de gener 2019

2019/01/31

Saoradh speculate 'mine attack' timed to coincide with Soloheadbeg centenary

a 1/31/2019

Saoradh, a republican organisation opposed to the Good Friday settlement, has speculated that a bomb attack in Derry on Saturday may have been timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Soloheadbeg ambush on Monday. "Early reports from the city of Derry are indicating that a British institution in the form of Derry City Courthouse has been attacked this evening in what is believed to have been a large mine attack by Republican Revolutionaries.

Reports from the city say that a car filled with with explosives, planted outside the British court, exploded as Crown Force personnel attended the scene.

This attack comes on the eve of the centenary of the Soloheadbeg ambush where Sean Treacy and his comrades struck a historic blow against the Crown Forces in Tipperary, it seems 100 years later Volunteer Sean Tracey’s comrades continue the unfinished revolution."

The party, in a post on its website, also described the suspected car bomb as a mine attack.

Read more at: https://www.derryjournal.com/news/saoradh-speculate-mine-attack-timed-to-coincide-with-soloheadbeg-centenary-1-8776649?fbclid=IwAR0kxoovFlusr9G0gQ6H6yGe0AAbirtLOCyCA6rRmLvtBop-AWg4Qn-bfqM

The Academy of the Basque Language forms an Alliance of Academies of minority languages in Europe

a 1/30/2019

The Academy of the Basque Language (1919) is the official body responsible for Basque, that is the Basque language. It carries out research on the language and its object is to safeguard it; the Academy has formulated the rules for the normalisation of the language. The Basque name of this language academy is Euskaltzaindia.

On January 18th, the third Euskaltzaindia centennial academic congress concluded in Iruñea/Pamplona, in which 19 experts discussed the care of minority languages. One of the most mentioned subjects in the congress was the one of a possible alliance between academies that worry about the minority languages in Europe, and that entente took place at noon, with the agreement that the Academy of the Basque Language has presented.

Euskaltzaindia, has promoted an agreement, seconded by different international organizations and institutions, to defend the rights of speakers of minority languages in Europe.

The agreement was seconded by :
- Andrés Urrutia (Euskaltzaindia),
- Cor van der Meer (Fryske Akademy),
- Benoit Dazeas (Lo Congrès Permanent de la Lenga Occitan),
- Henrique Monteagudo (Galician Academy),
- Joan Argenter (Institut d'Estudis Catalans),
- Elena Chiocchetti (EURAC-Institute for Applied Linguistics, South Tyrol).

A new Irish party founded for Reunification and Independence: Aontú

a 1/29/2019

Former Sinn Féin politician Peadar Tóibín has named his new political party Aontú, meaning ‘agreement’ or ‘unity’ in Irish Gaelic language. Mr Tóibín unveiled the name in a post on Twitter ahead of a public meeting in Belfast on Monday night. More than 150 were at Belfast launch of new all-Ireland party. The Meath West TD said the city was chosen for the announcement because it was the birthplace of the United Irishmen. In a tweet Mr Tóibín said: “Belfast was the birth place of the United Irishmen who fought for a free, independent and pluralist Ireland for Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter. In 30 minutes we will launch our new name and our vision in the same city".

Mr Tóibín resigned from Sinn Féin in November after 21 years as a member of the party, saying he was going to build a new 32-county movement. He had been suspended by Sinn Fein after defying the party and voting against the proposed abortion legislation to allow terminations up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and in limited circumstances thereafter. The Sinn Fein policy was to support the legislation. Aontú is expected to run candidates in council elections in Northern Ireland and the Republic in May. Councillors as Cavan Councillor Sarah O’Reilly resigned from Fianna Fáil to join the new political party or Úna D'Arcy declared for the new All Ireland Movement. This week meetings Aontú has organized for meetings in Belfast, Laois, Limerick and Derry. The movement aim is to form 100 cumainn (branches). Some indications that it may be Fianna Fáil base that will be most impacted though makeup includes members with SDLP, SF and Independent background. A united independent Ireland and economic justice are among Aontú’s key aims.

VB calls for a middle class revolt against the political elite and attacks N-VA for ruling with Socialists

a 1/29/2019

The New Year reception of the pro independence party Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) attracted some 450 executives of the movement. The meeting was opened by Stefaan Sintobin in Bruges on January 20th called for a middle class revolt against the political elite. Vlaams Belang President Tom Van Grieken, made a parallel with the Battle of the Golden Spurs of 1302. Van Grieken explained the meaning of the slogan chosen by the party for the European, legislative and regional elections of May 26tg, "Bescherm onze mensen" ("Protecting our People") by denouncing the N-VA (New Flemish Alliance) for its announced share comes with community demands whereas the Flemish nationalists did not speak the N-VA has not kept its promise to rule Antwerp without the Socialists.

