No shopping on Sunday! What do you think?

Poland recently approved a law that ban Sunday trading. This means that from today (11th March)  every other Sunday the bans will take place (with the exception of some Sundays before religious holidays). 

In Poland the law is the result of the pressure coming mainly by the Church and Solidarnosc, in order to allow employees to spend more time on Sunday with their family and participate in the Religious Ceremonies.

The discussion is really wide, as you can see on Wikipedia.

From one side, it is good to see that people already working the entire week in a shop can have one day break on Sunday and spend it with their families and friends. And for sure, as consumers, we can survive buying what we need in the remain 6 days of the week.

On the other hand, the risk to cut many part-time jobs or push some companies to open during the night or extend their open hours during the week is real, and it wouldn't improve the conditions of the workers at all.

I personally think that Sunday is a good day to rest for everybody. But if a good law is needed to regulate the ban of shopping, it is also needed to regulate the rest of the week, if not the workers will have to work more on the other days. 

Common sense and balance are always the elements the Legislator should consider to regulate a sector.

And you? What do you think?

For more information about Polish Sunday trading ban, you can check Wroclaw Uncut website.

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Eu & Turkey: ready for a wedding?

At the beginning of February, during a visit in Italy, Erdogan claimed again the will for Turkey to enter in the European Union.

The relation between Europe and Turkey are becoming every year worse, especially since the mid-2016 failed coup attempt against Erdogan. And it is the news of few hours ago that the European Union threatened to cancel a summit with Turkey next month because of Turkish tensions with Cyprus over energy exploration (here more info).

Officially the position Brussels is very clear. The negotiation for the enlargement to Turkey is frozen till there will be a visible progress in the fields of human rights and independence of the justice.

But the situation within the Eu governments is much more complex.

From one side, Erdogan is necessary to contain the immigration from Syria. Moreover, Ankara is fundamental for the stabilization of the area.

On the other side, the Turkish government is far away from the principles of a democracy (rights, justice, freedom of expression,...). 

But even if Turkey was a democratic country - and this is my question - would Eu really allow Ankara to enter in the European? What about the building of a European Federation: would this be still possible after the enlargement to a huge and powerful country like Turkey? And which kind of integration could be possible?

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Once upon a time there was the Czechoslovakia

At the beginning of January fell the anniversary of the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. It happened 25 years ago, when after a political agreement between Prague and Bratislava, there was the creation of Czech Republic and Slovakia (united in the same entity since 1918).

It is strange to think about the "Velvet Divorce" now, also remembering that in a poll of September 1992, just the 37% of Slovaks and 36% of Czechs wanted the separation.

The story after the dissolution is clear: at the beginning Prague developed faster, but once Slovakia entered in the Eu, Bratislava became much more competitive, also adopting Euro.

It is interesting to notice that:

"While raw nationalism fueled the conflict in Yugoslavia, economics and inept leadership were the prime causes of Czechoslovakia’s schism—a dynamic that presages the struggle for independence in contemporary Catalonia, a region of Spain."  (From The Economist: The impact of Czechoslovakia’s split)

The parallel with what is going on in Barcelona is obvious. With not real and strong reasons, elites divided a big country. In Czechoslovakia there were no troubles, in Jugoslavia thousands of people died. But what is the point to be independent, if than you want be part of European Union anyway?

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Something is rotten in the state of...Europe

Few days ago, I was reading an online Newspaper and I was quite surprised that in the same day two articles about Europe were published. The first was talking about how EU is strong now, after such a difficult year. The other one was showing the exactly opposite thesis.

The truth is the nobody really knows how EU is now and how it will be in the short-term.

Catalonia, immigration, Brexit are just some of the topics that demonstrate how far we are from a real Union of States.

But going deeper, there are much bigger problems that Europe will have to face next year.

The continue dispute between Poland and Eu could begin a lacerating struggle among the States. 

