newsitems

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- An Absolute Majority, (of about 48 MPs out of a Total of 90), in Slovenia's Parliament can be, normaly, reached by the Center-Right, Headed by the Experienced former Twice Prime Minister Janez Jansa, (and former EU President in office: See Infra), whose "SDS" Party came Clearly 1st in Today's National Elections for the Period of 2018-2023.

The move is closely Watched both by European and Global Players, as it seems also Related to Wider, New Political Trends, during the run up to the Forthcoming, Crucial EU Parliament's Elections, scheduled in Less than a Year's Time, on May 2019, and to Different Strategy Options, currently "Hotly" Debated throughout Many EU Member Countries, (See Infra).

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    >>> Indeed, according to the Full Results, Jansa's Center-Right Party "SDS", which came 1st currently by the Biggest Number of MPs (25+), may Lead an Absolute Majority Coalition that could be Formed f.ex. with the "ChristianDemocrats/New Slovenia" ("NSI") Party which has now 7 MPs, and the so-called "Rightists" (in fact Atypical Right) of the "SNS" Party (which just re-Entered Parliament after years of absence) with 4 MPs, Extended to an a priori Logical Deal with the Centrists of the "SMC" Party (10 MPs). I.e. resulting into a Group of 46 MPs, out of the 90 that has in Total the Slovenian Parliament.

+ Moreover, given also the Links between the Slovenian Right with the Hungarian Right of Victor Orban, and the Italian new "Atypical" Coalition between the "5 Stars Movement" and Mateo Savini's "Lega" (mainly at the North, and particularly in the NE Region around Venice's Adriatic Coasts), it seems Probable that Jansa might also receive the Endorsement of the + 2 Italian and Hungarian Minority MPs, thus making his Coalition Grow up to a Stronger 48 (out of 90) MPs Absolute Majority.

++ Last, but not least, Slovenian People's 2018 Real Choice for the Right Side of the Political Spectrum, in Fact, Goes even Further : The Biggest Number of Votes among those Parties which did Not Cross the 4% Threshold required in order to Enter the Parliament went, by far, to the Conservative "Slovenian People's Party" (SLS : which had won MPs in Coalition with the "ChristianDemocrats" in the Past, f.ex. on 2008), Getting 2,7% with 23.131 Votes, (while, among Various Others, in Comparison,  f.ex. the "Greens" got Only 1% and 9.407 Votes, and the "Left Unity" Only 0,5% and 4,933 Votes, etc)...

Interestingly, the "SLS"' Conservatives, (after Reaching a Pic High in the 1996 Elections with 19 MPs), they have Already succesfully Cooperated with the "Christian Democrats" of "New Slovenia" ("NSI") Party, as Early as since 2000, in the National Parliament Elections, (when they had got 8 MPs), and again in the 2014 European Elections, when they Won, Together, about 17 % of the Votes, (Holding, Since then, 2 MEPs in EU Parliament).

Concerning that  "ChristianDemocrats-New Slovenia" ("NSI") Party, it has just Won +2 MPs more, (Getting 7 MPs in all), as it Regularly does, already during the 3 Latest elections :  2011, 2014 and 2018. It is represented in EU Parliament also by the former Prime Minister of Slovenia (1996-1998) Aloisj Peterle, himself a former Foreign Minister and Prime Minister, recently Top MEP and Head of EU - FYROM Delegation, who has given various Responses to "Eurofora"s Questions on Topical Issues, (including on our Project for EU Citizens Debates with MEPs Before they take Decisions affecting their Lives ad/or Society at large, (See, f.ex., at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/topmeppeterleoncitizensdebatesbeforeeudecisions.html, etc).

-------------------------------------------

 * However, it's also true that an Exceptionaly Big Number of Various, even "Original", Political Parties took part in this 2018 Elections :  26 in all (10 with MPs and 16 WithOut), among which, were Included Also 10 "New" Parties, (9 withOut MPs, and 1 with MPs).

Among them, those Small Parties which were Excluded from Parlementarian Representation (16), just Because they didn't cross the Threshhold with a required Minimum of 4%), got, in Total, some 12,69% of the Votes !

 I.e. even More than the SECOND BIG Party in Slovenia, (12,66% : "LMS"), a New one, which bears the Name of a former Comedian, recently Mayor of a Village and shortly Failed Candidate for the Presidency, reportedly in favor of Private Pensions, Abortion, Homosexuality and Legalizing Cannabis, etc, Marjan Sarec, for whom Left-leaning "NYT" Establishment's Newspaper sees "Prime Ministerial" Ambitions...

