Andi Shehu
@andishehu.bsky.social
An activist for social and environmental justice. Former President of Volt Italia. European in Rome.
One last thought: this thread is not a prescription of how money should control politics. Rather, we have let let people like Musk lead us here.
This is a clear wake up call to erect higher barriers against the capacity of money to capture politics.
6/6
This is a clear wake up call to erect higher barriers against the capacity of money to capture politics.
6/6
March 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
One last thought: this thread is not a prescription of how money should control politics. Rather, we have let let people like Musk lead us here.
This is a clear wake up call to erect higher barriers against the capacity of money to capture politics.
6/6
This is a clear wake up call to erect higher barriers against the capacity of money to capture politics.
6/6
Musk's trajectory reminds us the reason businesses rely on politicians to advocate for their interests rather than engaging directly in politics themselves: that separation helps prevent the politicization of consumers.
5/6
5/6
March 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Musk's trajectory reminds us the reason businesses rely on politicians to advocate for their interests rather than engaging directly in politics themselves: that separation helps prevent the politicization of consumers.
5/6
5/6
His support for Germany's far-right AfD party has coincided with a 76% drop in Tesla's sales in EU, especially in Germany, as consumers distance themselves from what many are calling the "Nazi car".
4/6
4/6
March 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
His support for Germany's far-right AfD party has coincided with a 76% drop in Tesla's sales in EU, especially in Germany, as consumers distance themselves from what many are calling the "Nazi car".
4/6
4/6
In addition, Musk's political endorsements have alienated Tesla's predominantly progressive customer base, leading to protests, widespread disruptions, and a sharp decline in sales, particularly in California.
3/6
3/6
March 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
In addition, Musk's political endorsements have alienated Tesla's predominantly progressive customer base, leading to protests, widespread disruptions, and a sharp decline in sales, particularly in California.
3/6
3/6
This downturn isn't limited to Tesla. After, repeated losses, financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, previously optimistic about the US economy, are now downgrading their outlooks, citing "extreme U.S. policies."
Meanwhile, EU stocks doing pretty ok.
2/6
Meanwhile, EU stocks doing pretty ok.
2/6
March 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This downturn isn't limited to Tesla. After, repeated losses, financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, previously optimistic about the US economy, are now downgrading their outlooks, citing "extreme U.S. policies."
Meanwhile, EU stocks doing pretty ok.
2/6
Meanwhile, EU stocks doing pretty ok.
2/6
While we wait for evil, perhaps "needy empire" is already bad enough
March 9, 2025 at 7:12 PM
While we wait for evil, perhaps "needy empire" is already bad enough
In short, while the headline figure suggests impressive political resolve, the underlying assumptions behind it are fragile. Big numbers grab attention, but when built on uncertain or improbable conditions, they risk undermining credibility.
6/6
6/6
March 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
In short, while the headline figure suggests impressive political resolve, the underlying assumptions behind it are fragile. Big numbers grab attention, but when built on uncertain or improbable conditions, they risk undermining credibility.
6/6
6/6
Therefore, if every loan was fully utilized, and every country voluntarily raised their military budgets by 1.5% of GDP, only then could the EU potentially reach this €800 billion figure. But that's a big "if".
5/6
5/6
March 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Therefore, if every loan was fully utilized, and every country voluntarily raised their military budgets by 1.5% of GDP, only then could the EU potentially reach this €800 billion figure. But that's a big "if".
5/6
5/6
They illustrated this with a hypothetical example: If every EU member decided to increase defense spending by 1.5% of GDP, this could total €650 billion. However, this is not a commitment but a highly speculative projection.
Given spending patterns and economic constraints, it's unrealistic.
4/6
Given spending patterns and economic constraints, it's unrealistic.
4/6
March 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
They illustrated this with a hypothetical example: If every EU member decided to increase defense spending by 1.5% of GDP, this could total €650 billion. However, this is not a commitment but a highly speculative projection.
Given spending patterns and economic constraints, it's unrealistic.
4/6
Given spending patterns and economic constraints, it's unrealistic.
4/6
2. €650 billion via Fiscal Flexibility
The larger part, €650 billion, is based on a purely hypothetical scenario. The European Commission has proposed temporarily suspending the Stability and Growth Pact’s 3% deficit limit, but strictly for additional defense spending.
3/6
The larger part, €650 billion, is based on a purely hypothetical scenario. The European Commission has proposed temporarily suspending the Stability and Growth Pact’s 3% deficit limit, but strictly for additional defense spending.
3/6
March 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
2. €650 billion via Fiscal Flexibility
The larger part, €650 billion, is based on a purely hypothetical scenario. The European Commission has proposed temporarily suspending the Stability and Growth Pact’s 3% deficit limit, but strictly for additional defense spending.
3/6
The larger part, €650 billion, is based on a purely hypothetical scenario. The European Commission has proposed temporarily suspending the Stability and Growth Pact’s 3% deficit limit, but strictly for additional defense spending.
3/6
1. €150 billion in loans
The EU introduced a financial instrument making available up to €150 billion for defense. The catch? these are loans, not grants. Member states might use them... or not.
Some will use part of the loans, others may choose not to, depending on circumstances.
2/6
The EU introduced a financial instrument making available up to €150 billion for defense. The catch? these are loans, not grants. Member states might use them... or not.
Some will use part of the loans, others may choose not to, depending on circumstances.
2/6
March 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
1. €150 billion in loans
The EU introduced a financial instrument making available up to €150 billion for defense. The catch? these are loans, not grants. Member states might use them... or not.
Some will use part of the loans, others may choose not to, depending on circumstances.
2/6
The EU introduced a financial instrument making available up to €150 billion for defense. The catch? these are loans, not grants. Member states might use them... or not.
Some will use part of the loans, others may choose not to, depending on circumstances.
2/6
If there’s one lesson we’ve learned, it’s that determination and a willingness to keep knocking on doors can open up possibilities you never saw coming.
11/11
11/11
March 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
If there’s one lesson we’ve learned, it’s that determination and a willingness to keep knocking on doors can open up possibilities you never saw coming.
11/11
11/11
For Gamaal and me, this breakthrough confirms that even a small team, armed with grit, research, and sheer persistence, can help move the needle.
10/
10/
March 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
For Gamaal and me, this breakthrough confirms that even a small team, armed with grit, research, and sheer persistence, can help move the needle.
10/
10/