SVP to form a Nations Without State Alliance for the European Elections

a 1/28/2019

The SVP (South Tyrolean People's Party) closed an agreement with the Christian-democratic and centrist PATT (Trentino Tyrolean Autonomist Party) in Bozen on January 23rd. The SVP will meet also with the Friulian Patto per l'Autonomia, the Union Valdotaine and the Slovenian Slovenska Skupnost, to join an alliance for the European elections, which SVP and PATT have decided to run jointly confirming the alliance.

A new Catalan party founded for Independence: Crida Nacional per la República

a 1/27/2019

Yesterday in Barcelona 2,500 people launched the party promoted by the Catalan President in Exile, Carles Puigdemont, the political prisoner Jordi Sànchez, who was elected Chairman, as well as the Catalonia's President Quim Torra. The transversal movement was joined by right and left factions with the main aim of a Catalan independent Republic.

The leftist former mayor of the town of Cerdanyola, Toni Morral was elected as a secretary general. Sànchez's candidacy won 2,417 votes compared with just 115 for an alternative list. The conference ratified 16 of the proposed party officials proposed by Sanchez and three from the alternative candidature. At the vertex of the organization is exiled Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, the prime mover behind a movement that has been launched as a political party this Saturday at Barcelona's International Convention Centre while chants of "Unity now!" echoed round the hall. Appeals to unity were constant throughout the speeches: in some cases, such as that of the Catalan president Quim Torra, the references were very specific. Torra called on three probable pro-independence Barcelona mayoral candidates, Ernest Maragall, Quim Forn and Neus Munté, to put together a consensus candidature for not only the municipal elections, but also those for the European Parliament.

The leadership team of the Crida will include current Catalan government ministers Elsa Artadi, Damià Calvet and Laura Borràs. Alongside them are leading figures in the JxCat (Together for Catalonia) political grouping, very close to Puigdemont, such as Albert Batet and Gemma Geis.

Among the 19 names proposed by Sànchez are 4 members of the PDeCAT (Catalan Democratic European Party), but only one member of the party's executive: Montserrat Morante, also close to the exiled Catalan president. In fact, current PDeCAT president David Bonvehí, did not attend the Crida's founding congress on Saturday morning, only making an appearance in the afternoon.

The executive proposed by Sànchez also included several politicians with backgrounds in other Catalan parties, such as Pep Andreu, mayor of Montblanc and former member of the Republican Left; Marina Geli, a former minister under the Catalan Socialists; and Miquel Àngel Escobar, a UGT trade union representative, as well as a PDeCAT member.

The alternative list, which was not presented as such but rather as a "complementary" option, called for a vote for Sànchez and Morral as president and general secretary respectively, although under the party rules, it had to present its own candidates for both these positions in order to be able to present 19 names for the executive.

Alsatian party UL launches a campaign against the Grand Est artificial region

a 1/27/2019

Unser Land had launched a campaign against the artificial region where Alsace was integrated.
Unser Land has launched the campaign against the French artificial region of the "East North". It includes, apart from Alsace, Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne. The Alsatian national party has published stickers with the motto "grotesque" to place the publicity of the new region invented by Paris.

Peter Luykx (N-VA) visits Catalan political prisoners

a 1/26/2019

“There is no room for political repression in the European Union. The N-VA wishes to inform the Catalan political prisoners that as a party it will continue to stand up for the immediate release of all Catalan political prisoners and for the resolution of the conflict between Barcelona and Madrid through non-judicial channels. We will not be silent.” MP Peter Luykx visited seven Catalan political prisoners in Catalonia on Tuesday. The seven are in remand for their involvement in the Catalan independence referendum of 1 October 2017.
A hearty boost

With this visit, Peter Luykx wants to give the political prisoners a hearty boost in recognition of their remarkable and peaceful struggle for freedom and self-determination. On the other hand, he wishes to raise awareness of the injustice of their imprisonment. “I don’t know what is more striking, that a European Member State has imprisoned politicians and activists because of a political opinion and for exercising their function or that the European Union is looking the other way. As a European citizen, I am extremely disappointed by the EU’s deafening silence,” Peter Luykx says.
N-VA letter of support

MP Peter Luykx met with civil society activist Jordi Cuixart, former Vice President of Catalonia Oriol Junqueras and former Catalan Foreign Minister Raül Romeva. He also visited Catalan politicians Jordi Sànchez, Jordi Turull, Josep Rull and Quim Forn, who were on a hunger strike for almost three weeks in December. Peter Luykx handed the prisoners a letter of support on behalf of the N-VA group in the federal parliament.

Armando Melodia, new President of the party Free Sicilians

a 1/26/2019

Armando Melodia is the new president of the Free Sicilians (Siciliani Liberi) party. Siciliani Liberi that at the last elections was proposed to voters with their own candidate for the Presidency of the Sicilian Region, Roberto La Rosa. Since then La Rosa is not part of more Siciliani Liberi and the new president is Melodia. La Rosa left the party last April and formed Gran Sicilia on Juny.