Sarec is on record for having Excluded any Coalition with "Populists" (as those of the former Twice Prime Minister and current Winner of the 2018 Election, Jansa), and even for Calling to Aggravate even Further the above-mentioned, Record-High Exclusion of Small Parties from the Parliament (about 12,7% of People's Votes), by Imposing an Even Higher Threshhold Level, Before they might be Allowed to have any MP.

But the Non-Represented Small Parties, which, taken together with the Invalid/Blanc Votes, Gathered Now More than 116.000 + Registered Voters, (i.e. Higher even than the 2nd Big Party, LPSarec's Votes : some 111.000), Include not only 9 New Parties, Totaling almost 13% of the Casted Votes, but also Many "Atypical" Parties, such as, f.ex., "for a Healthy" or "Fair Society", "Good Country", anOther "Journalist ...Pozar",  "Save ...from Elite and Tycoons", "Pirate Party", etc. : I.e. a Lot of Converging Facts which Clearly Indicate a Currently Growing Popular Trend for Citizens to Search for Something New, Original and which would be Really Able to Protect and Promote the People's Main Interests Nowadays.

A Recent Phenomenon, which was also Oberved, until now, Not Only in Slovenia, but Also Elsewhere in Europe, f.ex., among Others, also in Greece (between 2011 - 2017+), in the Czech Republic, (particularly in the Latest Elections there : See ...), etc.

=> Therefore, Frontrunner Janez Jansa, Leader of the currently 1st Bigger Party "SDS", from the Center-Right, should be Well Advised, (even, and particularly, in case of eventual New Elections, if a Stable Majority might, perhaps, be Not Found this time), to Search Well for any Real Possibility for Coalition with Like-Minded People, Now and in the foreseeable Future, even if, a priori, they might, eventually, Appear to be of this or that kind of "Atypical" trend, in surface : In Fact, what Counts Most is the Substance of the Main Issues, (as, inter alia, f.ex., the recent Italian New Government Coalition between the Atypical "5 Stars Movement" and "Lega", Based on an Agreed Joint Program Focused on Key Issues, also shows, in one way or another).

------------------------------------

Jansa is well Known personaly to "Eurofora", already since his role on Past rotating EU Presidency as Early as already since 2008, (particularly via EU Parliament in Strasbourg), but also during his frequent Participations to the ChristianDemocrats/EPP Party's Summits until recently in Brussels, (See, inter alia, also, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eustrategyongreeceshengenmediterranean.html, etc).
He was notoriously Supported, this time, also by the popular, 3-times in a row re-Elected Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban (in his 4rth Term since 2000), particularly on the Topical European Issue of recent Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants since 2015/2016 mainly through Turkey, etc, and other Topical matters.

And, by a in interesting Topical Coincidence, this June 2018 Slovenian Election's Results came just a Few Days After "Eurofora" had, precisely, Raised the Question of Victor Orban's Popular Choices in certain Key Policies Nowadays, in view of the Fothcoming, crusial EU Parliament's Elections of May 2019, to the Experienced President of the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Party (HeadQuartered in Brussels), former Long-Time Strasbourg's Top MEP, Joseph Daul, on May 29, (See: ...).

But the overall Electoral Victory of the Slovenian Center-Right will certainly be Welcomed, inter alia, also by USA President Don Trump's Wife Melania, who personaly stems from Slovenia...

*Strasbourg/EU-Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- A Key EU Personality : the EU Ombudswoman (alias : EU Defensor of Citizens' Rights), Emily O'Reilly, from Ireland, Replying to an "Eurofora" Question about Our Project for mainly Web-Based EU Citizens' Public Debates with EU Decision-Makers (as, f.ex. MEPs, etc) Before Taking Measures which Affect their Lives and/or Society at large, observed that it's, indeed, "a Huge Issue", but also "a Matter of Political Will", for which, Nowadays, the Doors "May be Open !", (See Infra).

--------------------------------------------

(Exceptionaly Long Queu waiting to Enter EU Parliament's Building in Strasbourg for 2018 EYE Event, after a RainStorm Hindered to use an initially prepared Campus)

------------------------------

    O'Reilly was speaking in Strasbourg, between the conclusion of EU Parliament's May Plenary Session and the Beginning of "EYE" Annual Event, with the participation of Thousands of Young People from all over Europe, President Tajani and other MEPs, EU Experts, etc., in EU Parliament's Building here for 2 Days, Friday and Saturday, 1+2 June 2018, which is the last Big Event before the Electoral Campaign for the forthcoming May 2019 European Elections : I.e. amidst such an ambiant noise (given the Popular Success of this Event, as a relevant Photo clearly shows, that she had to Carefully concentrate her Attention in order to clearly hear what "Eurofora" had to say)...

