Amendment to the European Council Political Groups Act 2016
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I can only vote against this act as it is an attack on the very democracy of the EU itself. The Eurogroups or "parties" are places for councillours with common poltical ideas to come together to push for their beliefs and to challenge the groups in power holding the commission to account. You take away the ability to group together on this basis you will end up with a weakened democracy. I don't believe that democracy means we all be nice and sing Kumbaya sometimes a challenge to an idea and group is needed to give the impetus needed for change or to oppose an idea. The price of democracy is that people express their ideas, I know some here might not like opposition politics and dissenting voices as shown by their nations politics but frankly sometimes its needed. Should politics be more civil sometimes, possibly but we cannot force this onto people .
Also allowing people like PM's , party leaders and other key players into the Eurogroups on an associate basis gives the governments and parties a voice at all levels by allowing member parties to directly have a say in policy and give their ideas freely undermining this would only increase resentment of the EU and make it seem more removed and undemocratic.
James Mizrachi-Roscoe , Councillour for United Duchies
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Councillor Mizrachi Roscoe, the issue is that this is not in the spirit of what Eurogroups were meant to be. Your final point I will respond to only by saying that it has been illegal since 2016, merely unenforced. Only Commissioners and candidates in Councillor elections have been able to become associate members from the very beginning.
There is also evidently an issue when namecalling and extremely vulgar language - an informal expression comes to mind - enters this most sacred of chambers.
Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen -
Debate on this shall CONTINUE until 14:24 GMT on January 3rd, 2022.
Donald Tusk
Acting Speaker and Councillor for Spain -
The Empire of Inimicus supports the idea of this Act. Inimician Councillors have not been part of Eurogroups or Europarties or whatever the present incarnation may be termed, for over half a decade now. We see no real benefit to Eurogroups, and would rather they were done away with altogether. I nevertheless want to ask Cllr Tilkanas, whose good intentions with this proposal I fully appreciate, what purpose her including prospective Councillors, i.e. those standing in national elections to this Council, in her proposed ban on Associate Membership. If Eurogroups are to survive, should voters not be given transparency on which Eurogroup their candidates would join?
Nicholas Benfield
Empire of Inimicus -
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 -
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
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Membership of Political Groups is restricted to individual European Councillors.
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Associate Membership is restricted to
European Commissioners, current candidates in elections to the European Commission or in national elections to the European Councilinterim 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 -
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The Empire of Inimicus will support this amendment, and with it, the larger Amendment to the Act.
Nicholas Benfield
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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
- Membership of Political Groups is restricted to individual European Councillors.
- Associate Membership is restricted to
European Commissioners, current candidates in elections to the European Commission or in national elections to the European Councilinterim 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.
Voting on amendments will commence NOW and will last until 16:12 GMT on January 13th, 2022.
I vote AGAINST the amendment.
Donald Tusk
Acting Speaker and Councillor for Spain -
The Empire of Inimicus votes FOR the Amendment.
Nicholas Benfield
The Empire of Inimicus
Head of State/Government: Emperor Artabanos (EU Hall of Fame 2021)
Vicarius (Deputy): Wilfred Cocx
Deputy Speaker of the European Council: Nicholas Benfield -
On behalf of United Duchies I vote AGAINST this ammendment
James Mizrachi-Roscoe, Councillour for United Duchies -
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 -
EUROPE:
On behalf of the Federal Republic of Gania, we communicate our vote that AGAINSTcounselor FOR GANIA
Pedro Bordaberry -
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.
Final voting begins NOW and will last until 11:30 GMT on January 18th, 2022.
Donald Tusk
Acting Speaker and Councillor for Spain -
On behalf of the Republic of Istkalen, I vote FOR this amendment.
Iras Tilkanas
Council Speaker and Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen -
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 -
On behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, I vote AGAINST this amendment.
Donald Tusk
Councillor for Spain -
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 -
Locked by
Istkalen -
Unlocked by Istkalen
The Kingdom of Spain
