Italy and Estonia looking weak, Frontex fashion wear is on fleek, and Secretary of State cancels trip in fit of pique.
Just 13 days into 2021 and Estonia’s prime minister resigns over corruption scandal.
Estonia's PM resigns over corruption scandal https://t.co/505JLXbWwj
— Richard Milne (@rmilneNordic) January 13, 2021
That means that one of the Estonian governing parties has resigned as well and that the government is literally changing in almost every way, shape and form.
As Estoniaball says: We’re off to an interesting start.
13 days into 2021 and the prime minister of estonia has already resigned also meaning that one of the estonian parties has resigned as well meaning that the government is literally changing in almost every way shape or form
off to an interesting start
— Estoniaball (@2Spacemacdonut) January 13, 2021
Former Estonian President Toomas Ilves said between that and the impeachment of Donald Trump, he’s had quite enough popcorn for one day.
Between the fall of the Estonian government today and the impeachment of Donald Trump, I think I have enough popcorn for the day, which ends in 1 minute. https://t.co/mIbnZ6mQje
— toomas hendrik ilves (@IlvesToomas) January 13, 2021
With Juri Ratas, stepping down the President will ask former MEP Kaja Kallas to step up to the place and begin forming a new government.
Prime Minister @ratasjuri is stepping down. Tomorrow I will make a formal offer to @kajakallas (@ALDEParty) to become the candidate for Prime Minister and begin forming a new government. pic.twitter.com/xqtfHKKceB
— Kersti Kaljulaid (@KerstiKaljulaid) January 13, 2021
Which is good news for gender balance and women’s empowerment pointed out Adam Rang.
Estonian President @KerstiKaljulaid has tasked @kajakallas with forming a new government. If she succeeds:
– Estonia gets 1st female PM
– Estonia & NZ only nations with female Head of State & Government
– 6 / 8 Nordic & Baltic governments will be led by women 🇫🇮 🇪🇪 🇱🇹 🇮🇸 🇳🇴🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/blauzDmWHl— Adam Rang (🇪🇪/🇬🇧) (@adamrangpr) January 14, 2021
On the other side of the continent, the government in Rome is in crisis. Or as we like to call it in Italy, just another Wednesday.
Government crisis in Rome. Or as we like to call it in Italy, just another Wednesday.
— Mattia (@mattomay) January 13, 2021
As Matteo Renzi announces the resignation of his party’s ministers from the Italian government.
Matteo Renzi announces the resignation of his party's ministers from the Italian government.
— Roberto Tallei (@RobTallei) January 13, 2021
Antonello Guerrera said it’s Italy’s 72nd government in 78 years. Not even a global pandemic stops Italian politicians playing games.
Meanwhile in Italy, the 72nd government in 78 years (since 1943) looks likely to fall soon. Not even a global pandemic seems to stop Italian politicians to play games.
— Antonello Guerrera (@antoguerrera) January 12, 2021
Alberto Nardelli said: “Matteo needs to understand that it’s not always about Matteo.”
Looking at Italy’s latest political crisis, I’m reminded of a line a European government official told me referring to Renzi a few years ago: “Matteo needs to understand that it’s not always about Matteo”
— Alberto Nardelli (@AlbertoNardelli) January 13, 2021
Maybe, there isn’t enough room in government for both Matteo Renzi’s ego and Conte.
At the heart of Italy's crisis lies an issue of logistics. There isn't enough room in government for Renzi's ego and Conte.
— Leonardo Carella (@leonardocarella) January 13, 2021
Tuning to our now regular fashion segment! Last week we had Jamiroquai viking man, this week it’s Frontex guard guy!
For the first time, the European Union has its own uniformed service – the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps. And here’s a sneak peak of the uniform.
For the first time, the European Union has its own uniformed service – the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps. And here’s a sneak peak of the uniform they will be wearing to represent the 🇪🇺 at its borders #StandingCorps pic.twitter.com/3bZrsy16t7
— Frontex (@Frontex) January 11, 2021
Oooh the detailing! That stitching! The blue on blue accent colouring!
Not content with the slow-mo video close-ups, Sam Morgan decided it needed a theme tune as well.
