Is Finlands presidential agenda a paranoid manifesto?
Mood:  d'oh
Now Playing: the Simpsons
Topic: Politics
Evgeny Morozov of Sharp and Sound calls the agenda that Finland has drafted for its six-month EU presidency 'The Paranoid Manifesto':
"Finland, embarking on a million little things but ducking the debate on big issues, has chosen the "overwork yourself to death—it will take your mind off all the important issues" track. "

and

"Whatever good initiatives the Finns might prepare, they will follow the fate of the service directive: prepared in good faith to tackle the EU's economic problems—and then eviscerated of any substance, to fit the needs of the member states."

and

"With pro-globalization presidencies like Finland's, for six months EU feels like Hong Kong. But then, when the big powers assume their laurels, everything returns to normal—and Europe is back to being Pyongyang.


Until the EU sets up a framework to replace the constitution, any efforts at real leadership by individual members will be wasted. The Finns would be wiser to drop their ambitions plans and use their workaholic zeal to fill in the legal vacuum left by the rejections of the constitution."

It's a good and informative read on the presidential role of Finland in the EU over the coming 6 months.