Austria new young Prime minister is expression of a xenophobic party and is leading a coalition with the ultra-right. This could also bring to further division in Europe, especially on the topic of immigration.

A big question mark is representing the coming elections in Italy, that could bring an Euro-skeptical Party (the Movimento 5 Stelle) at the lead of the Government.

Last but not least, the most important European leader, Angela Merkel, has lost power after the recent German elections.

I doubt the next year will be a moment of important decisions for European Union. 

But let's be positive ;)

Happy new year! 

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The 3 guys who made the "Catalonia Affair" a giant mistake

2017 has seen one of the worst and unreasonable political crisis in Europe since over 20 years: the Catalonia claim of independence.

We have seen the tension before and during the referendum, we have seen the dispute between Rajoy and Puigdemont, the declaration of Independence, the suspension of Catalonia autonomy and the new elections, that showed just yesterday how people are divided. What a mess!

This crisis has been managed badly from all the parties, especially from 3 persons, that have showed a very low political leadership and lack of vision.

First of the list Mariano Rajoy. If you are at the head of the Government of such a big and important Country like Spain, you cannot act like Independentists do not exist. If Catalonia government is issuing a will of independence that brings to a referendum, you really cannot ignore them. Furthermore, what happened during the referendum with the police has convinced many people to vote for going out from Spain. Instead of going for dialogue, Rajoy decided to increase the tension adopting a very short-sighet perspective.

The second responsible of this chaos is Carles Puigdemont. How can you lead a strategic region like Catalonia and arrive to a referendum for an independence that nobody (European Union first) would never accept? Politics is first of all being realistic, and he hasn't be at all.

Third in the list, the King Felipe VI. Just after the referendum, he had the chance to bring stability back in Spain and to represent also the Catalans that peacefully went to vote for the independence. He could be the warrant of the Constitution and of the rights of all of his citizens. He decided for the opposite way attacking Catalonia Independentist, not following - for instance - the King of another country strongly divided like Belgium.

3 weak leaders, huge mistakes and one certainty after the referendum: "Catalonia Affair" is far to end.

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Can Trump be the new "glue" of Europe?

Trump is the 45th President of United States. 

We cannot predict what he will do, but for sure he will have a totally different approach of his predecessor and for sure his Presidency will have a huge impact in the World.

Definitely huge effects are expected in the relation between US and Europe. Few days ago Trump attacked the European Union institution, pointed out the uselessness of NATO, stated the will to improve the relations with Russia and drafted an economic policy based on autarchy more than on globalization.

Under those considerations, which Europe can we expect in the next 4 years?

Few points should be highlighted.

First, the declarations of Trump had the effect to compact the Eu Leaders. The pride to be Europeans came up suddenly. We love to criticize Eu, but sometimes we are also able to see how positive can be, and we will probably see it more after Brexit.

Second, and this can be considered a good news, the TTIP seems definitely over. New US President wants to renegotiate even NAFTA, o we cannot expect free trade agreement with Europe and it is probably better for us. 

Third, if Trump will go ahead with a release from NATO of US, countries like Poland or Baltic States will be somehow forced to get closer to Eu. And Eu will be forced to take care by herself about the security of the Region.

We are already missing Obama, probably not so much for what he really did, but for what he represented. But maybe this change will give new life to Europe and, this is my wish, we will see a united power trying to fight against terrorism, iniquity, social conflicts.

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Why the new settlement for the Uk in Eu is a huge mistake

Finally Uk will stay in the European Union. Brexit has been avoided, at least for the moment and till the referendum in June announced by David Cameron.

The new agreement recognizes the special status Uk has always had in Europe. London won't never be part of a Federal Union and will keep a large autonomy on her credit system.

In my personal opinion, this agreement is a mistake, for two reasons.

First, from the economic perspective, Uk and especially the City will keep their influence in the European market without taking responsibilities and costs.

Second, from the political point of view, Uk will definitely not support the European integration. But at the same time, she will stay in Eu. 

