American presidential election seem to prove the truth in this.
Emotion is the rule, tweet the language and lies are the argument. Since everything on the Net is relative, insults and also true reasoning, electoral effectiveness is guaranteed. Populations or elites, governors or the governed, the entire democratic world in fact seems to have lost their reason in preference of more or less articulately expressed emotional passion.
Elections
Rumen Radev elected President of Bulgaria
14 November 2016
Rumen Radev, supported by the Socialist Party (BSP) won the second round of the presidential election in Bulgaria on 13th November. With 59.35% of the vote he drew ahead of Tsetska Tsacheva, who stood for the party of the Prime Minister in office, Boyko Borissov, the Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), who won 36.17% of the vote. Around 6% of the voters chose to vote "for none of these candidates". Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced that he would be resigning. The new president will take office on 22nd January.
Foundation
Politically incorrect
14 November 2016
In spite of the Presidential results in the US it is not necessary to be a populist to win an election. But Europe has to respond using its imagination and its audacity to conquer hearts and minds.
Financial Crisis
Economic Forecasts for autumn 2016: moderate growth
13 November 2016
On 9th November the Commission presented its economic forecasts for autumn 2016. Economic growth in Europe is due to continue to increase at a moderate pace to reach 1.6% in the EU in 2017 and in 1.8% in 2018. The Commission also forecasts a rise in investment, inflation and the creation of jobs by 2018.
Migration
Migrants-parliament rejects Orban's constitutional revision
13 November 2016
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban suffered a further setback on 8th November after the invalidation of his referendum, as he failed to have his anti-migrant policy written into the Constitution. His bid fell two votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the bill which would have made the EU's relocation of refugees in Hungary illegal.
Report on the progress made with the EU's relocation programmes
13 November 2016
On 9th November the Commission adopted its most recent report on the progress made in the emergency relocation and resettlement programmes and assessed the work accomplished since 28th September 2016. In October 1212 people had been relocated, in other words, 160 less than in September.
First meeting of the European Coastguard Network
13 November 2016
On 8th November the first meeting bringing together European coastguards and other institutions and organisations involved in the protection of maritime borders took place.
Extension of internal border controls in the Schengen area
13 November 2016
On 11th November the Council adopted the Commission's proposal to extend controls on certain borders in the Schengen area in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark and in Norway for a further three months.
Commission
Consolidating stability in the South East of Europe
13 November 2016
On 9th November the European Commission adopted its follow-up report on the progress made in terms of political and economic reform in the countries of the Western Balkans and in Turkey.
Modification of trade defence instruments
13 November 2016
On 9th November the European Commission proposed the modification of the EU's anti-dumping and anti-subsidies legislation and the strengthening of its trade defence instruments in order to rise to the present situation, such as major market distortions that exist in the economies of some trade partners.
International governance of the oceans: the Union's contribution
13 November 2016
The Commission and the Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy adopted a joint communication on 10th November in which they suggested action for safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed seas.
Signature of Ecuador's membership protocol to the EU-Colombia/Peru trade agreement.
13 November 2016
On 11th November the European Union signed the membership protocol of Ecuador to the trade agreement between EU-Colombia-Peru. The tariff reductions will be set in place progressively over a period of 17 years.
Increase in the budget allocated to promote agricultural products
14 November 2016
As part of the 2017 strategy to promote the Union's agricultural products adopted by the Commission, European producers will have a bigger budget, i.e. 133 million €, to guarantee the promotion of their products both on the outside and within the Union and to continue finding new markets.
Parliament
MEPs in the transport committee support draft rules for drones
14 November 2016
A draft law updating European rules governing the safety of civil aviation in order to counter emerging risks was modified and adopted in the transport and tourism committee on 10th November. The updated regulation will also introduce European requirements for drones with the aim of protecting private life and guaranteeing security.
Council
Eurogroup Meeting
13 November 2016
On 7th November the 19 euro zone's Finance Ministers assessed the situation in Greece, Spain and Cyprus. They also discussed Banking Union and the Member States' 2017 budgets.
