« Antidemocratic and xenophobic forces of Europe have always been attracted by the European unity dream, the mystic of the imperial Rome»
(FB - 1998)
" Being a citizen is a voluntary act "
(FB - 2009)
"Thinking about the future only makes sense if it is aimed at improving one’s thinking about the present and about the trends at work"
(FB - 1998)
"The European project is not a dream, but a hope. It is rooted in rationality, which is not the case with dreams. We Europeans have seen our dreams end in nightmares too often not to be suspicious."
(FB - 2005)
"The strength of a network is judged at the information level of the weakest link, or more precisely the link furthest from the centre of the network."
(FB - 2004)
"Europe's destiny is escaping the two "Greats" and it will come knocking on the door of the Europeans."
(FB - 1989)
"The history of Europe is a bit like a multifaceted diamond. Everyone sees the same diamond... but no one sees exactly the same facets."
(FB - E-storia project, 2004)
"Let us dare the future as the founding fathers of Europe did"
(FB - "From EU to Euroland", 2001)
"The European citizenship can not be decreed. The European citizen can only be born..."
(FB - 1992)
"Every state is a minority in the EU. In any case, let’s not forget that if all our states went into building the EU it is because they all felt too small to face alone both their future and the rest of the world."
(FB - 2003)
"From a single (EU) Currency to a single (EU) Citizenship. The euro is only an instrument."
(FB - 1997)
"An empire is always providing platforms where conflicts and wars prolife­rate... an empire needs enemies, whilst a Community requires partners."
(FB - 1992)
"Europe’s history has taught us that dreams and nightmares are the two faces of the same coin"
(FB - “Europe is Peace” 2006)
"Everybody wants to have a successful enlargement whereas it is a successful enlarged EU which is important."
(FB - 2002)
"It is clear that the existing national political parties can not serve two masters: national and European."
(FB - IDE, 1989)
"It takes teamwork to make Europe move forward."
(FB - 2005)
"There is nothing like one European. The European is a team of Europeans... the only way we can imagine a European, it is a team of people from different countries, not a single man or woman."
(FB - Enschede (NL) 2012)
"On the horizon with a heaven of freedom and a land of responsibility, this is perhaps the soul of Europe."
(FB - 1992)
"The future challenge for the European project is not about Europe anymore, it is about the Europeans."
(FB - 2005)
"The more Brussels speaks English, the less Brussels understands the Europeans"
(FB - 2004)
"Occupy the Future of Europe!"
("What do YOU want as a future for AEGEE?" Franck Biancheri at the 2012 Agora in Enschede)
"To combine new technologies and democratic principles to succeed in the entry of European integration in the 21st century or e-democracy at the service of Euro-democracy"
(FB - EUSV, 2001)
"In the years 00 of the 21st century, democratization can only take place in the perspective of the democratic election of a European executive that remains to be invented."
(FB - EUSV, 2001)
"We must build the European Community, otherwise Europe will soon be culturally Americanised, politically Finlandised and technologically Japanised"
EGEE I, 1984

A short update on the Dutch election (Veronique Swinkels)Bref commentaire sur les élections aux Pays-Bas (Veronique Swinkels)

Dear friends a short update on the elections.

The landslide to populism did not take place in the Netherlands but still there is a significant shift in power.

The PVV (Geert Wilders) did win and is probably the 2nd largest party.

VVD (liberals) became the largest party. But they suffered quite a lot. There are more rightwing MP’s now.

And the previous 2nd largest party the PVDA (labour) has lost enormously giving room to different left and rightwing parties and newcomers.

The Socialist party stayed more or less the same. They did not manage to gain from the loss of the Labor party.

D66 won and so did Groen Links. Jesse Klaver from GL is very popular with my kids and all their 18-25 friends. He managed to get them voting.

CDA (christen democrats) had an interesting comeback after loosing big last elections.

There are 2 newcomers. DENK (which means think) founded by ex-PVDA mp’s and representing diversity, immigrants and with close ties to Turkey. And also Forum for Democracy got in. They initiated the Ukraine referendum and are against the EU. Their main focus is to initiate a NLexit and get us out of the euro asap.

Two more things: climate change was absent in the debate and next time I do hope for more #women as head of the parties. The heads of the lists where all white men with ties. They have been dominating debates and air time. Except for the party for the animals which is headed by a woman.

There has also been a strong increase in voters.

The challenge will be to come up with a stable government because 4 or 5 parties will be needed to achieve majority in parliament.

Veronique Swinkels

BBK/Door Vriendschap Sterker
Adviseur | Directeur

Tweede_Kamerverkiezingen_2017.svgSee here the results of the Dutch election 15/03/2017

Chers amis, une courte mise à jour sur les élections.

La victoire écrasante du populisme n’a pas eu lieu aux Pays-Bas, mais il y a tout de même un changement significatif dans les clés du pouvoir.

Le grand gagnant de ces élections est le PVV (parti de Geert Wilders), et il est sans aucun doute le 2ème plus grand parti néerlandais.

Le VVD (libéraux) est devenu le plus grand parti. Mais il a beaucoup souffert. Les députés de droite sont maintenant majoritaires.

Et celui qui était jusqu’à présent le 2ème plus grand parti, le PVDA (travailliste) a beaucoup perdu, ce qui a permis à différents partis de gauche et de droite ainsi qu’à de nouveaux partis de prendre la place.

Le parti socialiste se maintient plus ou moins, mais il n’a pas réussi à profiter de la perte du parti travailliste.

D66 a progressé tout comme les Verts (Groen Links). Jesse Klaver du parti des Verts est très populaire auprès de mes enfants et de leurs amis de 18 à 25 ans. Il a su les inciter à voter.

Le CDA (chrétiens démocrates) est de retour après avoir connu un revers sévère aux dernières élections.

Il y a deux nouveaux arrivants. DENK (qui veut dire penser) fondé par des ex-députés du PVDA et qui milite pour la diversité, les immigrants et entretient des relations étroites avec la Turquie, et le Forum pour la Démocratie, anti-UE, c’est lui  qui avait initié le référendum sur l’Ukraine. Son objectif principal est d’enclencher le NLexit et de sortir les Pays-Bas de l’euro dès que possible.

Deux autres points sont à souligner: le changement climatique a été absent dans le débat et la prochaine fois j’espère bien que nous aurons plus de #femmes chefs de partis. Les têtes des listes étaient tous des hommes blancs à cravate. Ils ont monopolisé les débats et le temps d’antenne. A l’exception du parti pour les animaux qui est dirigé par une femme.

Enfin il y a également eu une forte augmentation de la participation électorale.

Le défi maintenant sera de parvenir à un gouvernement stable, car 4 ou 5 partis seront nécessaires pour obtenir la majorité au Parlement.

Veronique Swinkels

BBK/Door Vriendschap Sterker
Adviseur | Directeur

Tweede_Kamerverkiezingen_2017.svgTous les résultats de l’élection du 15/03/2017