CyprusVista

The Republic of Cyprus parliament has approved the so-called Lisbon Treaty, bringing the total of EU countries who have ratified the document to 20. However, all 27 EU members must approve the treaty, designed to simplify decision-making processes, before it can take effect. The treaty also paves the way for further EU expansion into the former Balkan states, and to create an EU president to represent a stronger, united EU.

A major stumbling block occurred when the Irish people rejected the treaty in a referendum held in June. This poses a serious problem for the EU, as the Irish vote has effectively stalled the whole process. The EU will be exerting pressure on the new Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Brian Cowen, to find a solution. Ironically, Cowen himself campaigned for the ‘yes’ vote, but the Irish people voted 53.4% against. After the results, Cowen acknowledged: “The Irish people made a sovereign decision. It was made at the ballot box and it must be respected.”

Ireland is the only EU country to hold a referendum on the treaty so far, and post-voting research into why people voted ‘no’ has shed fascinating light on the outcome.
• 22% said they voted ‘no’ because of lack of information
• 12% said they voted ‘no’ to protect their Irish identity
• 6% said they did not trust politicians and voted ‘no’ to protect their tax system
• only 1% voted ‘no’ to control immigration
• 50% of those who did not vote at all said they stayed away from the polls as they did not understand the issues

Such an outcome, of course, has interesting implications for any future referendums on unification of North and south Cyprus. Clearly, the most important lesson to take on board is the sheer number of people who stayed away or voted ‘no’ in the Irish referendum because they simply did not understand what they were voting for. Any future proposed North/south solution must be crystal clear and easy to grasp, so people know exactly what they are voting for, to give unification of Cyprus the best possible chance at any future polls.

Popularity: 17% [?]

In preparation for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest to be held in November, Cyprus has voted for its favourite song to represent them. And, in true Eurovision style, Cypriots have chose a song with the most ridiculous title, “Whoopee Yia“, sung by Elena Mannouri and Charis Savva.

The two pony-tailed kids from Cyprus clearly enjoy dancing around to this energetic mix of classic Brittany pop with a solid rock beat. In fact, they may stand a very good chance. Their song is irritatingly catchy, and as the adult Eurovision Song Contest contest has proved in the past, catchy can win.

For example, who would have predicted that a song by a group representing Sweden comparing a love affair to the defeat of the great general Napoleon would sweep the board? (”Waterloo”, by Abba, of course, 1974)

Or that a little Scottish singer would win over Eurovision hearts with the noisily-titled march “Boom-bang-a-bang.”? (Lulu, 1969)

Or that Europe would sing along with a Dutch Abba sound-alike, when Teach In’s “Ding a Dong” won in 1975?

The UK have won the Eurovision Song Song contest five times (1967, 1969, 1976, 1981 and 1997), whereas Morocco were so disappointed with their poor results in 1980, they never entered again! Norway are much more resilient; having been bottom no less than ten times, they have also won the contest twice, most recently in 1995.

Not everyone who wins Eurovision enjoys instant stardom, but it was definitely better late than never for a young Canadian singing in French on behalf of Switzerland, who years later enjoyed a Titanic hit. (Celine Dion, 1988, “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.”)

Cyprus have never won the competition (yet!), but have been in the top five four times, so maybe this year in Belgrade will be the grown-ups’ lucky night.

In the meantime, Cyprus’ Junior contenders Elena and Charis will perform their song in the 6th Junior Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Limassol in November 2008, hosted by CyBC. We wish them all the best with their song, which certainly has a more upbeat title than the Spanish winner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back in 2004, when the song title translated as “Better Dead Than Normal”…

Popularity: 8% [?]