‘Qatargate will go down in history as the largest and most damaging political scandal’
Alberto Alemanno is interviewed by Genie Godula (France 24) about the Qatargate scandal.
France 24
Alberto Alemanno is interviewed by Genie Godula about the Qatargate scandal.
Brussels Playbook: Qatar scandal hits Commission — Finland’s next PM? — VdL in Washington
POLITICO – Alberto Alemanno comments on how the Qatargate scandal hits the European Commission.
Qatargate: A Missed Opportunity to Reform the Union
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – Alberto Alemanno discusses the need to establish an EU ethics body in the aftermath of the Qatargate scandal
Why Europe must embrace participatory policymaking
EURACTIV – New models for citizen involvement in government are critical for the survival of democratic institutions in Europe, write Alberto Alemanno and Laura Batalla.
After Qatargate scandal, EU integrity rules need ‘teeth’: Expert Alberto Alemanno
FRANCE 24 – Alberto Alemanno discusses the implications of the Qatargate scandal that has rocked the European Parliament over the last few weeks.
Alberto Alemanno, juriste : “le Parlement européen a toujours résisté aux règles”
FRANCE 24 – Alberto Alemanno discusses the implications of the Qatargate scandal that has rocked the European Parliament over the last few weeks.
‘Invulnerable’ MEPs set to test EU’s bid to raise ethical standards
FINANCIAL TIMES – Alberto Alemanno comments the EU’s ethical standards in the aftermath of the Qatargate scandal.
European Parliament corruption probe is a gift to the bloc’s critics
THE WASHINGTON POST – Four people have been charged on suspicion of money laundering, corruption and taking part in a criminal organization on behalf of Qatar.
Ethics after Qatargate
EU SCREAM – Alberto Alemanno explains how the European Parliament is reeling from corruption allegations involving the Gulf state of Qatar.
¿Cómo se puede evitar otro ‘Qatargate’ en la Unión Europea?
EL PAÍS – Alberto Alemanno propone cuatro reformas para evitar otro escándalo como el que afecta a la Eurocámara.
Tout un monde – La vulnérabilité du Parlement européen à la corruption
RTS – Alberto Alemanno s’exprime sur l’affaire de corruption qui secoue le Parlement européen.
Calls for EU lobbying rules to be reformed grow as corruption scandal rocks Brussels
EURONEWS – Calls to reform lobbying rules for European Union institutions are growing as Brussels reels from a corruption scandal involving the European Parliament.
The Qatar Corruption Scandal Is Rocking the European Parliament
TIME – A high-profile corruption case alleges Qatar bribed European lawmakers to sway policy.
Qatargate : « L’insouciance éthique du Parlement européen a encouragé une culture de l’impunité »
LE MONDE – Le scandale de la « corruption » par le Qatar a exposé une vérité gênante : l’argent achète l’influence dans l’UE.
4 people are charged with corruption in a bribery inquiry linked to Qatar
NPR – A high-ranking European Union lawmaker is one of several people snared in a corruption probe by Belgian officials for allegedly taking bribes from a Gulf state.
The Qatar scandal shows how the EU has a corruption problem
POLITICO – The Qatar “corruption” scandal has unveiled the inconvenient truth that money does buy influence in the EU.
Calls for EU reform after five arrested in Qatar corruption inquiry
THE GUARDIAN – The arrest of a European Parliament vice-president and four others linked to a corruption investigation implicating World Cup hosts Qatar sparked calls for “root and branch reform” in the EU institution.
Watchdogs wanted an EU ethics cop. They might get a scolding
POLITICO – Without enforcement or investigation powers, a new ethics body ‘misses the point,’ experts say.
Brussels to propose rise in cigarette taxes and first EU-wide vaping levy
FINANCIAL TIMES – Bloc’s push to cut smoking rates would increase minimum excise duty from €1.80 to €3.60 per pack of 20.
Catar: do Mundial da Vergonha ao Mundial da Mudança?