Towards a reform on corporate tax
13 November 2016
On 8th November the 28 Economy and Finance Ministers stressed the need to increase investment levels in Europe via structural reform and healthy financial regulation.
Conclusions of the Trade Council
14 November 2016
On 11th November the European Trade Ministers assessed the proposals made by the Commission for the modernisation of the trade defence instruments. They also discussed progress made on free trade agreements presently being negotiated by the Commission after the signature of Ecuador's membership of the EU-Colombia/Peru trade agreement.
Diplomacy
Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council
14 November 2016
On 14th November the Council approved conclusions on Iran, recalling the importance of the development of relations between the EU and Iran in areas of common interest. Ministers adopted conclusions on the implementation of the EU's global strategy in the area of security and defence. The Council also assessed multilateral and bilateral relations with six countries in the Eastern Partnership - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
European Agencies
Ariane 6: industrial contracts confirmed
13 November 2016
On 8th November the European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed all of the industrial orders necessary for the completion of the Ariane 6 rocket that will take over from Ariane 5 as of 2020.
Germany
Meeting between Angela Merkel and Erna Solberg
13 November 2016
German Chancellor Angela Merkel received her Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg on 8th November to discuss strengthening security cooperation between the two countries. They also discussed the next G20 in which Norway will be taking part.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the next German president
14 November 2016
On 14th November the present German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier was appointed as the present government coalition's candidate (CDU/CSU/SPD) to become the next president. After having blocked his candidacy for many weeks the CDU and the CSU finally decided to grant him their support. The presidential election will take place on 12th February 2017.
Bulgaria
IMF Report on Bulgaria
13 November 2016
On 10th November the IMF published a report on the development of the economy in Bulgaria in which it notes the progress made in the consolidation of the economy and the need to continue structural reform.
Gas: Bulgaria and Romania connect up to make safe their supplies
14 November 2016
Bulgaria and Romania inaugurated a gas pipeline on 11th November to connect their gas networks in order to make safe their supplies, notably in the event of the arrival of Russian gas via Ukraine.
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov resigns
14 November 2016
On 14th November, following the result of the presidential election on 13th November which witnessed the victory of Rumen Radev, Prime Minister Boyko Borrisov announced his resignation that will now lead to early general elections.
Denmark
Interview between the French President and the Danish Prime Minister
14 November 2016
On 10th November French President François Hollande hosted Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the Danish Prime Minister, at the Elysée. They spoke of future relations between the EU and the USA, Brexit and France and Denmark's common interests, notably from the points of view of defence and the fight to counter terrorism.
Estonia
Government loses parliament's confidence
13 November 2016
On 9th November Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas lost the vote of confidence in parliament which automatically leads to the collapse of his government. A new coalition is due to be led by the main opposition party, the Centre with Pro Patria-Res Publica and the Social Democratic Party.
Lithuania
Lithuania: coalition agreement between the Green and Farmers Party and the Social Democratic Party
13 November 2016
The party which won the general elections in Lithuania, the Green and Farmers Union announced on 9th November that it had signed an agreement to form a government coalition with the Social Democratic Party of outgoing Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius. The new coalition will have a 73 seat majority in Parliament which comprises 141 seats in all.
Portugal
Digital Summit in Lisbon
14 November 2016
More than 53,000 participants from 15,000 businesses and 165 countries met between 7th and 10th November in Lisbon for the "Web Summit" nicknamed the "Geeks' Davos".
UK
Scotland wants to give its opinion on the exit of the European Union
13 November 2016
On 8th November Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared that the Lord Advocate, the leader of the Scottish Court will make a request to intervene in the appeal procedure launched by the British government after the decision taken by the High Court regarding article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.
Examination of the appeal before the Supreme Court
13 November 2016
From 5th to 8th December the British Supreme Court will be examining the government's appeal against the High Court of London's decision obliging it to consult Parliament before triggering article 50 of the TEU to exit the European Union.
Moldova
Igor Dodon elected President of Moldova
14 November 2016
On 13th November Igor Dodon, a member of the Socialist Party, won the second round of the presidential election winning 52.18% of the vote. He came out ahead of the candidate Maia Sandu (47.82%).
