Mastodawn

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@elCelio @pmroman
I agree that the majority have 0 interest in making the EU work better (it would be a perk, if only someone else did the work and the vision thingy and ONLY as long as it doesn't inconvenience them)... BUT. That might turn out for the better under the right circumstances (and with vastly improved personnel - but that's on us, the voters).

I think we NEED more, not less, politics. Not the way Orban does it, but these clashes of interests are normal.

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@elCelio @pmroman
I think they started paying attention to the EU and fighting regularly about EU matters because the EU started to matter more and more. Sure, most of them have no interest in geopolitics (or anything past the next elections), for example, but just because they're not interested it doesn't mean that geopolitics isn't interested in them.

pmroman 🇪🇺Dec 15, 2023

@Veza85UE @elCelio Right, exactly like in any other elected legislative territorial chamber, their next election. Now, want to improve things? Start with a functional parliament of no more than 425 members.

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@pmroman @elCelio
I agree. Where do I vote for it?

I'd vote for that.
The EUCO won't let me, they block any sniff of a reform.

pmroman 🇪🇺Dec 15, 2023

@Veza85UE @elCelio You vote in your state, each time you vote in the general election. Historically Senates are not by direct election.

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@pmroman @elCelio
No, sorry: it here means EU reform. I DO want to improve things. Where do I vote for it? Where's the reform initiative I can endorse?

pmroman 🇪🇺Dec 15, 2023

@Veza85UE @elCelio Well, vote for me, if I ever run 😀

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@pmroman @elCelio
Can't because we have no transnational lists, the Council won't let me. 😔

pmroman 🇪🇺Dec 15, 2023

@Veza85UE @elCelio All it takes is me moving! See? With 400 members, a single member would have a lot more power, now they are individually irrelevant.

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@pmroman @elCelio
Member states governments will not let them have power, you can cut it down to 45 or 27, the Council works as intended for an era in which is interesting to think of *2009* as its starting point... boy did they not cover themselves in glory with the financial crisis either. And they must have thought THAT was was hard. Hah. Welcome to the Accelerationist era. You won't have time for merkelling anymore.

pmroman 🇪🇺Dec 15, 2023

@Veza85UE @elCelio It will get better, more integrated. Mr. Draghi is right, the current structure is at the end of its useful life, I believe there will be a fully functional structure by 2050-60, of course I won't be here to celebrate.

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@pmroman @elCelio
"Mr. Draghi is right, the current structure is at the end of its useful life"

Glad to hear he agrees with me. 😆 It's certainly felt that way to me the more attention I paid to it.

pmroman 🇪🇺Dec 15, 2023

@Veza85UE The diagnosis isn't the problem, moving forward is, but they'll find a way, they always did.

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@pmroman It's a nice sentiment to have for a high-level discussion, I'm reveling in it. On the ground, the effects of getting it as wrong as they did for the financial crisis has devastating effects on entire generations and families who pay the price. I'm not surprised that many of my generation have not forgiven them. Except most aren't aware of who has the power, so the resentment transfers onto a nebulous "the EU" in Brussels.

pmroman 🇪🇺Dec 15, 2023

@Veza85UE That's why it's very important to push for EU focused journalism and education. My generation suffered too, I know folks who bought into the private retirement schemes and have now a total value lower than the monthly pension they expected. Many have to sale their houses to survive after retirement. Their handling was catastrophic, and missed a chance for great infrastructural investments, the "no debt" obsession is irrational.

Veza85UE Dec 15, 2023

@pmroman I've had this open in another tab for 3 days. I'm not even sure I want to read it, I may need to buy alcohol first.

https://legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2023/12/13/lallemagne-contre-leurope-1/

L’Allemagne contre l’Europe ? | Le Grand Continent

Le plus grand paradoxe de l’Union se trouve en Allemagne. Alors que le pays est l’un des plus attachés à la construction européenne, il est aussi l’un des plus grands adversaires de ce processus. De ses choix budgétaires à sa diplomatie, cette perspective nourrie retrace l’histoire de politiques qui ont affaibli l’Union et l’Allemagne. En creux se pose une question : est-il encore possible de changer de trajectoire ?

Le Grand Continent

pmroman 🇪🇺Dec 15, 2023

@Veza85UE An interesting French perspective, but a perception nevertheless. I don't agree with their analysis which appears focused on achieving a predetermined conclusion. Very french. Good read anyway.

Jordan Maris 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 #NAFO Dec 17, 2023

@pmroman oh dear oh dear. I'm not a fan of this article at all. The German Constitutional court's rulings, while not ideal, are the least of Europe's problems.

The Conseil d'État deliberately misinterpreting CJEU rulings, however, is.

Moreover, the general attitude of France (my home country) is majorly problematic : essentially, it is their way or not at all.

We've seen this with Ukraine aid, where France has insisted the aid we provide should be made in the EU to boost fr defence industry.

pmroman 🇪🇺

@jmaris Agreed, check my first reply to the toot mentioning the article.