NEWS FROM EUROPE

  DEUTSCHE WELLE A free voice to authoritarian countries   It is evident that authoritarian trends are on the march forward.   Free and uncontrolled media and discussions are under threat.    The development in Trump’s US is a very serious part of this development. Therefore, it is of crucial importance that strong efforts are made to counter that trend.   Efforts to fight for free media and a free and unbiased flow of information. And efforts to fight populism. DEUTSCHE WELLE is one of the most important and independent players in this fight. It is a German public service broadcaster – financed by the German government and totally free from interference in its programming. Deutsche Welle TV is broadcasting in English, Spanish and German. It is followed by about 22 mill. viewers worldwide.   Deutsche Welle Radio is broadcasting in 29 different languages – and followed by 28 mill. people daily. And Deutsche Welle Internet broadcasts in 31 ...

Now Europe has started to beat the big American news services. With support from the EU Commission, media groups in a number of countries - led by French companies - have started this chat service: https://chateurope.eu/en/ It is available in several languages, including English, German and French. And it mainly deals with European issues in the broad sense. I think it is off to a good start. As soon as it goes to the right (or left) with Google, Facebook and the others - at least when it comes to credible news and analysis of European affairs.  

  On July 1 Denmark will take over the presidency of the EU for six months.  It will start in Aarhus on July 3 with a meeting between the whole Commission and the Danish government.  And festivities will take place in Aarhus at the same time. My old friend, the well-known Danish artist, Per Arnoldi, has made a special poster to celebrate the presidency.  It is made in cooperation with a world-wide poster company in France.  The daisy flower on the poster is a special Danish sign, also for the previous Danish queen, who is often called Daisy. I am pleased to send you pictures of the poster enclosed.

  ROMANIA One of EU-27 member states           Briefly about the country: ·        Size:                     238.397 sq.km ·        Population:         19,1 mio inhabitants   ·        Expats abroad:                4 mio ·        EU-expats in country :          56.750 from other EU-27 countries ·        Language:            Romanian – a Roman language, close to Italian         ·        National   hymn:        ...

  Today is a very positive day - politically. At least so far :-) A total of 4 very important elections have ended in defeat for the very nationalist and right-wing forces in Europe and beyond. The positive and pro-European forces have won!   Romania: The newly elected President Nicosor Dan received 54% of the votes. He was until now the mayor of Bucharest.   Poland: Rafal Trzaskowski has won the 1st round of the election for the presidency. The last round is on June 1st. He is until now the mayor of Warsaw and belongs to Donald Tusk's party.   Canada: The liberal Mark Carney is the new Prime Minister.   Australia: The social democrat Anthony Albanese was elected Prime Minister.   At the same time, the EU and the UK have today concluded an important agreement on defense and security, on trade, and fisheries and on the exchange of youth. More is surely on the way.   So - yes, yes - Trump continues to rumble. But in ...