European Union

European Union Population: 499 794 855 Life expectancy: 72.3 years Religion: Predominantly Christian; Protestantism in the north-west, Roman Catholicism in the south, and Orthodox Catholicism in the east. 52% of the citizens of EU member states state that they believe in a God, 27% believe there is some sort of spirit or life Force while 18% do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God or Life Force. 3% declined to answer.

Concerns Democracy The turnouts for the Parliament elections are below 50%, and the interest is falling. There are concerns as to how much influence the Parliament has, compared to nonelected institutions (such as the European Commission). Only 36% of the citizens feel they understand how the union works. Yet, an increasing number of political areas are absorbed by the supranational organs in EU.

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states, located primarily in Europe. The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws which apply in all member states, ensuring the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the Union. The idea is to increase the ease of trade, and to make the participating countries mutually dependent on each other (to prevent war). The structure of the EU is a hybrid of supranationalism and intergovernmentalism. In certain areas, it depends upon agreement between the member states; in others, supranational bodies are able to make decisions without unanimity. The European Parliament is elected every five years by the member states' citizens, but the turnout is low and falling.

Even though all official EU documents must be translated to at least English, French and German, the vast majority of the population have to work in a foreign language to engage in political matters handled by the European Union. Distance in geography, lifestyle and language are huge obstacles for media coverage. The “European Union Constitution” was rejected by popular vote in France and the Netherlands in 2005, but the revised version, “the Lisbon treaty,” still includes a “Paseralle clause” which would allow the EU to give itself more powers as it sees fit without the need for any more treaties. The Lisbon treaty was however rejected by Ireland in 2008, the only country to arrange a referendum. A new referendum will be held on 2 October this year, which many consider to be disrespectful to the Irish voters. Privacy European citizens leave an increasing number of digital traces as they move around, and it becomes both legally and technically easier and easier for the governments to combine the information available. The privacy of the individual is at risk at the cost of “national security.” There is no recognition that people not only want to live and travel in safety but also want protection from the activities of an all-powerful state.

Members of the EU Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In addition, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway are a part of the European Economic Area. Suggested prayer topics • • • •

Pray for democracy in the EU Pray for the ethical challenges for security agencies in respect to surveillance/privacy Pray for the European Union’s political leaders, that they may reign wisely for the benefit of their country and for the world Pray for the advancement of justice and selfless love in the European Union.

President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Durao Barroso Barroso's political activity began in his college days in the seventies, where he studied law and economics. He was one of the leaders of an underground Maoist organisation (Reorganising Movement of the Proletariat Party). However, in 1980 Barroso joined the right-of-centre Democratic Popular Party. Barroso became Prime Minister of Portugal on 6 April 2002. In 2003, Barroso hosted U.S President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar in the Portuguese Island of Terceira, in the Azores, in which the four leaders met and finalised the controversial USled 2003 invasion of Iraq. Under Barroso's leadership, Portugal became part of the "coalition of the willing" for the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Barroso did not finish his term as he had been nominated as President of the European Commission on 5 July 2004.

President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek In the 1980s Jerzy Buzek was an activist of the democratic anti-communist movements in communist Poland. He was an active organizer of the trade union's underground authorities. From 1997 to 2001, Buzek was Prime Minister of Poland, leading a right-centrist coalition. On 14 July 2009, Buzek was elected President of the European Parliament. He has pledged to make human rights and the promotion of the Eastern partnership two of his priorities during his term in office. Buzek graduated in 1963, specializing in chemical engineering. Since 1997 he has been a professor of technical science.