  - In "Eurofora"s Question to EU Ombudswoman, we observed that O'Reilly has "Recently spoken very much about the Transparency of the (EU) Decision-Making process, and, also, about the Participation of Citizens and Civil Society", (already since Early February 2018: See "Eurofora"s NewsReport at ...). But, as you know, onOther Aspect of Lisbon Treaty's Article 11, speaks about a Possibility for "Regular Dialogue", as well as about the "Expression" of EU Citizens' Views, and "Exchanges" on the "Acts" of the EU Authorities, including, f.ex., EU Parliament, and others.

=> - "Do you think that it would be Good, on this (Legal) Basisn to Initiate, (in the "Softest" and Easier posssible way for all), Public Debates between EU Citizens, Civil Society, etc., and, f.ex., EU Parliament's key MEPs, Before Decisions are taken, which may Affect their Lives, and/or All the Society ?", we queried.

 "In this way, f.ex. EU Parliament could have a View of EU Citizens' opinions on the Issues on which it might Debate and/or Vote. It could also give an Opportunity to EU Decision-Makers to Explain the Reasons for which they might take one or another Decision", "Eurofora" observed.

 - "F.ex., a Week Before the Plenary, EU Citizens might have a Chance, thanks also to Digital Technologies, to Express their Views and hold a Debate, eventually we practicaly observed.

- New French President Emanuel Macron has just Told Us that he would be in Favour of such a Development, extending even After the forthcoming EU Parliament's Elections of May 2019, as well as some Others. But You (as EU's Ombudswoman/Defensor of EU Citizens) are at a Key EU Position for that.

-----------------

- "Yeah", O'Reilly spontaneously reacted, particularly on the "Regular Dialogue" point of the above mentioned Lisbon Treaty's Article 11...

 - "I take the Overall Point, about People to be Able to Engage (in Dialogue with EU Decision-Makers), Before Decisions are made", the EU Ombudswoman told "Eurofora" at the Beginning of her Reply.

 - "That's a Huge Issue !", Emily O'Reilly observed from the outset, with a Serious look.

- "Obviously, there are All Sorts of Ways in which this could be Attempted to be done, f.ex., via Public Debates, Consultations, etc., she pointed out.

- Recently, "what I've been Trying to do is to make EU Council more accountable for Transparency, because People doN't yet known what Positions the EU Member States are Taking", she reminded, (Comp. : ..., etc).

 - On what you ("Eurofora") said, "sometimes, the Responsibility is, of course, also on Brussels (i.e., f.ex., EU Commission, etc) to Engage" (in Dialogue with EU Citizens on forthcoming Decisions), she Acknowledged.

-  "But it's also on (EU) Member States (i.e. EU Council, etc), as well, in relation to Their Citizens, their Parliaments, etc", she observed, in Reply to "Eurofora"s Question, i.e Interestingly pointing at a Wider Dimension of this matter, including also the National Public Administrations' relations with Citizens, (a Topical aspect on which "Eurofora"' co-Founder has been notoriously working in the framework of an original Legal Research at a "Doctorat d'Etat" level in the French University, since a Long Time ago, but also Nowadays).

 - "They (People) very Often Don't even Know what really Europe has done, (by Radio, TV, Newspapers, etc), while they know about EveryDay Life Politics", and so on, she observed, (also as a former Experienced, Long-Time Journalist).

 - Usually, "It Seems that it's Very Hard" for EU News to reach out to the People. "But, actually, one of the Good points about it, (i.e. Dialogue between EU Authorities and Citizens : Comp. Supra), is that", even without being "Dramatic", "I think that (EU) "Citizens are going to Consider this, (i.e.) to Learn something (in Reply) from the Politicians who are Making important (EU) Decisions here", O'Reilly observed Positively. speaking about EU Parliament's Building.

- Otherwise, in the Past, Statistics indicate that, in some Countries, only a Small Percentage of Young People Voted in EU Elections. And, in general, Often these People "do Not Relaize the Power that EU Organisations have got in recent years, Not even the Power that they have themselves, as Voters, to collectively choose this or that Political Majority, of the Right, the Left, or Center, etc, by Voting in EU Elections.

Obviously, as a matter of normal Democratic way of functioning, EU Citizens' Votes could, afterwards, logically Reward or Sanction, this or that Political Group, according to the Outcome of a previous Dialogue with them on EU Decisions affecting their Life and/or Society at large, as "Eurofora" suggested (Comp. Supra).

- But, the concrete Developpement, or not, of such Exchanges between EU Decision-Makers and EU Citizens, according also to Liisbon Treaty's Article 11, as "Eurofora" had hinted (Comp. Supra), in fact, it's a Matter of Political Will !", O'Reilly stressed in Reply.

