European elections 2009

6th of March was a general grey, rainy day in Budapest. In the central of the Hungarian capital many people walked around, went home after a busy day like usual. At the same time it wasn’t an ordinary Thursday for Babelians: in the historical downtown café called Central the next event of EU Debate on the ground took place. It was Budapest’s turn to be on the ground and we could not choose a more actual topic that the crisis and its relation to creativity and innovations.

The Russian-Ukrainian gas disputes are making Europe feel – not just in the recent months but in the last few years - the rules of this game, and the fact who makes these rules. Although our dependence is hardly mentioned, it is quite obvious that this is a constantly strengthening relationship.

Budapest is the winner of The European Mobility Week 2008. The Hungarian capital came before the Portuguese Almada and the Croatian capital, Zagreb.

The seventh European Mobility Week was held from 16 to 22 September 2008 and more than 1000 cities have joined in. The keyword is ’Clear air for all’ what says lot about the aim of the project. The goal is of course to find - instead of cars - alternative solutions for transport moreover, to see how citizens and politicians can work together on the issue. It is also important part of the program to find minimally one politician in every city as a leader for the good cause.

Regarding to the global economic crisis Hungary is the most vulnerable country in the Eastern-Central region of Europe. Hungary’s currency, forint has weakened a lot, many factories and financial institutions are in trouble, the stock market has sharply fallen. There are many reforms, scenarios, possible solutions to avoid an economic disaster. What is really going on? Is there any chance to stop it? Little summery about Hungary’s situation.

Today the international jury has chosen the 10 best logos from the trio members' alltogether 30 proposals. The Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian prime ministers will make public the winner only in the end of 2009. Each countries has invited young artists to a competiton to create a trio presidency logo that expresses the cooperation of the three memberstates, has a european message. On other hand it should be simple, easy-use, and should be printable both in color and in blackandwhite. In Hungary the 10th logo of the Hungarian proposal were selected by an on-line vote of the citizens.
Check the list of the finalists.