Yesterday, EU-Commission sent formal notice to launch infringement procedure against Hungary for new “sovereignty protection law”. Read excellent analysis by HHC & @AmnestyHungary here. It's scary. /1

https://twitter.com/hhc_helsinki/status/1755574192295092382

@AmnestyHungary Law contains two main parts: (1) establishes so-called Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO) and (2) amends criminal code prescribing prison sentences of up to 3 years for using foreign funding for political campaign purposes. /2

Manfred Weber & EPP have one answer to Qatargate: regulate NGOs! Why this unhealthy obsession with NGOs has to stop, why preventing corruption and undue influence needs more transparency for ALL types of organisations and why attacking civil society is dangerous: a thread 🧵 /1 Ex-MEP Antonio Panzeri has allegedly used his NGO "Fight Impunity" to organise his corrupt network. He could have used a consultancy, think thank or similar just as well. If we really want to prevent corruption, we need more transparency for ALL types of organisations! /2

Hätte der aktuelle Korruptionsskandal im Europaparlament durch bessere Lobbyregeln verhindert werden können?

Die aktuellen Regeln und DRINGEND benötigte Verbesserungen im Überblick: 🧵 /1 Zunächst: Ja, es handelt sich um einen der größten Korruptionsskandale in der EU überhaupt. Sich kaufen zu lassen ist absolut inakzeptabel. Aber - weil Rechtsaußen ein gefundenes Fressen wittert: Frau Kaili sitzt wegen ihrer Vergehen in U-Haft. Den Vize-Posten ist sie los /2

Agreed reform measures in Hungary are INSUFFICIENT to re-instate the rule of law and they are POORLY IMPLEMENTED. Thats the result of the assessment of European Parliament rule of law negotiators.

There are NO GROUNDS for a positive assessment by the @EU_Commission.

Details: 🧵 @EU_Commission Integrity Authority.

Adequacy:🔴 Implementation: 🟡
/2

Why does it take so long to trigger rule of law sanctions against violators in EU member states?

It's been 1 year, 3 months, 1 week, 3 days since EP negotiators struck a deal with Council on rule of law conditionality.

Since then, a lot has happened to justify inactivity. 🧵👇 On November 5th 2020, EP and Council came to an agreement on the rule of law conditionality. EP proposal was watered down by Council under German Presidency. In the end, we had a workable compromise. But it was clear: There would be obstacles to triggering. /2

EU-Commission fired 2 rule of law warning letters to 🇵🇱 and 🇭🇺

Yes, it's just asking questions, it's not triggering sanctions+it will further stall the process.

BUT

Commission analysis is thorough+sound. Unlikely that Budapest or Warsaw can come up with satisfying answers 👇/1 HOW INDEPENDENT ARE YOUR JUDICIARIES?
*spoiler* --> they are not.

Commission is taking particular interest in 🇵🇱+🇭🇺

"specify (...) in what way judicial review by an independent court (...) is guaranteed"

Important, because an independent judiciary is not just on of the /2

Ekelhafte #Lobby-Kampagne, die gerade gegen meinen Kollegen @MartinHaeusling gefahren wird. Von Lobbygruppen werden Fake News über angebliche Antibiotika-Verbote für Haustiere gestreut. Ein Youtuber verbreitet diesen Mist. Eine Diffamierungspetition wurde gestartet. /1 Der Youtuber “Der Tierarzt” erzählt 10k+ Viewern, dass Haustiere bald sterben würden, weil Martin ein Verbot für Antibiotika fordert.

Manipulativer Unsinn!

“Die medizinische Versorgung von Haus- und Einzeltieren mit Antibiotika ist weder aktuell noch zukünftig gefährdet!” /2

‼️Last minute breakthrough for Conference Future EU‼️
50hrs before the launching the biggest reform project of the past years. European Parlament managed to keep the democratic heart of the Conference alive. Quick thread 👇/1 Citizens will set the agenda of the Conference, citizens will have a say on the political outcome. 108 citizens will participate in the Conference Plenary. (80 from assemblies, 27 from national events, 1 from youth parliament) /2