Orban’s audacity is right off the chart; an EU support scheme will everyone take part?; and a bored lockdown world makes its own art.
This week we are supported by EURIMA, the European insulation Manufacturers Association more about them later on.
As you can see we’ve had another change of scene. The tone has been set by pretty much every single US talk show host, so here we are – tweets of the week from my living room!
This week in Hungary, Viktor Orban’s ruling party gave him carte blanche to rule by decree without a time limit,
Julia Ivan of Amnesty International noted that the new rules voted through by the Fidesz government also punish critical journalism.
Hungarian government got itself a carte blanche to rule by decree without a time limit, punish critical journalism calling attention to issues in the underfunded public health system. Note that the opposition submitted modifications to include duration, all voted down by #Fidesz https://t.co/ug2ayAHKyw
— Julia Ivan (@Juliivan_) March 30, 2020
The European Commission responded saying rule of law and democracy should not be undermined by the current COVID-19 pandemic, but didn’t mention Orban by name.
James Crisp said it was a “paper-toothed response from von der Leyen.”
Paper-toothed response from von der Leyen to what one can only assume is the Hungarian rule by decree law.
It doesn't mention Hungary so …https://t.co/znQ6viMarW
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) March 31, 2020
Euractiv’s Beatriz Rios added that if you have a member state that has consummated an authoritarian drift using a global pandemic as leverage, and you are not even able to name it, then you have a problem!
If you have a member state, Hungary, that has consummated an authoritarian drift using a global pandemic as leverage and you are not even able to name it, then you have a problem.https://t.co/uh54SiSpFt
— Beatriz Ríos (@BeaRios_) March 31, 2020
Making use of the pandemic to build a “state of a permanent state of emergency” is politically dangerous, and morally unacceptable said former Council President and head of the EPP Donald Tusk – also without naming names.
Making use of the pandemic to build a “state of a permanent state of emergency” is politically dangerous, and morally unacceptable.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtuskEPP) April 1, 2020
Viktor Orban has now officially become the Lord Voldemort of EU politics: in other words: HeWhoMustNotBeNamed tweeted Diego Velazquez
Viktor Orban has now officially become the Lord Voldemort of EU politics.#YouKnowWho #HeWhoMustNotBeNamed
After the @EU_Commission, 13 countries now issue a statement against him without mentioning his name nor #Hungary #WTFhttps://t.co/vRWm07ud1q
— diego velazquez (@diego_bxl) April 1, 2020
But later on Euronews’ Shona Murray revealed that Tusk had sent a letter to the EPP group calling again for Fidesz’ expulsion.
Exclusive: revised letter by @donaldtuskEPP calling on @EPPGroup to ‘reconsider’ and expel #Fidesz.
Says #Orban’s action to impose a permanent state of emergency in #Hungary is “morally unacceptable”. @euronews pic.twitter.com/ylxnfjh9Ge— Shona Murray (@ShonaMurray_) April 1, 2020
This week we are supported by the European insulation Manufacturers Association who have published a new paper on how a Renovation Wave across Europe could be a driver for a decarbonised, sustainable and healthy built environment, and a stimulus for economic recovery. Find out more online
New paper on a Renovation Wave🌊🏘️across Europe: How to make it a driver for a decarbonised, sustainable and healthy built environment, and a stimulus for economic recovery?
➡Discover it here: https://t.co/L4ihQysX20 pic.twitter.com/AsASZA7CCc— Eurima_MW (@Eurima_MW) April 1, 2020
And speaking of economic recovery, the European Commission unveiled its SURE scheme that aims to support short-time work caused by the pandemic. VDL said it will help the most affected EU countries, including Italy and Spain.
This is European solidarity in action! @EU_Commission proposes the new short-time work scheme SURE to help the most affected EU countries, including IT & ES. This will save millions of jobs during the crisis & allow us to quickly restart Europe’s economic engine afterwards. pic.twitter.com/wtchbhh0R8
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 1, 2020
Spoof account Martini Seltzermayer thought it looked something like this: Makes an extremely loud noise but no one can actually figure out how to play it.
The EU’s emergency support instrument – exclusive pictures pic.twitter.com/x3n9IGxUbm
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) April 2, 2020
The news comes as arguments continue over the so-called #coronabonds
Based on the EU’s track record, Harris Samaras feared the debate could go on forever…
In the #EU we are sooooo good in counting our blessings after the fact… In the meantime, the #Coronabonds vs. the #Eurobonds debate still goes on… And based on the Union's track record, it could go on forever… | @EU_Commission https://t.co/Y9AloG05kD
— Harris Samaras (@HarrisSamaras) April 2, 2020
Particularly as Germany’s Angela Merkel doesn’t seem to be listening — as Pascal Thibaut depicted.
Des pays européens à l’Allemagne: « Nous voulons des #Coronabonds » pic.twitter.com/I5gole7mv3
— Pascal Thibaut (@pthibaut) April 2, 2020
Another failure of communication saw the UK failing to sign up to the EU procurement scheme for ventilators because it “missed an email” according to Number 10.
Now it turns out British officials took part in at least four procurement meetings, revealed MP David Lammy.
The government said it skipped the EU procurement scheme for ventilators because it missed an email.
Now it turns out British officials took part in at least four procurement meetings.
Number 10 must answer. Did it put Brexit before people's lives?https://t.co/VRjAHWx2d2
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) March 31, 2020
Michael Gove put it down to “Communication confusion” reported Jennifer Rankin.
Why didn't UK take part in EU procurement?
No 10: 'We didn't get the email in time'.
Michael Gove: "Communication confusion".
NEW: Official minutes show UK took part in four EU meetings where bulk buying supplies discussed. The first was 31 January.https://t.co/YtwELzpsw6— Jennifer Rankin (@JenniferMerode) March 30, 2020
While Berlaymonster thought it was all a bit Little Britain “yeah but no but”.
I never saw no email anyways what email there was never no emails and you cant prove otherwise because like yeah but no but etc pic.twitter.com/h2uz1Kkw0t
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) March 26, 2020
I’ll admit, Boris DOES bear a passing resemblance to Vicky Pollard.
Finally some good news!
Not that April has one day fewer than March, as Gary Lineker tweeted,
Some good news: April has one day fewer than March.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 2, 2020
But the tremendous ingenuity put in by people in lockdown recreating artwork from the Getty Museum.
Among our favourites are Lady with plastic bag on head,
Participating in the @gettymuseum con Old Lady de Frans Hals. #tussenkunstenquarantaine pic.twitter.com/eigpMEhnAM
— Ada Crow (@adacrow) March 31, 2020
The tv movers
— BonnieM (@bonniegotweet) March 31, 2020
Pillow head tape face
#Getty museum challenge. recreate a painting with stuff you have…. the ugly duchess. pic.twitter.com/mnyINLgwLP
— charissa afshar (@CharissaAfshar) April 2, 2020
Screaming potato
#betweenartandquarantine #tussenkunstenquarantaine @GettyMuseum Edvard Munch The Scream (fragment, once thing ) pic.twitter.com/BtCHnSoRLM
— Jean-Luc WALRAFF (@jeanlucWalraff) March 31, 2020
And of course the timeless Toy dog and Duvet wedding.
This is inspired.
Can't stop laughing pic.twitter.com/w60UNNpSNd
— tisch – stay at home don't be typhoid mary. (@Tiysch) March 28, 2020
That’s it for another week of snark. We’re on a scheduled Easter break next week, but join me again soon for more Tweets of the week.