That wasn't good enough for @bearios_ aPpArEnTlY
Here's: Frontex Academy 7: Mediterranean Mission, instead pic.twitter.com/EqMQMUSXMY
— Sam Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) January 11, 2021
Ok, enough of that. Tanja Friesen feels like it’s a bad time for a fashion update…
Feels like a bad time for a fashion update…#yeahtheillegalpushbacksbusinessandall https://t.co/qXbXrdJI5X
— Tanja Friesen (@tanja_friesen) January 13, 2021
What with allegations of pushbacks being investigated and dawn raids by OLAF. The Commission is furious over incompetent staff management and Frontex is in trouble, said MEP Sophie in’t Veld
Allegations of pushbacks being investigated, dawnraids by OLAF, Commission furious over incompetent staff management….#Frontex in trouble https://t.co/6XdGPKIXdS
— Sophie in 't Veld (@SophieintVeld) January 11, 2021
OLAF announcing that they’re investigating Frontex the same day Frontex unveils those sexy uniforms is peak EU, said Jakub Jaraczewski.
OLAF announcing that they're investigating FRONTEX the same day FRONTEX unveils those sexy uniforms is peak EU.
— Jakub Jaraczewski (@J_Jaraczewski) January 12, 2021
And Luke McGee isn’t sure sure which is more tragic: the Europhobes, who think this is evidence of some kind of EU army, or the Europhiles, who think Brussels would ever be given that level of power by the member states.
Not sure which is more tragic: the Europhobes, who think this is evidence of some kind of EU army, or the Europhiles, who think Brussels would ever be given that level of power by the member states. https://t.co/oTBHdZQZhf
— Luke McGee (@lukemcgee) January 11, 2021
On Tuesday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cancelled his Europe trip at the last minute after Luxembourg’s foreign minister and some other EU officials declined to meet him.
from Reuters:
“Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cancelled his Europe trip at the last minute on Tuesday after Luxembourg's foreign minister and top European Union officials declined to meet him, European diplomats and other people familiar with the matter said”
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) January 12, 2021
It’s a banner day for Luxembourg, said Philip Crowther.
A banner day for #Luxembourg. pic.twitter.com/HjtMiDMDar
— Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) January 12, 2021
Everyone in Europe knows not to step to Jean Asselborn, added Tom Nuttall.
Everyone in Europe knows not to step to Jean Asselborn. https://t.co/sdj75mj3xm
— Tom Nuttall (@tom_nuttall) January 12, 2021
What Luxembourg lacks in population size, it makes up for in foreign ministers who have absolutely had it with the President of the US.
What Luxembourg lacks in population size, it makes up for in foreign ministers who have absolutely had it with the President of the US:
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn: "Trump is a criminal, a political pyromaniac…"https://t.co/K5VIUvcyvG
— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) January 12, 2021
Jean Asselborn is a true master. Despite being the finance minister of a tax haven for over a decade, he still manages to get some impressive international left wing/idealist credentials by making comments that won’t have any political or diplomatic cost whatsoever, snarked Diego Velaquez.
Jean Asselborn is a true master. Despite being the FM of a tax haven for over a decade, he still manages to get some impressive international left wing/idealist credentials by making comments that won't have any political nor diplomatic cost whatsoever.
— diego velazquez (@diego_bxl) January 12, 2021
European security has for 70 years been outsourced to a country that is terrified of Luxembourg joked Martini Seltzermayr
European security has for 70 years been outsourced to a country that is terrified of Luxembourg https://t.co/n1TewpNXXw
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) January 12, 2021
Adding whoever drew Luxembourg in the “who will end the Transatlantic Security Alliance” sweepstake please collect your winnings.
Whoever drew Luxembourg in the “who will end the Transatlantic Security Alliance” sweepstake please collect your winnings
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) January 13, 2021
And finally, we couldn’t let it pass without noting that after a decade of mischief making Brussels number one effulencer the Berlaymonster unmasked himself and is… drumroll…Duncan Lumsden!
Say it loud,
he's out (but only once a day in a local area for exercise)
and he's proud (but humble).Unphotoshopped evidence that @DuncanLumsden is the @Berlaymonster. (Duncan’s on the left.) https://t.co/TjPwLavsee pic.twitter.com/DpETkLhsHE
— Kevin Coates (@KevinCoates) January 11, 2021
No me neither.
Lewis Crofts was disappointed the collected Brussels Twittersphere didn’t have an “I am Spartacus moment” when Berlaymonster was revealed.
I’m disappointed the collected Twittersphere of Brussels didn’t have an “I’m Spartacus moment” when @Berlaymonster was revealed. #ImBerlaymonster pic.twitter.com/I8I1BAdxg0
— Lewis Crofts (@lewis_crofts) January 11, 2021
Indeed! C- Brussels Twittersphere, must do better!
That’s it for another action packed week in the EU bubble. Join me again next Friday for more clashin’, passion and fashion in the Brussels Bubble Twittersphere.