Amendment to the European Council Political Groups Act 2016

[Spain]

I would like to offer my partial support to Councillor Tilkanas on this amendment, but I need to ask a question to the honourable Istkalenian Councillor whom I wish could also answer Councillor Benield's questions to finally decide what I will do. My question is about the removal of Article IV within Section II, would its removal mean no Eurogroup would be allowed to campaign for a candidate for the European Commission?

To allow Councillor Tilkanas answer Mr. Benfield and my questions, Debate will be extended for 48 hours, until 20:00 GMT on January 5th, 2022.

Donald Tusk
Acting Speaker and Councillor for Spain

[Istkalen]

The restrictions I proposed are solely meant to reduce the level of politicking that I have seen in recent months, which have been high and have contributed to intense and polarizing discourse. I will consent to an amendment allowing candidates for the position of Councillor to be members of Eurogroups - but not members of the Commission. Allowing members of the Commission to be members of Eurogroups has caused the Council to become background for Commission elections, which have overtaken every other aspect of regional politics and become incredibly toxic. Removing Eurogroups from this context will hopefully reduce this toxicity and also restore the importance of the Council over the Commission.

In this vein, I propose the following amendment. Some

AMENDMENT I

SECTION III. MEMBERSHIP OF POLITICAL GROUPS

1. Membership of Political Groups is restricted to individual European Councillors.

2. Associate Membership is restricted to European Commissioners, current candidates in elections to the European Commission or in national elections to the European Council interim and deputy councillors serving on a temporary basis due to the incapacitation or absence of a nation's main councillor, in addition to current candidates in national elections to the European Council.
   a) Individuals and entities not belonging to these categories who are currently associate members of Political Groups are to be immediately expelled.

Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

[Inimicus]

The Empire of Inimicus will support this amendment, and with it, the larger Amendment to the Act.

Nicholas Benfield

[Spain]

Debate is now over. It is time to vote on amendments. There is ONE amendment, which has been proposed by Cllr. Tilkanas. The amendment is thus:

Amendment I - Cllr. Tilkanas

SECTION III. MEMBERSHIP OF POLITICAL GROUPS

1. Membership of Political Groups is restricted to individual European Councillors.
2. Associate Membership is restricted to European Commissioners, current candidates in elections to the European Commission or in national elections to the European Council interim and deputy councillors serving on a temporary basis due to the incapacitation or absence of a nation's main councillor, in addition to current candidates in national elections to the European Council.
   a) Individuals and entities not belonging to these categories who are currently associate members of Political Groups are to be immediately expelled.

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Voting on amendments will commence NOW and will last until 16:12 GMT on January 13th, 2022.

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I vote AGAINST the amendment.

Donald Tusk
Acting Speaker and Councillor for Spain

[Inimicus]

The Empire of Inimicus votes FOR the Amendment.

Nicholas Benfield

[BrumBrum]

On behalf of United Duchies I vote AGAINST this ammendment
James Mizrachi-Roscoe, Councillour for United Duchies

[Istkalen]

On behalf of the Republic of Istkalen, I vote FOR this amendment.

I would also like to request a voting extension.

Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

[GANIA]

EUROPE:
On behalf of the Federal Republic of Gania, we communicate our vote that AGAINST

counselor FOR GANIA
Pedro Bordaberry

[Spain]

Voting on amendments has concluded, after being extended for two extra days. With 2 votes FOR and 3 votes AGAINST, Amendment I has been REJECTED.

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Final voting begins NOW and will last until 11:30 GMT on January 18th, 2022.

Donald Tusk
Acting Speaker and Councillor for Spain

[Istkalen]

On behalf of the Republic of Istkalen, I vote FOR this amendment.

Iras Tilkanas
Council Speaker and Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

[Inimicus]

Unfortunately, due to the rejection of Cllr Tilkanas's amendment, the Empire of Inimicus must vote AGAINST this proposal.

Nicholas Benfield
Deputy Speaker and Cllr for Inimicus

[Spain]

On behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, I vote AGAINST this amendment.

Donald Tusk
Councillor for Spain

[Istkalen]

Voting has ended. With one vote FOR and two votes AGANST, this amendment has FAILED.

Iras Tilkanas
Council Speaker and Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen