Name: Germany Controls Europe - Euromyth No. 2
Uploaded: 2019-04-04T17:00:00.000+02:00
Duration: 109 s
Description: Some see Angela Merkel as a dominant figure in Europe with Germany imposing its will over other EU member states. If it is true that many Germans hold key roles in EU institutions, Germany has just one vote in the Council, the same as any other member state.

Niemcy miażdżą Europę

Alemania aplasta Europa

L'Allemagne écrase l'Europe

Germany Controls Europe

La Germania decide tutto in Europa

Deutschland unterdrückt Europa

Some see Angela Merkel as a dominant figure in Europe with Germany imposing its will over other EU member states. If it is true that many Germans hold key roles in EU institutions, Germany has just one vote in the Council, the same as any other member state.

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True or False: Challenging Euromyths

ARTE at the European Elections

Europe 2019

<p>Some see Angela Merkel as a dominant figure in Europe with Germany imposing its will over other EU member states. If it is true that many Germans hold key roles in EU institutions, Germany has just one vote in the Council, the same as any other member state.</p>

Euromyth No. 2

Some see Angela Merkel as a dominant figure in Europe with Germany imposing its will over other EU member states.

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Since 2015 hundreds or thousands of migrants have arrived on Europe’s shores from sub-Saharan Africa, Syria and Afghanistan. Many have criticised the EU’s lack of response to the crisis. But an EU system controlling migration and asylum seekers is in place, and is working.  

Euromyths

Europe is Swamped with Migrants

Many European citizens and heads of state accuse the European Union of imposing too many directives and regulations, especially in social affairs. In reality it is national governments that hold most power in this domain.

Euromyth No.3

Too Much Regulation

For many European citizens and some heads of state the EU Commission is an overbearing bloated bureaucracy that has too much unaccountable power. But the reality is much more nuanced.

Euromyth No.4

The Tyrannical EU Commission

Laws made at EU level override laws at a national level. But the power of member states in shaping these laws are considerable.

Euromyth No. 5

EU Law Trumps National Law

MEPS have decent pay and pensions but do not get a salary for life.

Euromyth No. 6

MEPs Get a Salary for Life

When the euro finally arrived in January 2002, many in the Eurozone felt that prices rose sharply. In reality price inflation  was minimal.

Euromyth No. 7

The Euro Made Everything Expensive

Since the Euro was introduced, economic inequality between member states has risen. Some EU citizens believe that the single currency and the Stability and Growth Pact are entirely responsible. As ever, the reality is more nuanced.

Euromyth No. 8

Since the Euro was introduced, economic inequality between member states has risen with many blaming this on the single currency. 

The Euro Only Benefits Rich Countries

A common misconception in Europe: Our representatives in the European Parliament are too old to understand younger generations and to launch ambitious political projects. In reality MEPs are hardly bedridden!

Euromyth No. 9

MEPS are Too Old

So this euromyth is arguably true: Working as an MP is a good career move. Transport and office expenses allocated to MEPs are generous and although payments are capped there is no transparency on how the money is spent.

Euromyth No. 10

MEPs Have Lots of Privileges

Many think that the European Union is not doing enough about green issues. But the EU is beginning to implement concrete measures to counter-act climate change.

Euromyth No 11

Many think that the European Union is not doing enough about green issues.

Europe is Letting Our Planet Die

This is no myth! All across the EU populist parties are on the rise with the far-right making significant gains by exploiting the migrant crisis. It’s up to European citizens in European elections to decide what kind of Europe they want.

Euromyth No 12

A Populist Future

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The situation on the border between Poland and Belarus continues to deteriorate: in September 2021, nearly 9,000 people tried to reach the European Union illegally through Poland. That's twice as many as in August. And revealing the truth of the situation is difficult, as journalists and NGOs are forbidden from the area. ARTE reporter Ulrike Däßler and her team was detained by police in the course of making this report, for no reason other than trying to do their jobs.

The situation on the border between Poland and Belarus continues to deteriorate

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Tens of thousands of people demonstrated on October 10th in Poland to reaffirm their attachment to the European Union, seventeen years after their country's accession. Spearheading the push towards Brussels is former President of the European Council Donald Tusk, who called for protests after a decision by the Polish Constitutional Court, which challenges the primacy of European law. The pro-Europeans fear that their country is in danger of leaving the EU.