+ However, Questioned, subsequently, by "Eurofora", if she Felt that, "Nowadays, the Door is Open, or Closed", in this regard, the EU Ombudswoman, after a Thoughtful moment, chose to Enigmatically, but quite Optimistically, Reply, with a Smile : - "I think that it May be Open !"...

(../..)

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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already send, Earlier, to "Eurofora" Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be published asap)

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*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Replying to an "Eurofora" Question, the Experienced President of ChristianDemocrat/EPP Party (HQ in Brussels), former Long-Time Head of EPP MEPs' Group in EU Parliament, and Strasbourg's Top MEP himself, Joseph Daul, strongly underlined the Fact that Popular Hungary's Prime Minister Victor Orban was Recently Re-Elected for a 3rd Time, has Won really "Democraticaly".

- "Orban was really Elected Democraticaly. Nobody can seriously contest this Fact. That's all !", Daul stressed, with a Big Smile, to "Eurofora", SIgnificantly amidst Various Relevant Reflections, Anouncements and Developments about the Crucial forthcoming EU Elections of May 2019. (See Infra).

- But, even if he naturally Acknowledged the Exceptional Fact that Orban's Re-Election was the 3rd in a Row, (a Score that Only Fellow ChristianDemocrat/EPP German Chancelor Angie Merkel, 4 Times Re-Elected, can Match), and even with a Higher Numer of Votes than previously, becoming, since 2000, for a 4rth Time Prime Minister in Hungary, Nevertheless, Daul diplomatically abstained, at least for the Time being, in his Reply to "Eurofora" relevant Question, from making Now an Explicit Link to his European Party's Strategy for the 2019 EU Election, given also the fact that it still Remains to be Officially Fixed, (See Infra).

Daul is Regularly Hosting, mostly in Brussels, but also Elsewhere in Europe, "EPP Summits" with Heads of State/Government and other Political Leaders' from his Party, including German Chancelor Angie Merkel, Austria's Sebastien Kurz, Hungary's Victor Orban, Romania's Klaus Iohannis, Croatia's Andrej Plenković, etc., Most of whom, by a Timely "Coincidence", currently Hold Office around EU's CENTRAL "HeartLand", (alias "MITTEL-EUROPA")', GeoPolitical Area, spreading around Orban's Hungary, (But Extend also much Further Away, as, f.ex., between Norway's Erna Solberg and Cyprus' Nicos Anastassiades, etc).

- ChristianDemocrats/EPP Party has "a Great Responsibility" for Europe, not only Because it's "the Biggest" in EU Parliament, but also since "We currently have the Presidents of EU Commission (Juncker), EU Council (Tusk) and EU Parliament (Tajani), as well as the EU Chief Negotiator for BREXIT" (Barnier), added to "79 National Political Parties in 41 Countries", Daul reminded from the outset, speaking at one among the first  pre-electoral EPP Meetings before the 2019 Elections in 11 Months, where "Eurofora" was Invited by Strasbourg's MEP Anna Sander.

=> Lessons of recent Austrian, Hungarian, and Italian Elections, (perhaps also Slovenian soon, according to Polls), before similar developments, eventually reach even Sweden on September 2018, Added also to Various Relevant Facts in France, Germany, etc, seem to Stimulate a possible overall EPP policy Shift, which may be Shaped at that Leading European Party's next Congress, scheduled for "November 2018 in Finland", due to "choose our New "Spitzen-Kandidat", as noted Daul, in order to Lead the overall pre-Electoral Campaign and Head towards EU's Top Jobs for the Period of 2019-2024.

It's in this Context that Victor Orban has Recently Supported, during the current n Parliamentary Elections' Campaign in Neighbouring Slovenia, (where lives also an Hungarian Minority represented in that Parliament), his Fellow ChristianDemocrat/EPP Top Candidate, the Experienced former Twice Prime MInister and EU Chairman in office, Janez Jansa, that Polls show Winning this race at next Sunday's Vote.

+ Moreover, Orban is considered to have particularly Good Relations even with the New Italian Government's influential vice-Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, Head of "Lega" Party, and close to EPP Member, former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, his Electoral Ally in a Center-Right Coalition, as well as to Georga Bellini's "Fratelli d'Italia" Party, also of the Right, (in Addition to the New Austrian Chancelor Sebastien Kurz, etc). Last, but not least, (Despite some Problems in the Past), he also cultivated particularly Good Relations, after the Historic German Chancelor Helmut Kohl (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/victororbanoneuropeanandnationalreferenda.html), and Now Both with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and USA's New President Don Trump.

