Michael Berendt's blog

Archives for UK politics

Election test for UK coalition hits Lib Dems

May 8, 2011

It’s almost exactly 12 months since Britain saw the formation of the first coalition government for 70 years, as David Cameron and Nick Clegg brought together the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats in a joint administration committed to tackling the massive economic crisis facing the country in the wake of the credit crisis. Coalition politics… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

English, UK politics

Defence cuts bring UK and France to the altar

October 20, 2010

The big cuts in Britain’s defence capabilities announced in London earlier this week will have far-reaching consequences for European defence policy. The decision of Britain’s coalition government to reduce defence spending by 8 per cent over the next four years condemns the UK to closer co-operation with European allies, and especially with France. British Prime… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Defence, English, NATO, UK politics

Hague endorses EU foreign policy approach

July 7, 2010

So the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee has approved the set-up of Europe’s foreign service, as negotiated in Madrid two weeks ago. Formal agreement is expected in plenary after the holidays, allowing the European External Action Service (EEAS) to be operational by the end of the year. Creation of the EEAS is potentially the most… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Defence, English, International politics, Treaty of Lisbon, Turkey, twitter, UK politics

Low profile on Europe for UK coalition

May 24, 2010

Against the backdrop of a European economic crisis of monumental proportions, the creation of the UK’s coalition government must seem like “noises off” to the rest of the European audience. But at least the deal reached between Conservative leader David Cameron and Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats could provide political stability in Britain for… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Defence, English, Eurozone, french, German, NATO, Trade, UK politics

Concerted action replaces platitudes and empty promises

May 10, 2010

The markets have been bowled over by the scale of the eurozone bail-out package announced this morning, after agreement by G-7 finance ministers, the ECB, the European Commission, the 16 eurozone governments and the International Monetary Fund. An emergency funding facility of up to €720 billion is designed to protect weaker eurozone members and save […]

Posted by Michael Berendt

Elections, European politics, Eurozone, Finance, UK politics

Concerted action replaces platitudes and empty promises

The markets have been bowled over by the scale of the eurozone bail-out package announced this morning, after agreement by G-7 finance ministers, the European Commission, the 16 eurozone governments and the International Monetary Fund. An emergency funding facility of up to €720 billion is designed to protect weaker eurozone members and save the integrity… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Banking, ECB, English, EU Institutions, European politics, Eurozone, Finance, UK politics

Big changes on the way after UK election?

April 26, 2010

There’s never been a British general election campaign like this one! With just over a week to go before the May 6 election day it seems from the opinion polls that big changes could be on the way. Here the Brits stand, midway between a Continental tradition of coalition government with multiple parties, and a… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

English, EU Institutions, European politics, International politics, UK politics, Uncategorized

Michael Berendt's blog

Blogging commentary on current events from the perspective of someone who has been closely involved with the policies, the policy-makers and the whole complex network of people who make the process of European integration so exciting and absorbing.


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