That Hungary law is really pretty vile, Angela Merkel is going out with style and in football the Euros still raise a smile!
This episode is sponsored by the European Sunlight Association, more about them later on.
Another week another erosion of rights in Hungary.
The anti-LGBTI law came into force yesterday and already there is a case as the authorities has fined a book distributor, because they didn’t label a children’s book that displays “non-normative” families.
Authority in #Hungary has fined a book distributor, because they didn't label that a children's book displays "non-normative" families
It is Early one morning by @lawrenceschimel about rainbow families #LGBT https://t.co/4Qny9dH2Mk pic.twitter.com/i0aYzQe0i0— Ákos Keller-Alánt (@kelleralant) July 7, 2021
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the legislation as “a disgrace”as she spoke to MEPs in Strasbourg
„It is a disgrace, this legislation“, says @vonderleyen about Hungary's LGBTI law in the debate in Strasbourg @EPinDeutschland
— Matthias Kolb (@matikolb) July 7, 2021
… so maybe do something about it…
Daniel Freund from the Greens in Parliament says they’ve already done the work for you.
A written notification to Hungary under the rule of law conditionality regulation. Just put it in an envelope and send it to Fidesz
Dear @vonderleyen, we've done the work for you.
Here's the written notification to Hungary under the rule of law conditionality regulation. Just put it in an envelope and send it to the Fidesz government👇🏻https://t.co/bpCF9lKUPx
No more excuses to delay. Act now. pic.twitter.com/wEKeEXPE4z
— Daniel Freund (@daniel_freund) July 7, 2021
One bit of leverage the Commission does have is the dosh it’s giving out for national recovery plans and Katalin Halmai reports that it has asked Hungary to strengthen the anti-corruption framework of its #recovery plan otherwise it won’t approve it.
Various sources confirm the @EU_Commission has asked #Hungary to strengthen the anti-corruption framework of its #recovery plan otherwise it won’t approve it.
Has the COM practically started using the #RuleofLaw conditionality mechanism? Just asking. @JHahnEU @vonderleyen— Katalin Halmai (@eublogo) July 7, 2021
But Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga called some reports fake news:
Let’s be clear: Brussels has not thrown back Hungary’s #recovery plan! We remain open for a constructive dialogue.
We've caught the German DPA news agency sharing fake news!
Before the #fakenews campaign against #Hungary could deceive anyone, let's be clear: Brussels has not thrown back Hungary's #recovery plan! We remain open for a constructive dialogue with the @EU_Commission.— Judit Varga (@JuditVarga_EU) July 6, 2021
Hmmmm
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Angela Merkel we will miss you for so many reasons, not least your ability to own a meme.
I mean this is a stance that screams “Hi and welcome to my crib”
"Hi and welcome to my crib!" pic.twitter.com/hlb7J4XyIF
— Ida Funkhouser (@IdaFunkhouser) July 6, 2021
Or maybe: “Welcome to Northern Germany, please accept this traditional welcome gift”
"herzlich willkommen in norddeutschland, bitte akzeptieren sie dieses traditionelle willkommensgeschenk" pic.twitter.com/HqhdA9QG1h
— papa flemmse 🧜♂️ (@flerninger) July 7, 2021
But perhaps she preparing for battle
Angela Merkel beim Battle of the Year pic.twitter.com/c7qatcVHdm
— Miguel Robitzky (@miguelrausa) July 6, 2021
One Tweeter added a sword
https://twitter.com/Boss_Fight_Bot/status/1412799098936336385
While others stepped the game up another level
MACH IHN KAPUTT MERKLE! pic.twitter.com/67QtNm5gA1
— Grindmaster Fesch / 𝓜è𝓶𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓪î𝓬𝓱𝓮 (@the_fesxh) July 7, 2021
Cowabunga!
— Martin I. (@wurstmoped) July 7, 2021
Oh yes, more 1990s popculture references coming up, because… Football!
Bear with me, there is at most one more week of this!
And even Commission Vice President Margrethe VEstager is getting in on the action tweeting: First semifinal since 1992, where Denmark later won the European Championships.
Første semifinale siden 1992, hvor #DEN 🇩🇰senere vandt EM. Første gang 😉 Klar til at heppe på holdet i rødt i aften ⚽️ #ENGDEN #EURO2020
— Margrethe Vestager (@vestager) July 7, 2021
Sadly for them their hopes were dashed by an England win.
But hey, Christian Eriksen almost losing his life
– Two losses in first two games
– Getting to the semifinals anyway
– Losing to England after a debatable penalty
They may have lost, but this Denmark team has won the hearts of football fans around the world said Abhijit Seth.
– Christian Eriksen almost losing his life
– Two losses in first two games
– Getting to the semifinals anyway
– Losing to England after a debatable penalty
They may have lost, but this Denmark team has won the hearts of football fans around the world 🇩🇰 Respect 🙏#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/02HF6WwHRo
— Abhijit Seth (@abhitells) July 8, 2021
Hear hear!
It’s very funny to me the fact that these two countries will face each other at the UEFA final said Common Eurofan Girl
It’s very funny to me the fact that these two countries will face each other at the UEFA #EURO2020 final this Sunday #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/VCm2LvnqKG
— Common Eurofan Girl (@CommonESCGirl) July 7, 2021
Fair point, but I’m not convinced there’s much overlap between Eurovision and Euros fans!
But Gerado Fortuna gets real: Let’s just talk about this, if you were ‘football’ would you really consider ‘home’ a place with such nasty weather (exhibit B) or you’d rather take up residence in a sunny place like in exhibit A?
Let's just talk about this, if you were 'football' would you really consider 'home' a place with such nasty weather (exhibit B) or you'd rather take up residence in a sunny place like in exhibit A? I don't have to tell which countries the exhibits represent… pic.twitter.com/VCHH2yUkFR
— Gerardo Fortuna (@gerardofortuna) July 8, 2021
Well we’ll have to wait until Sunday to find out!
Join me again next Friday for the last TOTW of this season, complete with our usual brand of sideeye and snark.