newsitems Austrian Election 1st Winner, Kurz to Eurofora: I met the Norway Prime Minister too in Brussels !...
Austrian Election 1st Winner, Kurz to Eurofora: I met the Norway Prime Minister too in Brussels !...
*Brussels/EPP Summit/Angelo Marcopolo/- The Symbolic but Timely Fact that he's just met with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, revealed the Number 1 Winner of the Austrian Elections, and likely New Chancellor, Leader of the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Party, Sebastian Kurz, replying to an "Eurofora" Question at the Conclusion of the traditional EPP National Political and State Leaders' Summit, organized in preparation of the subsequent EU Heads of State/Government Summit, later this Evening, at another side of Brussels.
Norway's Solberg heads a Twice succesfull Government of Unity of the Right, bringing Together her "Conservative" party with the Rightists of "Progress" party, supported by the smaller "Liberals" and "Christians" parties.
Her Example has been, since, mutatis-mutandis, followed, in substance, also at various SImilar Political Landscapes throughout Europe, f.ex. in Denmark, Finland, Bulgaria, etc. Denmark is due to become President-in-office of CoE's PanEuropean Organisation for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law on November 15, in Strasbourg, for the period of 11/2017-5/2018, while Finland already Chairs the OSCE for the whole Year of 2017, and Bulgaria will Chair the EU from January 2018, until the end of June 2018.
Kurz, who has just Won a big 1st place in the Austrian Elections, during the Last Week-End, with his ChristianDemocrat/EPP Party getting 31,5% of the Votes and 62 MPs (+15 More than before), could easily reach an Absolute Majority in the Parliament, Together with the 2nd Winner : the Rightists of the "Freedom" Party (FPO), who got More than 26 % of the Votes ad 51 MPs (+11 More than before). The Socialists (who Previously held the Chancellorship) practically Stagnated, keeping around 26% too and 52 MPs , with the smaller parties of Center-Right Liberals of "NEOS" staying also at 5,3% (and 10 MPs), while a New Ecology Party of Pilz won +4,4% of the Votes and 8 new MPs, the "Greens"' Party of MEP Lunacek (a LBGTI Heavy-Weight) having been DownVoted by the Austrian People, Vanishing from the Parliament, (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/austrianelectionresults.html ).
- The probable New Chancellor of Austria, (who is expected to be given Tomorrow, Friday, by the President of the Country, Alexander von der Bellen, an official Mandate to try the 1st to Form a New Government), was Positively Surprized by - and Naturaly Welcomed - "Eurofora"s mention of the Fact that, Recently, just Before the September 2017 German Elections, Chancellor Angie Merkel, had reportedly Declared, in Berlin (in Reply to a Question, Exceptionally raised by Children at a special event organized by her CDU Party), that her Favorite Head of State/Goverment was, unexpectedly, ... Norway Prime Minister Erna Solbeg, (Comp. Supra) !
Merkel, who has recently Won anew the German Elections of 9/2017, this time with More than 33% of the Votes, (while the Socialists Fell Down to Only 20%, deciding to go in the Opposition), is Now, for the First Time, Flanked, at her Right, by the Rightists of the "Alternative" (AfD) Party which got 13,5%, and, at her Left side, by the Liberals, who returned back to the Bundestag with 10,5%, as well as the "Greens", with 9,5%, (the "Leftists" holding another 9%) :
A Fact which made her show a Bright Smile, just after the Anouncement of the main Results, Symbolically arbouring a placard with her Favorite Key Word for her ChristianDamocrat Party : "the Center", when she spoke to the Press... (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/2017germanelectionresults.html). That Rare situation Reminds, mutatis-mutandis, what had Existed, somehow, also during Historic Chancellor Adenauer's era, after the 1949, 1953 and 1957 Elections, when his CDU/CSU mainstream Parties had to make a Governing Coalition including also the so-called, then, "German Party" ("die Deutsche Partei" = "DP"), of Ultra-Conservatives, at its Right, as well as the "Liberals" a.o. at its "Left" side...
