pklemoin
@pklemoin.bsky.social
The EU and Euro is much more than trade, economy, and good cheese. It's a societal contract of cooperation, respect, civil discourse, mutual help. We have a saying which goes sth like "one hands washes the other, and both wash the face".
January 18, 2026 at 2:18 PM
The EU and Euro is much more than trade, economy, and good cheese. It's a societal contract of cooperation, respect, civil discourse, mutual help. We have a saying which goes sth like "one hands washes the other, and both wash the face".
I think that in the 2010s we were showing a lot of hubris and obliviousness towards how much we actually need to have each other's back. And what existential crisis really means. I remember European newspapers "auctioning" Greek islands to "pay back the debt". (2/3)
January 18, 2026 at 2:18 PM
I think that in the 2010s we were showing a lot of hubris and obliviousness towards how much we actually need to have each other's back. And what existential crisis really means. I remember European newspapers "auctioning" Greek islands to "pay back the debt". (2/3)
The EU has done a good job on handling intra-bloc financial crises with the ESM. Although it happened "kicking and screaming" with a lot of name-calling on all sides. And, e.g., Greece is able to sustain budget surpluses via investments from the post COVID recovery fund. Things are looking up. (1/3)
January 18, 2026 at 2:18 PM
The EU has done a good job on handling intra-bloc financial crises with the ESM. Although it happened "kicking and screaming" with a lot of name-calling on all sides. And, e.g., Greece is able to sustain budget surpluses via investments from the post COVID recovery fund. Things are looking up. (1/3)
I am Greek and I think that the problem with the Euro is that common currency is half assed without a proper fiscal union. Everybody cannot be a net exporter within the Union and proper mechanisms should be in place to recycle trade surpluses. Also a mechanism should be in place to enforce rules.
January 18, 2026 at 1:07 PM
I am Greek and I think that the problem with the Euro is that common currency is half assed without a proper fiscal union. Everybody cannot be a net exporter within the Union and proper mechanisms should be in place to recycle trade surpluses. Also a mechanism should be in place to enforce rules.
Maybe what the EU needs is a rallying call in the form of a demonstration of the EU military capabilities. A lot of the population's hesitance comes from the perceived "wokeness" and weakness of EU. Don't know how it can be done without risking lives :(
January 16, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Maybe what the EU needs is a rallying call in the form of a demonstration of the EU military capabilities. A lot of the population's hesitance comes from the perceived "wokeness" and weakness of EU. Don't know how it can be done without risking lives :(
Cool! I am from Greece and know that one of the BGs is stationed here. Wish I could wear the insignia alongside the national one when I went through my conscription service.
January 14, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Cool! I am from Greece and know that one of the BGs is stationed here. Wish I could wear the insignia alongside the national one when I went through my conscription service.
It's a European disinfo op. Operation Arctic Endurance is actually an ultra-marathon.
January 14, 2026 at 8:16 PM
It's a European disinfo op. Operation Arctic Endurance is actually an ultra-marathon.
Is this an official one? EU battlegroups should wear sth right?
January 14, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Is this an official one? EU battlegroups should wear sth right?
This is such a stupid AI slop image. I mean why are there two dog sleds? Shouldn't there be only one so that there is a dilemma of choice?
January 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
This is such a stupid AI slop image. I mean why are there two dog sleds? Shouldn't there be only one so that there is a dilemma of choice?
Time for EU army insignia and EU anthem televised addresses.
January 14, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Time for EU army insignia and EU anthem televised addresses.
They went for a casual stroll!
June 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM
They went for a casual stroll!
Germans don't want to spend money on themselves because this makes labor costs go up and hinders their competitiveness. Their whole shtick was this. To stay frugal like a good protestant and have big trade surpluses. Why complain? Them being net contributors increases their surpluses.
May 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Germans don't want to spend money on themselves because this makes labor costs go up and hinders their competitiveness. Their whole shtick was this. To stay frugal like a good protestant and have big trade surpluses. Why complain? Them being net contributors increases their surpluses.
In general I would say that the states that act as consumers within the EU market are more likely to be net beneficiaries from the budget compared to the states that act as producers and exporters. This is a win-win for both. I produce (cheaply) and you can afford to buy it.
May 20, 2025 at 12:01 PM
In general I would say that the states that act as consumers within the EU market are more likely to be net beneficiaries from the budget compared to the states that act as producers and exporters. This is a win-win for both. I produce (cheaply) and you can afford to buy it.
allocated by the EU for road construction to do something else. These things are closely monitored and fines are handed in case of malpractice.