 Comp. also Prime Minister Orban's Replies to "Eurofora"s Questions, inter alia, also, f.ex., at Press Conferences in EU Summit in Brussels, when he took over Eu's rotating Presidency on 2010: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/victororbanoneuidentityandenergy.html, EU Parliament in Strasbourg, mainly on 2013 : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/primeministerorbanonvaluesmovementandeuelection.html, and at the EU-27 Summit in Bratislava on 2016 : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/victororbanoneuropeanandnationalreferenda.html, (etc).

++ And by anOther such "Coincidence", of important Symbolic Nature, it's Just a Few Days Ago, on 23-24 May 2018, that Orban, who currently Holds the 2017-2018 Presidency of the "Visegrad" Group of Countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia), has Organized a High Profile "International Conference", at Buda's Castle, with Top Expert Invitees also from Other European Countries and even elsewhere in the World (f.ex. USA, etc), precisely about the "Future of Europe", in the run-up to the Crucial EU Summit of December 2018 in Brussels, where EU's 27 Heads of State/Government are notoriously due to Take Decisions on how to eventually Reform the EU for the foreseable Future. Meanwhile, "Visegrad" Group's 4 Countries have Already Published, since the eve of EU's February 2018 Summit, Joint Draft Paper with a "Statement on Europe's Future", containing a Concise but Dense Collective Contribution to the relevant "Debate" which has recently Started, (Comp. inter alia, f.ex., also : ..., etc).

 Victor Orban (since Always a ChristianDemocrat/EPP Member, almost Constantly Present in EPP's Regular Summits in Brussels) is notoriously Supporting Natural Family and Births, (Contrary to Former US President Barack Hussein Obama's notorious Attempts to Impose even the Controversial and UnPopular Submission of Children to the Power of Homosexuals, after "Same Sex Marriages", etc., with the Obvious Risk for a Technocratic Lobby to take Control of Artificially provoked Births of Human Beings, by Exploiting the Sterility of LGBTI Couples), as well as the Human Embryos also against Genetic Manipulations, and has recently Organized a well-attended, landmark "World Family Congress" (US Based, with HQ at Illinois) Annual 2017 International Conference in Budapest. But, in addition, he Explicitly Defends European Culture" and its Historic Cultural Heritage as well as Identity, while also notoriously Opposing UnControlled Mass Irregular Migration and/or Attempts to Impose by Force a progressive but growing Socio-Cultural Mutation of the Original, Historic Population even in UnWilling EU Member Countries, (Obviously Finding there, Nowadays, Various Potential Allies in Most EU States and/or Societies), as well as almost Sychronous, Grave Security Threats that Deadly Islamist Extremists' Terrorism, cowardly Targetting even innocent Civilian People, has recently provoked throughout most Other European Countries. Moreover, Orban has Surprizingly Managed to Safeguard and Boost an Exceptionaly Healthy and Robust Economy, (even if it might Not Yet be Ready for its Future Entry in "€uroZone"'s Area, Carefully prepared for the Future).

---------------------

 - Thus, President Daul, while realistically Foreseeing a "Difficult" "European Election" on 2019, whose main Issues should be, therefore, adequately Tackled On Time, already Anounced that a "Main Piority" would almost certainly be to Efficiently Deal with the Recent Mass "Migration" Problems, (which notoriously emerged since the 2015/2016 UnPrecedented, Sudden "Tsunami" of more than 1,5 Millions of Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants entering Europe at Greece's EU External Borders, through Turkey), that he called a "Crucial Issue".

=> That's one of the main reasons for which, inter alia, "Next Week I am going to Poland", Headquarters of EU's External Borders' Protection Service, known as "FRONTEX", in order to Help also "Boost its Staff", since a serious "Augmentantion of their Numbers is now Necessary", particularly in order to Safeguard EU's external Coastlines, Daul anounced.

Meanwhile, those Mass Irregular Migrants who are Not Real Refugees, Must Return Back to their Homeland, he stressed.

---------------------------

+ Daul was very Lively Applauded by a Numerous Audience in Strasbourg, earlier this Evening, when he strongly Stressed that "it's Out of Question for Turkey to Enter inside the EU !", because Ankara clearly "does Not Meet the required Conditions", and, particularly, Fustigating, inter alia, also the Brutal "Ethnic Cleansing" notoriously practiced whenever the Turkish Military has Invaded and Occupied any Area, (f.ex. from the Northern Part of Cyprus, and/or the former Armenian Lands before the Genocide, up to the Syrian Kurdish Canton of Afrin, on 2018, etc). And its not expected to seriously Change for at least "until anOther Generation"...