Nowadays, the "Liberals" and the "Alternative" have Won many More Votes in the 2017 German Elections, with 10,5% and 13,5% respectively, than the "Greens" and the "Leftists", who have practically Stagnated at around 9% each only, so that, at least in Theory, an eventual "Unity of the Right" New Governmental Coalition, (with Merkel's CDU/CSU and the 2 Firstly above mentioned Parties FPD and AfD) would obviously be more Respectfull of the Peuple's Choices, from the point of view of Democracy.
--------------------------------------------
Such kind of Questions of Political Strategy, in Austria, Germany, and/or Other European Countries, are naturally intermixed also with certain Key, Relevant Issues, and the Positions taken by EU Leaders on them, as, f.ex., Turkey and mass Migration, etc., which have, reportedly, occupied most of the Discussions among EPP Political Leaders, earlier Today, at this ChristianDemocrat/EPP Summit in Brussels, as "Eurofora" learned. (See also : ...).
- But, on the Contrary, EU relations to Russia, (which have been notoriously Damaged since the Ukranian Conflict, which had made too Many Victims, even among Civilian People in the pro-Autonomy, Russian-speaking Regions of Donetsk/Luhansk, Attacked by Heavy Tanks, Missiles, and Military Airplanes, etc, particularly Back on 2014, when Kurz's Precedessor, Spindelegger -a Fellow ChristianDemocrat- suddenly Resigned "UnExpectedly" from "all Political positions", as "Wikipedia" reminds, under pretext of a Tax policy Dispute with the Socialists), were Not yet Discussed, Today, at this EPP Summit, Sebastian Kurz told "Eurofora".
- Kurz (who has notoriously expressed some Interesting Positions for a Peaceful and Ambitious EU - Russia Cooperation prospects, including that of an eventual EU - Russia PanEuropean Free Trade Area, from Portugal up to Vladivostok, as had, Meanwhile, succeeded to Spindelegger, as Austria's Foreign Minister, already from 2013, and, therefore, Served as CoE's President-in-office, during an important part of the 2013 rotating Chairmanship of CoE's Highest Political body : that of its Committee of Ministers, in Strasbourg, then, as "Eurofora" Reminded him, inciting a spontaneous Smile and a Kind Salute from his part, as he told us that he Remembered those CoE Events, (See relevant Photo).
- Indeed, "Today, he appeared very "Soft", from the outset, "stressing thet he is <<Pro-European>, etc", said to "Eurofora" a German Collegue from a TV-Media, who had seen Kurz Earlier, when he Entered into EPP's Summit, earlier this Morning, here in Brussels.
Indeed, Kurz was ...the First EU Leader to Enter at Today's EPP Summit, and almost the ...Last to leave it, at the End, (signes of participation in Exceptionally prolonged Dicussions), as "Eurofora" attested.
His Meetings started, at First, by a "Bilateral" with the ChristianDemocrats/EPP party's President, Joseph Daul, himself, (who had Previously shared a Phone Call with Chancellor Merkel, etc), anOther Source told "Eurofora", before an active participation to Extensive Collective Debates (Comp. Supra), but also some Other Dealings, which kept Kurz there much Longer than usual.
The Next Few Weeks might, in Fact, prove to be of Crucial Importance, Both for Austria itself, and for All Europe, which currently Faces several Big Issues, at the Top of Discussions also at Wien's Strategic GeoPolitical crossroads...
Austria is due to Chair the EU Next Year, during the Period of July - December 2018.
-------------------------------------
***
(Photos by Rony Mertens for "Eurofora")
+
("DraftNews", as already send to "Eurofora" Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be published asap).
***
Main Menu
Home Press Deontology/Ethics 2009 Innovation Year EU endorses EuroFora's idea Multi-Lingual FORUM Subscribers/Donors FAQs Advanced search EuroFora supports Seabird newsitems In Brief European Headquarters' MAPs CoE Journalists Protection Platform
BRIEF NEWS
- 00:00 - 02.06.2021
- 00:00 - 18.10.2020
- 00:00 - 19.06.2020
- 00:00 - 18.05.2020
- 00:00 - 20.04.2020
- 00:00 - 02.02.2020
- 00:00 - 09.12.2019
- 00:00 - 27.11.2019
- 00:00 - 16.11.2019
Popular
- Yes, we could have prevented Ferguson riots says World Democracy Forum's Young American NGO to ERFRA
- Spanish People Elect CenterRIGHT Majority with 1st Party and Total of 178 MPs (6 More than the Left)
- Pflimlin's vision
- The European Athletic "Dream Team", after Barcelona 2010 Sport Championship Results
- Source Conseil d'Europe à ERFRA: Debatre Liberté d'Opposants à Loi livrant Mariage+Enfants à Homos ?