This is a non-sense situation. In the last year we have seen how economic interests have completely destroyed the idea of European Union. From Greece to Uk, the idea of Europe simply died.

This situation will be probably stable for the next ten or twenty years, as nobody has a real interest to change the status quo. The problem of the integration will be back once European influence won't exist anymore. Let's hope it won't be too late...

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Three reasons we don't need to be scared of Marine Le Pen

The win of "Le Front National" in the first turn of the Regional Elections in France few days ago has started a wide debate in Europe.

Marin Le Pen, who lead the party since 2011, has very clear ideas on important topics: end of Euro, stop immigration, protectionism, no same-sex marriage, just to mention the main ones.

Will she be able to win the Presidential Elections in 2017? And if she was President, what could it happen to Europe?

I think we shouldn't be scared of Marine Le Pen for three main reasons.

First, even if the Front National is an important political force, it represents still a minority in France. PS and Republicans still hold the majority of the electorate.

Second, in two years everything can happen. The mood of the electorate can change suddenly, and moreover, the voting logics are very different from the local to the national level.

Third and the most important, European Union needs a political shock. It wasn't enough Syriza and the ghost of Grexit, not enough what it is happening in Syria. Maybe the political and economical establishment need to imagine a France led by Marine Le Pen in order to start thinking a new idea of Europe. 

Never too late.

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The numbers of the Syrian Crisis

In these days migration is the key word on all the media in Europe. The increase of the numbers of refugees, especially from Syria, has brough different answers from the Eu Countries and the debate about how to manage the crisis is still open.

But what do we know about Syria war? Which are the numbers that can explain us the tragedy that is going on in this Country?

The Syrian war started in 2011 during the Arab Spring, with protests against the president Bashar al-Assad. The conflict sees many different actors: the national Army (supported also by Hezbollah), ISIS, the Free Syrian Army and other forces.

The number of victims seems currently close to 300 thousand, under severe human rights violations.

The gravity of this situation has caused the displacement of around 7 million of Syrians (out of 18 millions in total). It is estimated that 4 million people moved abroad from Syria to  Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

More than a million is currently in Lebanon (that has a population of 4.5). Turkey accepted almost 2 million of refugees.

The situation in Syria is every day worst. And that is why people are leaving the Country.

At the same time the reaction of Europe has been, as always lately, incoherent and egoistic. Even if Eu is a leading donor for the crisis with 3.9 billion Euros, the treatment of the refugees has not been the best possible, as we have seen recently in Greece (left alone to face the immigration) and in Hungary.

Number of refugees per Country since 2011 (NYT)

Europe is the richest area in the World. It is not acceptable that it doesn't take actions in a humanitarian crisis that is happening at its borders.

The voice of Germany that wants to change the rules of the European immigration policy, seems finally a good start for changing direction. Let's hope that there won't be just words, but also facts.

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The right to say NO

Yesterday Greeks decided. 

After many years of austerity that didn't bring any positive results in the economy and, overall, in the people life, Greeks have decided that was enough.

Celebrations in Syntagma Square (Athens)

It was enough to be oppressed by reforms that have made the Country much poorer that ten years ago. It was enough to be under a constant blackmail. It was enough to be considered the black sheep of Europe even after all the efforts done to respect what Europe wanted.

The result of the Greek referendum points out two political elements. The first is that asking people what they want, it is always the best way. Democracy works when it is really used. And in a community, people must be informed and must have the right to decide.

The second element is that Europe doesn't work at all. This vote is not a victory of Tsipras, it is the defeat of Brussels, the defeat of the IMF and overall, the defeat of the German idea of the European Union. 

And tomorrow? 

Greeks have been brave, as we don't know what will happen in the next weeks. They gave us a lesson: a small Country can decide its destiny also against the most important and powerful powers of the world. Let's hope that this vote will have positive effects on Greece and on the entire Europe.

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The default of Greece is the default of Europe

Once again all Europe is focused on Greek crisis.

