Initial Positions on European Integration

OK, we (Greece) are holding elections for the European Parliament and we are going to send our delegates there. That is considered a given. And, despite the vocal objections from the far left, our participation in the European Union and in the euro-zone has never really been put into question. Moreover, it is without doubt that Greece has benefited immensely from participating in the E.E.C., the European Union and the euro-zone. A great amount of money has been poured into Greece, which led to many public works being completed, the auditing functions of the european institutions have kept the greek public debt within comparatively reasonable proportions and the stability of the euro saved Greece from financial disaster. So, overall the balance has been positive.

Yet, this should not deter us from taking a closer look at the way the European Union functions or the proposals put forward in the Treaty of Lisbon for the Union's reform. There are inherent dangers, which we shall examine, among others that of an emerging european mega-bureaucracy, the undefined powers of the Union as against those of the member-States and so on. Also, the so-called "democratic deficit" should also be taken into account.

In a series of posts we shall examine the balance of powers between the Union and the member-States and, also, amongst the Union's instruments.

An English-language Blog for a Greek Political Party

Dear readers, this blog's host has joined the new political movement, Drassi (= Action), an effort to bring common sense to Greek politics.

There are a number of interesting blogs following this party in Greek; your host is an occasional contributor to them. This blog will continue posting in English, in order to provide outsiders who might be interested with a glimpse of greek politics, as seen through the lens of common sense.

Our main immediate goal is to achieve a respectable vote tally at the forthcoming elections for the European Parliament. This blog will seek to present the party's positions on the issues of European integration and to invite opinions, if possible, from citizens of Europe outside Greece. Any suggestions are welcome at the host's e-mail, which is available at his profile.