A European Superstate?

Is this the accidental creation of a European Superstate? It certainly seems like it.

Basically the Eurozone appears to have two choices; fall apart or be bound closer together. Merkel has increasingly mentioned the need for “more Europe, not less” she says that more and more responsibility must be handed over to centralised European control. Although many Europeans believed that the creation of the Euro in 2000 was the beginning of a federal Europe, most people didn’t think it would start being seriously talked about in 2012. The Euro crisis has changed everything.

Although I highly doubt that a United States of Europe is on the horizon, with each state losing ‘country’ status, I do believe that the Euro crisis will mean more political, fiscal and economic union in Europe. Even if the crisis does get resolved by creating an early USE, I would imagine countries would still have control over international relations the armed forces and other similar functions.

If the Eurozone were to form a USE, a new map of Europe would look like below (the USE in blue with the EU in green). It would certainly transform the world as a number of individual Eurozone members are already very powerful in their own right (most notably France and Germany).

The Eurozone as a superstate in blue
The rest of the EU in green

The below map is what the future of the Europe could look like, this map includes countries in the EU that have signed up to join the Euro, although this vision of Europe (if it ever does come to be) is a long way away. (Note: Croatia is in light blue as it will join the EU in 2013 and has agreed to enter the Euro at some stage)

Blue - all current and future Euro members as a superstate
Green - The remaining members that are unlikely to join the Euro

There are, of course, many issues and obstacles surrounding the creation of the USE. The biggest would be the electorate in member states, governments would have to go to the people in a referendum. Most people would be furious if they didn’t get a say over whether or not to end their country’s existence, I would be furious even though I would vote yes! Ireland would be a major stumbling block as well as many other nations with strong Euro-scepticism. There is also the problem of much of Eastern Europe, most of these countries have only been independent for about 20 years and aren't going to give over their hard won independence easily.

Despite the major stumbling blocks we are living in a momentous period, a federal Europe is being seriously discussed by some of the top politicians in Europe. This is a make or break time for European federalists and Euro-sceptics alike.

Horrifying Massacre in Syria

The Assad Regime has lost all legitimacy according to the UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, this comes in the context of more regime-backed killing in Syria. Late last night reports began to come in that another massacre on the scale of Houla had taken place in the Hama province. They way in which the massacre was carried out was also very similar to that of Houla, firstly there was shelling of the area, it was only then that the militia moved in and killed whole families.  When UN monitors went to investigate the area they were shot at by the Syrian army.  Up to 100 people are believed to have been killed by regime thugs, most of which belonged to just a handful of families.

Kofi Annan has urged the international community to act as one on the issue of Syria and is asking for a peaceful solution to the conflict. There have been many comparisons made of Syria to Bosnia and Rwanda when thousands were killed while the international community refused to take action. There is also a lot of fear that Syria may got the way of Lebanon and Iraq and end up in a perpetual state of sectarian strife and warfare.

Whatever the solution is, it will take guts to do it and someone will need to step up before we see a massacre on the scale of Srebrenica.

Funeral for those killed in the massacre
(source: Catholiconline)

Disclaimer

OK so I probably should have posted this at the start of the blog, but better late than never I suppose. As you can have guessed all the pictures I post to the blog are taken by other people, I am just a guy from the UK who enjoys blogging. I do not fly around the world taking pictures of massacres in Syria, presidents on trial in Egypt or people in America.

You all will have worked this out, but I probably have some legal requirement to do this. From now on I will be crediting the pictures I use (I posted this instead of editing every post already with a picture to give you the source - it would take too long!)

Diamond Jubilee Fervour

The jubilee is finally over after four days of practically continuous celebration, and what a weekend it was!

On Saturday it began with the Queen attending the Epsom Derby, it was relatively low-key compared to some of the more extravagant events to come. On Sunday the largest flotilla on the River Thames since the 1600s took place, it was phenomenal to watch all the boats row past and how happy the Queen looked. On Monday, unfortunately, the Duke of Edinburgh had to be admitted to hospital due to a bladder infection. The highlight of Monday was most certainly the Jubilee Concert at which big names such as Elton John, Paul McCartney and Gary Barlow were playing. A song specially written for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was also played. On the Tuesday the Queen was at St. Paul's Cathedral for a service commemorating her 60 years on the throne.

