The Imperial Government resolutely votes AGAINST this amendment and encourages others to do the same.
Cllr Nicolas Benfield
"Cllr Tony, thank you for bearing with me, and I apologise again to you for my earlier mishap. Thank you, too, for your detailed response to my objections. Nevertheless, I remain opposed to this Amendment.
I fully agree with you that Commissioners should be there to serve the peoples of Europe, including in Sanction Motions. Indeed, Premier Cocx has been a highly active Commissioner and has initiated debates and made statements in this chamber and the Commission buildings since his election. However, reality is often disappointing. During the last Commission term, Premier Merkel's office was a beacon of silence and tranquility, and not in a positive sense. The Foreign Affairs Commission has been completely and utterly quiet for nearly a year now. And, although he got off to a good start, I think we can all agree Commissioner Birdane's priorities recently have been with other things. This is the way of the world, unfortunately, and no matter how much we claim to want to change it, we won't. Tying real-world legislation into idealistic wishes is, in the Imperial Government's view, never prudent.
Consensus is built into the Sanction Act as it stands, Cllr Tony, and it does not require a supermajority rule to enforce. The Commission is to deliberate and construct a Sanction Motion in a balanced yet efficient way. There is then a full debate process in the Council, with Councillors free to propose amendments to the Sanction Motion as they see fit. Is this not consensus? I submit it is entirely within the boundaries of modern-day rule-of-law politics. Past experiences with the Sanction Act have shown that a supermajority is completely unnecessary to achieve a Sanction Motion that works for the nations of this Union - they have shown they are not afraid to shoot down proposals they see unfit.
Cllr Nicholas Benfield
Empire of Inimicus
Thank you Councillor Tony for submitting this bill to the European Council, as I have been contacted by you to support the motion. I have gone through the amendments proposals and I find them correct and very appropiate for a bill which I'm also repentant of allowing it to pass. But don't forget, Councillor Tony, that the Council main purpose concerning this bill must be repealing it as soon as the next Commission is elected, because I think Premier Cocx deserves respect but also to see that one of his main measures stays until he departs from the office.
The European Commission Sanctioning Powers Act 2021 is a law which somehow breaches some sovereignty principles, but even if we now amend this law, that's not the main problem the European Union has right now. Nobody on this Commission or this Council is giving full solutions to the deterioration of our Union, but just patching it. We get nothing from patching it, Councillor Tony, and I hope the Councillors and the next Commission candidates take notes of what should be done in our Union.
I wish you the best of luck, Cllr. Tony, because I think these amendments should pass and, to help them to be on our legislation, I'll vote for the amendment. Thank you.
Donald Tusk
Deputy Speaker and Councillor for Spain
As per the request of Councilor Tony, I am extending the debate until 25 May 2021 at 17h00 GMT.
Charles Michel
Council Speaker and Councilor for Fremet
Debate is now over. Voting begins NOW and will last until 17:01 GMT on June 1st, 2021.
On behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, I vote FOR this amendment.
Donald Tusk
Deputy Speaker and Councillor for Spain
On behalf of the Republic of Nofoaga, I vote FOR this Amendment.
Mrs. Paul-Gabrielle Muzhare
EU Councilor for the Republic of Nofoaga
On behalf of the Democratic Republic of Czech Slavia, I ABSTAIN from voting.
Václav Kohout
Councillor for Czech Slavia
On behalf of the Republic of Fremet, I vote FOR this Amendment.
Charles Michel
Council Speaker and Councilor for Fremet
The Imperial Government resolutely votes AGAINST this amendment and encourages others to do the same.
Cllr Nicolas Benfield
On behalf of the Six Unions of Gadalland and Aspern, I vote FOR this amendment.
Ms. Édulitalle Dina
European Councillor
On behalf of the Commonwealth of Leagio, I vote FOR the Amendment.
Francis Plessis
EU Councilor for Leagio
On behalf of the Kingdom of Montenbourg, I vote FOR the Amendment.
Emma Granger
Councillor for Montenbourg
On behalf of United Duchies I vote FOR this amendment
James Mizrachi-Roscoe, Councillour for United Duchies
On behalf of the Realm of Great Ruthund, I vote FOR this amendment.
Tony Odhinazen
EU Councilor, Ruthund
Voting has now concluded. With 8 votes FOR, 1 vote AGAINST and 1 vote ABSTAINING, this amendment to the European Commission Sanctioning Powers Act 2021 has PASSED.
Donald Tusk
Deputy Speaker and Councillor for Spain