After the failure of the negotiations between Greece and Eu , Athens have decided to ask directly the population about the new agreement proposed by Europe.

Is this a good decision?

Definitely yes.

First, a referendum is the most democratic instrument possible. Population must be involved in such a decision that, in a way or in the other, will deeply touch their lives.

Second, the choice made by the Greek government has put pressure on the European Institutions. If Greeks will vote against the agreement, the crisis that can born in Europe is unpredictable. 

The small Greece represents the paradox of an Europe that has completely forgot its values. 

This situation is just the result of the contradictions of the European States. They don't want a strong Europe, as they don't want to lose power. So the rules of the game are not clear and strong enough. 

Greece got huge benefits to be part of Europe, but now it is smashed between the pressure of Germany and France and the fear of the population.

Many years of austerity didn't change anything. The situation got worse and worse. And today we are still here, looking at the Cradle of the democracy, that can collapse together with the ideal of a Federal European Union.

One thing is sure: the imminent default of Greece is the default of all Europe. 

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Immigration: the face of an Europe we don't want!

What it is happening in Italy and in Europe in these days is a shame.

3279 immigrants died in 2014 in the Mediterranean Sea, and this year there are already 1754 victims. The 18th of April one only incident in the Sicilian Channel caused more than 700 victims. 

And what is Europe doing?

Immigrants at the Milan Station (2015)

The Governments are talking about rules, law and national competencies. In the meantime, today in some train stations in Italy (like in Milan and Rome), there are hundreds of immigrants that want to reach their families in the north of Europe but Schengen has been temporary suspended and they actually live in the stations.

Egoism seems the predominant feeling in these days all around Europe, when the topic is the immigration, as well as the Greek crisis or the social policies for the people with less opportunities.

In a very interesting article published on the Italian newspaper La Stampa, it was reported that 170 thousand immigrants "destibilized" Europe last year, but Turkey had to face to an immigration from Syria and Iraq of more than 2 million of people and Lebanon - a country of 4 million of inhabitants - hosts 2 millions of refugees.

Europe is the biggest economy in the world. Even in this difficult period, we should not forget that solidarity is one of the most important value of our common roots.

Should we leave people sleeping and living under the bridges or in the stations? Is this the Europe we want? Is this the spirit we want to pass on the new generations?

I don't.

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Do we really need the TTIP?

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States.

US and EU together represent 60% of global GDP, 33% of world trade in goods and 42% of world trade in services. The barriers between the two most important economies in the world are already law, but the purpuse of the TTIP is to consolidate the relations, improving the trade between the parts, facilitating the competition and creating new jobs.

This agreement is strongly criticized for the method of the negotiation and for the potential effects of it. In fact, the negotiation is held in a confidential way, that doesn't allow the public opinion to know the details of the agreement and it doesn't facilitate a public discussion.

Moreover, this agreement could bring damages to the consumers, to the workers and to the environment. From one side, there should be specific Institutions that could judge about the litigations between States and private companies outside the national jurisdiction. This could give more power to the biggest private corporations. From the other, Us didn't ratify many agreements related to labor rights and environment protections, and this could bring a sort of social dumping against Europe.

We can draft two kinds of considerations. First, more economic freedom can raise the level of competitions in the markets and this is reflected also in the prices: but which is the social cost of it? Second, the negotiations must be subjected to the public opinion, because the effect of TTIP will deeply touch our life.

The 10th of June the European Parliament had to express an opinion about TTIP in a special session in Strasbourg. Thanks to the pressure of a huge majority in the Parliament, the vote and the discussion has been postponed. We will see how much force the Parliament and the voice of the public opinion can have in the future discussion, also considering the pressure of G7 to reach an agreement.

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Can Mustafa Akıncı be a new beginning for Cyprus?

Few weeks ago the Presidential Elections were held in the Turkish part of Cyprus. The winner has been Mustafa Akinci (68), former Major of the Turkish Municipality of Nicosia and Member of the Parliament.