(c) the willingness of a state to invest in its internal market. Germany has notoriously underinvested in its internal market to keep competitive exports.
(c) the willingness of a state to invest in its internal market. Germany has notoriously underinvested in its internal market to keep competitive exports.
May 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
allocated by the EU for road construction to do something else. These things are closely monitored and fines are handed in case of malpractice.
(c) the willingness of a state to invest in its internal market. Germany has notoriously underinvested in its internal market to keep competitive exports.
(c) the willingness of a state to invest in its internal market. Germany has notoriously underinvested in its internal market to keep competitive exports.
which means that the economic state of the median county is a reflection of the national state capacity to better it,
(b) a concrete plan of investment. EU money are allocated in sums but can only be actually dispersed if and when a concrete plan is actuated, i.e., you can't use money that are
(b) a concrete plan of investment. EU money are allocated in sums but can only be actually dispersed if and when a concrete plan is actuated, i.e., you can't use money that are
May 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
which means that the economic state of the median county is a reflection of the national state capacity to better it,
(b) a concrete plan of investment. EU money are allocated in sums but can only be actually dispersed if and when a concrete plan is actuated, i.e., you can't use money that are
(b) a concrete plan of investment. EU money are allocated in sums but can only be actually dispersed if and when a concrete plan is actuated, i.e., you can't use money that are
It is the job of the national government first and foremost to take care of the poorer areas. Why did Poland get more money than the UK? I would need to be an economist that specializes in this to give you a robust answer. My hot take would be:
(a) less wealth inequality within the country
(a) less wealth inequality within the country
May 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
It is the job of the national government first and foremost to take care of the poorer areas. Why did Poland get more money than the UK? I would need to be an economist that specializes in this to give you a robust answer. My hot take would be:
(a) less wealth inequality within the country
(a) less wealth inequality within the country
This is literally a rubbish example. Everybody pays into the budget proportionately. How the grants are allocated has to do with each nation state's economic ability and willingness to invest in public services/infrastructure.
May 20, 2025 at 10:21 AM
This is literally a rubbish example. Everybody pays into the budget proportionately. How the grants are allocated has to do with each nation state's economic ability and willingness to invest in public services/infrastructure.
My thoughts exactly. Even the language they use is wildly inconsistent. It's not a "pause" and in many cases it's not "lower".
So the U.K. got a tariff pause for 90 days...they will not be tariffed 10% after all... it's gonna be 10% instead.
April 9, 2025 at 7:31 PM
My thoughts exactly. Even the language they use is wildly inconsistent. It's not a "pause" and in many cases it's not "lower".
It's like the US has started a game of Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun. "Pass it around Howard, my face is whacked"
April 8, 2025 at 6:53 PM
It's like the US has started a game of Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun. "Pass it around Howard, my face is whacked"
What was this Houthi business all about? Doesn't the EU already have a Navfor there to safeguard shipping?
March 25, 2025 at 10:48 AM
What was this Houthi business all about? Doesn't the EU already have a Navfor there to safeguard shipping?
bsky.app/profile/huet... hopefully we can go there one day.
While the Turkish government arrests Ekrem #İmamoğlu, the EU delegation (@eudiplomacy.bsky.social @ec.europa.eu) is once again proudly posting about its funding to Erdoğan. Back to business as usual after a lukewarm statement three days ago?
#TürkiyeEU #EurSky
#TürkiyeEU #EurSky
March 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
bsky.app/profile/huet... hopefully we can go there one day.
Theoretically it's good and all. But practically it would entail, among else, what I also said above.
March 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Theoretically it's good and all. But practically it would entail, among else, what I also said above.
It's not a quid pro quo. I am asking if you would be willing for EU to function as one unit when it comes to determining its sovereignty.
March 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It's not a quid pro quo. I am asking if you would be willing for EU to function as one unit when it comes to determining its sovereignty.
Would you be in favor of recognizing a European Exclusive Economic Zone in waters that are contested between Greece and Turkey thus potentially completely breaking relations with a regional power that controls the Bosporus Straits?
March 22, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Would you be in favor of recognizing a European Exclusive Economic Zone in waters that are contested between Greece and Turkey thus potentially completely breaking relations with a regional power that controls the Bosporus Straits?