TRIBUNA – Miguel Poiares Maduro assina com Jamil Chade e Alberto Alemanno, um texto onde advogam a necessidade de profundas reformas na organização de eventos desportivos.
Once again, FIFA has sold its own rules and values for money
POLITICO – Throughout the many scandals that have plagued this event — from corruption to human rights violations — the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has staunchly stood by its 2010 decision to organize the World Cup in Qatar.
Fight over migrant rescue ship sours Italy’s relations with France
FINANCIAL TIMES – Spat reinforces concern about Giorgia Meloni’s readiness to work constructively with EU.
Meloni trouxe muitos sorrisos, mas poucas respostas concretas de Bruxelas
PUBLICO – A nova primeira-ministra de Itália encontra com os líderes das instituições da União Europeia
Italy PM Giorgia Meloni hails ‘frank, positive’ exchange with EU leaders in first Brussels trip
EURONEWS – Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed a “very frank, very positive” exchange with European Union leaders in Brussels.
«La doctrine Borrell», une conversation avec le Haut représentant
Groupe d’études géopolitiques – Alberto Alemanno et Adam Mouyal conversent avec Josep Borrell au sujet de son discours devant les ambassadeurs de l’Union et la première promotion de l’Académie diplomatique européenne.
France and Germany’s relationship questioned as Scholz goes alone on policy
CNBC – Fresh tensions between France and Germany are challenging their relationship at a time when their unity is critical for broader European policy in tackling the energy crisis.
Olaf Scholz à l’Elysée : un dialogue amical et constructif, malgré les divergences
EURONEWS – le chancelier allemand Olaf Scholz rencontre le président français à l’Elysée
EU Influence: Broken science debate — Unlocking docs — Revolving full circle
POLITICO – Citizens’ access to documents is “the most concrete manifestation of the principle of openness and its corollary, transparency of the EU”
Migrants in Italy face uncertainty after far-right prime minister’s win
ABC NEWS – Meloni’s election last month will move the country to the far right for the first time since Benito Mussolini’s fall during World War II.
Experts criticise Council’s shady delay of EU Parliament’s Treaty reform request
EURACTIV – Legal experts suggest the Council of the European Union is violating EU law by not initiating the procedure for a Treaty reform.
Here’s what a Meloni government in Italy could mean for the EU
EURONEWS – The far-right victory in Italy’s elections is likely to translate into Rome joining Poland and Hungary by adopting a eurosceptic stance on European Union affairs.
EU Parliament slapped with complaint over ‘backroom deal’ to appoint secretary-general
EURONEWS – An official complaint has been launched against the European Parliament over a controversial deal to appoint its new secretary general, the institution’s top civil servant.
EU Parliament deflects cronyism cries as it appoints top civil servant
POLITICO – Alessandro Chiocchetti will become the Parliament’s new secretary-general, overseeing the institution’s expansive bureaucracy.
Who guards the guardians in Europe?
SOCIAL EUROPE – European judges are taking legal action, given the failure of EU institutions to uphold the rule of law.
Why Academic Ivory Towerism Can’t Be The Answer
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – At a time in which a worrying number of risks conspire to threaten the end of democracy and humanity – from climate change to uncontrolled new technologies –, to confine the remit of the legal scholar to the narrow boundaries of academic purity appears ahistorical at best, irresponsible at worst.
Italian right on path to power after PM Mario Draghi resigns
THE SUNDAY TIMES – Italy President Mario Draghi gives televised address amid political and financial turmoil
EU Influence: NGOs do it better — Schröder shame — QueasyJet
POLITICO – Sarah Wheaton speaks from The Good Lobby’s annual summer academy.
EU Influence: NGOs do it better — Schröder shame — QueasyJet
POLITICO – A surprising mix of transparency advocates, NGOers and unabashed corporate lobbyists meet at The Good Lobby’s annual Summer Academy.
