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In the days leading up to November 8, 2016, it was impossible to find more than one person in Brussels who would publicly represent Republican candidate Donald Trump in political debates. Time after time in media appearances or organized debates, various members of "Democrats Abroad" would be tied up against the same man, tirelessly insisting to enormous skepticism that his candidate would be the next president of the United States.

That lone voice proved prescient and now Michael Kulbickas just smiles about those pre-election days. With most private Americans who live outside the US tending to lean Democrat, he's used to being the chairman of "Republicans Overseas" with few people to chair. Since Trump's win, however, the longtime Belgian resident says more individuals have "come out of the woodwork" saying they'd voted for Trump and are willing to help beef up the organization.

'Europeans misunderstand Trump'

Still, Kulbickas acknowledges, "there is a huge reluctance of people who are traditional Republicans to be associated with someone who has such high negatives among European elites." He insists that European antipathy to Trump is unwarranted, caused primarily by misreading or misunderstanding him.

"There's an extraordinarily distorted view of Mr. Trump in Europe in general and in Belgium in particular," he said from his office inBrussels, where he works as a management consultant. "Whenever the subject of American elections comes up, I am confronted with extraordinary opinions about Mr. Trump that are caricatures -clownish distortions of his character and what he says."

For example, while Kulbickas tells DW he doesn't agree with the attitude expressed by Trump in the videotape where he brags about grabbing women, he does supportthe often-mentioned defense that this is just how many men talk amongst themselves and should be dismissed. Trump's repeated disparagement of NATO is another hot-button issue in Brussels. Kulbickas believes this was a smart pre-emptive move that could finally prompt the alliance into addressing some of its problems, such as a disproportionate US share of funding.

Kulbickas wrote a letter of advice to Trump

As for the remarks that caused the most outrage among European politicians -that Britain's drop-out was a good decision and other EU countries may soon follow it -Kulbickas supported Brexit but doesn't unequivocally believe it would be good for the US if Europe truly fractured further. He does, however, appreciate the rhetoric.In his opinion, signalling to the Europeans that the US doesn't need them or even believe in their EU project is the sign of an expert negotiator who can get what he wants out of partners. "You have to be ready to get up and walk away," he explained.

Kulbickas, who confesses he was a Democrat until 9/11, says he decided early on to back Trump instead of one of the more than a dozen Republican primary contenders because he seemed more decisive than the other candidates. Kulbickas wrote candidate Trump a letter of advice, outlining strategy for his office run. He never heard back and doesn't know if Trump himself even knows there is a Republicans Overseas chapter in Brussels.

Trump team taps Brussels outpost for insights

But other members of the new administration are definitely aware of the organization, asking the group for tips on navigating the institutions and local cultures of the EU and its member states. Though the departing US ambassadors to NATO and the EU said they had received no requests for handover conversations before their Trump-mandated departures, Kulbickas mentions he and others have been providing, by request, insights into their countries of residence and the political environment, including the Europe-wide trend toward populism. Kulbickas says Trump should make common cause with leaders such as the Netherlands' Geert Wilders, a point the president's closest advisors are also pushing, according to Washington Post writer Josh Rogin.

But if the Republican group is getting stronger, it's not alone. Democrats Abroad chair Pauline Manos says requests to get involved have been pouring in since the election. More than in most other years, Manos told DW, her organization is going to push for expatriates to vote in the mid-term elections for Congress two years from now. "The reality is that most Americans who are abroad tend to show up for the presidential elections, but then things kind of quiet down for four years," Manos explained. "And I think the message that everybody has gotten is that we can't let it quiet down."

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Meet Trumps man for the European Union | Europe | DW.COM ... - Deutsche Welle

Edward Snowdens attorneys asked the European Parliament on Monday to consider granting asylum to the former NSA contractor in lieu of letting him risk a potential life sentence in the United States should he be ordered out of Russia.

U.S. and German legal representatives for the American fugitive made the case for asylum before members of the European Union during a hearing in Brussels this week, notwithstanding the Russian government agreeing days earlier to extend his residency permit through 2020.