"Timid and limited openness to autonomy and self-management of resources by Sicily will not be able to meet the economic needs of Sicily " says Melodia who was a former leading member of the Southern Party-Southern Progressists.

Éirígí Ard Fheis in Dublin changes the name of the party to Éirígí For A New Republic

a 1/22/2019

John Douglas - General Secretary of Mandate addressed the Éirígí Ard Fheis in Dublin on January 19th calling to "Organize! Organize! Organize!". Éirigí distributed visitors packs ready, including copies of the 1919 Democratic Programme and the new housing leaflet. It was a great afternoon of political discussion. Language movement Misneach spoke at the Ard Fheis Éirígí 2019. Senán Mac Aoidh provided an update on the recent campaigning work of Misneach, the Irish language group, which is organising across Ireland. Senán, a native of Co Monaghan, has been a key activist in Misneach since it was founded. The party also launched the new Éirígí website at the link below.

Éirígí activists voted to amend the party name to ‘Éirígí For A New Republic’.   The amendment received unanimous support at the recent Éirígí Ard Fheis with all those present voting in favour of the proposal.  The amended name has been approved by The Office of the the Registrar of Political Parties in Leinster House, meaning that “Éirígí For A New Republic” will appear on ballot papers in the Twenty-Six County local elections in May.  Speaking in relation to the amendment Cathaoirleach Éirígí Brian Leeson said,

“In January of 2018 Éirígí produced a manifesto entitled a ‘Democratic Programme for the New Republic’.   It outlined our vision for the all-Ireland Republic that we wish to see established as a replacement for both the Six and Twenty-Six states.   

Long-term economic, demographic, social and political shifts within the Six Counties have weakened partition to the point that the political re-unification of Ireland is becoming increasingly likely.   In the Twenty-Six Counties too, the state is structurally incapable of delivering liberty, equality, community, democracy, justice or any other core republican value.   

Even the establishment political parties are coming to the realisation that we are now potentially moving into the end game for both partition and the two existing states. 

Against this backdrop the addition of ‘For A New Republic’ to our party name was a logical step.  It will allow people to instantly understand both our analysis and our objective.   

And it marks out the political territory of a New Republic for genuine republicans, pushing back against establishment pretenders who are attempting to make that territory their own.

The change to our party name comes on the back of the recent launch of a new party website and a highly successful Ard Fheis.   We’re ready to play our part in the struggle to build a new all-Ireland state that is worthy of the name Irish Republic.”

Arno Kompatscher elected new President of South Tyrol

a 1/21/2019

Arno Kompatscher on January 17th succeeded himself with a majority-elect SVP (South Tyrolean People's Party)-Lega, which voted in full with 19 votes in favor over 35 after being formally nominated as a unitary candidate of the Südtiroler Volkspartei and the Lega Salvini Alto Adige-Südtirol.

In his inaugural address, the president made explicit reference to the two guiding principles of the government program: "legality and humanity". According to Kompatscher, this is "of values that we are called today to confirm not only with words but also with deeds, to face this theme not with fear but looking optimistically at the future, trying to manage this issue and not to suffer it". The president confirmed that he wanted to act as a guarantor for the respect of these values.

Kompatscher underlined the importance of confirming his mandate: "we live in a particular land, made up of special people who work for themselves but also for the common good, a correct, just and supportive land, aware of their own history but with look towards the future ». Immediately after the election of the president, the Board also appointed the three vice-presidents, one for each language group: Giuliano Vettorato (Lega) for the Italian linguistic group, Arnold Schuler (Svp) for the German group and Daniel Alfreider (Svp) for the Ladin group.

Immediately after his election, discussion began in the Council on the legislature program, where Kompatscher recalled as "the values that inspire him" referring in particular "to the values of autonomy and Europe, with the aim of guaranteeing equal opportunities, security from a social point of view and a sustainable economic development ".

70 years of Domowina's work in Brandenburg

a 1/20/2019

The Minister of Culture Martina Münch recalled the official admission of the Domowina in the state of Brandenburg after the Second World War 70 years ago on 20 January 1949 and commended her commitment to the Sorbian / Wendish concerns.

"I thank Domowina and its members for their great and long-standing commitment to representing the interests of the Sorbian/Wendish people. The Domowina is an indispensable voice of the Sorbs and Wends in Brandenburg and Saxony; it contributes significantly to preserve the language, culture and traditions of the Sorbs/Wends, make known and their concerns in both countries to make heard, ".

