European Politics

  • Revealed: MI6 considered Orban to be a dictator

    Viktor Orban has just lost power in Hungary, and so the suggestion that MI6 considered the European leader to be a dictator comes a little late in the proceedings. But it’s an important insight because some of the apparatus of the UK that responds to threats to security might have included this fact in its reasoning.

    The precise details are less facts on the ground than warnings from inside the country itself. In an effort to protect UK citizens – and its own assets – MI6 conducted a thorough review and it concluded that caution should be shown. It’s alleged Orban ruled from behind closed doors.

    The populist leader was not seen as so by many other conservative leaders, such as President Trump, but low level Intelligence activity is useful for planning beyond politics. It’s well known that MI6 acts with caution in the parts of Europe that know Orban well, finding Russia’s influence to be everywhere there.

  • Brexit definitely means exit

    The 2016 Brexit referendum didn’t go favourably for many of the UK’s top political elite.

    They hoped for a much better outcome.

    They sent floods and plagues of fake news to frighten the public into subordinating to a binding future in the EU.

    They concocted Project Fear, to make us believe lies, filling the ears of Press with treasonous gossip.

    The gods of Whitehall – many of whom thought it was sorted out for them – fell on their faces.

    Like Babylonian devils of an evil presence exposed by a mighty Hebrew god, their favour evaporated.

    They nurse the loss of a high perch today. It won’t fly back in on the wings of a different empire.

    It won’t rise on the tides of new forces. They now know that the plates have shifted, and new formations are coming out.

    They have to concede a rational time of clarity is upon us.

  • Figures Of Change: Ursula von der Leyen

    It’s not easy being political in Germany. At least it’s what I’m told. Apparently it’s a fractious exercise as it matters to so many. The reality of interests, and not just opinions, means public figures find themselves in difficulty before they’ve said even a word.

    However, the figure of Ursula Von der Leyen at the highest level of EU politics should support a view that Germans can do it too. She’s the first female President, so it makes a difference in that way, too.

    The fact German politics is getting more radical underpins the service of politicians like von der Leyen. She’s a moderate, while her compatriots are stirring controversy. It brings feelings of uncertainty. It casts doubt on claims Europe can be resilient to radicals.

    Ursula Von der Leyen shows a pragmatism that gets things done. She offers an example for people like her. Her focus on a European Green Deal promotes a way to resolve an important issue that elements like Alternative For Germany choose to ignore.

  • Macron appoints Bayrou

    Francois Bayrou, leader of Democratic Movement, a French centrist organisation, has been appointed Prime Minister of France by President Macron.

    It follows an unsuccessful attempt by Michel Barnier, a French conservative, to survive a no confidence vote. He was only appointed in September.

  • Westminster anti-Brexit protest

  • Macron backs Europe

    The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has said Europeans should be assertive in their values because they risked being taken over by other, contradictory agendas.

    “I have no intention of leaving Europe as a stage inhabited by herbivores, only for carnivores to come and devour according to their agenda. As Europeans, we must be clear-sighted, ambitious, and determined about our own agenda—an agenda of sovereignty.”

    He suggests they are at risk of those with fewer or lesser values than most EU citizens taking the narrative over. Macron may have meant the radical politics of left or right.