EU Influence: UberFiles soul-search — Salaries spike — Your new Insta addiction
POLITICO – Uber Files outlined “a rather extreme, yet quite common (notably in the tech sector) method” of gaining access through lobbying
Former EU digital chief Neelie Kroes secretly helped Uber lobby Dutch PM, leak suggests
THE GUARDIAN – Uber Files appear to show Neelie Kroes trying to assist firm during ‘cooling-off’ period after leaving commission
Uber Files: Massive leak reveals how top politicians secretly helped Uber
BBC News – Thousands of leaked files have exposed how Uber courted top politicians, and how far it went to avoid justice.
Time for companies to lobby sustainably too
SUSTAINABLE VIEWS – Millions of consumers, employees and investors are seeking to align their purchases, jobs and investments with their values.
Over $50 for a burrito? World’s elite splash the cash on snacks at Davos
CNBC – Hungry attendees at this year’s World Economic Forum may have found some of the food a little hard to stomach, with some eye-popping prices in some locations
EU Influence: Moscow’s man in Brussels — Live from Davos — (dis)trust in the EU
POLITICO – The formidable European Round Table for Industry elected Jean-François van Boxmeer its new chairman, for a two-year term. He’s chairman of the Vodafone Group, and succeeds Volvo Group chair Carl-Henric Svanberg.
Switzerland inspires Europe’s quiet democratic revolution
SWISSINFO.CH – Russia’s war in Ukraine has shifted power relations in Europe. In the European Union the demand is growing for participation from below. The recent Frontex referendum in Switzerland showed the way.
What have we learned from the Conference on the Future of Europe? | View
EURONEWS – As the Conference on the Future of Europe just ended, Alberto Alemanno examines what we have learned from this unprecedented democratic exercise.
Conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe: 300 propositions citoyennes pour réformer l’Union
LE FIGARO – La Conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe, consultation citoyenne poussée par Emmanuel Macron, s’est achevée le 30 avril.
The Court of Justice of the EU goes (almost) public
Verfassungsblog – Thirteen years after the Lisbon Treaty, the CJEU continues to lack a fully-fledged publicity policy, albeit the growing public scrutiny over its work.
Over 10% of citizen proposals on EU’s future require treaty changes, expert says
EURACTIV – Twelve per cent of European citizens’ proposals as a part of the conference on the Future of Europe require a treaty change if they are to be implemented.
Ursula von der Leyen offers speedy response to Ukraine’s bid to join EU
THE GUARDIAN – European Commission chief visits Bucha before meeting Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv
« L’Union européenne doit accomplir un saut de citoyenneté pour passer à une Union politique »
Le Journal du Dimanche – Guillaume Klossa, co-président de CIVICO Europa, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, ancien président du groupe Les Verts, l’écrivain italien Roberto Saviano et 38 autres signataires plaident pour un nouveau « Pacte fondateur de l’Union qui permette de réaliser enfin l’Union de la défense, de l’énergie, de la santé, de l’économie, du travail, du social, de l’éducation et de la culture. »
Should European citizens dictate the bloc’s budget?
EURACTIV – MEPs and experts propose to scale up a city-level tool allowing citizens to decide how to spend a part of the municipal resources and let Europeans shape the EU budget expenditure.
With Putin’s war in Europe, the legacy of Germany’s Merkel is now being seen in a very different light
CNBC – The former German leader was known for speaking Russian and keeping diplomatic ties with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. It was also during her term that Germany stepped up its energy links to Moscow and kept its national defense spending to a minimum.
The Long War has started
POLITICO – With the ongoing re-Stalinization of Russia, and the old Stalin tactics unfurled again in Ukraine: Is it time to start labeling Vladimir Putin a dictator? And more news…
When should business take a stand?
Financial Times – Companies are under pressure to speak out on a wide range of issues. Doing so while avoiding pitfalls will require them to rethink their approach to politics.
