European Politics Thread

My point was not the greater picture, but the high participation and how it screwed up with the predicted results. The actual interesting election will happen in NRW.

edited 31st Mar '17 4:13:28 PM by Swanpride

In other Denmark news, the current government (more specifically the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anders Samuelsen) has managed to do the impossible and make the nationalists and the left agree on something.

See, recently there was a petition going around recently that was co-signed by Sweden, Germany, the UK and either other countries, addressed to the Chinese government. The petition expressed concerns about the human rights situation in China and urged the Chinese Communist Party to make sure that torture or denigrations of human rights wouldn't take root in China.

The Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs refused to sign it, saying that he would rather 'discuss it with my conversational partners seeing as how I'm scheduled to travel to China soon.'

Both the Social Liberals, Social Democrats and Danish Peoples' Party have condemned the perceived lack of courage on the Minister's part. The Social Liberal representative (a former Foreign Minister himself) did say it was a difficult balancing act, doing business with China and at the same time leveling criticism, but that the latter is still of vital importance.

On a different note, it is Eurovision time again...Ukraine and Russia are already busy using the opportunity for some chest pounding.

Oh, and for those who have no idea how Eurovision works (mainly Americans), this is how you win the competition in theory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6tgnx6jTQ

but in reality, the decision is highly political. Last year the singer from the Ukraine won(predictable) and this year the whole thing is hosted by the Ukraine. (I wonder what Russia would have done if Conchita Wurst had won in a year in which they hosted the event)

And yes, all the stuff in the video was at one point part of a performance.

Oh, and here some background about the Eurovision itself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuszTGJlRoo

edited 3rd Apr '17 10:01:55 AM by Swanpride

Political aspects aside, we have an Eurovision thread.

Sure, but I didn't really wanted to talk about the competition in itself (you know, interpreters aso) but its role in international politics, since this year it is pretty much a battle ground between Russia and Ukraine.

Case in point: This incident from last month.

China's President Xi to visit Finland

Why's he visiting Finland? Can't be for the saunas.

edited 4th Apr '17 12:09:23 PM by math792d

He was invited by the president. His letter, doesn't say much outside of the usual courtesies and the official reasons (cooperative agreements, Arctic initiatives etc.).

There was also some speculation from the US side, that it might be a move to signal Russia that pressure on the Nordic side would be unwise (essentially playing border country politics). The Arctic Council will also have a meeting on Thursday in Helsinki, with Putin coming around as well. The timing is interesting.

edited 4th Apr '17 12:26:25 PM by TerminusEst

I think China intends to use the situation with both the US and Russia putting pressure on Europe by tightening an alliance with the EU.

Careful...the one thing worse than being China's rival is being China's ally. China doesn't really do good faith alliances. Especially with "filthy" Westerners.

China: "You'll do this for me right? We're all such good friends after all..."

That's Realpolitik for you.

Not saying that this is necessarily a good thing, I am just saying that this is most likely China's motivation. Let's be real, they will never ally with Russia because, dooh, threating neighbour. They will never ally with the US because, well, lots of bad history there. But the EU? That is a fairly realistic option from their point of view. Too bad that the EU insist on doing trade on their terms.

I wouldn't be surprised if China decides to set up an "alliance" with the UK that is wildly imbalanced. From their point of view, they'd probably consider it suitable payback for the Opium Wars.

Or maybe they'll get along famously. May does seem to have the same (lack of) respect for human rights as the CCP.

Guess who is going to trial...again.

edited 5th Apr '17 12:12:43 PM by AngelusNox

Berlusconi is the gift that keeps on giving.

Still a better man than Trump.

Trump lowered the bar so much you can walk past it without even noticing it.

...That is not a low bar. It's burying the bar. In the basement.

He makes David Cameron look like Clement Attlee by comparison.

Trump makes Richard Nixon look like both Roosevelts in comparison.

China doesn't have much interest in alliances, period (aside from their alliance with North Korea, which has really outlived its usefulness). But expanding trade links with the EU make sense, as the EU currently has no reason to ever become involved in conflict with China.

Trump lowered the bar so much, even James Cameron can't find it in his submarine...

Is Here Comes Honey Boo Boo still a thing?

edited 5th Apr '17 2:34:31 PM by TheHandle

Not since June hooked up with a child molester. That molested Anna.

edited 6th Apr '17 3:43:55 AM by Krieger22