Covid vaccine hope is a major stock market plus, Michel’s EU school for imams causes a fuss, and an outraged MEP doesn’t want to take the bus.
This week we are supported by the European Left, find out more about their European Forum later on.
It’s here! The #EuropeanForum 2020 will open on 8th November and run online throughout the month. Check out the full programme of forums, seminars and assemblies on our website:
📌 https://t.co/XtpSdSsOVN pic.twitter.com/JdjyzS6zyM
— European Forum (@_EuropeanForum) October 19, 2020
Well 2020 has thrown us enough curve balls, so it’s nice to have some positive news for a change – even the markets are celebrating a potential new vaccine and the defeat of Donald Trump out, pointed out Nikos Chrysoloras.
Vaccine in, Trump out ——> markets 🎉 🎈 🎊
https://t.co/jhmMX8H7Hq— Nikos Chrysoloras (@nchrysoloras) November 9, 2020
Pfizer and BioNTech say their COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective reported Barbara Tasch.
Pfizer, BioNTech say their COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective https://t.co/XxAkbcrVlu
— Barbara Tasch (@BarbaraTasch) November 9, 2020
Le Chou, as usual, went a bit off piste suggesting that lipstick stocks would surge and sourdough flour futures collapse.
Lipstick Stocks Surge As Covid Vaccine News Breaks. Sourdough Flour Futures Collapse pic.twitter.com/ZNpihDxRQH
— Le Chou (@LeChouNews) November 9, 2020
The European Commission confirmed a contract for up to 300 million doses of the vaccine, “once it has proven to be safe and effective.”
The @EU_Commission has just confirmed to have authorised a contract for up to 300 million doses of the vaccine developed by @BioNTech_Group and @Pfizer "once the vaccine has proven to be safe and effective against COVID-19," said a spokesperson.
— Gerardo Fortuna (@gerardofortuna) November 11, 2020
Which Sam Morgan pictured a little bit like this!
https://t.co/xsUgigmFkG pic.twitter.com/LYTPO8U7oW
— Sam Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) November 11, 2020
If you want to tell positive stories, look no further than How a little-known German biotech firm founded by the children of Turkish immigrants became a leader in global coronavirus vaccine race.
How a Little-known German Biotech Firm Founded by the Children of Turkish Immigrants Became a Leader in Global #Coronavirus Vaccine Race https://t.co/IeDPy0Axan
— Rachael Ruble (@RachaelRuble) November 9, 2020
This week the european left, greens and progressives forces are promoting their annual European Forum. The 2020 edition starts on 8th November and will run online throughout the month, this year focussing on the Covid-19 pandemic challenges to humanity and how to refound a Europe of solidarity. Check out the full programme at europeanforum.eu
It’s here! The #EuropeanForum 2020 will open on 8th November and run online throughout the month. Check out the full programme of forums, seminars and assemblies on our website:
📌 https://t.co/XtpSdSsOVN pic.twitter.com/JdjyzS6zyM
— European Forum (@_EuropeanForum) October 19, 2020
This week the European Council President presented a new idea that was met with widespread skepticism.
Specifically he wants to set up a European Institute to train imams in Europe in order to “fight the ideology of hatred.”
To fight the Ideology of Hatred, we need to setup as soon as possible a European Institute to train imams in Europe.
Online messages glorifying terrorism must be quickly removed. There must be no impunity for terrorists and those praising them on internet. pic.twitter.com/O6E1dn13Um
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) November 9, 2020
Diego Velazquez said the idea is so outlandish and bad, that he can’t possibly have said it — we all just misunderstood him because of his champion English accent.
The idea is so outlandish and bad, I still comfort myself telling me that @eucopresident never actually said this – we all just misunderstood him because of his world championship English accent. https://t.co/Zthea2khPy
— diego velazquez (@diego_bxl) November 11, 2020
DG Meme was first to hail “DG GOD, created from a rib of SECGEN!”
DG GOD, created from a rib of SECGEN! https://t.co/k5QEGlHn8p
— DG MEME 🇪🇺 (@meme_ec) November 9, 2020
NextgenerationEUiman? Suggested James Crisp referencing another of the Commission’s widely ridiculed titles.
NextgenerationEUiman ?
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) November 10, 2020
Meanwhile Member States were also getting in on the action and flexing their “antiterror muscles”
Macron and Kurz Flex Antiterror Muscles for Domestic Audience . by @AdamNossiter https://t.co/La4C813Wg2
— Steven Erlanger (@StevenErlanger) November 11, 2020
Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz says his government will create a new category of crime called “political Islam”
Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz says his government will create a new category of crime called "political Islam" https://t.co/3xw6Hr8KLl
— mehreenkhn (@MehreenKhn) November 11, 2020
Oh for fuck’s sake Chancellor could you fucking not begged Luc Dockendorf
Oh for fuck’s sake Chancellor could you fucking not https://t.co/rlovGGw2xJ
— Luc Dockendorf (@LucDockendorf) November 11, 2020
Clarifying that any expletives are in fact perfectly valid technical terms in diplomatic jargon.
______
to the untrained eye, the tweet above may look like it contains expletives but I assure you that they are perfectly valid technical terms in diplomatic jargon— Luc Dockendorf (@LucDockendorf) November 11, 2020
Finally in another unedifying example of diplomatic debate, EPP MEP Markus Ferber launched into a rant at European Parliament President David Sassoli because he still has a driver while regular MEPs have to use public transport.
Ferber was demanding the return of per-diems and chauffeur service suspended during lockdown.
Welcome to #PlanetMEP, tweeted James Franey “not a good look,” particularly during the coronacrisis.
Welcome to #PlanetMEP.
"We have to take public transport. Is that the protection that you think we are worthy of?"
A German MEP whines he can no longer claim his daily allowances, or use the European Parliament's limo service during Belgium's lockdown. Not a good look at all. #EU https://t.co/og4x6UEDbi— James Franey (@jamesfraney) November 11, 2020
Fellow MEP Martin Sonneborn was also unimpressed suggesting the hashtag #prayforferber
Markus Ferber, dessen Praktikantinnen z.T. am Stadtrand campten, weil der bestsituierte CSU-Mann ihnen wenig bis nichts bezahlte, leidet darunter, dass er im Lockdown den öfftl. Nahverkehr benutzen muss & kein Tagegeld erhält (zus. mit FDP-Ulknudel Nicola Beer)… #PrayForFerber pic.twitter.com/GPBzTYFChM
— Martin Sonneborn (@MartinSonneborn) November 11, 2020
Cue much of German Twitter telling Ferber exactly what they think about his plight!
Thats is for this week join me again next week for more gripes and snipes in the Brussels Bubble Twittersphere