Münch said that "In recent years, the country has made a number of contributions to better protecting the culture and language of the national minority:

- In 2015, the first direct elections for the Sorbs / Wends Council took place at the state parliament,

- in 2016 adopted the National Plan to Strengthen the Lower Sorbian Language,

- in 2017 we increased our support to the Foundation for the Sorbian People

- and in 2018 we awarded the 'Mina Witkojc Prize' for Sorbian / Wendish linguistic engagement for the first time.

I am pleased that we can further strengthen the interests of the minority and the municipalities this year with the introduction of full-time Sorbs / Wenden Commissioners. For Brandenburg, the Wendish culture is an extraordinary wealth that we want to preserve. "

The Domowina was founded in October 1912 by representatives of 31 Sorbian associations in Hoyerswerda. In 1937 she was banned from any activity. In 1941 the organization was expropriated. 70 years ago, on January 20, 1949, the Domowina received the official approval in the state of Brandenburg from the then Brandenburg state government - even before the founding of the GDR.

Domowina is an umbrella organization of Sorbian associations that represents the political and cultural interests of the Sorbs / Wends in Brandenburg and Saxony and promotes the Sorbian / Wendish language and culture. It has about 7,500 members, organized in five Domowina regional associations with local groups and other member associations as well as 13 national member associations.

The Sorbs / Wends have been based in Lusatia/Sorabia for around 1,500 years. Despite attempts at assimilation by former rulers and governments, they have retained their own language and culture, which is characterized by numerous festivals and diverse customs. The states of Brandenburg and Saxony as well as the federal government support the efforts of the Sorbs / Wends to preserve and develop their traditional national identity, culture and language. The state of Brandenburg supports the foundation for the Sorbian people annually with 3.1 million €.

Aosta's Valley autonomous government preparing a bill for the protection of the francoprovençal (arpitan)

a 1/19/2019

Laurent Viérin, councilor for culture in the autonomous government of the Aosta's Valley responded to a question from the Lega Vallée d'Aosta on January 10 about the intentions of the executive regarding to the Arpitan language. Vierin announced that the autonomous government is to prepare a regional law for the protection and valorisation of the francoprovençal (arpitan) of the Aosta's Valley.

Viérin, himself the author of the works in arpitan language, emphasized "the need to launch a strategic initiative for relaunch the 'language of the heart' of the Aosta's Valley: we must work for a regional law for its protection and its improvement - because laws are the means to protect the principles "and ensure that its development Not only is it trusted by the sensitivity of individual administrators, but it is the collective heritage of all" through a normative text, "which codifies the principles and measures of recognition, as well as the most sensitive issues, such as spelling, which extend the role of language assistance services, whith some actions by sharing training courses and using new technologies". The deputies of the Lega Vallée d'Aosta announced "the presentation of initiatives to expand, the use of the language even in the meetings of the council (parliament).

New platform for Brittany's to save the culture and the territory

a 1/17/2019

The platform Pour une Bretagne enfin majeure (For a Britain finally of legal age) began its journey on January 12th in Karaez promoted by the Ar Falz movement. Ar Falz / Skol Vreizh is today mainly a bilingual publishing house run by retired or retired scholars. Founded almost a century ago by Yann Sohier, public master of Plourivo, Ar Falz was initially a Breton cultural left movement centered around the Breton magazine Ar Falz. This association has always campaigned for the teaching of Breton language and culture in public schools.

At the invitation of Ar-Falz, a hundred people gathered this Saturday, in Karaez / Carhaix to discuss the situation in Brittany and agree to a text intended for the elect at all levels. The text projected on the screen debated paragraph per word, word by word.

Political parties such as the UDB (Democratic Union of Britain), the Breton Party, EELV Britain (Greens), Breizh Europe, the Federalist Alliance Breton and the French Communist Party; or associations such as Bretagne Réunie, Breizh Impact participated. The yellow vests were invited to the debates, but any citizen could intervene. The word time was not limited, everyone could express themselves and we could only receive this unifying and transversal initiative through political divisions.

The promoters appealed to save the culture and the territory carried out the French centralism face of intensive agriculture, liberal Europe, globalization and ultra-liberalism. The idea of the Ar Falz association is to launch a platform for the highest possible number of signatories in a common text. Once the text was finalized, Ar Falz / Skol Vreizh will request a meeting with the president of the Breton government and with the presidents of the Republic and the Senate, to inform them of the need to implement a development plan integral of Britain around several axes. During the debates yesterday, themes of energy, transport, ecology, language and Breton culture were addressed with some strong ideas and a lot of consensus. The gravity of the moment seems to have led to a certain maturity in the debates where once the left and the right approached.

One of the priorities is reunification, the state must only make 105,000 signatures obtained to activate the Loire-Atlantique right of option to re-enter Britain. Also about the form of combat: What happens with the yellow vest just reminds us, once again, that nothing is achieved without a power struggle in a presidential republic and its privileged elite.

