Censure Motion
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In response to a complaint filed with the Office of the Speaker of the European Council, an investigation into the conduct of the Deputy Speaker of the Council, Donald Tusk, has found his conduct to be unbecoming of a member of the Council, representing unprofessional, irresponsible, and disrespectful conduct towards a public official of the European Union.
Regardless of whether or not this was a turn of phrase, members' speech must be held to a higher level of professionalism given the highly visible and highly sensitive nature of our work. To use this language in the Council chambers is unacceptable and irresponsible for an individual serving a leadership role in this body. Words have an immense power, even more so in these Chambers. All members should be wary of the implications and power of their words-- from the most grandiose statements to the simplest turns of phrase. Freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of the European Union, however, we will not get anything done if we continuously devolve into shouting matches and exchanges of insults. These rules exist to maintain decorum, to encourage tangible debate, and to allow us all to do our jobs without needless distractions and (minimal) chest beating.
Thus, it is presented to this Council, a MOTION FOR CENSURE of the Member Donald Tusk of Spain, suspending them for a period of 7 days effective from the passage of this measure.
The duration of 7 days was selected as the minimum outlined in the Code of Conduct of the European Union. Though a response is necessary to correct behaviour, the immense service provided by Councilor Tusk to this body was taken into account in the determination of duration of suspension.
Given the sensitive nature of this measure, as well as the seriousness of the conduct that the Speaker's Office has found Councilor Tusk culpable for, I ask that all members remain reverant towards one another.
CENSURE MOTION: DONALD TUSK (2021)
Given that the conduct of Donald Tusk, Deputy Speaker and Councilor for Spain, has been found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct of the European Council (2019),
the Council of the European Union hereby CENSURES Deputy Speaker Tusk and suspends them from office and public service for a period of 7 days from the passage of this measure.
Debate on this motion begins NOW and ends 13 October 2021 at 12h00 GMT.
Charles Michel
Council Speaker and Councilor for Fremet -
I would like to thank the Speaker for taking into account my work in his absence. In my defence I will say that the phrase has a different meaning that the one many Councillors thought it had, and they can search for the meaning in any webpage on the Internet. Still, I have to recognise that other words could have been used, and thus I apologise to this chamber and Premier Cikarová for this unfortunate words. I hope Councillors take the right decision about this, we all know what the Council has been going through during the past weeks and even if I trust on the Speaker of the Council to take over all my job again, I think my suspension could damage the Council's activity.
Donald Tusk
Deputy Speaker and Councillor for Spain -
While I am worried about further delays in the workings of the Council, Councillor Tusk's outburst in the Council was inexcusable. Full support.
Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen -
While there is no question that the Deputy Speaker's words were out of line, and he must take some sort of accountability and responsibility for them, and also receive some form of punishment for breaking the Council's code of conduct, I'm not keen on this particular form of punishment, which effectively punishes the rest of us. I'm not sure why the rest of the Council now needs to pay the price for the Deputy Speaker's words. We currently have a mountain of legislation on the Council floor, and without the Deputy Speaker, we'll only face further delays. Is there no other punishment that can be levied against the Deputy Speaker that won't disrupt Council proceedings for the rest of us?
Bp. Karinn Lallana
Councillor for Inquista -
If there is an alternative form of punishment available, I would prefer that, as well.
Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen -
Just to further add, apart from also punishing the rest of us, I also don't think this form of justice in any way actually makes the Deputy Speaker acknowledge or learn from what he did wrong specifically, nor does it return integrity or honour to the Council - as he'll simply be back at his job in a week - and least of all, it doesn't do anything for the primary victim of his words, Premier Cikarova, who no doubt deserves a full-fledged apology.
I would like to rather see the Deputy Speaker attend a seminar program facilitated by Cllr. Granger, who will teach the Deputy Speaker of the barriers and gender-based obstacles that women in positions of power and leadership face, and train him on gender inclusivity both in the workplace and in Europe in general. Afterwards, the Deputy Speaker can reflect on his words and Cllr. Granger's seminar, and then provide a public and full apology to the Premier Commissioner, where he must both acknowledge and demonstrate why his wording was wrong and damaging, and then further speak about the role that women have had in leading the European Union. Finally, the Deputy Speaker should then be on mandatory Council bathroom-cleaning duty for two weeks, which is a task that most women still continue to do at home, despite that we are also expected to also work professionally and take care of our children.
