🇪🇺 EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borell, warns Europeans will be fearmongered into voting populist party in next year’s elections due to nearby wars.
The European Parliamentary elections in June could be as fateful as the U.S. presidential race, Borell warned, saying the fear of the unknown may lead them to back right wing populist parties.
“I am afraid of fear, I am afraid Europeans vote because they are afraid. It’s scientifically proven that fear in the face of the unknown and uncertainty generates a hormone that calls for a security response. This is a fact” said Borell.
“We are invaded by a media world of threats where we learn about the daily crimes of evil and war and it creates a hormonal activity directed by fear. (…) Parties that can play on fear in human being and offer bad responses to good questions can attract the support from the European population” added Borell.
Borell still insists that the EU represents an attractive model for people around the world but warned that the future of the EU will be at stake unless the EU mobilises all resources to prevent a Russian victory in Ukraine and prevent a tragedy in Gaza adding “I think our project will be very much damaged”.
Josep Borell has been a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) since 1975.
🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/24/eu-foreign-policy-chief-fears-rightwing-surge-in-june-elections
The European Parliamentary elections in June could be as fateful as the U.S. presidential race, Borell warned, saying the fear of the unknown may lead them to back right wing populist parties.
“I am afraid of fear, I am afraid Europeans vote because they are afraid. It’s scientifically proven that fear in the face of the unknown and uncertainty generates a hormone that calls for a security response. This is a fact” said Borell.
“We are invaded by a media world of threats where we learn about the daily crimes of evil and war and it creates a hormonal activity directed by fear. (…) Parties that can play on fear in human being and offer bad responses to good questions can attract the support from the European population” added Borell.
Borell still insists that the EU represents an attractive model for people around the world but warned that the future of the EU will be at stake unless the EU mobilises all resources to prevent a Russian victory in Ukraine and prevent a tragedy in Gaza adding “I think our project will be very much damaged”.
Josep Borell has been a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) since 1975.
🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/24/eu-foreign-policy-chief-fears-rightwing-surge-in-june-elections
the Guardian
EU foreign policy chief fears rightwing surge in June elections
Josep Borrell is concerned voters will be scared into choosing populist parties for European parliament because of nearby wars
🇭🇺❌🇪🇺🇺🇦 Viktor Orbán believes giving Ukraine 54 billion $ from EU budget is a ‘bad decision’
A week after the Hungarian PM stalled a 54 billion $ aid package spread out to 2027, Orbán doubled down and reiterated his position that the deal is a “bad decision”.
“They want to the money to come from the EU’s budget, Hungary wants to the money to be separated from the budget (…) They have the possibility - even without our approval - to resolve this outside the budget structure but they insist on using the EU’s budget” told Orbán.
🔗 https://www.wionews.com/world/hungarys-orban-says-54bn-aid-to-ukraine-from-eu-budget-is-a-bad-decision-672241
A week after the Hungarian PM stalled a 54 billion $ aid package spread out to 2027, Orbán doubled down and reiterated his position that the deal is a “bad decision”.
“They want to the money to come from the EU’s budget, Hungary wants to the money to be separated from the budget (…) They have the possibility - even without our approval - to resolve this outside the budget structure but they insist on using the EU’s budget” told Orbán.
🔗 https://www.wionews.com/world/hungarys-orban-says-54bn-aid-to-ukraine-from-eu-budget-is-a-bad-decision-672241
WION
Hungary's Orban says $54bn aid to Ukraine from EU budget is a 'bad decision'
A week after stalling an aid deal worth $54 billion to Ukraine, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asserted that the money should not come out of the European Union (EU) budget, stating it remains a 'bad decision'. Orban justified his decision of…
Forwarded from Little Entente
🇵🇱❌🌹— Polish Presidency vetoes Tusk govt. bill for 2024 after media takeover
— "I have decided to veto the budget-reltaed bill for 2024, which includedd PLN 3 billion (690 million euro) for public media," said Duda on X/Twitter on Saturday afternoon.
The tactic adopted by the Tusk government, which has seen prominent rise in several other Eastern European states (Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia) where the government is actively funding the internal press as to purchase it's silence.
PiS says the management of public media companies can only be dismissed by the National Media Council, a body set up by the PiS government. The new ruling coalition accuses PiS of holding shadow control over the body with party loyalists.
The Polish presidency stated that a self-made budget bill will be sent to the parliament for voting immediately after Christmas.
🔗 AP
— "I have decided to veto the budget-reltaed bill for 2024, which includedd PLN 3 billion (690 million euro) for public media," said Duda on X/Twitter on Saturday afternoon.
The tactic adopted by the Tusk government, which has seen prominent rise in several other Eastern European states (Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia) where the government is actively funding the internal press as to purchase it's silence.
PiS says the management of public media companies can only be dismissed by the National Media Council, a body set up by the PiS government. The new ruling coalition accuses PiS of holding shadow control over the body with party loyalists.
The Polish presidency stated that a self-made budget bill will be sent to the parliament for voting immediately after Christmas.