++ However, at the Same Time, it was recently Revealed that some Foreign, Non-European Countries, (f.ex., reportedly "Saudi Arabia", and others), are "Paying more than 200 or 300 €uro those whose Wife will Accept to Wear an Islamic Scarf", he Denounced, amidst Strong Popular Reactions. "This has been Already Noticed f.ex. in some Western Balkan Countries", (such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, etc), "but may be also true inside the EU", Daul Warned.

Nevertheless, the EPP is currently considering to Develop adequat Relations with at least Neighbouring Maghreb Countries' Governing and other Parties, Starting by "Morocco and Tunisia", and eventually Continuing with "Algeria", and, perhaps, even "Libya", as he Highlighted.

- But it's mainly the Need to Ameliorate the Situation of Western Balkan Countries, which "are Inside Europe", while, however, currently Facing, (particularly some among them), certain Serious Problems, that President Daul feels to be "Our Duty", as EU, to Help at least Establish the Rule of Law, adequately Reform Courts, Banks, their Economy, and succesfully Fight Corruption, etc. : - "It's, currently, my main Concern", he revealed, (speaking about a GeoPolitical Area for which it's well known that, particularly Hungary's Orban and Austria's Kurz, have notoriously Expressed a Special Interest for the EU to take Care).

-------------------------

+ For the rest, President Daul spoke also about forthcoming Decisions on the important issue of EU's Multi-Annual "Financial Perspectives", (which use to Reflect some Crucial Political Choices), under Discussion at EU Parliament and EU Council ; the present Political Developments in the quest for a New Government in Italy, (for which he had just been Working, Earlier Today Afternoon, inside EU Parliament in Strasbourg, also with the President of the Italian Parliament, etc) ; about the "Difficult Situation" existing in Ukraine, needing Adequate Help ; on the necessary EU Progress in Defence and Scientific/Technological Research/Innovation, but also on the "Big Groups"' current trend to Dominate "Agriculture", (particularly by Combining Several Relevant Activities in order to Reduce Production/Commercialisation Costs, etc); and even ...China :

Indeed, a good Humour - tempered Joseph Daul, apparently kept his new Chinese Anecdote for a "Happy End"... While the EU Leadership is currently Preparing a "Strategic Dialogue" on further developments between Brussels and Beijing, (already partly Discussed, Yesterday Evening, by EU Parliament's Committee on External Trade, which Voted on Amendments to an EU - China Relations Report, on Monday in Strasbourg) He artfully Described, f.ex., how Beijing's Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the EU, had asked for his Help, recently, in Brussels :

- He basically told me that he had No Time to lose, on an Urgent Practical Issue, by engaging into various, Separate Discussions with Each one among EU's Member States, (considering, f.ex., that even the UK was just ..."a Small Island", Compared to the Big Volume of Goods that China wanted to Buy from Europe : See Infra), and Prefered, therefore, to speak with me (as President of 79 EPP Parties, and apparently knowing that Daul was a former Head of Agricultural Trade Unions and Chair of EU Parliament's Committee on Agriculture), in order to Help Broker asap. a Huge Deal on ...700.000 Tonnes of Meat, reportedly Destinated for Consumption by the American "Mc Donald" Fast-Food Shops' Chain, that the Chinese Government would Decide to Welcome in that Big Country of 1,3 Millions Population, (apparently on the Occasion of President Xi's well known attempts to Satisfy New US President Trump's pressing Demands to Drasticaly Lower a Foreign Trade Imbalance between China and the USA)...

 - Indeed, Nobody here can easily Imagine the real Magnitude of China, compared to our usual standards : F.ex., if they Decided to Buy our Wine, it would scarcely remain enough for our own consumption here, Daul Warned, ...hurrying up to announce the Conclusion of his Speech, so that a subsequent, Friendly moment of Wine-Tasting session between the Numerous Participants could Start asap., Before Beijing eventually Buys All that Good Alsacian Wine for itself alone, (according to a Well Known Joke, already used in a Previous Daul's Press Conference in EU Parliament in Strasbourg in the Past, on which "Eurofora" has Published a few years ago)...

-------------------------

+ This gave also an Opportunity for a "Family Photo" of President Daul with Strasbourg's MEP Anne Sander's Young Friends, in a Room fully-packed also with Numerous Adults and even more or less Aged People, where MEP Sander had already confirmed to "Eurofora" that her EU Parliament's Committee on Social Affairs, currently has Various Issues of suspected "Social Dumping" and UnFair Competition to Address, while expressing her "Regrets" for the Fact that, during EU Parliament Plenary's Votes, Earlier Today Noon, the Final Version of a Resolution on the "Hot" Issue of "Posted Workers" (Based in an EU Member Country, but Working at anOther one, so that eventual Differences in the respective Costs of Living and Salaries might, perhaps, result in some UnFair Competition practices), "did Not Extend also to Transports", Contrary to a Previous Draft Deal.