Mustafa Akinci

Akinci is a "leftist moderate", as he described himself. During the electoral campaign, he promoted a fraternal but not submissive relation with Turkey (that contributes for one third of Northern Cyprus public balance) and a stronger collaboration with the Greek part of the Island.

Cyprus is currently divided in two parts by the "Green Line",  a demilitarized zone, patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), that was established in 1974 following the Turkish invasion of the Country.

Cyprus is part of European Union since 2004 (at least the Greek part). And the capital, Nicosia, is the last city diveded by a wall in Europe. It is hard to believe that the Akinci election will bring to the reunification of the island. But let's be optimistic: it can be a new beginning for the Country, based on good relations between North and South.

We will see how Greece and Turkey will influence those relations.

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Is ECB the strongest opponent to austerity?

The European Central Bank has chosen the way of a "quantitative easing" to stop the crisis and push the growth. 

The announcement, made by the President Mario Draghi, has been received successfully by the investors and by the most part of the European Countries, except for Germany and the block of Nordics.

The general aim of this operation is that, buying 60 billion Euros of public debt per month, ECB could reduce the value of Euro, facilitating the export and also the access to the bank credit. This decision should increase the inflation tax and bring benefits to all the economy.


The Us Federal Reserve adopted this decision already in 2008, why in Europe did we have to wait till now?

The answer is quite obvious: the resistance of Germany. From Berlin, the  austerity and the internal reforms were the ways to reduce the National debts and improve their economies, without considering the social  (and then also political) effects.

That is why the media reaction to the decision of the ECB has not been positive in Germany. At the opposite, in the rest of Europe the operation has been considered necessary and with positive effects for everybody.

It is impossible to predict which will be the real effect of this decision. But we can draw two considerations. First, this choise is the first wide and robust action of the ECB, as indepent Istitution of the European framework. Second, the economic policy adoped till yesterday must be dismessed because it didn't work.

Euro can be an advantage just if the economic policy can represents and help all the Countries. It is impossible to be under a unique currency and adopting only the German perspective. In the last years we have seen the contraposition between Berlin and the rest of Europe. It seemed that Angela Merkel imposed her strategy to exit from the crisis. But today something is changing: the elctions in Greece and Spain could modify the political scenario in Europe. Over all Mario Draghi won a match against the austerity and maybe he represents the strongest opponent to Germany in the European arena.

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Are Turkish events a huge failure of European Union?

What's happening in Turkey?

Few days ago two heads of police and at least 24 journalists have been arrested in 13 different cities. The Director of the newspaper Zaman, Ekrem Dumanli, and the Director of the broadcasting Samanyolu, Hidayet Karaca have been also included in the list.

It seems that those events are the result of an internal war inside the right wing of the Turkish politics. In particular, a contraposition between Endogan, President of Turkey and leader of AKP and Muhammed Fethullah Gülen, leader of an Islamic movement and considered by Erdogan author of the corruption scandal of the last year that deeply touched AKP.

Protests at the Headquarter of Zaman, in Ankara

Turkey is the country with the highest number of journalists in prisons in the World: 40 journalist, against 35 in Iran, 32 in China, 22 in Eritrea and 18 in Vietnam, following the report of the Committee to protect journalists.

European Union condemned the arrests, conflicting the freedom of press, one of the fundamental value of democracy and of Eu itself. But which are the responsibilities of Eu in the authoritative deviation of Turkey?

There are two main points of view presented in these days. Someone is pointing out how Turkey is not at all "aligned" to the European values and so it is not possible imagine an accession to Eu, now and never. Some others see the current situation as the consequence of a not-choice of the European Institutions about the adhesion of Turkey. 

It is clear that Europe didn't want a powerful Turkey inside their institutions. If Ankara have had entered in the Eu, it would have been the second most populated Country after Germany and the first military force, modifying the fragile balance that is still allowing the existence of the Union itself. 

