Journalists

The perennial debate over whether prostitution should be legalized or not is no longer topical after Ciudadanos’ leader Albert Rivera stated in Spain ina radio interview that he was in favor of decriminalizing this activity. The Popular Party candidate for mayor of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, soon joined this proposal, who also claimed to have been the first to defend this position years ago.

Her famous pragmatism this time failed. Angela Merkel, considered the most powerful woman in the world and the guarantor of stability after Donald Trump came to power, faces an uncertain future. Together with his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Merkel failed in negotiations to form a new government after his weak victory in the September elections. But the chancellor, who has been in power since 2005, is ready to be a candidate again in any anticipated elections. She prefers it to governing in the minority, an option she considers a risk of permanent instability.

The Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force on December 1, 2009, has modified the EU’s structure. It has increased the number of areas where the European Parliament shares decision-making with the Council of the European Union. It has also increased the role of national parliaments, which will have more opportunities to provide a direct input into EU decision-making. This is due to a new early-warning system that will allow national parliaments to comment on draft laws and to check that the so-called subsidiary principle is adhered to. This assures that the EU does not pass legislation on matters that would be better dealt with nationally.