Click down below to see my second video on EU updates, where I’m explaining the implications of the quota system in EU’s audiovisual media services directive.
Die Abschaffung von Kreditkartengebühren wird teuer
Die EU hat Einzelhändlern verboten, Kreditkartengebühren von Verbrauchern zu verlangen. Eine solche Regulierung kann sinnvoll sein, aber auch das Gegenteil bewirken – wie das Beispiel Fluggebühren zeigt.
How useful is government spending on higher education?
One-hundred-and-seventeen million euros. That’s the amount of money Luxembourg’s taxpayers contribute to subsidise students who, under certain conditions, pursue a degree in higher education. This system of providing people with generous grants has been applied in the Grand Duchy for many years now, and is a consequence of a policy that began in France under […]
The case against press subsidies
In the effort of maintaining “quality journalism,” publishers and journalists around the world make the case for press subsidies. In Europe, this phenomenon is largely present, with many papers completely dependent on, or even owned by, the government. But is the state really needed to produce quality content?
Luxembourg’s campaign-driven language debate
As Luxembourg’s national election fast approaches, the Democratic Party (DP) is running on the campaign slogan “Zukunft op Lëtzebuergesch” (“Future in Luxembourgish”). The Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), meanwhile, uses “Lëtz speak about politics” – “lëtz” being the first syllable of the Luxembourgish word for the language, which sounds similar to the English “let’s”). All […]
Here are the important EU-related issues the next government will have to deal with
Luxembourg’s next government, following the current three-party coalition comprising the DP, the LSAP and déi Gréng, will need to deal with several major European Union (EU) issues certain to have a major effect on the Grand Duchy. And because the European elections in May will come after Luxembourg’s parliamentary elections next month, for voters, the […]
“Merde alors” is an accurate depiction of Jean Asselborn’s (un)diplomatic legacy
Jean Asselborn’s “Merde alors” comment, directed in anger towards Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini, have been a big talking point in Luxembourgish politics of late. Asselborn, unaware he was being filmed, explained to the far-right leader that the Grand Duchy had hosted thousands of Italians in the past so they were able to feed their […]
[Video] Who are the Spitzenkandidaten and why does nobody like them?
Click down below to see my second video on EU updates, where I’m explaining the process of the Spitzenkandidaten.
[Video] EC suggests considerable reductions in CO2-emissions of heavy-duty vehicles
Click down below to see my second video on EU updates. Lorries, buses and coaches produce around a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU and around 6% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions. The European Commission says action is needed to curb these emissions.
Germany is delaying the adoption of the “Google tax”, and that’s a good thing
While France and Spain are heavily lobbying for the adoption of a “GAFA” tax (Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple), also known as “Google tax”, Germany has chosen a more careful approach. Rightfully so.
Bill Wirtz 