However, French EU Affairs v.Minister Nathalie Loiseau had told to Strasbourg's Journalists, including "Eurofora", Earlier this Noon, during a "Press-Lunch" organized by Strasbourg's Press Club (See: ...), that, "at least, the Sector of Transports had been Submitted to an Earlier (Incomplete) Version of EU's Directive on Posted Workers, according to EU Parliament's Vote Today, while, on the Contrary, it was Excluded from that in the Past.

So that, Anyway, this Issue still Remains Open, Waiting for a Necessary Solution asap.

(../..)

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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already send, Earlier, to "Eurofora" Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be published asap)

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*Strasbourg/Press Club/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking to Strasbourg's Journalists, including "Eurofora", during a Press-Lunch organized Today Noon by the Press-Club of Strasbourg/Europe, the New French State Secretary for EU Affairs, Nathalie Loiseau, ensured that the Movement of EU Citizens' "Public Consultations on Europe's Future", wished by new French President Emmanuel Macron, is currently Spreading in "All EU Member Countries".

- With the "Only Exception" of "the UK, Because of BREXIT", as she pointed out, (while, in fact, Hungary, finally, seems to participate, contrary to initial reports about a refusal, but focusing on a Different kind of Public Debates/Consultations on Europe's Future, at a Similar Time-Frame, including in a "Visegrad" Countries' format, as it results from other sources).

-------------------

  - The main Point is that, Until Now,  EU Citizens were, routinely Called to Express their Views "Only on Election-time" (i.e. Once in 5 Years), "or on a Referendum", she Reminded.

- But, on the Latter case, the "Questions" Really raised were usually "Complexe", while "the Reply" should be  "Only a Yes, or a No".

=> Therefore, those Well Known Results, which had Upset Europe, and Delayed EU Integration, (I.e., in particular, Since Turkey's Controversial and UnPopular EU Bid, After 1999-2004, those 3 Famous "No" from a Majority of People, in France, the Netherlands and in Ireland, between 2005-2007, which notoriously Affected a Draft EU Constitution then).

>>> In Fact, soon after that, at least for some, "the Fear of Referendums, had been Transformed into a Fear of the People", (with Obvious Anti-Democratic Risks, etc), and this Has to Change, the New French EU Affairs v.Minister Explained in substance.

 - So, Now, When a Time comes to ReStructure and ReNovate the EU  - as even EU Heads of State/Government have Decided, in Principle, especially at their Post-BREXIT Summits at Bratislava, 9/2016  and Rome on 3/2017 (See "Eurofora"'s NewsReports from the spot, in Bratislava and Rome, respectively, at: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/bratislavasummitoutcome.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euromesummitonfuture.html , etc)- then, "we Need to Know which are the Priorities of the Population", she stressed.

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 - The above-mentioned Europe-Wide Movement for Public Consultations, is due to take place "from April up to the End of October 2018", she reminded, speaking at the End of May in Strasbourg, almost 1,5 Month after Macron officially Launched the 1st such EU Citizens' Consultation on 17 April 2018, set up by Loiseau's Staff at Nearby Epinal City, on the Vosges' Mountains, (See "Eurofora"s NewsReport from the spot, at Epinal : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/macronlauncheseucitizenconsultations.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/macronlsongmarchtoconsulciti.html).

+ Adding "European" Flavour, Brussels' Headquartered EU Commission is Helping such moves, particularly with "an EU-wide Enquiry", published "On-Line", at its own Website, "since the 9th of May" 2018, the French deputy Minister observed.

That Parallel move is made on the Basis of "a Questionaire established by a Panel" of people "Chosen by Drawing Lots", as she pointed out, (speaking of a Group of Persons Invited Earlier to Brussels for 2 or 3 Days, earlier on).

++ Elsewhere in Europe, until now, the French v.Minister already "assisted personaly in 5" such Events, where I Opened the Process", as Loiseau said, including in Zagreb, already from April 6, Prague (earlier this May 2018, together with new Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš), at Madrid, and (nearby) Luxembourg, as well as in Berlin.

++ MEPs naturally could and should Participate, particularly in their respective Fields of activities, Each one where he/she Knows Best, while paying also Attention to have, as much as possible, a "Pluralist" Input from "All Sides" of the Political Spectrum, she advised.

- EU Parliament's President, "Tajani Supports that", Loiseau went on to add, (Comp. President Tajani's relevant Reply to a somewhat Different, but Relevant "Eurofora"s Question at his Press Conference during the December 2017 EU Summit in Brussels, at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euparliamentpresidenttajanioncitizensdebates.html), while also pointing, Meanwhile, also to the forthcoming Annual Meeting of EU Young People at the European Parliament, (usually nicknamed "EYE"), where "a Part will be consecrated to Citizens' Consultations", as she said.