New Index Tracks How Brands And Companies Respond To Ukraine Crisis
FORBES – To help track businesses’ responses to the escalating crisis, the Ukraine Corporate Index was launched today by The Good Lobby, a nonprofit civic participation organization, and Progressive Shopper, which tracks political contributions.
Companies in the E.U. could be held liable for violations along their supply chain.
THE NEW YORK TIMES – Under the legislation, known as a due diligence law, businesses would need to establish regulations to detect, prevent and mitigate breaches of human rights.
4 ideas on how businesses can be responsible for political lobbying
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM – There is growing momentum worldwide to make business responsible for the ways it impacts the planet, workers and communities it relies on.
The future of Europe: who holds the baton?
SOCIAL EUROPE – Political leaders must not turn the Conference on the Future of Europe into another EU black box.
France’s EU presidency can lay the foundations of a new Europe | View
EURONEWS – “The year 2022 must be a turning point for Europe,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in his New Year’s Eve national address.
« Nous sommes entrés dans une nouvelle phase de l’intégration européenne », une conversation avec Alberto Alemanno
LE GRAND CONTINENT – la nomination de la nouvelle présidente du Parlement européen marque un tournant, une conversation avec Alberto Alemanno.
Los socialistas se quedan fuera de la cúpula europea pese a sus últimos éxitos electorales
EL PAÍS – Populares, que acaban de hacerse con el Parlamento Europeo, y liberales se reparten los máximos puestos de las instituciones de la UE
European Parliament, Jostling for Relevance, Elects a New Leader
THE NEW YORK TIMES – Roberta Metsola of Malta will succeed David Sassoli, an Italian politician who died last week, at a critical time for the institution.
David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, Dies at 65
THE NEW YORK TIMES – He was a well-known journalist in his native Italy before going into politics, and devoted his tenure to making the Parliament more prominent.
Citizen Power Europe
Groupe d’Études Géopolitiques – In December 2021, two simultaneous events spoke radically differently on the conundrum of our age. The first, ‘The Summit for Democracy’. The other, the Conference on the Future of Europe.
Future of Europe: it’s not about Treaty change, it’s about European Democracy
REV DEM – Michal Matlak interviews Alberto Alemanno* in the aftermath of the publication of the first batch of recommendations coming from the Conference on the Future of Europe Citizens’ Panel. They discuss what representativeness – if any – this group of citizens has, how the recommendations are facilitated and drafted, and what impact this might have on the future of Europe.
Lobbying, citizen assemblies and political entrepreneurs: the tools for changemakers to shape policies
PIONEERS POST – Changemakers should not shy away from using powerful tools to influence politicians – starting with lobbying, attendees of the Ashoka Changemaker Summit heard this week. And they can start by talking to the new breed of “political entrepreneurs”, often young and focused on social impact, who are looking for solutions.
Media-savvy business professors look beyond the lecture hall
Financial Times – From YouTube and TV to podcasts, academics are building on the shift to online teaching
Interpol must change its practices to protect human rights
STATEWATCH – Civil society organisations, elected representatives and other prominent public figures are calling on Interpol to take steps to prevent the abuse of international policing databases and alert systems by authoritarian and dictatorial regimes. A resolution sent to the policing organisation a week before its 89th General Assembly calls for the protection of human rights by the full implementation of recommendations made by the Council of Europe and European Parliament. Statewatch is one of the signatories of the resolution.
Lo strano incontro di Matteo Renzi con la commissaria europea Vestager
DOMANI – Renzi incontra la vicepresidente della Commissione UE Margrethe Vestager per “discutere le sfide future dell’UE”
Poland’s defiance of EU law raises concern over a possible exit
CNBC – In the latest escalation of their dispute, Polish judges ruled, in a case brought by the country’s prime minister, that national law has primacy over European rules.
L’onda delle assemblee cittadine per cambiare la democrazia in Europa
L’ESPRESSO – Negli ultimi anni ne sono nate oltre 500, da Parigi a Madrid, dall’Islanda all’Irlanda. Convocate su temi diversi per ascoltare l’opinione degli elettori. Ma non sempre poi vengono ascoltate.
