After years of negotiations, multiple referenda in France, Holland and Ireland, plus some last -minute delaying tactics  by the Poles and the Czechs, the treaty reforming the European Union has almost passed the finishing post.

But the jockeying for the new role of President of Europe has already begun.  The early front-runner was former golden ( Read more... )

Sound the trumpet and fire the starting gun for the great European marathon of 2009. Between now and Sunday, millions of people in 27 countries  will be voting for their Members of the European Parliament.

Mind you, looking at the streets of Glasgow, you'd never guess there was an election on today. The billboards are bereft of political posters, ( Read more... )

( Read more... )

Last month, Europe said No to Ireland. Today, Ireland might take its revenge. The Irish are voting in a referendum on the European Union’s Treaty of Lisbon, successor to the ill-fated European Constitution.

Only the Irish are being given a say on the Treaty, and the rest of Europe is awaiting the result with baited breath. If it’s a Yes, the Treaty ( Read more... )