While the Kremlins decision should allow Mr. Snowden to avoid returning to the U.S. for now and with it standing trial for espionage, his attorneys urged the E.U. at Mondays hearing to assure the NSA leaker has a safe haven once he bids farewell to Moscow following his current stint in the Russian capital.

Mr. Snowdens Berlin-based attorney, Wolfgang Kaleck, said his client risks being sentenced to 1,000 years in prison if convicted for leaking NSA secrets, including documents that detailed the U.S. governments domestic and international surveillance operations, and subsequently resulted in law changes at home and abroad.

Its against all European standards, what hes expecting in the U.S., Mr. Kaleck told Parliament, according to EurActiv.

We think the European Union member states have the obligation to support him, he continued, adding the E.U. should pay back Mr. Snowden for revealing spy programs that affected European civilians.

Mr. Snowden, 33, has resided in Russia since June 2013 when his passport was revoked by the U.S. State Department en route from Hong Kong to Havana in connection with his disclosure of documents detailing the operations of the U.S. national security apparatus. He was granted asylum by Russian President Vladimir Putin the following month, and was told last week he can stay another 3 1/2 years.

Spain, Iceland and Germany are all nations that should consider opening their doors to Mr. Snowden, Mr. Kaleck said, as reported by International Business Times.

People are looking with a lot of optimism towards Iceland right now, added Ben Wizner, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who also spoke at Mondays hearing.

Were not desperate, Mr. Kaleck added, making note of Moscows decision this month to extend Mr. Snowdens residency permit through 2020.

Nonetheless, Mr. Snowden himself has acknowledged recently the uncertainties surrounding his future, particularly in light of U.S. President Donald Trump having previously called for his execution.

While I cant predict what the future looks like, I dont know whats going to happen tomorrow, I can be comfortable with the way Ive lived today, Mr. Snowden told attendees at an event in November 2016 shortly after Mr. Trump was elected.

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Edward Snowden's attorneys appeal to European Union's ... - Washington Times

The UK has voted for Brexit - and ever since it looked like we would vote Leave, commentators have been talking about Article 50.

Today, Britain's most senior judges ruled Theresa May does not have the power to trigger the formal process for the UK's exit from the European Union without giving MPs a say.

The decision follows a legal challenge by the Government after a landmark High Court ruling in November.

But what exactly is it and what does Article 50 mean for Brexit?

Over half of voters in the EU referendum (51.9%) chose to leave the union, but it is not as simple as just waving goodbye to Europe.

Supreme Court Brexit ruling live: Updates as judges decide MPs WILL get a vote on Article 50

No state has left the European Union before, although Greenland did vote to quit the EEC.

How the UK goes about its conscious uncoupling after its 43 year relationship is governed by Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

In October, Theresa May told the Conservative Party conference that she planned to trigger Article 50 by the end of March 2017.

But today the High Court put a spanner in the works by ruling the PM does not have the power to start Brexit proceedings without first allowing MPs to vote.

The Treaty of Lisbon, signed in December 2007, is the European Union's most recent constitution - and Article 50 makes provision for countries that want to leave.

It sets out the exit process but is deliberately vague meaning member states could be forced to enter into long negotiations to thrash out the terms of any deal.

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Immediately after Article 50 is invoked, a two-year window begins during which Britain will be expected to enter talks on plans for its relationship with the rest of the Union post- Brexit .

Topics on the table could include the UK's access to the single market, travel arrangements and what will happen to people from EU countries who are working or living in Britain.

But it's not all smooth sailing all 28 member states have to unanimously agree to the terms of a deal meaning the negotiations could take years.

In the meantime Britain is still bound by the obligations and responsibilities of EU membership.

A senior EU official said: "The Article 50 process is a divorce: who gets the house, who gets the kids, who gets the bank accounts.

"It is spouses, instead of working through lawyers, throwing dishes at each other."

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In a joint statement issued in July, EU leaders Martin Schulz, Donald Tusk, Mark Rutte and Jean-Claude Juncker said: We now expect the United Kingdom government to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, however painful that process may be.

We have rules to deal with this in an orderly way.

Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union sets out the procedure to be followed if a Member State decides to leave the European Union.

We stand ready to launch negotiations swiftly with the United Kingdom regarding the terms and conditions of its withdrawal from the European Union.