Galician National Bloc (BNG) tribute to Castelao

a 1/16/2019

The Galician National Bloc (BNG) remembered A.D. R. Castelao in Rianxo last January 12th. Alfonso Daniel Rodríguez Castelao (30 January 1886 – 7 January 1950), commonly known as Castelao, was a Galician politician, writer, painter and doctor. He is one of the fathers of Galician national movement, promoting Galician identity and culture, and was one of the main names behind the cultural movement Xeración Nós. He was also one of the founders and president of the Galicianist Party.

The Bloc organized an act of tribute to Castelao where the leader of the party, Ana Pontón, referred to the investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor about the death of two persons. Ana Pontón asked PP leader (Spanish party founded by Fascists Franco's Ministers) Feijóo "how many more people have to die" so that "cuts in health" are over?. The national spokesperson of the BNG accused the president of the Xunta (Galician government), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, of "destroying" the health to "coup of cuts and privatizations" and has questioned "how many more people have to die to be end the cuts in the public health system."

Language campaigners in train station protests over lack of Welsh services

a 1/15/2019

"It's a huge disappointment that the Welsh Government, Transport Wales and the contracted company have failed to ensure that these services are provided in Welsh language despite all the time they had prepared ... we have asked for the Welsh Language Commissioner to use the broad powers he has to conduct a general investigation. " says Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg.

Welsh Language militants protested on January 12th in several train stations (Abertawe, Aberystwyth, Caerfyrddin, Caerdydd Canolog, Machynlleth and Bangor) claiming respect for the language in train services under the slogan 'Anfodlon nad yw Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn cynnig gwasanaethau yn Gymraeg?' (Are you dissatisfied that Transport Wales does not offer services in Welsh?)

South Tyrol coalition pact with Lega approved by SVP committees

a 1/14/2019

The coalition pact between the South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP, Südtiroler VolksPartei) and the Lega was approved on January 7th Nals by members of the SVP Committees, SVP local people and SVP mayors. The decision was taken with 503 of the 519 present voters. There was no dissenting vote, the SVP said in a release.

After the announcement of the two parliamentary groups about the majority formation, the state parliament is convened for the election of the governor. The election of the new state government takes place at another session of the state parliament. The Lega had turned in the dispute over the number of South Tyrolean seats in the Italian Senate and thus removed the crucial obstacle to participation in the future state government with the South Tyrol People's Party (SVP). There will continue to be at least three senators per province, said Lega Senator Roberto Calderoli in Bolzano.

The SVP had retracted in the state election on 21 October last year with 41.9 %t, the worst result in their party history.

Undob, new socialist pro-independence movement will hold its launch on 26th January

a 1/13/2019

The new socialist pro-independence group Undod will hold its launch event in Aberystwyth at the end of the month. According to those who have set up ‘Undod’, meaning ‘solidarity’ or ‘unity’ in Welsh, the group is socialist and campaigns for ‘radical’ independence for Wales. Speakers at the launch, held at the Hen Goleg building in Aberystwyth on Saturday 26th January, will include Nia Edwards-Behi, who comes from Aberystwyth, along with the campaigner Sandy Clubb and Dan Evans, presenter of the podcast Desolation Radio. There will also be a workshop on socialism and the national question led by Sel Williams from Bangor University.
Explaining the purpose of the movement and the launch, Rhys Mills, who is one of the organisers, said:
“In a country with a dominant socialist heritage and which – more than anything – requires a radical change in its politics. Undod’s purpose is to champion radical independence for Wales. We intend to emphasise the need for independence to embody values and policies that will make a substantive change to the quality of life of the majority of people. It intends to campaign on the key issues causing suffering and injustice in Wales now, trying to realize change in the present; however, it will do so with the understanding that being free from the regressive British state will be the only way for Welsh communities to flourish on a permanent basis.”
Progressive
“We hope to garner support from all parts and all peoples in Wales, and that as well as contributing to practical politics, it will attract contributions from policy makers, academics and others who wish to help envisage and realise a truly progressive independent Wales.”
He added:
“As well as supporting international solidarity, the focus will be on fostering solidarity between communities in Wales. A fundamental premise is that despite the different symptoms, the people of Wales face great challenges because of unfettered capitalism, which renders our post-industrial communities precarious and at the beck and call of foreign capital, whilst our rural communities suffer a quickening of the brain drain, a housing crisis and the dissipation of the Welsh language, precipitated by weak regional policy from the Welsh Government and the purchasing power of inward capital.”
Equality
“Under these circumstances, and with the rising threat of the far-right in Wales and beyond, those who believe in equality, justice and a sustainable future can no longer stand by and allow our people to be at the mercy of a corrupt British state whilst allowing the politics of chauvinism and elitism to take root here. Devolution has shown itself to be incapable of protecting us against the excesses of Tory rule.
“We, the Welsh people, who have always stood up for equality, justice and peace in the world, must now unite and realise those principles for ourselves.”

Belfast City Hall turns red marking 2 year's campaigning for an Irish Language Act

a 1/13/2019

Belfast City Hall has been illuminated in red in a show of support for those campaigning for greater protections for Irish language speakers in Northern Ireland.
Around 200 activists gathered for a colourful and noisy demonstration as the landmark building turned the colour of their movement late on Saturday January 12th afternoon. The decision of councillors to use the lights to back a cause at the heart of Stormont’s powersharing impasse has proved controversial.

While unionists have claimed the vote – which was backed by Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Alliance Party – has politicised the building, advocates for an Irish Language Act insist they have every right to have their cause highlighted.
The Irish language has emerged as the key obstacle preventing the restoration of powersharing in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Fein has insisted it will only return to devolved government if the DUP accedes to a stand-alone piece of legislation that grants protections for Gaelic speakers.
The DUP has said it will approve protections, but only as part of a wider Culture Act, which also incorporates the Ulster Scots tradition.
Ciaran Mac Giolla Bhein, from Irish language campaign group An Dream Dearg, said the protests would continue until an Irish Language Act became a reality.
“This is incredibly important for us, this is a physical beacon for equality in this city,” he said of the red illumination. “It represents the diversity of this city, that we have different communities here and all those different communities need to be respected and tolerated.”

The illumination marked the second anniversary of a protest by Irish language activists at the decision of a DUP minister to cut bursaries for young people undertaking Irish language studies. They point to that contentious episode as the spark that invigorated their campaign for an Irish Language Act.
Campaigners insist an Act was promised in the 2006 St Andrews Agreement that paved the way for the DUP and Sinn Fein to enter a historic powersharing arrangement at Stormont. The DUP contend that it did not sign up to an Irish Language Act in 2006, and the commitment was instead the product of a non-binding side deal between republicans and the UK Government.
Mr Mac Giolla Bhein added: “The parties are going to reconvene for talks at some stage and when they do the first item on the ‘to do list’ is most certainly the issue of Irish language rights.

85,000 people rally for the Basque political prisoners under the slogan 'Orain presoak' (Now the prisoners)

a 1/12/2019

The cities of Bilbo (Basque Country under Spanish administration) and Baiona (Basque Country under French administration) have hosted today two demonstrations to demand the end of the Spanish penitentiary policy of exception applied to prisoners. 76,000 people have been in Bilbo and 9,000 in Baiona, according to the count made by Gara and Mediabask. To emphasize the wide political representation in Baiona and the demand to Paris to apply the common law "to all prisoners." The French state has approached the 60 % of the Basque political prisoners. In Bilbo have stressed that "while the jails are not emptied we will be before an unfinished resolution."

Corsican Nation Party to engage in a much more offensive strategy after the blocking of discussions with the French State

a 1/10/2019

On January 6th the executive council of the party met in Vivariu with a clear consensus: the Partitu di a Nazione Corsa (PNC, Corsican Nation Party) reaffirms its identity : without leaving the nationalist union (Pè a Corsica, For Corsica) with Femu a Corsica and Corsica Libera.

The approach of the local elections of 2020 with an electorate that they want to maintain and even gain some cities - "Portivechju, Corti Aiacciu, Lisula ..." - encourages the members Partitu di a Nazione Corsa with a "different approach". In the municipal approach 2020 "Our goal is to prepare the local elections under the aegis of the union of the three formations of the majority," says Jean-Christophe Angelini. To do this, the PNC decided to work on two major axes:

- The movement of yellow jackets, "which we have supported since its beginnings",

- The blocking of discussions with the French State: "We want to engage in a much more offensive strategy": Demonstrations, symbolic occupations, mobilization of the diaspora ..."

To work on these two axes, the PNC has scheduled several meetings; the first of which will take place Thursday, January 10 at 18:30 at the Theater Factory of Bastia - then in March with the general assembly of the party, where the PNC will elect its instances. In order to get in working order for the local elections of 2020.

More for Mallorca approves a coalition with the Valencian coalition Compromís by a narrow margin

a 1/10/2019

The biggest national party in Majorca, Més per Mallorca (More for Majorca) yesterday decided in an assembly held in Palma on January 8th to concur with the Valencian coalition Compromís (Commitment) to the European elections. It refused to ally with ERC.
The European elections will be held on May 25, with the Valencian Commitment,

A first vote was made and it was decided whether to be present in the elections or not; winning the first option. After that a two options proposal was given: Compromís and ERC. The first won by a narrow margin for 45 votes against 44. There have been 7 abstentions.

