European

Wednesday June 22, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday June 22, 2016 ÔBrexitÕ Vote Will Change Europe, No Matter the Outcome If the U.K. decides in ThursdayÕs referendum to leave the European Union, it would shake the continent to its political foundations. Even if it stays, the bloc may never be the same. A decision to leave, which would be a first by a member nation, would deepen the crisis facing a continent already struggling with economic weakness, debt problems, large-scale migration and growing geopolitical instability to its south and east. At a minimum, politicians and officials say, a British exit would transform the blocÕs balance of power. Negotiations over a new relationship would consume the EUÕs energy at a time when European institutions are struggling to respond to the other problems. A U.K. exit also could disrupt financial markets and fire up anti-EU forces in other countries. Whether or not the U.K. leaves, change is coming. In February, U.K. Prime Minister David CameronÊstruck a deal with the rest of the EU to restrict migrant benefits and detach Britain from the blocÕs push for an Òever closer union.Ó Mr. CameronÕs effort to claw back power from Brussels, coupled with the referendum at home, is an approach that other European politicians are promising to follow, potentially fragmenting the bloc further. The referendum, at a minimum, has delivered a shock to EuropeÕs political classes, calling into question what some had once regarded as an inevitable march toward a federal EU. ÒObsessed with the idea of instant and total integration, we failed to notice that ordinary people, the citizens of Europe, do not share our Euro-enthusiasm,Ó European Council President Donald Tusk observed in a speech in late May. ÒThe specter of a breakup is haunting Europe, and a vision of a federation doesnÕt seem to me like the best answer to it.Ó (Continued: Wall Street Journal)Êhttp://www.wsj.com/articles/brexit-vote-will-change-europe-no-mat

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 22, 2016

‘Brexit’ Vote Will Change Europe, No Matter the Outcome

If the U.K. decides in Thursday’s referendum to leave the European Union, it would shake the continent to its political foundations. Even if it stays, the bloc may never be the same.

A decision to leave, which would be a first by a member nation, would deepen the crisis facing a continent already struggling with economic weakness, debt problems, large-scale migration and growing geopolitical instability to its south and east.

At a minimum, politicians and officials say, a British exit would transform the bloc’s balance of power. Negotiations over a new relationship would consume the EU’s energy at a time when European institutions are struggling to respond to the other problems. A U.K. exit also could disrupt financial markets and fire up anti-EU forces in other countries.

Whether or not the U.K. leaves, change is coming. In February, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron struck a deal with the rest of the EU to restrict migrant benefits and detach Britain from the bloc’s push for an “ever closer union.” Mr. Cameron’s effort to claw back power from Brussels, coupled with the referendum at home, is an approach that other European politicians are promising to follow, potentially fragmenting the bloc further.

The referendum, at a minimum, has delivered a shock to Europe’s political classes, calling into question what some had once regarded as an inevitable march toward a federal EU.

“Obsessed with the idea of instant and total integration, we failed to notice that ordinary people, the citizens of Europe, do not share our Euro-enthusiasm,” European Council President Donald Tusk observed in a speech in late May. “The specter of a breakup is haunting Europe, and a vision of a federation doesn’t seem to me like the best answer to it.” (Continued: Wall Street Journal)

 

Saturday October 13, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday October 13, 2012

EU Nobel peace prize: No minor achievement

Europe’s officials could scarcely believe their good fortune today. Unexpectedly, the EU was given the Nobel Peace Prize. The citation praised the EU for “over six decades” contributing to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.

Europe’s leaders fell upon this rare piece of good news with an almost desperate embrace. If there is a core justification for the European project, it is to make war impossible again on the continent. That has been the EU’s outstanding achievement. When under attack, Europe’s leaders fall back upon 60 years of peace in Europe. It is no minor achievement.

Secondly, after and just before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the EU acted as a beacon for democracy, for human rights and a civil society. Many Eastern European countries rejected communism because they had before them a clear example of an alternative. Young people wanted to be part of a normal European society. Eastern Europe today is testimony to the spread of democracy.

It is also true that the existence of the EU enabled countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece to make the transition from dictatorship to democracy. Even today, in the midst of hardship and austerity, there is a deep attachment to belonging to Europe. That is the legacy of history.

But the Nobel committee’s decision will puzzle many. Despite the EU’s successes, it failed in the Balkans. It lacked the will and determination to intervene and save lives. The massacre at Srebrenica happened in Europe’s backyard.

And the prize comes at a moment of violence and tension on the streets of many European capitals as a young generation endures years of hardship and high unemployment. For them the European dream has not delivered. (Source: BBC News)