Commission takes UK to court, spat erupts as Orban falls short, and Belgium finally has a government… of a sort.
This week we are supported by Logos public affairs agency, find out more about their FAST programme later on.
Yesterday the European Commission Président sent a letter of formal notice to the UK government — the first step in infringement proceedings – over the controversial internal market bill that could override aspects of the Brexit Withdrawal agreement.
European Commission Président says sent letter of formal notice to UK government – the first step in infringement proceedings. This, because has not removed party’s of internal market bill that could override aspects of #Brexit Withdrawal agreement /1
— Katya Adler (@BBCkatyaadler) October 1, 2020
Jim Brunsden said the announcement was “short and to the point.”
Short and to the point: @vonderleyen launches legal action against the #UK over the IMB in 1m33s: https://t.co/U6YGHGD5gU
— Jim Brunsden (@jimbrunsden) October 1, 2020
Which Guido Fawkes summarised as “See EU in court!”
EU Launches Legal Action Against UK for Breach of Withdrawal Agreement https://t.co/zC1d0mS0F0 pic.twitter.com/ntOzcFdoBl
— Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) October 1, 2020
But of course the move was entirely expected.
Less expected was Nigel Farage’s endorsement of the Commission move!
The “oven ready deal” was an international treaty — for the EU Commission, that is like the Bible. Whilst the EU always acts in bad faith, all they are doing today is asking Boris to keep his promises,” he said.
The “oven ready deal” was an international treaty — for the EU Commission, that is like the Bible.
Whilst the EU always acts in bad faith, all they are doing today is asking Boris to keep his promises.
It should never have been signed in the first place. https://t.co/PybqaSXUwk
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) October 1, 2020
But James Crisp says the point is just to ensure honour is satisfied without rocking the trade talks boat.
Point being that this is just to ensure honour is satisfied without rocking the trade talks boat. https://t.co/MkXbhN73To
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) October 1, 2020
Another international spat that gathered steam this week is Hungary’s Viktor Orban against Values and Transparency Commissioner Vera Jourova!
The former called on the latter to resign after she criticised the Hungarian leader over failing on rule of law principles.
MEP Sophie In’t Veld said Jourova was absolutely right to call out corrupted autocrats and stand up for European values.
Commissioner @VeraJourova is absolutely right to call out corrupted autocrats and stand up for European values. https://t.co/Tq8kb3ngKM
— Sophie in 't Veld (@SophieintVeld) September 28, 2020
But that’s not how Orban’s party saw it:
“No democratic institution should tolerate a leader who uses such insults as she did in her Spiegel interview. Defining Hungary as a sick democracy humiliates Hungarian people,” tweeted Hungarian Minister, Judit Varga.
@VeraJourova has to resign! No democratic institution should tolerate a leader who uses such insults as she did in her Spiegel interview. Defining Hungary as a sick democracy humiliates Hungarian people, contradicts European values and brings shame upon the @EU_Commission!
— Judit Varga (@JuditVarga_EU) September 28, 2020
Significantly, Orbán sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warning that his government would suspended contact with Jourová, explained Lili Bayer.
Just as the European Commission prepares to unveil its first-ever rule of law report, Hungary’s Orbán has sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen calling for @VeraJourova’s resignation — and, perhaps more importantly, noted that his government suspends contact with Jourová. pic.twitter.com/4IFYCZnfHn
— Lili Bayer (@liliebayer) September 29, 2020
But Pablo Perez reckons “She is not going anywhere.”
She is not going anywhere. pic.twitter.com/8kre9RAdBO
— Pablo Pérez (@PabloPerezA) September 29, 2020
While Le Chou imagines a parallel world were: “Vera Jourova Challenges Viktor Orban To Dance-Off, As Rule Of Law Spat Gets Tasty”
Vera Jourova Challenges Viktor Orban To Dance-Off, As Rule Of Law Spat Gets Tasty pic.twitter.com/5h9Zg9sci5
— Le Chou (@LeChouNews) September 29, 2020
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Finally,
Not everything in 2020 is bad, tweeted Tim Corbeel
Niet alles in 2020 is slecht. #Calvo #BeGov #Vivaldi
— Tim Corbeel (@timcorbeel) October 1, 2020
As finally Belgium has a government!
We have a government! #494days #begov 🇧🇪🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/yUYc2FBR53
— Erin Green (@eringreenster) September 30, 2020
Belgium will have a new government, a seven-party coalition, known as the “Vivaldi” government, led by Flemish liberal Alexander De Croo.
Na #Kolruit, nu ook #Vivaldi @vooruit
Belgische regeringsvorming: it's a gift that keeps on giving! pic.twitter.com/mP5FzmzX77— Christophe Ramont (@c_ramont) September 22, 2020
That’s 493 days since the May 2019 elections and 652 days since the Charles Michel government collapsed.
The 2010-11 record was 589 days without a government, explained Jennifer Rankin.
Belgium will have a new government, a seven-party coalition led by Flemish liberal Alexander De Croo.
That's 493 days since the May 2019 elections and 652 days since the Charles Michel government collapsed.
The 2010-11 record was 589 days without a government.
— Jennifer Rankin (@JenniferMerode) September 30, 2020
I don’t know why it takes Belgium so long to choose a government.
How many fathers, sons and brothers have they got? Quipped Dave Clark as it emerged that former PM Charles Michel’s brother would be a minister.
I don't know why it takes Belgium so long to choose a government.
How many fathers, sons and brothers have they got?https://t.co/7eJxrBrcIQ— Dave Clark (@DaveClark_AFP) October 1, 2020
What do you mean by “Belgium has a government” ?
It’s 2020 FFS, things aren’t supposed to get fixed!
What do you mean by "Belgium has a government" ?
It's 2020 FFS, things aren't supposed to get fixed !#begov pic.twitter.com/ST6wGi5VL3— mepassistant (@mepassistants) September 30, 2020
Stay cynical MEP Assistant!