MORE CITIZENS TRUST THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
The European
Parliament has gained additional confidence among European citizens, according
to the results of a recent official survey, which were published at
the end of last week.
"The European Parliament sees an uptick in public opinion. An increase of eight percentage points now sees 33% of all citizens having a positive image of the European Parliament, while 42% of respondents still have a neutral image," claims the EP in its website.
Other
‘good news’ is that a clear majority of Europeans (57%) support membership of
their respective countries in the Union. However, their expectations for
additional protection from the EU remain quite high—against terrorism,
uncontrolled immigration, and unemployment.
CATALUNYA: TEST OF WILLS BETWEEN MADRID AND BARCELONA
The events on Saturday, 21 October, following the activation of Art. 155 of the Constitution by the Spanish Government show that return to normality is still some distance away in Catalunya.
The Catalan parliament will convene in order to debate on the position to be taken by Barcelona. The president of the Catalan autonomous government said on Saturday night that dissolution of his cabinet and call for emergency elections--measures imposed by the central government--"are not on the table," meaning that there will be disobedience and resistance against Madrid.
EUROPEAN COUNCIL SUMMIT: DIVISION AND CONFUSION
The European Council ('EUCO') Summit on 19-20 October was not expected to come up with spectacular announcements on anything. The meeting was, indeed, an informal gathering of heads of government or state, a practice adopted under the presidency of the Commission by Jean-Clause Juncker, on the instigation of the French and German leaders, in order to give the other member states the feeling of open dialogue without the necessity to come to formal decisions every time.
It had been expected that a common position--albeit unofficial--would have been taken in respect to the accession talks with Turkey, to the negotiations with the UK about the latter's departure from the Union, and for encouraging (even sponsoring) a negotiated solution to the Catalan crisis. Around their large table, the heads were, apparently, not keen to hold concrete discussions.
'AUTONOMIA' - THE NEW EUROPEAN BUZZWORD
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| Luca Zaia, Governor of Veneto and supporter of more autonomy "Enough with taxes--(ex PM) Monti go home" (2012 rally) |
After Catalunya, two Italian regions--Lombardia (capital Milan) and Veneto (capital Venice) holding on Sunday, 22 October referenda aiming at taking their citizens' temperature for seeking extended autonomous governance in their respective jurisdictions. The main area of improvement sought is direct control of their finances, a large portion of which is currently diverted by the central government of Rome to less productive and poorer regions in the South of Italy.
Turnout of voters was 50% in Veneto and 30% in Lombardia at 19:00 CET. There are no forecasts available for the preferences of the citizens who voted.
EASTERN EUROPEANS VOTE FOR PRESIDENTS
The Czech Republic and Slovenia have voted during the weekend for the appointment of the presidents of their respective republics. No surprises. The Czechs chose a pragmatist--a successful businessman and billionaire.
Credit for photo: Viscontini, Wikimedia Commons
Credit for photo: Viscontini, Wikimedia Commons
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