🔗 AP
AP News
Polish president says he'll veto a spending bill, in a blow to the new government of Donald Tusk
Poland’s president says he intends to veto a spending bill which includes money for public media and raises for teachers, dealing a blow to the new pro-European Union government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
📢 🇾🇪 🚢 Ansar Allah/Houthi spokesman Muhammad Abdel Salam:
🔶️ While a reconnaissance plane belonging to the Yemeni Navy was carrying out reconnaissance work across the Red Sea, an American warship opened fire in a hysterical manner with multiple weapons, showing the state of confusion and anxiety. One of the missiles exploded near a ship heading south of the Red Sea belonging to the Republic of Gabon, coming from Russian ports.
🔶️ We affirm that the threat to international maritime navigation results from the militarization of the Red Sea by America and its partners who come to the region without any right other than providing safety services to the ships of the Israeli enemy entity.
🔶️ The Red Sea will be a burning arena if America and its allies continue in the way they are of bullying, and the countries bordering the Red Sea must realize the reality of the dangers that threaten their national security.
🔶️ While a reconnaissance plane belonging to the Yemeni Navy was carrying out reconnaissance work across the Red Sea, an American warship opened fire in a hysterical manner with multiple weapons, showing the state of confusion and anxiety. One of the missiles exploded near a ship heading south of the Red Sea belonging to the Republic of Gabon, coming from Russian ports.
🔶️ We affirm that the threat to international maritime navigation results from the militarization of the Red Sea by America and its partners who come to the region without any right other than providing safety services to the ships of the Israeli enemy entity.
🔶️ The Red Sea will be a burning arena if America and its allies continue in the way they are of bullying, and the countries bordering the Red Sea must realize the reality of the dangers that threaten their national security.
Forwarded from Middle East Spectator — MES
— 🇮🇱/🇱🇧 NEW: Throughout the night, Israel carried out a wave of extensive airstrikes against high-value Hezbollah targets; The IDF has sealed off all roads near Lebanon, and the Israeli military is preparing for a significant Hezbollah response - N12 News
@Middle_East_Spectstor
@Middle_East_Spectstor
📢 🇮🇱 🇱🇧 Israeli Government Spokesman for the October 7th War on X:
🔶️ "Hezbollah must back off from the northern border. We won’t put up with this aggression anymore. Unless and until a diplomatic solution is found based on UNSCR 1701, we will continue making preparations to repel the threat ourselves. We will not be refugees in our own land." - Eylon Levy
🔶️ "Hezbollah must back off from the northern border. We won’t put up with this aggression anymore. Unless and until a diplomatic solution is found based on UNSCR 1701, we will continue making preparations to repel the threat ourselves. We will not be refugees in our own land." - Eylon Levy
Forwarded from Middle East Spectator — MES
— 🇮🇷 Iran's new twin-launch platform for the 'Tala'eeyeh' anti-ship cruise missile
The 'Tala'eeyeh' anti-ship cruise missile, former designation 'Abu Mahdi', has a range of up to 1000km with pinpoint accuracy against large moving targets, meaning it can cover the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
@Middle_East_Spectator
The 'Tala'eeyeh' anti-ship cruise missile, former designation 'Abu Mahdi', has a range of up to 1000km with pinpoint accuracy against large moving targets, meaning it can cover the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
@Middle_East_Spectator
🇾🇪 🇮🇷 🌍 This graphic attempts summarizing the current incidents targeting maritime vessels in the Arabian Sea/Bab-El-Mandeb region, it highlights potential UAV ranges, simulates traffic density & presents how vulnerable commercial shipping is to such attacks
📎 Damien Symon
📎 Damien Symon
Forwarded from JOIN @MEDMANNEWS
⚡️🇵🇸 According to the Palestinian Intranet, and the man in the video, who is a citizen in Rafah, Palestine - Police forces belonging to Hamas have shot a teen by the name of Ahmed Shaddad Barika, for the crime of looting and attempting to steal humanitarian aid, there is slight security disturbances in the city over it at the moment
Let it be known that lethal force should be authorized to protect humanitarian aid from looters and criminals, however, we should understand that times are stressful and thus people can become desperate, and that choosing lethal force should only be in the case of bodily violence or complete loss of control.
Israelis wish for civil disturbance and for Palestinians to fight each other, the civilians must wait in their lines and get their appropriate rations and security services must use the appropriate force with the appropriate subject.
And contrary to popular belief - I stand for what is right and I am not afraid to point out what is wrong.
@themediterraneanman
Let it be known that lethal force should be authorized to protect humanitarian aid from looters and criminals, however, we should understand that times are stressful and thus people can become desperate, and that choosing lethal force should only be in the case of bodily violence or complete loss of control.
Israelis wish for civil disturbance and for Palestinians to fight each other, the civilians must wait in their lines and get their appropriate rations and security services must use the appropriate force with the appropriate subject.
And contrary to popular belief - I stand for what is right and I am not afraid to point out what is wrong.
@themediterraneanman
✝️ 🇵🇸 🇮🇱 This year, out of protest of the Israeli actions in Gaza and in solidarity with Palestinians, there will be no Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem for the first time in living memory.
