Italy turns to former financier, Article 16 is not the answer and EU steps up plans to fight cancer.
This episode is supported by GSMA Europe representing the EU’s mobile industry. More about their report later on.
This week amid political turmoil, Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, turned to the one man he believes can save the country! Enter, Mario Draghi.
Mattarella went whatever it takes on the Italian limbo and summons DRAGHI
— Maria Tadeo (@mariatad) February 2, 2021
Draghi’s “Whatever it takes,” approach saved the euro from possible collapse, but can he marshall a new coalition government in Rome?
Mehreen Khan took the opportunity to share this classic clip as Twitter went crazy.
ECB Twitter tonight pic.twitter.com/hVNZ6BwIgB
— Mehreen (@MehreenKhn) February 2, 2021
“Super Mario” was even memorialised in street art.
“Super Mario” #Draghi street arthttps://t.co/Y9MRlpIVAp
— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) February 3, 2021
Michiel Van Hulten’s son is pleased that his dad is finally displaying an interest in Super Mario.
My son is pleased that his dad is finally displaying an interest in Super Mario. #Draghi
— Michiel van Hulten (@mvanhulten) February 4, 2021
Alberto Alemanno had a more sombre take: A Draghi’s government might well save Italy, but it’s a tsunami for its political system as it limits, possibly suspends, the underlying democratic process.”
‘A Draghi’s government might well save Italy, but it’s a tsunami for its political system as it limits, possibly suspends, the underlying democratic process’
#draghi @euronews pic.twitter.com/e6lHy1BIZd
— Alberto Alemanno (@alemannoEU) February 3, 2021
I was going to say “not another unelected technocrat”, but I guess Conte is an unelected technocrat, said Todd Cheek.
I was going to say “not another unelected technocrat”, but I guess Conte is an unelected technocrat.
— Todd Cheek (@toddcheek) February 2, 2021
The European Commission is still reeling from its Article 16 blunder last week.
Commission blame game has cast a long shadow over its president, said Nikolaj Nielsen as the UK continued to up the rhetoric over U-turn on imposing restrictions on vaccines crossing the Northern Ireland border.
Commission blame game has cast a long shadow over its president, by @eszterz https://t.co/UvQ7WiIPgc
— Nikolaj Nielsen (@NikolajNielsen) February 2, 2021
Those around President von der Leyen are on the defensive, reported Katya Adler. After dragging the Brexit Deal on Ireland into the fray, Von der Leyen spokesperson said “Only the Pope is infallible.”
The EU Commission – or at least – those around President von der Leyen are on the defensive. Responding to ongoing criticism of their #covid vaccine programme and of dragging in the Brexit Deal on Ireland into the fray. Von der Leyen spks said “Only the Pope is infallible.” /1
— Katya Adler (@BBCkatyaadler) February 1, 2021
Famously, the best way to calm tensions in Northern Ireland is by invoking the Pope, pointed out Tom Nuttall sarcastically.
Famously, the best way to calm tensions in Northern Ireland is by invoking the Pope. https://t.co/Unn9MKG9zi
— Tom Nuttall (@tom_nuttall) February 1, 2021
Indeed, it was all such a fiasco that “Invoking Article16 was part of a tiktok challenge” suggested DG Meme.
+++ "Invoking #Article16 was part of a @tiktok challenge", EU spokesperson reveals.
— DG MEME 🇪🇺 (@meme_ec) February 2, 2021
Stewart Wood pointed out that however huge the mistake to threaten Article 16, it only lasted about 6 hours. The UK threat to repudiate international law, lasted over 3 months.
The threat to invoke Article 16 unilaterally was a huge mistake by the European Commission. It lasted about 6 hours.
The threat to repudiate international law, including treaties signed with the EU, lasted over 3 months. Any thoughts on the effect that had on trust in the UK…? https://t.co/dt97Eme939
— Stewart Wood (@StewartWood) February 2, 2021
EPP Group head Manfred Weber said “We don’t want a #vaccine war” but added that “An EU vaccine export ban is not unimaginable.”
We don't want a #vaccine war. We defend the idea of international cooperation, we even need G7 cooperation on vaccines @BorisJohnson. But looking at global vaccine egoism, the US export ban @ABlinken, Europe should not be naïve. An EU vaccine export ban is not unimaginable.
— Manfred Weber (@ManfredWeber) February 2, 2021
Ben Stanley felt this tweet “treads a very swift path from “We don’t want a vaccine war” to threatening a vaccine war.”
This tweet treads a very swift path from "We don't want a vaccine war" to threatening a vaccine war. https://t.co/PDaPVLRYRX
— Ben Stanley (@BDStanley) February 2, 2021
This week we are supported by GSMA Europe. It’s latest report presents the mobile industry’s vision for 2021 and beyond with key policy recommendations for telecom infrastructure, digital economy and society. Check it out online.
The @GSMA, on behalf of its European members, presents the mobile industry's vision for 2021 and beyond.
In our latest report we outline key policy recommendations for
📶telecom infrastructure
🤳digital economy
👩👩👧👧society
➡️https://t.co/XU5AteYJUd #DigitalEU #DigitalDecade pic.twitter.com/2u5I5MuM9i— GSMA Europe (@GSMAEurope) February 2, 2021
Beating cancer is certainly a great aim, but there was some skepticism this week on Twitter that the European Commission’s #EUCancerPlan with 4 key action areas, 10 flagship initiatives and €4 billion would succeed.
Beating cancer – that is our goal. The #EUCancerPlan is structured around 4 key action areas with 10 flagship initiatives to get us there.
It will be implemented using the whole range of funding instruments, with a total of €4 billion for actions to address cancer.
— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) February 3, 2021
One possible learning from recent weeks could have been to become a tad more careful about overpromising in areas with limited Union competence. But sure, let’s beat cancer, said Lucas Guttenberg.
One possible learning from recent weeks could have been to become a tad more careful about overpromising in areas with limited Union competence. But sure, let's beat cancer. https://t.co/N6ThHujulG
— Lucas Guttenberg (@lucasguttenberg) February 3, 2021
More videos please. They’re so good, begged Diego Velaquez snarkily.
More videos please. They're so good. https://t.co/fwPN9uWDvt
— diego velazquez (@diego_bxl) February 3, 2021
What I like the most about Ursula Von der Leyen videos is that it’s always sunny at the Berlaymont, said Esther Herrera. It’s like a parallel world where there is sun, good spirit and good news, but we all know how Brussels actually is.
What I like the most about Ursula Von der Leyen videos is that is always sunny at the Berlaymont. It's like a parallel world where there is sun, good spirit and good news, but we actually know how Brussels actually is (e.g today) pic.twitter.com/09fyxD2NKh
— Esther Herrera (@eherreracaro) February 3, 2021
This one made me root for cancer, tweeted the Telegraph’s James Crisp.
This one made me root for cancer.
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) February 3, 2021
Ouch! Too much James, too much.
Some more optimistic people including Pernille Weiss said in the midst of the war with Covid, we must not forget other diseases such as cancer.
Midt i krigen med Covid, må vi dælme ikke glemme alle andre sygdomme!
Et stadigt stigende antal EU-borgere dør af kræft.
Dén kurve SKAL vendes!#EUCanBeatCancer @EPPGroup#WorldCancerDay #eudk #dkpol #sundpol @cancer_dk pic.twitter.com/7VAWQyxbcv
— Pernille Weiss (@WeissPernille) February 4, 2021
Indeed.
Join me again next week for more deals, steals and feels in the Brussels Bubble Twittersphere!