Bp. Karinn Lallana
Councillor for Inquista -
I think this punishment is appropriate, but I think it would merely make Councillor Tusk feel as though bathroom-cleaning is, in fact, a task for women. It is a task that should be shared by all, and eventually, perhaps, placed in the responsibility of machines, once technological advancement has reached that point; but for this not to occur organically might foster hatred and further misogyny.
I thus propose, instead of bathroom-cleaning duty, he should be sentenced to perhaps 40 hours of community service in Europolis, so that he may actually meet the people understand them. He should also be given a sponsored trip to my own country, specifically the German-speaking territories, where women endured unspeakable abuses until recently, and attend a number of sessions of the women's committees operating in the area, which have sought to bring to light these abuses, so that he is able to finally understand what we have been through, and what he has contributed to.
Iras Tlikanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen -
I propose the following amendment, crediting Councillor Lallana for many of the ideas in it.
AMENDMENT I
...and
suspends them from office and public service for a period of 7 days from the passage of this measure.requires them to take a two-week seminar program, organized by the European Commission, regarding gender inequality and gender inclusivity. Cllr. Tusk will then be required to make a public, official, and full apology, without any excuses or explanations rationalizing his behavior, which acknowledges and explicitly explains how his words were demeaning and wrong, in a way that does not shift the blame for the wording and its interpretation on others, and which fully acknowledges personal culpability. He shall then personally deliver a handwritten copy of the apology to presently Premier Cikarova, who shall then have the choice to accept it or reject it as insincere. If the apology is found insincere, Cllr. Tusk will be required to retake the seminar program, and submit another apology, and do so as many times as necessary until the apology is found sincere. Upon acceptance of the apology, Cllr. Tusk will be required to travel to the predominantly German-speaking regions of Istkalen, where he will be required to attend at least ten sessions of Women's Committees of his choice, after which he will be required to write a detailed report explaining all that he heard, what he extrapolated from it, and how he has recognized the injustice done to women and his personal contribution to such injustice, as well as how he will work to rectify both of these, which he must give to the Council Speaker. Cllr. Tusk will then be required to complete 100 hours of community service for the whole of the EU, the contents of this service decided by the Commission at that date.Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen -
I support Councillor Tilkanas' amendment, although, if anyone finds the bathrooms to be less than spotless in the future, don't complain to me.
Bp. Karinn Lallana
Councillor for Inquista -
Altough the Empire of Inimicus supports the rationale behind Cllrs Lallna's and Tilkanas's objections to this motion, I see no reason to mandate Deputy Speaker Tusk to visit a war-torn member state to attend sessions of one particular member state's low-level gender equality committees. I further in no way believe that the Council may impose community service on any individual -- legal punishments such as these being reserved to the European Court of Justice and national courts. Should Cllr Tilkanas's amendment be passed, the Empire will seek litigation through the ECoJ. I call upon Cllr Lallana and others in this place to reject this illegal proposal to restrain Deputy Speaker Tusk's personal freedoms through idiosyncratic single-member-state practices.
Instead, the Imperial Government proposes the following amendment, based off Cllr Tilkanas's proposal:
AMENDMENT II
...and
suspends them from office and public service for a period of 7 days from the passage of this measure.requires them to take a two-week seminar program, organized by the European Commission, regarding gender inequality and gender inclusivity. Cllr. Tusk will then be required to make a public, official, and full apology, without any excuses or explanations rationalizing his behavior, which acknowledges and explicitly explains how his words were demeaning and wrong, in a way that does not shift the blame for the wording and its interpretation on others, and which fully acknowledges personal culpability. He shall then personally deliver a handwritten copy of the apology to presently Premier Cikarova, who shall then have the choice to accept it or reject it as insincere. If the apology is found insincere, Cllr. Tusk will be required to retake the seminar program, and submit another apology, and do so as many times as necessary until the apology is found sincere.Please note that Amendments I and II will therefore be exclusionary.
Cllr Nicholas Benfield
Empire of Inimicus -
I withdraw my amendment.
Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen -
Even in dark times, we not only dream, we do. We not only see what has been, we see what can be. I beg your forgiveness, too, for the sins of omission on the part of our party leaders who did not respond adequately, as well as by the victim herself; a woman like me, our Premier.