Even if Europe didn't want a Turkey inside, would it have been possible a stronger relationship with Ankara? Would it have been possible to help the democratization of Turkey and therefore the  stabilization of all the area, where Ankara plays a central role?

But Brussels adopted another positions, well synthesized from the cartoon below, published in 2004 (but always current) by the International Herald Tribune.  A Turkish couple wants to enter in the Eu door and someone on the top of the wall says: "If I open the door, do you promise me not to enter?".

Source: International Herald Tribune (2004)

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What is the economic relation between Poland and Russia?

In the last months, during the Ukrainian crisis, Poland and Russia have been strongly opposed. Warsaw has firmly supported Kiev against Putin interference. But the position of Poland has deeply exposed itself to the ban of import of some products decided  by Putin.

Even the contraposition between Poland and Russia has solid roots in the history, this has not prevent both the Countries to have a natural economic connection.

Which is the economic relation between Russia and Poland?

Russia is the fifth economic partner of Poland: more than 5% of total polish export goes towards Moscow for an amount of 9 billions of dollars per year. An important item is represented by apples that are the 27% of total apples imported in Russia. 

Instead, Warsaw mainly buys from Moscow oil (93% of the total) for a business of around 17 billions of dollars per year. The rest of oil comes from Norway (3,23%), Kazakhstan (2,07%) and Tunisia (0,45%) (Source: Observatory of Economic complexity).

Those numbers explain why the ban of fruit import decided by Putin in August has so deeply touched the economy of Poland. By the way, Poles have answered proudly with a movement born on Social Media: "Eat apples to annoy Putin" ,inviting to eat polish apples as protest against the President of Russia.

Finally, it is interesting to notice that the anti-Russian position has been hold against economical interests. Poland has paid economic consequences, but it has also had frictions with some European Partners. It is interesting to see that sometimes values seem more important than money.

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Few considerations after Tusk election as President of European Council

The 30th of August 2014 Donald Tusk has been nominated President of European Council. He will replace Herman Von Rompuy, President since December 2009.

The President of European Council is an important role in the Eu Institutional Framework: he/she is the principal representative of the European Union on the World stage and the person presiding over and driving forward the work of the European Council.

Simplifying, if European Union was a State, the Parliament and the EU Council could be the two branches of the Legislative Power, the Commission could represent the Government and the European Council (the college of Heads of State or Government of EU member States as well as the President of the European Commission) could be compared to the Head of State.

It will be interesting to see in the next months which consequences this designation will bring to Poland and, generally, to Europe. 

Two are the main fields to observe. First of all, the economy: Tusk is very close to the positions of Angela Merkel, that means a development with fiscal strictness and no space for more flexibility that Countries like France or Italy would like to have. Moreover, Tusk will preside over the Euro summit even if Poland doesn't have Euro yet. Will Tusk election push Poland in Eurozone? How the new President will manage the conflicts inside the European Council about the economic rules of the next years?

The second area of interest will be the foreign policy. Tusk is considered, for example, a hawk in the relations Eu - Russia. Will he persuade Eu to adopt a more rigid position against Putin? Or the new Miss Pesc Federica Mogherini will balance him (as she is considered a dove)? How will other Countries pro-Russia (as Hungary or Cyprus) react in a possibly cooling of the relations with Putin by the Eu?

Those are just conjectures. Probably nothing will really change inside the European Council, where States still have the last word. But for sure Tusk designation gives a new face at the European Union. It is the first time that a such important office is committed to a political exponent of a Eastern Country, exactly ten years after the Eastern Enlargement of Eu. For Poland, getting this role is definitely an honor and a recognition of its strategic importance and constantly increasing power inside Europe. Without forgetting the designation of Elzbieta Bienkowska as European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, another fundamental role in the European political arena.