Ukraine
Six MPs from the Crimea added to the list of EU sanctions
13 November 2016
The EU added the names of six MPs from the Crimea recently elected to the Russian Duma to the list of personalities targeted by its restriction measures that were decided upon after the annexation by Russia of the Crimea in March 2014.
Council of Europe
Award of the Council of Europe's Democracy Innovation Prize
14 November 2016
The Council of Europe's Democracy Innovation Prize was awarded on 9th November to the German initiative Kiron, which aims to facilitate refugees' access to higher education notably via online lessons.
NATO
Meeting of the EU's military committee
13 November 2016
On 7th and 8th November the EU's Military Committee met to discuss EU-NATO cooperation, naval operations and the implementation of the global strategy regarding foreign policy and security issues.
Operation "Sea Guardian" launched in the Mediterranean
13 November 2016
NATO launched a new operation in the central Mediterranean on 9th November. Christened "Sea Guardian", enjoying the use of frigates, two submarines and airplanes it aims to counter terrorism.
Eurostat
Environment, transport and energy in the EU
14 November 2016
On 10th November Eurostat published a statistical portrait of key areas of action by the Union in terms of the environment, transport and energy.
Studies/Reports
Education and Training Monitor
13 November 2016
Published on 7th November the Education and Training Monitor drafted by the Commission shows that although progress has been made, Member States must make their education systems more relevant and more inclusive, particularly regarding the integration of refugees and migrants.
Report on trends in taxation
13 November 2016
On 11th November the European Commission presented its report 2016 on taxation trends in the EU, as well as in Iceland and Norway. It notably points to the rise in tax revenues in most of the States.
Culture
Paul Klee and the Surrealists" in Bern
13 November 2016
From 18th November 2016 to 12th March 2017 an exhibition "Paul Klee and the Surrealists" will be on at the Paul Klee Centre in Switzerland. For the very first time this exhibition explores the relations between the artist and the French Surrealists in Paris in the 1920's and 1930's.
Interfilm-International Short Film Festival in Berlin
13 November 2016
From 14th to 20th November the 32nd International Short Film Festival - Interfilm - will be taking place in Berlin. On this occasion 580 films from 60 different countries will be screened.
Exhibition: tribute to Richard Oelze in London
13 November 2016
Until 7th January 2017 the Michel Werner Gallery is hosting an exhibition on German painter Richard Oelze (1900-1980), deemed to be one of the forgotten masters of Surrealism.
Prado Museum: the origins of painting
13 November 2016
From 15th November to 19th January 2017 the Prado Museum of Madrid is organising an exhibition entitled "Metapintura: un viaje a la idea del arte". With around one hundred pictures on show this exhibition looks into the roots, the rules and the role played by images in painting.
Frédéric Bazille, Impressionism's youth
14 November 2016
From 15th November to 5th March 2017 the Musée d'Orsay is organising an exhibition on the work of Frédéric Bazille, a French Impressionist painter of the 19th century. With 60 paintings the exhibition looks into his working methods, as well as his relations with other painters like Monet and Renoir.
Agenda
14th and 15th November
Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels)
14th and 15th November
Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Brussels)
15th and 16th November
General Affairs Council (Brussels)
16th November
Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Brussels)
16th November
Meeting of the ECB's Council of Governors regarding non-monetary policies (Frankfurt)
18th November
Justice and Internal Affairs Council (Brussels)
21st and 22nd November
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Brussels)
21st to 24th November
Plenary Session of the European Parliament (Strasbourg)
Newsletter Archives
Ukraine's accession negotiations with the European Union: reforms undertaken in ten years and the challenges ahead
Draghi Report: as strategic a guide as it is diplomatic for Europe
A Union of criminal law - the vital European area of freedom, security and justice.
General elections 26 October in Georgia: a referendum on Europe
What the European Parliament should ask of future Commissioners
The Editors of the Newsletter :
Charles de Marcilly, Helen Levy ,Ester Bonadonna, Léa Degorre, François Frigot,Lucas Mehler, Benjamin Penassou, Athina Reuter
N°ISSN : 2729-6482
Editor-in-Chief :
Eric Maurice
Director of Publication :
Pascale Joannin
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