Bilingual information meeting : «What is the Breton Society ?»

a 1/09/2019

«How will be Brittany saved ? Brittany will be saved the day when we will have created, in spite of, and against evreryone, a national life in Brittany. Brittany will be saved the day when we have taught our fellow countrymen and women how to read and write our language ; the day when we have improved our language, set up our schools with our schoolmasters and our books paid with our money ; the day when we have opened and raised enough our fellow countrymen and women's minds, to let them be a free people on every field of life, the life of the body or of the soul .»
Roparz Hemon, «Gwalarn e Breizh», Gwalarn issue 9, Spring 1927

How to set up a Breton autonomous society, in direct relationship with the other societies in the world, and at the same level as theirs ? Training learned people, organizing several oportunities (both intelectual and entertaining) intended to put together people until then scattered : here are our aims. which projects can be launched for performing such aims ? Yann-Vadezour ar Rouz’s directory, Kêrvrezhon project...

Bilingual information meeting : «What is the Breton Society ?»

(led by Rafael Urien; On Saturday 12 a viz Genver 2019, 2.30 pm, at the pub The Finnegans, 46 Aristide Briand Street, Kemper

Alex Salmond wins sexual harassment inquiry case against Scottish government

a 1/08/2019

The Scottish government has admitted acting unlawfully while investigating sexual harassment claims against Alex Salmond. Allegations against the former first minister, which he denies, were made to the Scottish government a year ago. The government has now admitted it breached its own guidelines by appointing an investigating officer who had "prior involvement" in the case.
As a result, it conceded defeat in its legal fight with Mr Salmond. Mr Salmond's case focused entirely on the fairness of the government's procedures and will have no bearing on a separate police inquiry into the allegations, which is still ongoing.

Speaking outside the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Mr Salmond said the case had resulted in "abject humiliation" for the Scottish government, which he led from 2007 until 2014.
He added: "The last time I was in that court was to be sworn in as first minister of Scotland. I never thought it possible that at any point I would be taking the Scottish government to court.
"Therefore while I am glad about the victory which has been achieved today, I am sad that it was necessary to take this action."

Mr Salmond also repeated his calls for the Scottish government's most senior civil servant, Leslie Evans, to consider her position, and warned that the case could cost the public purse £500,000.
And he thanked the 4,000 people who contributed more than £100,000 to a crowdfunding appeal to help pay for his legal challenge to the government's handling of the case.
With the government agreeing to pay his legal costs, he said the money will go to good causes in Scotland and elsewhere.

The government's admission that it had not followed the correct procedures came during a hearing at the Court of Session on Tuesday morning.
Judge Lord Pentland subsequently said that the government's actions had been "unlawful in respect that they were procedurally unfair" and had been "tainted with apparent bias".
The Scottish government's admission centred on an official it appointed to investigate the complaints against Mr Salmond, which were made by two women.
Its lawyer, Roddy Dunlop QC, told the court that the investigating officer was a "dedicated HR professional" who acted in good faith, but did have some contact with the complainers before being appointed to the case.

Mr Dunlop said this had led the government to accept there had been a "failure" in one aspect of the investigation, which could have given the impression that they were not acting impartially.
But he said the government did not accept a claim by Mr Salmond's legal team that the investigating officer had effectively been "assisting the complainers" and "giving them encouragement".
He also said there was "no question of an individual being held up as a sacrifice", and that the government had a "duty to investigate the serious complaints" that had been made.

Bart De Wever, N-VA: “The solution is to be found in confederalism”

a 1/08/2019

N-VA chairman Bart De Wever provided an overview of the political situation in Belgium. While doing so, he came back to the collapse of the federal government as a result of the Marrakesh Compact and looked forward to the coming days and weeks. What’s more, one week after the N-VA Ministers decided to leave the federal government, N-VA chairman Bart De Wever was constructive. “We are prepared to approach the discussion in a serious manner.”
With regard to early elections

“Di Rupo didn’t have a majority in Flanders, Michel didn’t have one in Wallonia, and now we have a government that no longer has a majority anywhere. And yet everyone is assuming that after elections, things can only get worse. Well, if that’s the case, then the system is broken and unhealthy.”

“The prime minister has to find a majority in order to make the country governable. If that doesn’t work, we have to come up with a different solution. A government that doesn’t have a majority and continues to remain in government is the theatre of anti-politics.”
Regarding the possibility that Charles Michel will take care of current affairs until 26 May

“Current affairs is something for the election campaign and for the period following the elections for as long as there is no government. Current affairs is not a form of government.”
Regarding the governability of the country

“A government without a majority in Flanders, like back in the day with the government of Di Rupo, is unacceptable for me. A government without a majority in Wallonia is just as much of a democratic problem. A centre-right policy for Belgium is good, but it is not a structural solution. The solution is to be found in confederalism . Flanders has to get self-government.”