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Waiting for EU Elections: the advance of Eurosceptical Parties

The European Elections 2014 are coming. Between the 22^nd and 25^th of May, the citizens of the 28 Eu States will have to choose the new 751 members of the European Parliament. It will be the 8^th Election of the Parliament and the first after the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

Eu Parliament in Strasbourg

The contest of this Elections is well known. The Economic Crisis and especially the austerity held by Eu Institutions has strongly degreased the public approval of the European Leadership. For this reason, it seems very probable an affirmation of Eurosceptical Parties in many Countries.

The website Electio2014.eu gives updated projections about the electoral intentions of vote in Europe. In three Countries, France, Uk and Czeck Republic, the Eurosceptics could become the first political force, but the situation in other Nations has to be monitored too. Let's have an overview.

In France, Front National leaded by Marine Le Pen, is accredited by the 23% of votes, whilst the UMP and Parti Socialiste should reach the 21% and the 17% respectively. In Uk the Uk Indipendence Party (UKIP) could win the elections with the 31% of votes, against the Labour  (28%) and the Conservatives (22%).

Moreover, also in Italy there is an important Eurosceptical force that could reach a great result in the next elections, the Movimento Cinque Stelle. This Party has got the 25% of votes (third political force) in the 2013 national elections and this time could reach the 24%, becoming the second force after the Partito Democratico.

In Eastern Europe, it must be pointed out the situation in Czech Republic and Hungary. In the first Country, another Eurosceptical Party could win, the Action of Dissatisfied Citizens, with the 24% of votes. In Hungary, after the impressive victory of the conservative forces at the last national elections of April 2014 (NotonlyEurope - Hungarian Elections 2014), there could be another affirmation of Fidesz and Jobbik: they could get together the 65% of the votes.

Special attention should also be given to Greece. SYRIZA, the Coalition of the Radical Left, could become the first political force with the 27% of votes, overtaking the Prime Minister Party Nea Democratia, attested at 25%.

A question can be finally posed: could be a real drama the victory of this Eurosceptical Parties in many Countries?

Two points should be consider to answer: first, the two major forces will be again the Party of European Socialists and the European People's Party. They will compete for the designation of the President of the Eu Commission and will play a central role in the next European  Legislature.

Second, the advance of Euroscepticism could represent an opportunity for a deep reflection about the European Union: why we are part of this Entity, what we have created in the last 60 years and what we can achieve in the future. Maybe this time, the debates should be less rhetorical and more realistic. European citizens have the right to know better what European Union is, considering not only the costs, but also the advantages.

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Waiting for Eu Elections: why has Euro been adopted?

Euro, the official currency of 18 members of European Union, is constantly at the center of the public debate since it has been adopted the 1st January 2002.

Especially in the last years, a large part of the public opinion has pointed Euro as the source of all the problems and weaknesses of the European economy.The question at the base of every discussion about Euro is apparently very simple: is Euro an advantage or a load for European Countries? 

Everyone can answer to this question in a very different way and from different points of view. But there is another question, important as well, not everybody can answer to: why has Euro been adopted?

On the website of the European Commission some benefits of a common currency are reported:

More choice and stable prices for consumers and citizens

Greater security and more opportunities for businesses and markets

Improved economic stability and growth

More integrated financial markets

A stronger presence for the EU in the global economy

A tangible sign of a European identity

Moreover, from a technical point of view, at the end of 80s it was clear that building a European single market without a common currency was absolutely impossible. 

History provides the evidence of that. For example, till the unification in 1870, Italy was divided in several small Countries, each one with its own currency. Only after the unification, under a unique currency, the economic integration has been able to grow up. And could we imagine the same economic power of USA, if there were 50 different currencies?

Obviously Eu economic governance doesn’t work well. It is evident to everyone. But it is also true that National Governments very often transfer their responsibilities on Euro, hiding their faults and their weaknesses.

Finally, today travelling from Warsaw to Budapest requires using four different currencies and imply losing money for each transaction. Can we really imagine to crystallize this situation also in the future?

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