This week, to Viktor Orban, Hungarian voters are allegiant, ongoing Brexit troubles jeopardize the Good Friday Agreement, and in raiding Murdoch’s HQ, EU investigators are vehement.
On Sunday, Hungary’s populist prime minister Viktor Orban won a third term…
Hungary's right-wing PM Viktor Orban is set for a third election win but with a reduced majority, projections show https://t.co/jvHiyxgAU0
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2018
… and two-thirds of the seats in the Hungarian Parliament. transforming Hungary from a vibrant democracy into a semi-autocratic state, according to the New York Times.
Viktor Orban, who has set about transforming Hungary from a vibrant democracy into a semi-autocratic state, appeared to have won two-thirds of the seats in Parliament https://t.co/xHmGVPvAWU
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 9, 2018
Nigel Farage said he is no longer “the EU’s biggest nightmare. Viktor Orban is going to be an even bigger nightmare because he doesn’t even intend to leave.”
Nigel Farage – "It used to be said that I was the EU's biggest nightmare, campaigning for Britain to leave.
"I think Viktor Orban is going to be an even bigger nightmare because he doesn’t even intend to leave." #Hungary pic.twitter.com/YQuWHd1DLB
— thebrexiteer 🇬🇧 (@BrexiteerGB) April 10, 2018
Along with Juncker’s favourite dictator…
(remember this?)
Jean-Claude Juncker telling Orban "hello, dictator", i'm a fan https://t.co/yd3p0EI9Qd
— Daniel R. (@ordenauta) April 10, 2018
The Two-tailed Dog Party became the EU’s best performing satire party.
Hungary: "Two-tailed Dog Party" (MKKP-NI) with strongest satire party national election result in history of European Union: 1.7% (93% counted).
— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) April 8, 2018
Donald Tusk was not impressed. Could he be any chillier in his ‘congratulations” to Orban? asked Peter Foster.
Wow. Could @eucopresident Donald Tusk be any chillier in his 'congratulations' to Viktor Orban. #hungaryelections pic.twitter.com/yXvknJzTUv
— Peter Foster (@pmdfoster) April 9, 2018
All it’s missing is a huffy “I guess” added Berlaymonster.
All it's missing is a huffy "… I guess." at the end. https://t.co/IpVpx5zhir
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) April 9, 2018
The Council President was more forthcoming with his true feelings about Brexit.
On Tuesday during a speech in Dublin,
“This year I will be dealing with disintegration, not integration. Always with Irish interests at the centre”
– @eucopresident Donald Tusk
– Dublin Ireland, on the day of the 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement#Brexit #tuskatucd #Ireland #Border #EU #GFA pic.twitter.com/c4qyim9HyF
— winding_sios (@winding_sios) April 10, 2018
he called Brexit one of the saddest moments in 21st-century European history. “Sometimes I am even furious about it,” he said.
EU head Donald Tusk weighed in on Brexit: "I believe Brexit is one of the saddest moments in twenty first-century European history. In fact, sometimes I am even furious about it.” https://t.co/MPnEBYwiaB pic.twitter.com/tzyuSstvMU
— Bloomberg (@business) April 10, 2018
Martin Hoscik retorted he should be furious with himself… for not giving David Cameron “meaningful concessions & reforms.”
Re @donaldtusk being "furious" about Brexit – He was there when Cameron asked the EU27 for meaningful concessions & reforms and got none. Unless he's furious with himself and his own side, the emotion is entirely misplaced.
— Martin Hoscik (@MartinHoscik) April 10, 2018
But Tusk warned that “thousands of people are looking with concern and anxiety to the future of the peace process after Brexit.” reported Conor McMorrow.
Addressing @UCDLawSociety @EUCOPresident @DonaldTusk has warned that on the day the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement is being celebrated, “Thousands of People are looking with concern and anxiety to the future of the peace process after Brexit.”