- Head of BioEthics InterGroup, MEP Peter Liese : "Embryonic stem cell research reaching its END" !?
- Spain: Jailed Turkish Terror suspect with Explosive,Drones,Chechen accomplices stirs Merah+ Burgas ?
- UN Head Ban Ki Moon at CoE World Democracy Forum : - "Listen to the People !"
Latest News
- Test Photos (f.ex.+ Invit to EU + Korea Peace meeting)
- EUOmbudsmen Conference 2022: Digital Gaps affect People's Trust threaten EF Project on EU Future ?
- French Election : Black Out on Virus, but Obligation for Fake 'Vaccines" Challenged
- Both French Presidential Candidates point at "Humanism" in crucial times...
- France : Zemmour = Outsider may become Game Changer in Presidential + Parliamentary Elections 2022
Statistics
Visitors: 60265741Archive
Login Form
Syndicate
Other Menu
Benedict's "Source" to revitalize Europe : - "The World needs Hope", Pope says, calling to relaunch E.U. via Human Rights !
Paris - Lourdes - Strasbourg : 12 - 17 September 2008.
The vital need to re-launch Europe can be succesfully met by defending fundamental Human Rights of the People, said Pope Benedict XVI in his 1st speech in France, at his meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, who currently chairs the EU.
Sarkozy replied by welcoming Christian and other religions' contribution to indispensable Public Debates on crucial issues which affect Human Dignity, Europe, even Humankind, as BioGenetics.
- "When Europeans will see and personally experience that the inalienable Rights of the Human Person .., those of their free Education, their Family life, their Work, ..their Religious Rights, ..are respected and promoted, then, these Europeans will fully understand the greatness of the European construction and will be actively involved in it", Benedict XVI stressed.
- "It's important that during France's EU Presidency, there is, indeed, a desire for the Church to contribute to protect Human Person's integrity, and I think that there is also a growing Conscience, beyond any polemics, to defend Human Rights, and, thus, contribute to ensure respect for Human Dignity", added to "EuroFora" the Pope's Spokesman, Vatican's Press Director Federico Lombardi.
- "Nobody really told us here that Lisbon Treaty was good for this or that reason to the People. They only told us that we "had" to ratify it, and tried to scare us, but failed", said 2 Irish pilgrims to "EuroFora", after 2 Majority Abstentions in 1999 and 2004 EU Elections and 3 "NO" to Referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005, followed by the Irish "No" in 2008, during a Decade of EU Crisis since the controversial Turkey EU- bid (1999-2008).
More than .."224 cases of Murders, Torture, "Disappearancies" or Destructions" by "agents of Turkish Security forces", where all those responsible for so heavy Crimes still remain scandalously unpunished, despite regular condemnations of Ankara by Strasbourg''s European Court of Human Rights from 1996 to 2008, were examined the same week by CoE's Ministers, who decided to launch a fresh call "urging" the Turkish Authorities to end this dangerous "virtual Impunity" of criminals, without comparison to European countries.
- "Why not Ukraine, instead of Turkey ?", asked EuroFora a Journalist from "Kiev : the city where it's enough to cross the streets in order to realize that it's a European town", as Sarkozy recently said, before solemnly declaring this week, together with Ukranian President Jushenko and EU Commission's chair Baroso, EU's "recognition that Ukraine is a fully European Country, linked to Europe by culture and History".
Europe's "Christian roots" and Values, with "openess and mutual respect" to other cultures and beliefs, were highlighted by Sarkozy in harmony with Benedict XVI.
The Human person should be protected "from his inception until his natural death", added the Pope, faithful to BioEthic principles defended by his predecessor and collaborator, John Paul II, of topical importance in France, Europe and the World today, as Sarkozy announced :
- "Fast and important progres in Genetic Science and procreation raise delicate BioEthical Questions to our Democracies", which "involve our view of Humans and Life, and can lead to Social Mutations. That's why they cannot remain only a business of experts", hestressed.