Regarding the accusation that the term “Marrakesh coalition” is cheap political framing

“If the prime minister, via a non-unanimous majority of two thirds of the Parliament, heads out to that city to say there that he is on the right side of history, why is that an insult? And who is actually the racist if you say things like that. It says a lot about your view of humanity if you have negative feelings about Marrakesh.”

Regarding parliamentary support for Michel II

“I am still open to cooperating in a formula. A country has to be governed. I am expecting the government to come and tell me what it still intends to do and then I will say what I want it not to do. Not to implement a Marrakesh policy for example.”

Pays d'Aoste Souverain calls for a single autonomous candidate for the European elections

a 1/07/2019

The political movement Pays d'Aoste Souverain published its appeal to the autonomous Valdostan parties in view of the European elections. The text recalls what happened during the regional elections of May 2018:

"In the month of May we asked Autonomists to present themselves under a single banner, we presented a document that was not shared, we made a round table without any result. We abstained, we did not go to vote. After eight months the Valle d'Aosta has another chance, yet another opportunity to make Europe aware of the value and identity of a people, a people that has centuries of history, a people with a language of their own, a people that does not look at the color of their skin or family surname, a people that loves and respects its own land ". So Pays d'Aoste Souverain asks for "A single candidate, a candidate of the people who bear testimony in Brussels of a Valle d'Aosta that aspires to total sovereignty, a vehicle of freedom for any man born free.".

Frisian National Party presents new logo

a 1/06/2019

In a meeting in Bolsward on January 5th, FNP party leader Johannes Kramer takes the national energy course under fire.The billions of euros in the national energy pot must become available to citizens and farmers, according to the FNP, Frisian National Party (Fryske Nasjonale Partij).

The account of the Climate Agreement is disproportionately heavy with the ordinary man and woman, he says. Just like in recent years, the FNP does not want any new windmills on the Frisian mainland. Replacement is allowed, but only within the limits of applicable zoning plans. Friesland can meet its energy requirements with offshore wind and geothermal energy, supplemented with, among other things, paneling on roofs.

The SDE + scheme (Stimulation Sustainable Energy Production) of the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate must partly be used differently, according to the FNP. There are billions of euros in it.

Kramer presented the new logo of the party in Bolsward. It will be used in the campaign towards provincial and watership elections in March, 20th. The slogan was also presented and it will be 'Foar de stim fan Fryslân' (For the voice of Friesland).

South Tyrol: SVP blocks negotitations after the cancellation of a Senate seat in South Tyrol

a 1/05/2019

South Tyrolean People's Party and Lega have agreed on a state government. But only when the autonomy conflict with Rome is resolved, it will come to forming a government. Arno Kompatscher has already made it clear: The government negotiations with the Lega are one thing: a party-internal matter of the South Tyrol People's Party (SVP).

The autonomous attitude of Rome with the cancellation of a Senate seat in South Tyrol - from three to two - without prior consultation with Bolzano and Vienna, as provided in the Statute of Autonomy, is a question of South Tyrol. But that also has implications for a coalition and could overturn successful government talks with the Lega.

The proportionality of the language groups must also be ensured with a comprehensible reduction of Senate seats from 315 to 200. Possibly South Tyrol will retain its three seats - two for German-speaking senators and one for an Italian mandator - and Trentino will receive two in the future. This is also the preferred variant of Arno Kompatscher. Only when this question is satisfactorily clarified, the SVP gives the green light. Both Kompatscher and Achammer were satisfied with the government program.

Vlaams Belang ousted from the municipal coalition in Ninove despite getting most votes in last October's local elections

a 1/04/2019

Last October 14th the Flemish MP Guy D'haeseleer (Vlaams Belang) and his local slate "Forza Ninove" collected 40 percent of the votes in Ninove. However, he was two seats short of an absolute majority and needed to seek collaboration from other parties to install a local coalition. The rest of the Flemish parties have a long-time deal to never include far-right politicians in any coalition, the so-called "cordon sanitaire".

Political pundits were following the situation in Ninove, as they were curious how the issue would be solved. The Flemish nationalists of N-VA (New Flemish Alliance) had decided to sit on the opposition benches, which meant that all the other parties together would also fail to get a majority. N-VA politician Joost Arents is leaving the N-VA to help out a local slate S.A.M.E.N. and the Flemish liberals of Open VLD to get a majority. He told the VRT "I didn't want to leave Ninove in a political stalemate." It is said that Mr Arents took the decision against the will of his party's national cabinet and he has been thrown out of the party. The news means that Forza Ninove, who clearly won the elections, could be ousted after all. Yesterday a rally was held in Ninove to dennounce it under he slogan 'Sos Democracy'.

Guy D'haeseleer is angry: "This is a slap in the face of many Ninove residents, and of Flemish-minded voters in general", he wrote on his Facebook account. "This is a black day for democracy in general and for the city in particular." He also lashes out against Joost Arents, calling him "a hypocrite".