That 2 Days Event, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, 1 and 2 June 2018, at EU Parliament's Building in Strasbourg, just after the current Plenary Session, and with the Participation of certain MEPs, as usual, among its Manifold Side-Events, contains, indeed, at least a 1,5 Hour-Long Meeting, on Saturday Afternoon, in the Louise Weiss' Tower's 3rd Floor, inside a 190-places wide Room, co-Organized by the European Movement's Youth section, as "Eurofora" read in the Official Program.

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- Concerning France, Loiseau said that the "Public Consultations" movement has Already Spread "throughout All the Territory" of the Country, "including even its Periphery Areas" ("DOM-TOM"), etc., with "around 200 Debates", out of which, she "assisted personaly on 20 among them", (i.e. 10%).

- The French Government is Both "Organizing such Events, as well as Facilitating Others to also do so", the EU Affairs v. Minister reminded.

- Other Organizers "could be, f.ex., Elected Politicians, Universities, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Unions, Associations, etc", Loiseau said, (Curiously forgetting or ommitting the Key Word : "by Citizens", while, on the Contrary, President Macron had Used it, including in the 1st such Public Consultation, when he Officially Launched the entire Process, at Nearby Epinal City, on the Vosges' Mountains, on April 17, 2018 : Comp. "Eurofora"'s NewsReport from the spot : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/macronlauncheseucitizenconsultations.html).

- The v. Minister also reminded that "there are 3 Conditions", for such a French Government's Help to other Organizers, regarding the "Pluralism, the Transparency" of such Events, "and a Restitution of their main Outcome", at their End, (i.e., around November 2018 at the latest).

- For that purpose, the French Government can also "Support financially by Grants", those Other Organizers of EU Citizens' Public Consultations on Europe's Future, according to Public Administration's Decisions due to be taken by a specially Authorized Team, Loiseau added, while always insisting on the Political Pluralism of the overall Operation, officially due to "Involve Citizens from All Sides of Political Beliefs".

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"Eurofora", (which notoriously, and as even its own Name clearly indicates, supports a Similar, but not identical, Project, particularly, since, at the latest : +2006-2018), was Présent at the Official Launch of the 1st such EU Citizens' Consultation on Europe's Future by new French President Emmanuel Macron himself, on 17 April 2018, at nearby Epinal City, (See : ..., etc).

Immediately After which, we had a chance to receive a direct Positive Answer of President Macron himself to our relevant Question about his eventual Political Will to Activate also those EU Lisbon Treaty Articles which can help Develop, even After 2019 EU Elections, (and using also the Possibilities offered by Internet Forums, E-Communications etc), Regular EU Citizens' Public Debates with EU Decision-Makers (including, f.ex. EU Parliament's MEPs, but also, perhaps, EU Council, EU Commission, etc) Before they Take Measures Affecting People's Lives and/or Society at large, (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/macronforcitizensdebatesalsoafter2019.html , Exchange made on 18 April 2018, in Saint Dié City, at Vosges' Mountains !).

Comp. also EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's a priori Positive Answer to a Similar "Eurofora" Question, during a 2017 Meeting with German Chancelor Angie Merkel and new Bundestag's President Wolfgang Schäuble at nearby Offenburg on 9/2017, (at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/schaublejunckerandmerkel.html, etc)

Earlier, "Eurofora" has Published, inter alia, also Macron's landmark, relevant Speech at the Symbolic Rock of "Pnyx" facing Parthenon in Athens at the Historic Birth-place of Ancient Greek Civilisation's Direct Democracy, back on 9/2017 (See: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/macronatthehistoricsourcesofdemocracy.html), and we also promoted a Question precisely on his Plans for EU Citizens' Consultations on Europe's Future during his Joint Franco-German Press Conference, Together with Chancelor Angie Merkel, at the Conclusion of the March 2018 EU Heads of State/Governments' Summit in Brussels, (See the French President's indirect but clear Reply, as given then at a subsequent occasion, in : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/francogermanleadersappealtoeucitizens.html).

I.e. something which was made more Clear in the Direct Reply that he Gave to Our Question, Afterwards, at Saint Dié on 18 April 2018, (Comp. Supra), in Addition to Following and Publishing also on Macron's relevant Declarations to MEPs at EU Parliament during the Morning of April 17, 2018 in Strasbourg, (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/macronineuparliamentaskscitizensdebates.html , but also: ... ).

(../..)

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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already send, Earlier, to "Eurofora" Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be published asap)

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