Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska Profile picture
May 25, 2019 10 tweets 2 min read Read on X
Why is there in principle low interest in #EP2019 across member-states? A short #thread before I dash for Saturday barbecue.
1. You might often hear that the turnout in the EP elections has been falling (to reach record low -42.6 per cent) due to a growing disconnect between average EU citizens and 'far away Brussels'. But take such a response -likely coming from eurosceptics- with a pinch of salt.
2. Indeed, EU is far from perfect& could perhaps listen to citizens better. But national politicians from mainstream parties are particularly to blame. They used to spend little time and energy on EP elections&contributed to the general feeling that these are 'second order elect'
3. There are also very few 'bold differences' between the centre-right & centre-left parties on policies that really matter for citizens. This has contributed to the public apathy and the attitude described as 'Why should I vote for more of the same?'
4. This, as a result, has pushed many voters in the arms of more radical parties, many of which (though not all of them) are Eurosceptic.
5. This is not a new phenomenon and I do get annoyed when the media portrays it this way. The problem is that the mainstream has long been complacent about this trend and did little to win back voters.
6. Instead, they often copied some of the populists' narrative or even entered into alliances with them- which - as Austria #Strache affair shows- does not end well.
7. And, so the integration process has probably reached the point which is a wake-up call for all pro-Europeans. It is predicted that all eurosceptic/populist parties could get perhaps even 1/3 of the seats.
8. It is unlikely that they will paralyze the EU decision-making process - they will struggle to create a cohesive block in the EP- but they will be breathing down the pro-Europeans neck.
9. But because I like finishing my threads on the positive note - I think that this greater polarisation in the EP could force the pro-European block (which will still have majority) to be more vocal and straightforward in defending EU values and the European project.

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More from @AgataGostynska

Sep 24, 2020
1. It has been a while since I did a #thread on #Brexit but as baby Janina is napping I thought I would offer my two cents. The IMB has naturally undermined the trust that the deal can be reached and has a potential of derailing the talks.
2. Whereas the EU is naturally frustrated with UK's move some folks I have talked to think that the deal is still possible... under condition that the IMB is revised respectively.
3. Some of the involved in the talks think that Johnson is believed to prefer a deal from a no-deal scenario but they acknowledge that there are mounting challenges ahead of the negotiators.
Read 15 tweets
Mar 5, 2020
The EU and the UK have finished the first round of their negotiations on the future relationship. So what do we know so far? #thread
1. Each side has delegated around 110-120 people for these negotiations. The EU has drawn from expertise of 22 EC DG, EEAS and the Council SecGen.
2. Although the talks differ from the article 50 negotiations the EU will keep similar negotiating structures. I have written about this here: encompass-europe.com/comment/eu-sti…
Read 16 tweets
Feb 28, 2020
Having read both mandates I can say with full confidence: governance will be one of the most contentious points in #brexit talks. Short #thread
First of all, ‘the coherent structure and overall governance framework’ are already listed in the chapter called ‘purpose of the envisaged relationship’ suggesting that the EU treats this issue v. seriously.
Why is it important for the EU? There are at least 3 reasons: a) an umbrella governance gives the parties greater flexibility to add on new elements to the partnership in the future, b) it helps to avoid the Swiss saga related to dealing with a number of bilateral agreements
Read 4 tweets
Jan 16, 2020
Ten temat pojawia się w zdecydowanej większości dyskusji, w tym w moim ulubionym @Radio_TOK_FM więc pokuszę się o krótki komentarz #thread
@Radio_TOK_FM 2. Rozporządzenie, o którym mowa nie wymaga jednomyślności - jest to tzw. akt towarzyszący, który wypełni ramy WRF o których zdecydują liderzy. ALE...ale...
@Radio_TOK_FM 3. liderzy zdecydowali, że w ramach głównych negocjacji dot. WRF (jednomyslność) zajmą się min. kontrowersyjnym zapisem dot. tzw. odwroconej większości kwalifikowanej według którego KE mogłaby zadecydować o zamrożeniu środków CHYBA, ŻE Rada zdecyduje inaczej.
Read 7 tweets
Dec 12, 2019
I think the commentariat is exaggerating the tensions between the EU member-states in the phase TWO of the #Brexit talks. #thread
1. If Tories win (and if they win big) the Council could agree a negotiating mandate already in February. It is no secret that the Commission has already drafted the negotiating directives.
2. The baseline scenario for the EU will be that Johnson does not want an extension of the transition and hence that both sides have eleven months to strike a future FTA. What the officials and politicians privately think and hope is a totally different matter.
Read 7 tweets
Nov 28, 2019
A #thread on how the EU is preparing for the second phase of the #Brexit negotiations based on my latest bulletin piece. @CER_EU
@CER_EU 1. The latest polls show that Tories might not only emerge as the biggest party after elections but also have a comfortable majority in the Commons. If this is the case the UK will probably leave the EU by the end of January 31st.
@CER_EU 2. As you will know Johnson has argued that 11 months is enough to negotiate a future partnership with the EU. The EU-27 thinks it is a tall order but it is already establishing new negotiating structures to be able to start the talks as soon as possible.
Read 14 tweets

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