Poland to be fined €1 million daily by EU for not suspending controversial 'disciplinary chamber'

You need to understand when somebody doesn't want to engage with a disingenuous time sink. good night.

Now, that's utter rubbish. The idea that there is such a separation between legislature and judiciary, and even if it ever existed previously, that it could be maintained after the development of democracy/government and the expansion of political power over the electorate or other institutions that were supposed to maintain any kind of independence..

The moment after a country forms a democracy, politicians begin increasing and protecting their positions of power/influence. And it's not just politicians, but public servants that do that too. It's basic human nature. That's the same in every Western nation, and depending on the country in question, the effect has been greater or lesser, but it's still there nonetheless.

The attempts by the EU to influence a nations internal policy is an extension of the power plays of the politicians, by taking power away from the electorate of that nation (or its public servants) and putting it in the hands of those who are not within the influence of that nations electorate.

Which is why the referendums that chose entry to the EU didn't cover all of these implications, but for most, were about the joining of an economic zone. Most of these changes came after the people voted.. Sure, politicians had their hands in accepting the changes on behalf of the people.. but that simply comes back to the first point. The erosion of the electorates power in a democracy.

It's a bit silly to be so blindly anti-EU to the point that you'd take Poland's side on this. It's real 'the enemy of your enemy is not always your friend' territory.

Again.. criticism of EU policies is not automatically the same as being anti-EU. Nor should it ever be that way, otherwise democracy and western thought is dead, and we've all returned to an authoritarian system where criticism is squashed.

I believe that European nations need an organisation similar to the EU. There are too many ways in which other continental powers, (whether it's Russia, China, the US, or the Arab states), can hurt Europe, through Trade or diplomacy. There needs to be an united European front. However, what the EU has evolved into.. I'm not quite sure that's what's needed, and in many ways, is actually causing quite a bit of harm to European nations. I still want the EU to be there... I simply want them moving in a different direction, with different aims.

As for taking Poland's side on this... I haven't decided yet. I'm willing to see where it leads Poland before condemning them. I'd be of the opinion that many of the alternatives, that people seem to want to be pushing, haven't been working out that well either. So.. I'd wait and see. It's not as if this isn't something that couldn't be rolled back at a future date without too much trouble.

Honestly, I'd favour the EU taking action against both Hungary and Poland. They agreed to follow certain principles when they joined, violating them means that they should have sanction. Sort of telling which posters are leaping to defend countries that are taking steps towards totalitarianism and are frequently attacking the rights of their citizens.

The Minister was elected as a TD, that's the difference.

Commissioners are unelected appointees who are the sole arbiters of proposing legislation for the EU.

I blame this thead on Civics not being taught properly in School.

You cannot compare appointed Gardai with unelected Commissioners who have the sole right to propose legislation for half a billion people.

At that high level of control, it's absolutely necessary to have 100% directly elected officials - or nothing at all.

The European Parliament is effectively impotent.

They cannot propose legislation, and only exist to debate / approve legislation passed down to them by the unelected Commissioners.

A joke of a "parliament".