The State of the Union speech was a big missed opportunity for Ursula von der Leyen | View
EURONEWS – The annual State of the European Union address provides a unique chance for all EU residents to get a sense of their lives’ shared direction.
The end of Euro-bashing
POLITICO – Euroskeptic posturing might win politicians votes at home, but it’s increasingly costing them on the European stage.
The Good Lobby – Partecipazione Civica Per Influenzare La Politica Dal Basso.
Immagina per un attimo di poter dedicare una parte del tuo tempo a una questione
Polish media and opposition fight to save press freedom from state control
OPEN DEMOCRACY – Government’s controversial bill ‘would wipe out one of last institutions to hold authorities accountable’ and could lead to US sanctions.
El certificado covid se impone en el día a día de 21 países europeos
EL PAÍS – Con 300 millones expedidos en poco más de un mes, los salvoconductos se convierten en un requisito cotidiano. En Francia y Alemania crecen las protestas entre la población reacia al pinchazo.
El poderoso arsenal de Bruselas para frenar los asaltos de Hungría y Polonia al sistema democrático
EL PAÍS – Los gobiernos de Budapest y Varsovia se arriesgan a multas millonarias y coercitivas si persisten en incumplir las normas comunitarias.
Quelle stratégie dans la Conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe ? Perspectives croisées de Manon Aubry et Sandro Gozi
LE GRAND CONTINENT – Deux députés européens de deux bords politiques opposés, Sandro Gozi (Renew) et Manon Aubry (LFI) exposent leurs positionnements et leurs stratégies dans un exercice européen d’un nouveau genre.
Rivoluzione copernicana | Ci sono (finalmente) le condizioni per la nascita di un vero spazio politico europeo
LINKIESTA – In coincidenza con la giornata dell’Europa, il 9 maggio 2021 si è aperta la Conferenza sul futuro dell’Europa. Intervista a Alberto Alemanno dall’Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa.
Releasing Europe’s democratic genie
SOCIAL EUROPE – The Conference on the Future of Europe might sow the seeds of a genuine European political space.
Coalition led by B Lab Europe calls for mandatory stakeholder governance across the EU
PIONEERS POST – A coalition of 60 companies led by B Lab Europe is calling for an EU-wide change in company law to make stakeholder governance mandatory in the bloc.
I governi indignati con Orbán lo spalleggiano da un decennio
EDITORIALE DOMANI – I governi europei usano parole infiammate per la legge anti Lgbt approvata in Ungheria e si accorgono delle derive illiberali di Orbán. Ma cosa facevano prima? Erano impegnati a perdonargli tutto, o quasi.
Pandemia katkaisi kansainvälisen elämäntavan, ja nyt tutkija pelkää, että paluuta ei ehkä ole
HELSINGIN SANOMAT – Professori Alberto Alemanno pitää liian pitkälle vietyjä rajatoimia uhkana vapaan liikkuvuuden tulevaisuudelle. Koronapassista on aikanaan vaikea luopua, hän ennustaa.
Lack of citizens at EU’s citizens’ debate raises eyebrows
THE. GUARDIAN – Analysis: legitimacy of Future of Europe talks called into question as only a quarter of citizens likely to take part
These sixteen countries are now using the EU’s COVID travel pass (EUDCC)
EURONEWS – Sixteen countries have begun using the EU’s ‘Digital COVID certificate’ (EUDCC) to enable their citizens to easily travel across the bloc.
Will the EU’s Covid travel pass save the summer or create chaos?
RFI – Trumpeted as a quick fix to the holiday travel dilemma, and eagerly awaited by Europe’s struggling tourism sector, the certificate is intended to allow rapid movement between EU states without additional quarantine or coronavirus tests. Critics say it’s a recipe for delays and confusion.