- "It's Politician's responsibility to set a proper framework for such Public Debates", as "France will do on BioEthics in 2009". "Religious and Philosophic traditions must take part, with their ideas and centuries' long experience : A positive Laicity is an open invitation to Dialogue", he said.
- "France engaged in Europe at another Debate on how to make Financial Capitalism more moral", and the "Social doctrine of the Church fits well what is at stake in modern Globalized Economy"
- "But, a "Real Dialogue is not for an elite of a Globalized world : It penetrates deep into the People : That's why Churches should actively participate : .. It's bringing New Oxygen to Public Debates", stressed Sarkozy.
- "Democracy must not be cut off Reason", which is "compatible with Faith", thanks to "the meeting between Christianism and Greek philosophy ", he added, referring to Pope's views. "It means to advance with logic arguments, search what's best and respect common principles of thinking :... It's an everyday need for Public Administration and the Political Debate", he added.
----------------------------
Pope Benedict's 1st visit to France looked like the start of a brillant, manifold demonstration that this was well-founded and could become true in the lives of the People : After its Theoretical foundations unfolded at a "speech to the world of Culture", inaugurating Bernadins' cultural centre, and its dogmatic instrument shaped at an address to the Clergy in the Historic Notre Dame' Cathedral, he started to resolutely reach out to the People :
The move went upwards like Bach's music : Begining with a call to more than fifteen thousand enthousiastic Youngsters gathered at Notre Dame's parvis with overnight celebrations, it gained strength in an impressive open-air Mass at Paris'central Invalides'area facing Alexander III's bridge, attended by more than 150.000 people, French Prime Minister Fillon, many Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, etc, and culminated in a series of pan-European Mega-meetings at Lourdes 150th anniversary, together with all French Bishops, EU Commission's vice-Chairman Barrot, and some 200.000 enthousiastic People from all over Europe and beyond : After a Sea of Lights astonishingly braved Saturday Night's rain, an open-air mass at riverside fields among Pyrenees' Mountains Sunday Morning, was followed on Monday by a Sea of "Compassion" to those facing Health or Life threats, surrounded by an endless gathering of People, whose gigantic dimensions obviously surprised the organisers..
Meanwhile, Benedict had the occasion to speak to the French Priests at Notre Dame of Paris, and with the Bishops at Lourdes, where they prepare a crucial November plenary meeting, due to take important decisions on imminent EU debates and choices about Europe's identity, BioEthics, etc.
-------
- "A new way of thinking about Laicity has become necessary", agreed the Pope with President Sarkozy at Elysee. While keeping the "distinction between Politics and Religion, to guarantee Citizens' Liberty", "religion is important for shaping Consciousness and contributing, together with others, to create a basic Ethical Consensus in society".
- "Searching Essential realities", (as "God" for christians), needs "Speech : "Logos" in greek, i.e. Reason", "able to shape a Community","with creative work transforming Human History". But "Dialogue" is instrumental for "Reason", because it's the way to "search" for Truth", in "Liberty", according to Greek Platonic Philosophy, with Socrates' dialectics. "Reason" implies "Spirit and Liberty", hence the polyphonic "Music" of "Dialogue", in a responsible, "well balanced" way, to avoid "destruction".
Starting with a "Dialogue between christians and intellectual or artistic movements" highlighted at Bernardins' Cultural Center. with former Presidents Chirac and Giscard d'Estain, UNESCO's chair Anastassopoulos, etc., as well as representatives of Muslim Communities, (including a separate Turkish), after contacts with Jews at Vatican's Embassy, the Pope turned towards the People :
-------------------
To French Priests : "Church built on the rock" !
---------------------
- Speaking to thousands of French Priests at Notre Dame's Cathedral, Benedict highlighted a solid "Church built on the Rock" of conscious and active persons, transmitting "a lively, energetic and sharp" "God's Speech, actively working on Human History".
"Praying together" with "representatives of Christian Churches and ecclesiastic communities", (as Orthodoxes, Armenians, Protestants, etc), he called "to reinforce the Unity of the church", against "any form of Division", around Holy Spirit', "the Word","Christ's Justice", and "Love" to fellow- humans : Essentials which "resume all holy scripts", as he said.