Until this process of negotiations is over, the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union, with all the rights and obligations that derive from this.

On November 3, campaigners led by hedge fund manager Gina Miller, won a High Court fight to give MPs a vote on Brexit and derailed Theresa May's plans to invoke Article 50 before March 2017.

The Government announced it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. That appeal decision will be revealed today at 9.30am.

At the original decision, three of Englands top judges gave the historic ruling after a costly three-day hearing.

The High Court ruled the Prime Minister did not have the power to trigger two-year exit process Article 50 before a vote in Parliament.

Introducing his judgement, Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas said: This is a pure question of law. The court is not concerned with and does not express any view about the merits of leaving the European Union. That is a political issue.

He added: The court expressly accepts the principle arguments of the claimants. The government does not have the power of prerogative

Mrs May was relying on the royal prerogative - which a team led by investment fund manager Gina Miller said was not enough to ignore elected MPs.

Anti-Brexiters celebrated the news on Twitter - and even some Leave voters are happy about it.

One man admitted he voted Brexit but hoped the decision could 'correct his stupidity'.

Many thanked God for the ruling, claiming that there was finally some "sense" in the chaotic mess which has hung over our country since June.

Others claimed there is at last some "hope".

But not everyone was happy about it.

Nigel Farage, the former UKIP leader who led the Brexit campaign, took to Twitter to say: ""I worry that a betrayal may be near at hand."

Others also claimed that the ruling was a betrayal for the majority who voted.

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What is Article 50 and why is it key to Brexit? - Mirror.co.uk

Variety

Brexit: U.K. Parliament Wins Power to Trigger Departure From European Union Variety Britain's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that only Parliament has the power to trigger the country's exit from the European Union, not the government, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May but probably not impeding the withdrawal process. To leave ... Brexit is opportunity to pull Europe closer together, EU's top negotiator Guy Verhofstadt saysTelegraph.co.uk Factbox: Impact on banks from Britain's vote to leave the EUReuters 'Brexit' Talks Can't Start Without Parliament, UK Supreme Court RulesNew York Times CNN -The Independent -Indiatimes.com all 1,206 news articles »

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Brexit: U.K. Parliament Wins Power to Trigger Departure From European Union - Variety

GETTY

Brussels boss Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU should bring in new laws to enforce certain standards across the bloc, which is becoming increasingly riven by huge inequalities.

He called for a Europe-wide minimum wage but stressed that it would still be up to individual countries, and not Brussels, to set how much workers should be paid.

Mr Juncker also called for a law forcing countries to pay benefits to all people seeking work which is likely to anger most member states, which have varying restrictions on jobseeker's allowances.

The chief eurocrat made the remarks as Europe faces a growing popularity crisis, with nationalist politicians on the march in Italy, France, and the Netherlands.

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Populist leaders like Italy's Beppe Grillo and France's Marine Le Pen have made huge capital out of the scandalous inequalities within the EU and the disastrous impact free movement and the euro have had on low paid workers.

Mr Juncker said: "There should be a minimum salary in each country of the European Union.

There is a level of dignity we have to respect.

There is a level of dignity we have to respect

Jean-Claude Juncker

He added that the policy would help reduce "social dumping" - the practice of shipping cheap migrant labour across borders - and would initially be rolled out just to eurozone countries.

Of the 28 EU member states just six - Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Italy and Sweden - do not have a statutory legal minimum wage.

But the amounts paid to workers do vary widely across the bloc. Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in the EU of just under 2,000 euros a month. Bulgaria, at under 250 euros, has the lowest.

On top of that the payment of benefits, and in particular jobseekers' allowance, is also vastly different between countries.

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Britain unsurprisingly has one of the most generous regimes in the bloc, with people automatically entitled to 71.70 a week.

But in many other member states there is a requirement to have worked and paid tax for a minimum period before becoming eligible.

The EU Commission is expected to put forward its proposals within the next few weeks and ahead of March's summit in Rome, where eurocrats will celebrate the 60th birthday of the Brussels project.

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EU boss Juncker says states should be forced to pay minimum wage and jobseeker's allowance - Express.co.uk