Il lobbying civico è la sola strada per salvare la nostra democrazia
DOMANI – In vista della pubblicazione in Italia il 9 giugno del suo libro The Good Lobby, il giurista Alberto Alemanno spiega perché il diffondersi di lobby civiche è una leva cruciale in un contesto in cui gli interessi pubblici sono sottorappresentati
L’estate sta arrivando, ma i problemi di movimento non finiscono con la vaccinazione
EURONEWS – Con l’avvicinarsi dell’estate e l’aumento delle vaccinazioni, la Commissione europea afferma di volere che gli Stati membri eliminino ulteriormente le restrizioni ai viaggi all’interno del continente.
Faciliter les déplacements pour cet été dans l’Union européenne
EURONEWS – Accélérer la levée des restrictions de déplacement entre les Etats membres. C’est le souhait de la Commission européenne à l’approche des vacances d’été.
EU leaders discuss repercussions for Belarus after Ryanair ‘hijack’
CNBC – Outraged European leaders are gathering in Brussels on Monday to discuss how to punish Belarusian authorities, after the forced landing of a Ryanair flight and subsequent arrest of a journalist on board.
The EU wants its citizens to shape its future. And fend off a euroskeptic surge
CNBC – The EU launched Sunday the Conference on the Future of Europe.
Anti-EU lawmakers strengthened their support following the sovereign debt and migration crises of the last decade.
Pourquoi il faut suivre la Conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe
LE GRAND CONTINENT – Il est facile et tentant de disqualifier d’office la Conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe, en la considérant comme un énième gadget bruxellois. Pourtant, elle pourrait bien être porteuse de réels changements, tant par sa méthodologie audacieuse que par son cahier des charges.
A Europa para a Escócia
PUBLICO – Somos europeus de todo o continente e de todo o mundo. Queremos que o povo da Escócia saiba que os europeus, onde quer que se encontrem, terão todo o gosto em os receber outra vez como membros da União Europeia se esse ainda for o seu desejo democrático.
Coronavirus: tirs croisés sur le certificat vert européen pour voyager
LE SOIR – Alors que les Européens se demandent à quelle sauce ils vont être traités aux frontières cet été, nombreux sont les détracteurs de la proposition de certificat vert européen.
La Superlega riunisce l’Europa (brexiteer compresi)
IL FOGLIO – L’exit dall’Uefa ha provocato una cosa inedita nella storia recente dell’Europa: tutto lo spettro politico si è unito in difesa dell’establisment calcistico.
Un social “libero” per discutere il futuro dell’Ue.
EDITORIALE DOMANI – La piattaforma digitale per la Conferenza sul futuro dell’Europa rappresenta un tentativo inedito di confronto paneuropeo. Ma non basta raccogliere spunti, il punto è trasformarli in decisioni, ed è su questo che si gioca la riuscita del progetto: chi trarrà la sintesi e in che modo?
Niebezpieczne iluzje „paszportu szczepionkowego”
KRYTYKAPOLITYCZNA – Unia rozważa wprowadzenie tzw. paszportu szczepionkowego. W założeniu ma on ułatwić otwieranie granic i powrót do „normalności”. W praktyce będzie kolejnym mechanizmem profilowania i ekonomicznego wykluczenia, bo szczepienie na COVID-19 wciąż jest w Unii przywilejem.
Djebbari et les guerres d’ego — Amazon tranquille — Sapin 2 Noël
POLITICO PARIS Influence – Les manœuvres du gouvernement pour épargner Amazon. Couac de la nouvelle Agence de l’Innovation pour les Transports:Bercy accuse Jean-Baptiste Djebbari de la jouer solo. Entretien avec Guillaume Courty, universitaire qui dézingue sur la loi Sapin 2.
Le “Sofagate” secoue toujours les institutions européennes
EURONEWS – Un incident diplomatique en passe de devenir une crise interne de l’UE. Les secousses du “Sofagate”, le camouflet protocolaire infligé à la présidente de la Commission européenne à Ankara la semaine dernière, se font toujours à ressentir à Bruxelles.