And so we move through another week. The weather turns ever more frigid, the days grow shorter, but some things will never change.
We all know why open season has been declared once more, don't we? Yes, of course we do: we did what we said we would. In July something was agreed within the EU. The man who would be King, Soros was upset at the agreement, and made this be known. So, the EU, acting as a democratic institution, listened to the man who pays a lot of money to have his voice not only heard, but obeyed, and the EU responded in the traditional manner; they pulled their pants down, and said thank you afterwards.
OK, so that was the signal to let the rest of the liberal world know that Soros had, once again, declared war on those who oppose his will. Hungary and Poland were the two countries which vetoed the deal that the EU then presented in November, a deal which was nothing but a distant relative to the original deal that everyone accepted.
So, this week, we've seen Sweden and Italy start things off by wading into the fight, arms raised aggressively, both determined to muddy the waters to hide the fact that this whole scenario was not brought about by either Hungary or Poland, but by the EU itself. The EU reneged on the deal, not Hungary, not Poland. But, don't let the facts get in the way of the character assassination of two countries!
So, let’s just check; what is it that has upset the Swedes and the Italian liberal media so much? Yes, that’s right, it’s the refusal of Hungary and Poland to allow a mechanism for political blackmail to be written into the deal. The whole of the EU’s liberal world is calling out for the setting into stone of a concept which is about as vague and woolly as you could ever hope to find.
“Rule of law” What is that, then? I mean, I recognise that it is a phrase constructed from three English words, but…what can you offer in terms of a definition?
Well, according to the EU:
Rule of law guarantees fundamental rights and values, allows the application of EU law, and supports an investment-friendly business environment. It is one of the fundamental values upon which the EU is based on.
Well, still not as clear as I’d like it. Have you got anything else? What about this Rule of Law Mechanism that I’ve heard about?
The European rule of law mechanism is a preventive tool, aiming to promote the rule of law and prevent challenges from emerging or deteriorating.
You see? Clear as mud. As clear as the muddied water into which the Swedes and Italians have eagerly jumped.
The Swedish MEP Helene Fritzon stated that Hungary and Poland were playing a very “ugly game”, putting the European Union in a grave situation.
But wait. The term 'rule of law', whatever it might mean, features in the treaties that Member States agree to when they join the EU. But no definition is provided. So, if they want to enforce that which isn’t defined in their own rule book, shouldn’t the treaties be amended to accommodate an explanation?
But on we go. The Swedes have taken a swing at us, but, typically, there is no foundation to Fritzon’s accusation. There was a deal, agreed in July, which the EU reneged upon after Soros threw a tantrum. If you’re going to blame anyone for the mess, at least make sure that you’re pointing at the actual culprit.
And what of the Italian liberal media? Well, they’re going over the top in a way which suggests drama is going out of style and they’re desperate to use up all their stocks:
“…authoritarian…”
“…regimes…”
“…totalitarianism…”
Additionally, we learn that Hungary and Poland want to oppress their citizens and further, refuse to be “states ruled by law”.
The fact that there are twenty-seven members in the EU at present means that, as with all grown-up ideas, no one person, not even if they are as pushy as Germany, is allowed to dictate to the others. When an agreement is reached, it will be as a result of negotiation, like adults, rather than throwing toys out of the playpen, like toddlers. This is not the time for anyone to bring the footie match to an end with the classic line: "It's my ball, and I'm going home!"
Of course, we all know that none of this has anything to do with any vague legal concepts at all. Ask the EU what the rule of law is and they’ll tell you that the rule of law is the rule of law. Great.
That reveals plenty, not about the rule of law, but about the EU.
The EU is trying, once again, to force sovereign nations to toe a particular line, one which is increasingly based on unsound foundations. The EU appears not to realise that these sovereign nations have to show allegiance primarily to their own nations.
The Polish government depends not on the charity of the EU, but on the will of the Polish people. The Hungarian government’s power comes from the Hungarian electorate, not from the corridors of Brussels.
But, are we surprised by what we’re hearing and reading? No.
Are we surprised that some journalists choose to present the idea that we and the Poles are denying aid to countries struggling under the pressure of the coronavirus pandemic? No.
This is not about funding. The EU is not essential regarding loans provided for those in trouble. Inter-governmental loans can be set up.
This is about the EU using a crowbar, with all the finesse of a drunken gibbon, to force a mechanism into EU base law by which any state that disagrees with something would be subject to punishment by the rest of the EU.
And in that case respect for human rights, freedom, tolerance, and equality get bunged out of the window? Doesn't that clash with the idea of the rule of law, whatever it might mean?
There are principles at stake here. The Hungarians and Poles were well within their rights to veto this dog's dinner of an agreement. As the Hungarian Prime Minister pointed out:
There is no agreement about anything until there is agreement about everything,
The EU, once again would like to stretch its own rules to suit the present liberal climate in which it basks.
We make the rules, you would do well to follow them, comrade.