Tag: democracy
As I mentioned in earlier posts (here and here), I was a counting officer on the April 3 parliamentary elections and referendum. It was hard to even start writing this post, I gave it a lot of thought in the past three weeks, because it’s almost impossible writing about this topic in a neutral tone, and that’s the only tone I should use here. I am not (never was, never intend to be) involved in party politics. I went to great lengths during this whole thing to emphasise that although I was delegated by “the opposition”, I am not affiliated…
Of course if you are in the UK or the Netherlands, you might have voted already, then well done! I am going to vote on Sunday, and just wanted to check in quickly to make sure all my fellow European voting citizens still hesitating will cast their votes. I know, I am late with this for the British and the Dutch (to be fair, it might not matter at all for the former), but I hope this urging will help some of you. In my country, it is a common tendency that participation is extremely low on European elections compared…
Happy Sunday, everybody! I hope you are enjoying the last bits of summery weather as much as I do. In fact I will be off for a late vacation for a few days next week. Here’s what I’ve read before leaving. WHERE DO THE ROHINGYA GO? I never change the spelling of titles, and in this case perhaps all-caps is a well-deserved emphasis. The ICC investigation is good news, but given how long it usually takes, we need more. President Trump Will Preside Over a UN Security Council Meeting About Iran. Iran’s President May Be There, Too This might be…
Happy Sunday and happy World Book and Copyright Day! Isn’t this a great occasion for some Sunday reading? I hope you can take some time for that. This has been a busy and interesting week with winter returning to Central Europe (that may or may not be blamed on climate change), ongoing protests in Hungary and elsewhere and of course today’s elections in France. Now let’s do some reading! Referendum Results Risk Further Polarization in Turkey Last week’s referendum is the latest sign that Turkey is moving towards a dangerous direction. ‘Terrorism’ at the World Court: Ukraine v Russia as…
Happy Sunday! I hope this finds you well. One twelfth of this year is already gone, I hope you have spent it great! I spent it studying most of the time and there is one more month ahead doing just that. Then perhaps a little rest. And then more studies. But also some exciting working projects to come in between. How about you all? The disturbing political actions of last weekend have not ceased to be disturbing over the course of the week. Here’s this week’s roundup. UN Says 20,000 Refugees Could Be Immediately Affected By US Ban And many…
Happy Sunday, everybody! I hope all is going well. Only three more working weeks before Christmas, and an awful lot to do. I get overwhelmed by even trying to plan ahead everything for the coming weeks. There were a lot of world affairs stories to recount this week, and a lot of great posts about everything as well. You can read just a handful of them below. Donald Trump’s Historic Phone Call with Taiwan’s Tsai Ying-wen And there was that, apparently, just the tip of the iceberg. American diplomacy is about to take unimaginable turns. Read about all the other…
Happy last Sunday of February! As one-sixth of 2016 is gone and spring is approaching I am looking forward to welcome changes. Here on the blog and in life as well. I do hope there will be even more than I expect at this time. Happy reading! Getting Serious About Syria: What to do When Containment Doesn’t Work and Is Syria Obama’s Fault? Although many believe that the new developments on the Syria front will be short lived if they materialize at all. The first post outlines a solution which would lead to results in years. The other is worth reading…
Happy Sunday and happy long weekend to most of us! How great, that the weekend doesn’t end today! What do you think about the ESC2015 results? Seriously I have nothing against the Russian contestant, she seems nice, but I am glad that “building bridges” can continue next year without barriers! Here’s some reading for you all… Europe is Totally Ignoring the Root Causes of Migration Across the Mediterranean Europe seems to be wanting to solve its own problem and continue to be ignorant about all others. 4 Things You Need to Know to Understand Burundi Now Since the writing of this…
Angela Merkel visits Hungary in bid to break EU nation’s warm ties with Russia – Telegraph German chancellor in Budapest to press Viktor Orbán into united front against Russia ahead of visit from Vladimir Putin. International headlines go as such. International media happens to know for a fact that the German chancellor traveled to Budapest to press the importance of democratic values and her disagreement with the Orbán Government’s current policies. Interestingly enough, Hungarian state media knows nothing of that sort. According to its news programme, the visit was a huge diplomatic success, and all about economic and political cooperation. Now…
Prompted by U.S. Comments, Hungary Insists It Respects Democracy Hungary rejected on Friday suggestions that it’s weakening democratic values and limiting civil society freedoms after a top U.S. diplomat made comments interpreted as criticism.