1️⃣ Artwork "Nativity under the Rubble" by Palestinian artist Tariq Salsa is seen in Manger Square near the Church of Nativity on December 23, 2023 in Bethlehem, West Bank.
2️⃣ A Lutheran church in Bethlehem is displaying a sombre Christmas message, with a nativity scene that depicts an infant Jesus surrounded by rubble to reflect the devastation in Gaza.
@CIG_telegram
1️⃣ Artwork "Nativity under the Rubble" by Palestinian artist Tariq Salsa is seen in Manger Square near the Church of Nativity on December 23, 2023 in Bethlehem, West Bank.
2️⃣ A Lutheran church in Bethlehem is displaying a sombre Christmas message, with a nativity scene that depicts an infant Jesus surrounded by rubble to reflect the devastation in Gaza.
@CIG_telegram
Forwarded from Middle East Spectator — MES
— 🇮🇱/🇵🇸 NEW: Jewish settlers set fire to a Christmas tree in Bethlehem in the West Bank, while under IDF protection
@Middle_East_Spectator
@Middle_East_Spectator
Forwarded from Middle East Spectator — MES
Middle East Spectator — MES
— 🇮🇱/🇵🇸 NEW: Jewish settlers set fire to a Christmas tree in Bethlehem in the West Bank, while under IDF protection @Middle_East_Spectator
— 🇮🇱/🇵🇸 UDPATE: Muslim and Christian Palestinians banded together, gathering rocks and attacking the settlers, after which they fled and the fire was extinguished
@Middle_East_Spectator
@Middle_East_Spectator
🎄 🇵🇸 🇮🇱 Israeli settlers set fire to the Christmas tree in Bethlehem.
🔶️ Bethlehem is located in the West Bank of Palestine, ten kilometers away from Jerusalem. Christian pilgrims from all over the world come here on Christmas days. The center of their attention is the Church of the Nativity here.
🔶️ This time, after thousands of Palestinians were killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Christian community in Bethlehem is celebrating Christmas in a very limited way. While most people have decided not to celebrate Christmas.
🔶️ An incident happened here today. Some Israeli settlers set fire to the Christmas tree. After that, the Christians and Muslims there started throwing stones at the settlers and drove them away.
https://vexwift.com/israeli-settlers-set-fire-to-the-christmas-tree-in-bethlehem/
🔶️ Bethlehem is located in the West Bank of Palestine, ten kilometers away from Jerusalem. Christian pilgrims from all over the world come here on Christmas days. The center of their attention is the Church of the Nativity here.
🔶️ This time, after thousands of Palestinians were killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Christian community in Bethlehem is celebrating Christmas in a very limited way. While most people have decided not to celebrate Christmas.
🔶️ An incident happened here today. Some Israeli settlers set fire to the Christmas tree. After that, the Christians and Muslims there started throwing stones at the settlers and drove them away.
https://vexwift.com/israeli-settlers-set-fire-to-the-christmas-tree-in-bethlehem/
🇬🇧 🇬🇾 🇻🇪 ‘The UK is preparing to send a warship to Guyana in a show of diplomatic and military support for the former British colony, the BBC has learned…HMS Trent would take part in joint exercises after Christmas’
🔶️ The UK is preparing to send a warship to Guyana in a show of diplomatic and military support for the former British colony, the BBC has learned.
🔶️ It comes after neighbouring Venezuela renewed its claim for a disputed part of Guyanese territory that is rich in oil and minerals.
🔶️ The Ministry of Defence confirmed HMS Trent would take part in joint exercises after Christmas.
🔶️ Guyana, a Commonwealth member, is South America's only English-speaking nation.
🔶️ This raised fears that Venezuela might invade and spark the first interstate war in South America since the Falklands Conflict in 1982.
🔶️ While Guyana's economy is growing fast, Venezuela's is suffering. Its hills and jungles are rich in gold, diamonds and bauxite, while huge oil deposits have been found off its coast.
🔶️ A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the BBC: "HMS Trent will visit regional ally and Commonwealth partner Guyana later this month as part of a series of engagements in the region during her Atlantic Patrol Task deployment."
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67806227
🔶️ The UK is preparing to send a warship to Guyana in a show of diplomatic and military support for the former British colony, the BBC has learned.
🔶️ It comes after neighbouring Venezuela renewed its claim for a disputed part of Guyanese territory that is rich in oil and minerals.
🔶️ The Ministry of Defence confirmed HMS Trent would take part in joint exercises after Christmas.
🔶️ Guyana, a Commonwealth member, is South America's only English-speaking nation.
🔶️ This raised fears that Venezuela might invade and spark the first interstate war in South America since the Falklands Conflict in 1982.
🔶️ While Guyana's economy is growing fast, Venezuela's is suffering. Its hills and jungles are rich in gold, diamonds and bauxite, while huge oil deposits have been found off its coast.
🔶️ A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the BBC: "HMS Trent will visit regional ally and Commonwealth partner Guyana later this month as part of a series of engagements in the region during her Atlantic Patrol Task deployment."
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67806227
BBC News
Guyana: UK to send warship to South America amid Venezuela tensions
HMS Trent will visit South America as a show of support for the former British colony, the BBC learns.