At the same time, it is wonderful to see it stated very plainly that the rights of LGBTIQ+ people is not something that can be debated and/or contested. That disrespecting and marginalising a community deeply violates core EU values of human dignity and respect for fundamental rights.

According to the AG, the Court can conclude the standalone violation of Article 2 TEU only if a Member State breaches a Charter right in a way that undermines the underlying EU value that the right protects.

THIS IS HUGE!

In COM v HU (child protection/homophobe law), the Advocate General asks the Court to establish a self-standing violation of Art 2 TEU. This is unprecedented and is likely to create a new chapter in the saga of Hungary's systemic violations of the rule of law/fundamental rights.

Is there anyone - literally anyone - who still believes that this fascist billionaire who lied, grifted and faked his way to power cares about the impact of Trump's policies on *citizens*?

Elon cares about two things: growing his wealth and pushing his white supremacist agenda.

Also:

Absolutely flabbergasted by the cowardice of the Commission. No matter why the President is afraid of 'provoking' Orban, there's no justification for actively choosing not to stand up for the rule of law & fundamental rights.

Reporting by @euractiv.com and @krmcsngr.bsky.social for @politico.eu

Powerful words from @danielfreund.bsky.social yesterday on the latest Hungarian assault on the rule of law/fundamental rights:

'I don't really understand what we're waiting for (...) that opposition politicians start falling out of windows? Because that, I fear, is not far away.'

I agree with @eddywax.bsky.social's take on #Pfizergate.

The judgment is a victory. The journalists uncovering these scandals (like @alexfanta.bsky.social & @ftm.eu) are doing invaluable work to uphold the democratic rule of law.

But it's hard to imagine that President vdL will change her ways.

Via @politico.eu & @swheatonjourno.bsky.social

EPP considers killing the inter-institutional ethics body, an already severely watered-down, toothless entity that can't set/enforce binding rules.

But to the supposed 'moderate' centre-right, even this miniscule accountability is a threat.

Le Pen's fascist bff, Viktor Orbán, immediately posted in support of her (without even knowing the full verdict).

For people who continue calling the socially conscious 'snowflakes' and frustrating the rule of law, the extreme-right sure love to play the victim when held accountable.

Earlier this morning, government MPs submitted a draft law to outright ban Pride in Hungary.

The proposal outlaws all assemblies deemed 'detrimental' to children's spiritual and physical development, referring to the child protection law that is currently subject to an infringement at the CJEU.

In a bonafide 'pinch me' moment, I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to discuss political integrity, accountability and institutional ethics with @danielfreund.bsky.social, @emiliakorkeaaho.bsky.social and Shari Hinds from @transparency-eu.bsky.social at the @ceps.eu Ideas Lab a few days ago.

Writing this paper, we really wanted to highlight one thing: thinking that the EU is doing much, much better than the US is misguided. A lot of issues in the US are essentially mirrored in the EU - and they need an immediate response.

What this article reveals about Meta's new guidelines is absolutely terrifying.

Calling a transgender person 'an it' is apparently not dehumanising by Meta standards. And then, there's the argument that witnessing abuse against LGBTIQ people online could somehow increase support for queer rights.

In the same paper, we also discussed the abuse of free speech, which the far-right has been using to justify their exclusionary and hateful rhetoric. Yes, the freedom to express our opinions online and offline should be paramount - but only as long as its exercise is not to the detriment of others.

Not toot my own horn again (or our horn, really) - but this is precisely what our recent @ceps.eu publication discussed. The DSA can only make a real difference if it is enforced properly and without exceptions.

🧵With the HU Council Presidency behind us, I'm fascinated - as always - by the dissonance in how the govt and pro-European groups perceived the past six months. Here are 2 excerpts from PM Orbán's assessment vs MEP Daniel Freund's remarks to @politico.eu.