-----------------------
To Young People : "New Horizons"
------------------------
To some 15.000 enthousiastic Young People at Notre Dame's parvis, along Seine's river, Benedict spoke about "the Energy of the Holy Spirit" and "the Mystery of the Cross" : - "The Holy Spirit opens New Horizons to Human Intelligence .. and makes it conscious of the real greatness of Christ's sacrifice, dying and resurecting for World's life".
Some "may slander you as crazy, laugh at you, or even persecute you. But, "the Holy Cross is a symbol of God's love", and "givesmoral strength" : "Witness of People's pains, it's at the same time, a precious, unique expression of their Hopes", he told them at Paris' dawn.
----------------------------------
Invalides' plateau : "People chosen to become God's friends"
---------------------------------------
At the 1st open-air Mass in Paris' center area of Invalides, facing the Grand Palais, along the river Seine, during an impressive gathering of more than 150.000, French Prime Minister Fillon, Ministers Alliot-Marie, Bachelot, Dati, Jouyet, Assembly's President Accoyer, Senate's Chair Poncelet, former 1st Lady Bernadette Chirac, former Prime Minister Raffarin, many foreign Ambassadors, and other political personalities were present. (While earlier, from the Socialist opposition, Paris' Mayor Delanoye, artist Robert Hussein a.o. assisted at the Elysee meeting).
But the "Entry Song" focused on the "People chosen to become God's Friends". The September 11 mass was Dedicated to "Saint Chrysostomus, that great priest of Constantinople", with his "wonderful eloquence and great courage to face challenges", who "made out of despaired and godless people, a people of brothers", opening a possibility to "become all one complete entity", as Pope Benedict reminded.
- "Reason never enters in real contradiction with Faith", stressed Pope Benedict, who prepared his speeches for France during a short Summer rest at Brixen/Bressanone's Seminar, whose Library honors both "Faith and Science".. - "We must use not only our Reason, but also our Faith" : "Get away from Idolatry", "cupidity", "avidity for money, power or even knowledge deviating from essential aims", and other "falses appearances". and "build your Home on the Rock", "with the force that Holy Spirit gives to those who let it act in them", he said to the People of Paris.
--------------------------------------------------
Benedict at Lourdes : - "Become Light (even) in the Dark !"
------------------------------------------------------------------
- "Our World needs Hope", stressed Pope Benedict, addressing an impressive TorchLight procession at Lourdes' sanctuaries, where a Sea of Lights held by Hundreds of Thousands of People gathered at Pyrenee's Mountains from all over Europe astonishingly kept their flames despite a heavy Rain at a windy Dark Night...
- "150 years earlier (1858 - 2008), ..here, in the cave, ... a simple young girl, Bernadette .. saw a Light". "The everyday life of her Family was, however, made of Misery, Sadness, Sickness, Misunderstandings, Rejection and Poverty... It was hard to live in Jail". Today, "we think to all Human Beings who suffer : The innocent Victims who face Violence, War, Terrorism, Hunger, Injustices, Catastrophes, Hate and Oppression, Violations of Human Dignity and of their fundamental Rights, of their Liberty to act and think. We also think to those who face Familial problems, sufferings from Unemployment, Sickness, Infirmity, Isolation, or their situation as Immigrants, without forgetting those who suffer and die for the name of Christ", he said.
- "But the Shadows of the Earth, did not hinder Sky's Light to shine : <<The Light shines in the Dark>>" ..."A Way full of Light opens in Human History even in its Darkest moments" : ..."As Night falls, Christ tels us : <<- Keep your Lamps alight !>>."Hold a Light while walking in the Night .. sums up our condition as Christians on their way : "We need light, and we are called to become Light !", Benedict stressed to People setting in motion Lights, Flags and Songs with enthousiasm.
"<<- She looked at me as a Person, who speaks to another Person>>, the poor girl had noted."Light emerges from such a Dialogue", stressed the Pope : "A small Flame called Hope, Compassion and Tenderness dwells inside those who return after being moved by Lourdes' experience". "Christ .. entrusts us with the Mission to let the Light of Charity shine : To make of our Prayers an Act of Love to our brothers and to Fraternal Charity", he concluded.
(../..)