So what does the Jubilee tell the world about the UK? Well, firstly that the Monarchy is here to stay, recently getting an 80% approval rating! Phenomenal! It also tells the world that the stiff upper lip is back, despite the harsh austerity and falling living standards, we can still put on a great show and enjoy ourselves!

Here are some pictures of the jubilee:

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Epsom

The Jubilee Concert

One of the thousand boats involved in the river pageant

A street party in England

Spanish Bailout Crisis

The Spanish economy is in tatters, and Spain has finally admitted it. Spain has asked the EU for a bailout, but they want one that is very different from the type received by Greece, Portugal and Ireland. In these three countries, in exchange for the money they had to accept crippling austerity and other restrictive measures. Spain does not want to humiliation of having to accept the extraordinarily harsh terms that would be imposed on Spain.

So what deal is Spain trying to get from Brussels and Germany? Well firstly the Spanish government is claiming that they’ll only need €40 billion worth of bailout money, most economists believe that they’ll need closer to €100 billion, with some economists predicting a bailout as big as €400 billion. Regardless, there is enough money set aside in the European system to cope with a big bailout, so that is less of the problem. It is how Spain wants to receive the money, as I’ve explained the Spanish government would be humiliated if told what to do by Brussels and Angela Merkel. Instead rather than the EU/IMF giving money to the Spanish government, which would in turn use the money to recapitalise the banks, the Spanish government wants the bailout to be given directly to the banks so that they don’t have to endure even more austerity.

Currently Spain is playing a game of brinkmanship with (mainly) Germany, neither of them want the destruction of the Spanish economy especially considering the contagion would spread extremely fast around the globe. Although I believe that the crisis will end in a compromise (a direct bank bailout with some austerity and restrictions) I do believe that Germany will be the first to blink as it has much farther to fall the Spain.

The Diamond Jubilee has Begun!

Jubilee celebrations have begun!

Today marks the beginning of the celebration of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, the four days of partying across the country mark 60 years on the throne for her majesty. Today across the country, from London in England to Hillsborough in Northern Ireland and Perth in Scotland celebrations began as a nation still in love with the monarchy took to the streets to display its gratitude to the Queen.

The celebrations were marked with 41 gun salutes across the country marking the beginning of the fabulous weekend. Probably the biggest celebration will occur tomorrow when over1000 boats sail down the Thames on a scale not seen since the 1600s. The flotilla will be a glorious spectacle to watch and would be fantastic to participate in.

At this time of celebration polls on the popularity of the monarchy have risen to 80%, this has not been seen in a very long length of time. The continued popularity of the monarchy is astounding, there has never been anyone or anything that has managed to maintain popularity for so long. Despite republicans attempting to gain more ground, they have not succeeded, for the British people recognise that there is no real reason to change the monarchy as it is part of a culture and change would only be for idealistic reasons. Long live the Queen!

Mubarak Sentenced to Life

Many in Egypt never thought this day would come, the day when Hosni Mubarak was finally sentenced for his crimes. Today he was sentenced to life imprisonment on the charge of ordering the killing of protestors during the revolution that threw him from power. When the verdict was announced it was met with jubilation from the friends and family of those killed in the revolution. Despite the good start to the day things began to turn sour after six senior ministry of interior officials were acquitted of all crimes. Of these people, two were Mubarak’s sons. The fury spilled onto Tahrir Square as people protested the acquittals, for many of these people the only sentence strong enough is the death penalty for all involved – including those acquitted.

Yet despite the disappointment at Mubarak’s sons and friends’ acquittal today is still a landmark day in Egyptian politics. Today proves that people can triumph over power and against all the odds to make change for the better. Although the future for Egypt is not yet clear, at least now there is a faint glimmer of hope. Hopefully Egypt will be a success, just like the success of Eastern Europe after getting rid of its dictators in the early 1990s.

Hosni Mubarak meets his fate with an emotionless face