Hungary and Poland scupper rule of law aims, Brexit talks seem to be going down in flames, and vaccines efficacy sparks spurious claims!
This week we are supported by the European Forum, more about them later on.
Whatever EU solidarity there was as a result of the Covid crisis didn’t last long as Hungary and Poland blocked the EU budget over democratic rule-of-law conditions.
Hungary leader Viktor Orban’s spokesman said it was “because we cannot support the plan as it runs contrary to the July Council conclusions.”
Hungary has vetoed the budget, as PM Orbán warned, because we cannot support the plan in its present form to tie rule of law criteria to budget decisions – It runs contrary to the July Council conclusions. https://t.co/n0O2LtoLNv
— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) November 16, 2020
However the EPP Group, of which his party is a member, reconfirmed its full and unanimous support to the #RuleofLaw mechanism and the multiannual financial framework as agreed between the European Parliament and the Council.
“The rule of law is not the enemy,” said EPP chairman Manfred Weber,
At todays @EPPGroup meeting we reconfirmed our full and unanimous support to the #RuleofLaw mechanism and the #MFF as agreed between the EP & Council. The rule of law is not the enemy, the enemy is the #coronavirus and its impact on our economies. #EUCO #coreper pic.twitter.com/kpCYOlkuYk
— Manfred Weber (@ManfredWeber) November 18, 2020
But Renew MEP Katalin Cseh said that Orban just blew up the EU budget deal, jeopardizing a lifeline for struggling families and businesses across Europe, and asked the EPP if they had any red lines.
As Orban just blew up the EU budget deal, jeopardizing a lifeline for struggling families and businesses across Europe, I thought it would be a great moment to ask:@EPPGroup, are there any updates on your red lines? Or is it an appropriate step from a member party? https://t.co/0yTG49yorl
— Katalin Cseh (@katka_cseh) November 16, 2020
While Maria Udrescu said his words were “Too little too late.”
Too little too late, folks. https://t.co/y6aqANwu7O
— Maria Udrescu (@UdrescuMaria) November 18, 2020
Awkward!
Rule of Flaw https://t.co/hoY5uGzcx0 pic.twitter.com/mwSCplpCV6
— DG MEME 🇪🇺 (@meme_ec) November 18, 2020
It seems Hungary, Poland, and the EPP want to have it both ways!
Inspired by @meme_ec #Hungary #Poland #RuleOfLaw pic.twitter.com/idNpDw7GHQ
— Engin Evren (@EnginEvrenN) November 17, 2020
It’s Brexit crunch time again… when wasn’t it?
The Dutch blue Brexit monster is back, spreading awareness and amusement on behalf of the Dutch govt.
The blue Brexit monster is back.
This is an awareness campaign aimed at the public warning everyone NOT to ignore Brexit changes coming on 1 Jan.
It's not in the UK govt.
It's the Dutch govt. https://t.co/jy51obcZxb— lisa o'carroll (@lisaocarroll) November 19, 2020
In his latest video Brexy gets up, has a shower and makes what appears to be a British fry up!
According to one report, Brexy makes a more patriotic breakfast than The Telegraph’s James Crisp!
Brexy makes a better patriotic breakfast than you @JamesCrisp6 https://t.co/IeCfmvYsH5 pic.twitter.com/GJ5HF7NR8i
— Nick Gutteridge (@nickgutteridge) November 19, 2020
You heard it here first folks!
I have no idea what the Brexit muppet is supposed to represent but I’m glad he’s now part of our lives said Evan O’Connell
I have no idea what the Brexit muppet is supposed to represent but I’m glad he’s now part of our lives https://t.co/MOzc5ja6hd
— Evan O’Connell (@evanoconnell) November 19, 2020
But Simon Usherwood called bullshit saying it is “Completely unrealistic: this Brexit seems to have its shit very together”
Completely unrealistic: this Brexit seems to have its shit very together https://t.co/vfIhUdK4qW
— Simon Usherwood (@Usherwood) November 19, 2020
In contrast, I’m getting lots of targeted ads from the UK government to “prepare for the UK transition” that mysteriously never mention Brexit, said Jennifer Rankin.
In contrast, I’m getting lots of targeted ads from https://t.co/IH4YT0NBbf to “prepare for the UK transition” that mysteriously never mention Brexit. https://t.co/GQbqz6alfF
— Jennifer Rankin (@JenniferMerode) November 19, 2020
Meanwhile the actual Brexit talks themselves seem to be going nowhere. Berlaymonster predicted the latest briefing from 10 to two minutes past 10 should cover it!
Briefing tomorrow morning to update on progress in Brexit talks.
10h00 to 10h02 CET.
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) November 17, 2020
This week we are supported by the European Forum.
The fourth annual European Forum is currently taking place online, bringing together Europe’s three progressive political families to discuss responses to the challenges currently facing the EU as well as the next EU Budget & Recovery Package. Don’t miss the closing of the Forum on 28th November.
The EU budget marks a shift away from the ineffective austerity policies of the last crisis.
Now we need radical responses to the challenges facing the EU -and funding to match🇪🇺💰
Join us on 27/11 at #EuropeanForum to discuss the way forward
✍🏽REGISTER https://t.co/WtsNqdE5VI pic.twitter.com/FhdAIjoxdy
— European Forum (@_EuropeanForum) November 18, 2020
Finally, there has been some good news this week, a new vaccine developed by Moderna is claimed to be 94.5%.
But in a game of international one-upmanship, Pfizer and BioNtech said their vaccine is now 95%.
Not to be outdone Russia said it’s vaccine was 92% effective.
Cue Twitter doing what it does best…
Russia’s #SputnikV vaccine tests 107% effective!! claimed Darth Putin.
BREAKING: Russia's #SputnikV vaccine tests 107% effective!!
— Darth Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) November 19, 2020
Katie Martin, said oh yeah well my vaccine is eleventy million per cent effective!
oh yeah well my vaccine is eleventy million per cent effective
— Katie Martin (@katie_martin_fx) November 18, 2020
Sam Morgan added “My vaccine is 97% effective but she goes to another school, so you don’t know her.”
My vaccine is 97% effective but she goes to another school, so you don't know her
— Sam Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) November 18, 2020
Number 10 cat had his own spurious claim: Boris Johnson is a competent leader who is a delight to live with.
Boris Johnson is a compotent leader who is a delight to live with.
ⓘ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) November 17, 2020
While Le Chou imagined that Charles Michel being Voted Most Boring EU Personality, would have that claim disputed by Valdis Dombrovskis.
Charles Michel Voted Most Boring EU Personality
!⃝ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐬 pic.twitter.com/IWyWGGEdwf
— Le Chou (@LeChouNews) November 17, 2020
Harsh!