Chasing Brussels episode 10 is out now.
As the first episode of the year, we've taken the chance to look back on 2009 and look forward to 2010 and what it holds for the EU. Also, in this episode we've two new podcasters: Eurosocialiste and Ralf Grahn (as well as a welcome return by Linda).
Host: Conor Slowey
Panel: Joe Litobarski
Linda Broughton
Eurosocialiste
Ralf Grahn
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Chasing Brussels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chasing Brussels. Show all posts
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Monday, 7 December 2009
Chasing Brussels #9: Language and the Euroblogosphere
Chasing Brussels #9 is out now, and this week we're taking a closer look at the direction of the Euroblogosphere (which is every Euroblogger's favourite topic). The podcast follows a Euroblogger's virtual meet-up on Skype and Google Wave, where we discussed the language barrier and how to get more people involved and engaged in that most fasinating of all topics: EU politics. So the podcast picks up on this debate and explores some of the suggestions that were brought up on Thursday's meeting.
In the podcast this week were:
Jon Worth,
Julien Frisch,
Frank Schnittger,
Matthew Lowry,
Joe Litobarski (hosting),
Myself.
In the podcast this week were:
Jon Worth,
Julien Frisch,
Frank Schnittger,
Matthew Lowry,
Joe Litobarski (hosting),
Myself.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Van Rompuy, European Council President
A few days ago, Van Rompuy was a little known, everyday, average Belgian Prime Minister... but now he's the President of the European Council! Ok, so it's not all that dramatic, and thank god it isn't.
Despite my first impression, really, I can't complain too much with this appointment: though I'd have preferred Freiberga or Juncker, I have argued for a low-key Presidency, and that the Council itself is the legitimate electoral college for the choice (though of course that in itself wouldn't stop me from disagreeing with the choice). Van Rompuy has a good record as a consensus builder, and has proven able to hold the linguistically divided country together; surely good experience for the role of a chairman steering the Council agenda to some sort of workable conclusion. He's very unlikely to claim much of the media's attention, which is both good, in that it will defuse the chance of a conflict between the Council Presidency and the Commission Presidency (and probably even with that of the High Representative); but perhaps also bad in that the clear constitutional separation will mean that the media will have little inclination to highlight the different positions between the Council and Commission. Hopefully it will still lead to a bit more of a clearer representation of the differences between the Commission, Council and Parliament in the media, though I'm not sure I'd be willing to put money on it.
Still, the first few days have revealed a certain potential for controversy - particularly over Van Rompuy's opposition to Turkish EU-membership and his support for the idea of an EU tax. Controversies probably won't arise too often, since Van Rompuy is likely to stick to his brief and just represent the decisions reached by the Council publicly, though he could prove to be influential on issues such as Turkey (could France and Germany try to use his opposition as a front to deflect criticism for any anti-Turkish moves on their part?). In any case, Van Rompuy needs to be careful, since his statements will colour the impression of the EU both within and without: it is, at its heart, the most diplomatic post in the EU.
In any case, with the European Council Presidency in safe enough - and dull - hands, the High Representative, Baroness Ashton, will be even more interesting.
Despite my first impression, really, I can't complain too much with this appointment: though I'd have preferred Freiberga or Juncker, I have argued for a low-key Presidency, and that the Council itself is the legitimate electoral college for the choice (though of course that in itself wouldn't stop me from disagreeing with the choice). Van Rompuy has a good record as a consensus builder, and has proven able to hold the linguistically divided country together; surely good experience for the role of a chairman steering the Council agenda to some sort of workable conclusion. He's very unlikely to claim much of the media's attention, which is both good, in that it will defuse the chance of a conflict between the Council Presidency and the Commission Presidency (and probably even with that of the High Representative); but perhaps also bad in that the clear constitutional separation will mean that the media will have little inclination to highlight the different positions between the Council and Commission. Hopefully it will still lead to a bit more of a clearer representation of the differences between the Commission, Council and Parliament in the media, though I'm not sure I'd be willing to put money on it.
Still, the first few days have revealed a certain potential for controversy - particularly over Van Rompuy's opposition to Turkish EU-membership and his support for the idea of an EU tax. Controversies probably won't arise too often, since Van Rompuy is likely to stick to his brief and just represent the decisions reached by the Council publicly, though he could prove to be influential on issues such as Turkey (could France and Germany try to use his opposition as a front to deflect criticism for any anti-Turkish moves on their part?). In any case, Van Rompuy needs to be careful, since his statements will colour the impression of the EU both within and without: it is, at its heart, the most diplomatic post in the EU.
In any case, with the European Council Presidency in safe enough - and dull - hands, the High Representative, Baroness Ashton, will be even more interesting.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Chasing Brussels #7: Playing Devil's Advocate
This is Chasing Brussels #7 (in my last post I accidentally labelled the latest episode as number 7). In this episode, released on Thursday, Joe and I discuss the ECHR ruling on crucifixes in Italian classrooms, and get philosophical on how far secularism should go...
Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed the discussion!
Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed the discussion!
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Chasing Brussels #8: Van Rompuy, Ashton and Gender Politics
Episode #7 is out now, and this time we're discussing the new appointments from Thursday and gender politics and the campaign for a Gender Balanced Commission (with a certain amount of devil's advocate thrown in).
Host: Joe Litobarski
Panelists: Julien Frisch and myself.