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Poland to reaffirm their attachment to the European Union

The Polish Protesters Who Choose Europe

Anaïs moved to Madrid to work in an office where everyone speaks her language, a French call centre based in Spain.

Migrants Inside Europe

Young French Workers in Madrid

Constitutional judges are set to decide whether or not Poland will bend to European law, as all Member States are required to do, or follow its own national laws first and foremost instead. The legal equivalent of a Polexit would be a blow to many human rights activists in the country. The ruling would place Poland in opposition to many key European values, such as press freedom, and refugee rights.

Constitutional judges are set to decide whether or not Poland will bend to European law

Could Poland be Heading for a Polexit?

Ionut is one of the 20% of Romanians working in another European country. He chose Britain where he works long hours as a lorry-driver far from his family back home in Romania.

Ionut is one of the 20% of Romanians working in another European country.

A Romanian Lorry-Driver in Britain

From its beginnings with 6 members to today’s 28, peace has been central to the European project with the Franco-German partnership proving crucial in building the European Union.

Tops of the EU

Peace and the Franco-German Partnership

Three quarters of Kosovans are under 35, a great advantage for an otherwise disadvantaged country. Hana Qerimi has founded a school that teaches children to be programmers, preparing them for the world of today and tomorrow.

Kosovo Youngsters (1/12)

Every Programmer is Needed

In Kosovo, Albanians and Serbs do not often mix. However, in the small town of Kamenica, co-existence is peaceful with both ethnic groups going to the same cafés and markets. This is the work of the town’s young mayor, Qendron Kastrati.

Kosovo Youngsters (2/12)

A Co-Existence of All Ethnic Groups

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Amsterdam’s famous red-light district attracts hordes of noisy tourists making the neighbourhood unliveable for many of its residents. With the city authorities considering measures to push sex workers out of the area, does this spell the end for the historic trade in the city centre?

Amsterdam’s famous red-light district attracts hordes of noisy tourists making the neighbourhood unliveable for many of its residents.

Re: Mass Tourism in Amsterdam's Red Light District

Second or third children born illegally during China’s One Child Policy are banned from marrying, having children or simply boarding a train. Condemned to a non-life, these ghost children do not officially exist according to the Chinese state. ARTE Reportage goes in search of these ‘Haihaizi’,  those children who should not have been born.

Arte Reportage

Second or third children born illegally during China’s One Child Policy are banned from marrying, having children or simply boarding a train. 

China's Ghost Children

A century ago the Treaty of Trianon formally ended World War I between the Kingdom of Hungary and the allied powers. Hungary lost two-thirds of its territory at Trianon which is still a contentious subject in Hungarian politics and society.

Hungary's Trauma

From India, Pakistan and Thailand, thousands of Asian workers toil in the plantations of southwestern Portugal. They do hard, poorly paid work, far from their families and their country, in hopes of getting Portuguese nationality. It's their passport to a better life, elsewhere in Europe.

Hoping for an EU passport

Thousands of Asian workers toil in plantations in Portugal, in hopes of getting Portuguese nationality

Re: Asian Workers in Portugal

When Massimo Vacchetta discovered little Ninna, he immediately adopted her and saved her from certain death. The veterinarian, whose specialty was caring for cattle, had found his vocation: he opened a hedgehog refuge, now a local institution partly run by volunteers.

When Massimo Vacchetta discovered little Ninna, he immediately adopted her and saved her from certain death

360° Geo: A Hedgehog Shelter in Italy

From an incredibly varied selection of 19th century postcards, the Paris of the Belle Epoque (1871 – 1914) comes to life. Street-photography captured Parisians from all walks of life and conveyed the optimism and elegance of the period.

From an incredibly varied selection of 19th century postcards, the Paris of the Belle Epoque (1871 – 1914) comes to life.

Paris in the Belle Epoque

In Myanmar the veneration of the Buddha is a popular practice which takes many forms. In the second city of Mandalay, craftspeople make thousands of statues of Buddha in the local white marble to satisfy the demand coming from temples and monasteries throughout Asia.

GEO Reportage

Mandalay's Buddha Statues

Ayn Rand was a survivor of Communism, and as a result, her writings fiercely advocate uncompromising individualism. Her high profile fans include Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Angelina Jolie.

