Commission unveils the European Semester, the EU is not the sound canon tester and Viktor Orban finds that he’s the court jester.
This week we are supported by EBAA, the European Business Aviation Association, more about them later on.
On Wednesday the European Commission presented its European Semester Spring Package.
How has everyone’s #EuropeanSemester been? Asked American EU Dude.
How has everyone’s #EuropeanSemester been?
— American EU Dude 🇺🇸🇪🇺😎 (@AmericanEUDude) June 1, 2021
We get it – it’s kinda a silly name!
European Semester sounds like a study abroad programme for US students to me, said Gareth Harding.
European Semester sounds like a study abroad programme for US students to me. https://t.co/yPXIee4qZ6
— Gareth Harding (@garethharding) June 2, 2021
Yes me too Gareth!
But the Commission brought out the big guns to present it including VALdis Dombrovskis, Paolo Gentiloni and Nicolas Schmit
Tune in at around 13.00 to see @VDombrovskis @PaoloGentiloni and @NicolasSchmitEU present the Semester 🌱 Spring 🌻Package including the 2021 Employment Guidelines 👩🏼🏭🧑🏽⚕️
Via @EC_AVService 👀 https://t.co/lyVCZ6WDQw pic.twitter.com/mV4oqzFxin
— Siobhán Millbright (@SiobhanBright1) June 2, 2021
Europe’s most feared manel, quipped Diego Velaquez
Europe's most feared manel, live soon. https://t.co/wMurKU2bfU
— diego velazquez (@diego_bxl) June 2, 2021
Martini Seltzermayr wasn’t impressed suggesting this image
European Commission’s spring package – Exclusive pictures pic.twitter.com/QoQZCZDpQz
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) June 2, 2021
Nerds! Responded Dave Clark to the news it was trending!
Nerds pic.twitter.com/fWlCbrYJum
— Dave Clark (@DaveClark_AFP) June 2, 2021
Nerds is right! Even the Commission’s own amazing Siobhan MillBright said it was only marginally exciting!
It’s marginally less exciting than that
— Siobhán Millbright (@SiobhanBright1) June 2, 2021
Europe is testing a “sound cannon” to be used against refugees reported Deutsche Well
Europe is testing a "sound cannon" to be used against refugees. pic.twitter.com/725t1whiG9
— DW News (@dwnews) June 2, 2021
Wait! What!
Luckily Adalbert Jahnz European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, was on hand to clarify that the so-called ‘sound cannon’ is not a European project, but a national one.
Dear @dwnews, thank you for reporting on these important issues. But this ‘sound cannon’ is not a European project, but a national one. I’m at your disposal if you need full info on EU efforts for modern border management and a humane, effective migration policy. Also cc @AP
— Adalbert Jahnz (@Ad4EU) June 2, 2021
Sadly the damage was already done as many Twitter users pointed out this wasn’t exactly in line with European values.
European values. https://t.co/6xRDh2ukNQ
— Matina Stevis-Gridneff (@MatinaStevis) June 2, 2021
And was perhaps taking “Protecting our European Way of Life” too far.
“Protecting our European Way of Life” https://t.co/HpbvGmSoMD
— Paweł Wargan (@pawelwargan) June 2, 2021
But at least it gave Le Chou the opportunity to snark that Schinas is SHOCKED As Anti-Migrant Noise Canon Is Rolled Into Press Room And Warmed Up!
Schinas SHOCKED As Anti-Migrant Noise Canon Is Rolled Into Press Room And Warmed Up pic.twitter.com/Xeo8siTfsC
— Le Chou (@LeChouNews) June 2, 2021
This week we are supported by EBAA, find out about missed opportunities in aviation emissions and how the sector plans to decouple growth from emissions by following them online.
#PRESS: European #BusinessAviation notes aviation emissions study, points out missed opportunities. The sector remains committed toward #decoupling growth from #emissions and has a plan to do so📝.
⬇Read our response to a recently published report⬇https://t.co/W0Wt4xrfpa
— European Business Aviation Association (@EBAAorg) June 2, 2021
Finally this week, the European Court of Justice dismissed Hungary’s action against the European Parliament resolution triggering Article7 on rule of law.
The #ECJ dismisses #Hungary’s action against the @Europarl_EN resolution triggering the procedure for determining the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach, by a Member State, of the values on which the #EU is founded #Article7
👉https://t.co/ATb3CgbPxg— EU Court of Justice (@EUCourtPress) June 3, 2021
Others collect stamps, Viktor Orban collects lost rule-of-law ECJ cases, remarked MEP Sophie In’t Veld.
Others collect stamps, Viktor collects lost rule-of-law ECJ cases. https://t.co/fuRUDkhJbZ
— Sophie in 't Veld (@SophieintVeld) June 3, 2021
Of course the Parliament knows its own rules on voting! Said Judith Sargentini. The Article7 report on Rule of Law in Hungary passed in September 2018! Now, please can the Council do its thing?!
What to say, of course the @Europarl_EN knows its own rules on voting. The #art7 report on Rule of Law in Hungary passed in Sept 2018. Now, please can the @EUCouncil do its thing?! https://t.co/hF5H1agyo3
— Judith Sargentini (@judithineuropa) June 3, 2021
This took 3 years? Asked and incredulous Leo Hoffmann-Axthelm
This took 3 years?
— Leo Hoffmann-Axthelm (@leo_axt) June 3, 2021
It took the ECJ a long time to call the bullshit of Orbán’s spokesman, said Simon Rippon, but at least it did so.
It takes the ECJ a long time to call the bullshit of Orbán's spokesman, but it did (yet again) today. https://t.co/Z8AvTUTtHf
— Simon Rippon (@SmnRppn) June 3, 2021
This decision sends a loud message that those leaders attempting to undermine democratic values will always face EU institutions, concluded Adrián Vázquez.
This decision sends a loud message about the role of democracy and the rule of law in the #EuropeanUnion.
Those leaders attempting to undermine democratic values will always face EU institutions.https://t.co/XupPQhycAX
— Adrián Vázquez Lázara 🇪🇦🇪🇺 (@AdrianVL1982) June 3, 2021
Thats it for this week, join me again next week for more japes and scrapes in the Brussels bubble twittersphere.