Tusk Deputy’s spokemanship has strong legacy of accomplishment that needs to be appraised and honored. This is also speaking with integrity and truth. I support this censure motion for seven days, and my personal talks with the Councillor have been always ensured since the incident.
We shall overcome, going forward together.
Emma Granger,
Councillor for Montenbourg -
I do believe the Right Honourable Tusk and his statement there was miscommunication. We all know phrases meaning one thing in another country can mean something else entirely or come across totally differently in another. I do not believe there was any ill intent meant. Therefore I will be voting against this censure though this may be a lesson in the art of international communication and considering what a phrase can mean internationally when using a local phrase or idiom in the European Council but I do not think we should be punished for honest innocent mistakes.On a personal not you have no doubt heard the tragic news of my son being the victim of an evil anti-autistic hate crime in the Duchies and fighting for his life in hospital therefore my deputy Skye Hook will be attending the sessions for voting purposes until such a time I can return after my son hopefully by gods will recovers from his horrific attack. But in the meanwhile I must now serve my family at home and be with my child in the hospital and making sure all my family is okay at home , I hope you all understand but it would be wrong of me to continue in my role as if nothing is wrong at home in my family. Thank you
James Mizrachi-Roscoe, Councillour for United Duchies
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The debate period has ended. Voting on the proposed amendment will now commence.
Amendment I: (Cllr Benfield, Inimicus)
...and
suspends them from office and public service for a period of 7 days from the passage of this measure.requires them to take a two-week seminar program, organized by the European Commission, regarding gender inequality and gender inclusivity. Cllr. Tusk will then be required to make a public, official, and full apology, without any excuses or explanations rationalizing his behavior, which acknowledges and explicitly explains how his words were demeaning and wrong, in a way that does not shift the blame for the wording and its interpretation on others, and which fully acknowledges personal culpability. He shall then personally deliver a handwritten copy of the apology to presently Premier Cikarova, who shall then have the choice to accept it or reject it as insincere. If the apology is found insincere, Cllr. Tusk will be required to retake the seminar program, and submit another apology, and do so as many times as necessary until the apology is found sincere.
Voting begins NOW and ends 17 October 2021 at 12h00 GMT.
On behalf of the Republic of Fremet, I vote FOR the proposed amendment.
Charles Michel
Council Speaker and Councilor for Fremet -
I vote FOR the proposed amendment.
Bp. Karinn Lallana
Councillor for Inquista -
I vote FOR the proposed amendment.
Donald Tusk
Deputy Speaker and Councillor for Spain -
The Empire of Inimicus votes For the amendment.
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Voting on the amendment has ENDED.
With 4 votes FOR, No votes AGAINST, and No Abstentions, the Amendment has PASSED.The Motion, as amended, is shown below:
CENSURE MOTION: DONALD TUSK (2021)
Given that the conduct of Donald Tusk, Deputy Speaker and Councilor for Spain, has been found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct of the European Council (2019),
the Council of the European Union hereby CENSURES Deputy Speaker Tusk
and requires them to take a two-week seminar program, organized by the European Commission, regarding gender inequality and gender inclusivity.
Cllr. Tusk will then be required to make a public, official, and full apology, without any excuses or explanations rationalizing his behavior, which acknowledges and explicitly explains how his words were demeaning and wrong, in a way that does not shift the blame for the wording and its interpretation on others, and which fully acknowledges personal culpability.
He shall then personally deliver a handwritten copy of the apology to presently Premier Cikarova, who shall then have the choice to accept it or reject it as insincere.
If the apology is found insincere, Cllr. Tusk will be required to retake the seminar program, and submit another apology, and do so as many times as necessary until the apology is found sincere.
Voting on this Motion begins NOW and ends 0h01 GMT on 22 October 2021.
On behalf of the Republic of Fremet, I vote FOR this Motion.
Charles Michel
Council Speaker and Councilor for Fremet -
On behalf of the Kingdom of Reitzmag, I vote FOR this motion.
Yuridiana Yahontov
Councilor, Kingdom of Reitzmag -
On behalf of the Archrepublic of Vayinaod, I vote FOR this motion.
Carita Falk
The Kingdom of Spain