Gymnastics

Ayn Rand was a survivor of Communism, and as a result, her writings fiercely advocate uncompromising individualism

Ayn Rand, Capitalism Guru

For a new generation of designers, "fast fashion" and disposable clothing is over! Their motto: "less is more". They are making a radical change in the fashion world by using timeless designs to produce clothing that is sustainable, and fair trade.

For a new generation of designers, "fast fashion" and disposable clothing is over! 

Fashion Rebels

Glaciers contain essential data on the climate of previous eras. The melting ice is a major concern for scientists, who are racing against time. The presenters of Xenius survey a cave in the Stubai Alps, discover the working methods of glaciologists, and learn about the wealth of information hidden in the layers of ice.

Xenius

The melting of the glaciers is a major concern for scientists, who are racing against time

Glaciers in a Changing Climate

Tortured, murdered, or kidnapped, migrants held in Libya go through hell. Shot on location, this poignant documentary reveals a system ruled by impunity and collusion between smugglers, militias and authorities, to which Europe turns a blind eye.

ARTE Reportage

Tortured, murdered, or kidnapped, migrants held in Libya go through hell

Libya: Migrant Camps Scandal

The world's tech giants - the likes of Facebook, Apple or Google - now have a political role to play. They can curb misinformation or spread it, along with all of the massive social issues that entails. An in-depth analysis of social media uses and regulations in China, the United States, and Europe.

Mapping the World

An in-depth analysis of social media uses and regulations in China, the United States, Europe and Russia.

The Geopolitics of Social Media

Millions of people worldwide suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), an extreme and persistent exhaustion for which there is no cure. An investigation into a little known illness focusing on the experiences of three individuals suffering from CFS: Ralf, Sonja and Aileen.

ME/CFS – A Misunderstood Illness

 An investigation into little understood illness focusing on the experiences of three individuals suffering from CFS: Ralf, Sonja and Aileen.

Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

In 1991 with the fall of the dictator Siad Barré, the North-West of Somalia proclaimed its independence and became Somaliland. But the country is unrecognised by the international community. Despite this, the nation-that-is-not-a-nation has enjoyed relative peace and stability over the last three decades. 

Somaliland is unrecognised by the international community, but despite this, it is peaceful and stable

Somaliland, the Country That Does Not Exist

Pasta made from worm flour, grass-hopper salads or muesli bars with cricket… Insect food products could be appearing on our plates soon if Laetitia Giroud and Julien Foucher get their way. 360° Geo visited the couple at their insect farm in Spain.

Insect food products could be appearing on our plates soon if insect farmers Laetitia Giroud and Julien Foucher get their way.

360° Geo: Insects - the Food of the Future

As Daniel Hope has been awarded the distinguished Opus Klassik prize, we celebrate with highlights from his much-loved lockdown series, Hope@Home.

With Daniel Hope, Christoph Israel and Guests

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The Franco-Venezuelan singer’s performances are as emotional as they are upbeat, impressing audiences with her refreshing electro-pop blend of European and Latin American sounds

Nancy Jazz Pulsations

La Chica

From the late 1990s, Rødhåd laid the foundations for his DJ career. His perfectionist mixes of dub techno and percussive grooves earned him widespread recognition and since 2010, he has been a resident of Berlin's Berghain.
At the same time, Vril took the techno scene by storm, almost out of nowhere. As a producer, he pursues a timeless sound aesthetic that serves no trend in the genre. With his energetic live sets, he has impressed audiences across the world.
The techno giants perform from the post-industrial space of the Ruhr Museum. 

Stone Techno X Zollverein

Techno giants Rødhåd and Vril perform from the post-industrial space of the Ruhr Museum.

Vril & Rødhåd: "Out Of Place Artefacts"

The kea is a large native bird of New Zealand, a mountain parrot that calls the Southern Alps of the South Island home. Reputedly extremely clever and mischievous, they have earned the nickname, the clown of the alps.

The Keas of New Zealand

The Italian island of Stromboli is home to just 300 people, mainly farmers and fishermen. They fish using sustainable, traditional methods that generates little profit, but empowers this small community to live outside of mainstream capitalism.

The Italian island of Stromboli is home to fishermen who live using sustainable, traditional methods

Euromyth No. 2

True or False: Challenging Euromyths

Europe is Swamped with Migrants