Who are the new European Council President and the High Representative? Are they the right people for the job? Is the appointment of Ashton a victory for the gender balance argument, or could it deflate the Gender Balanced Commission's wider campaign to get gender balance over the whole Commission? Should gender politics be focused on the outcome of selection processes or on reforming the selection processes themselves?
I'd also recommend that you look up the Gender Balanced Commission campaign, and sign the petition.
Host: Joe Litobarski
Panelists: Julien Frisch and myself.
Who are the new European Council President and the High Representative? Are they the right people for the job? Is the appointment of Ashton a victory for the gender balance argument, or could it deflate the Gender Balanced Commission's wider campaign to get gender balance over the whole Commission? Should gender politics be focused on the outcome of selection processes or on reforming the selection processes themselves?
I'd also recommend that you look up the Gender Balanced Commission campaign, and sign the petition.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Chasing Brussels is now on iTunes!
Chasing Brussels, the EU politics podcast, is now on iTunes, so you can subscribe and download our old episodes and the new ones as they are released.
We also now have a "Suggestion Box" page on the Chasing Brussels website, where you can leave your thoughts, opinions and suggestions about the podcast in general.
We also now have a "Suggestion Box" page on the Chasing Brussels website, where you can leave your thoughts, opinions and suggestions about the podcast in general.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Chasing Brussels #6
Episode 6 of everyone's favourite EU politics podcast (I think that's specific enough to be true)is out now.
This week we discuss the lengths to which the EU went to get Klaus' signature on the dotted line. What does this tell us about the EU's political culture? Can the opt out from a Charter of Rights be justified?
The panel for episode 6:
Joe Litobarski (Host)
Linda Broughton
Myself
This week we discuss the lengths to which the EU went to get Klaus' signature on the dotted line. What does this tell us about the EU's political culture? Can the opt out from a Charter of Rights be justified?
The panel for episode 6:
Joe Litobarski (Host)
Linda Broughton
Myself
Monday, 2 November 2009
Chasing Brussels #5 and Chasingbrussels.eu
Chasing Brussels episode 5 is out now. This week the topic is enlargement, and how the EU's enlargement policy might develop when the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. Should enlargement continue? What countries should be allowed to join? Should there be extra criteria/requirements for countries wanting to join the EU? Joining me on the podcast is Joe Litobarski and Jan Seifert.
There's also a Chasing Brussels website now at www.chasingbrussels.eu, where we'll be hosting the podcast for now on, and where you can leave comments and suggestions.
There's also a Chasing Brussels website now at www.chasingbrussels.eu, where we'll be hosting the podcast for now on, and where you can leave comments and suggestions.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Chasing Brussels #4
The fourth episode of Chasing Brussels is out now. This week we discuss the milk protests and the CAP in general.
Moderated by Joe Litobarski, with Jack Thurston of caphealthcheck.eu and farmsubsidy.org and myself as panelists.
Direct link.
Moderated by Joe Litobarski, with Jack Thurston of caphealthcheck.eu and farmsubsidy.org and myself as panelists.
Direct link.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Chasing Brussels #3
The third Chasing Brussels episode is out now, with the Irish Referendum as the topic. We also discuss Czech ratification, Tory attitudes to the EU and the Lisbon Treaty, and Tony Blair's possible canditature for the post of President of the European Council.
Hosting the show is Jan Seifert, with Joe Litobarski and myself as panelists.
Hosting the show is Jan Seifert, with Joe Litobarski and myself as panelists.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Chasing Brussels #2
The second episode of our EU politics podcast, Chasing Brussels, is now published for your listening pleasure (well, for you to listen to, anyway).
This week's topic is the result of the German election, and what the outcome means for European politics. It's moderated by Julien Frisch, with Jan Seifert and myself as panelists. A big thanks once again to Joe Litobarski for editing the podcast.
We hope to have another out soon and to make the podcast a more regular release.
This week's topic is the result of the German election, and what the outcome means for European politics. It's moderated by Julien Frisch, with Jan Seifert and myself as panelists. A big thanks once again to Joe Litobarski for editing the podcast.
We hope to have another out soon and to make the podcast a more regular release.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Chasing Brussels
I was a bit too slow to blog on Barroso's re-election to the post of Commission President, but it was covered well by Julien Frisch and he's also linked other election-related blogging.
So you'll have to make do with what will be the first of (hopefully) many podcasts on European politics: Chasing Brussels. We're aiming to produce the podcasts in a way that makes European politics a bit more conversational and accessable (the idea being that it would be easier to listen to a 20-30 minute chat about EU politics than read a lot of (usually detailed) blogs and news-websites for some - well, ok, most - people).
The first episode is (naturally) on Barroso's re-election, with Joe Litobarski and I. Thanks to Joe for his work on the editing! We hope to have another one out next week (or week-and-a-half), and with more podcasters.
I hope you enjoy it, and comments are welcome!
So you'll have to make do with what will be the first of (hopefully) many podcasts on European politics: Chasing Brussels. We're aiming to produce the podcasts in a way that makes European politics a bit more conversational and accessable (the idea being that it would be easier to listen to a 20-30 minute chat about EU politics than read a lot of (usually detailed) blogs and news-websites for some - well, ok, most - people).
The first episode is (naturally) on Barroso's re-election, with Joe Litobarski and I. Thanks to Joe for his work on the editing! We hope to have another one out next week (or week-and-a-half), and with more podcasters.
I hope you enjoy it, and comments are welcome!
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