— Conor McMorrow (@ConorMcMorrow) April 10, 2018
The Irish Border, comedy account, says it is the elephant in the room.
A present for Brexiters. Now, like your beloved Brexit itself, you can have the Irish Border as the elephant in your room. pic.twitter.com/Sli7zQQUx8
— The Irish Border (@BorderIrish) April 9, 2018
And Andrew Adonis described as “nonsense” David Davis’s claim that Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is influenced by Sinn Fein.
‘David Davis says Irish border problem complicated because Varadkar influenced by Sinn Fein.’ Not just irresponsible nonsense, but what about that shamelessly uncomplicated £1bn to the DUP?
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) April 10, 2018
Finally, the European Commission raided media offices in several countries for potentially fixing prices on sports broadcasting rights.
European Commission announces raids in several countries over potential price-fixing of sports rights.
The Daily Telegraph reports investigators are currently at the London HQ of 21st Century Fox’s channels distribution unit Fox Networks: https://t.co/28DuWvLqDM pic.twitter.com/Lvw2WrArD1
— Nick Stylianou (@nmsonline) April 10, 2018
One of the raids was on Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox office in London.
Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox London offices raided by investigators https://t.co/yJYy6Lz3Fn pic.twitter.com/P30cP6ZXop
— The Independent (@Independent) April 11, 2018
Unsurprisingly, Fox News didn’t report a single thing about it. Maybe they didn’t want Donald Trump to know?
EU commission raids Rupert Murdoch Fox (@FoxNews owner) office in London, Michael Cohen office was raid as well BUT @FoxNews has not reported a single segment on this issues (maybe 1), to they not want @realDonaldTrump to find out about it?
— BeAmericaOnceAgain (@BAOA_50) April 10, 2018
Murdoch was the second Trump ally in two days to have his office raided by investigators.
Breaking: Mueller orders FBI raid of Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's office today.
Records seized by agents "include communications between Mr. Trump and Mr. Cohen."https://t.co/bGRsMHGAVJ @mattapuzzo
— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) April 9, 2018
Some people, including Scott Stedman, were quick to point out that the raid had nothing to do with the investigation against Trump.
There is no indication at this point that the raid is connected to Mueller's investigation at all.
— Scott Stedman (@ScottMStedman) April 10, 2018
Nor was it “revenge” for Murdoch tabloid The Sun’s support for Brexit, Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova told James Crisp.
European Commission says antitrust raid on Murdoch offices in London is "not revenge" for @TheSun 's support for #Brexit.
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) April 11, 2018
Spoof account The Murdoch Times reckoned an EU investigation has to be one of Rupert’s worst nightmares ever.
Not a lot of detail yet about the EU regulators raid on Murdoch's west London offices. But if they're really going to rip into the history of the Murdochs and sports rights and sports rights cabals, this has to be one of Rupert's worst nightmares. Ever.
— Alt-Rupert (@TheMurdochTimes) April 10, 2018
The team of Have I Got News For You were not particularly sympathetic.
Reaction as Rupert Murdoch's UK office is raided by the European Commission: pic.twitter.com/eclRskmkqV
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) April 11, 2018
And fellow spoof account, Martini Seltzermayr, said the Commission was investigating allegations of journalism. No evidence was found.
We were investigating allegations of journalism, no evidence was found https://t.co/eLdZj9wcrH
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) April 11, 2018
This week we are supported by CECE, the voice of Europe’s construction sector. You can learn more on their website about how they provide tools for everyday life.
Buildings and infrastructure connect and serve people all over the globe. It wouldn't be possible without the right #construction equipment. Our sector provides the tools that make our everyday lives possible. Get to know CECE https://t.co/MtAIaVkJws pic.twitter.com/zypjbiOUD8
— CECE (@CECE_Europe) April 11, 2018
That’s it for this week, join me again next week for more satire, scoffs and slip-ups in the Brussels Bubble Twittersphere and send in your suggestion using the hashtag #EUTweets.