The GMan has broken containment and is now wandering through our timeline, inserting people into the right points to change the future. I guess this explains the whacky wild ride we’re currently on.

Last Hungarian election international observers declared the election free but not fair. Correct counting of votes, but full government control over Hungarian news media blasting pro-Orban messaging for months.

Assuming the same thing happens, there is a real possibility that he legitimately loses to Peter Magyar’s party. Polls predict that Orban will lose (as usual, take polls with massive skepticism, but that’s the prediction).

Not in an image it doesn’t

Not true. The sign up bonuses go to their next of kin. Russia is legitimately paying it out.

There are entire regions that have regeared their local economies to depend on these payouts. Because it’s mostly underdeveloped regions signing up, this has become the most bizarre and macabre investment program in the world. Here’s an excellent video on the topic.

Yup. The Romanian diaspora is simultaneously being treated like undesirable immigrants, and wants immigrants in Romania to be thrown out to protect the “purity” of the country. A country they no longer live in, and have no intention of returning to.

Literally had a conversation with an antisemite today who blames all Jews for Israel’s actions

Wouldn’t be the first time a government banned a number

Like sysiphus, we must continue pushing up the hill, forever. There is no final victory. If you’re tired, trust in others to continue pushing, very understandable. Just don’t piss on the people continuing where you left off.

And then the rest of society has to pay for the healthcare. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy to subsidize or completely pay for the healthcare of those less fortunate than me via taxation, but that necessarily has to be combined with a protectionist attitude towards food standards to keep costs manageable.

This is what underfunding education for decades and TikTok does to a country. Romania has the highest number of TikTok users per capita in Europe.

To me, “guys” has been a gender-neutral term for a while now. At least that’s how it’s used here in my little bubble in Europe.

Customs union and single market aren’t the same thing. Customs union means no tariffs, and a unified tariff policy on those outside the union. Nothing more, nothing less. There are active discussions about doing this.

Single market is joining the EU, with regulatory alignment and free movement, as you quite rightly say.

Not only did he support the neonazi, the neonazi returned the favour by endorsing him.

Joining the EU right now doesn’t make sense politically. Far more useful and effective to work on getting a customs union in place. Most of the benefits without most of the headaches.

They could simultaneously work on regulation alignment, and then they’re off to the races.

My dad grew up in a communist country, and I know exactly what you mean.

I’m incredibly lucky that we have a kind of mutual intellectual respect, where we fact-check each other a lot and are both willing to change our minds about stuff. Consequently, I’ve managed to explain the differences between totalitarianism, communism, and fascism (had to explain why horseshoe theory isn’t a thing).

He thought I was being hyperbolic about the US’ slow descent into fascism in 2017, as I ran through the fascist identification checklist. As a victim of communism, he naturally tried to make excuses for Trump. That ended the first week of his second term, and we’re having some close calls with a similar candidate here.

Did anyone seriously expect it to be a real wall with Rober sitting in the driver’s seat?

Was at the one in Bucharest. Was a little disappointing tbh. Was just a photo op with extra steps. Organizers maneuvered the crowd into the formation they wanted for the photo, took the photo, then wished everyone a good night and wandered off.

I enjoy the “Canada can into EU?” memes, they’re fun. It’s also really nice that in this period of insanity we can help each other.

That said, yeah. A trade agreement that drops basically all friction, bilateral visa agreements that make travel and business easier & cooperation on military purchases would be the ideal scenario. There’s a ton of things the EU and Canada can help each other with without Canada becoming a member.

There is strong legal backing to this. Romania bars anyone with ties to or rhetoric similar to the Iron Guard (Romanian fascists) from running. Georgescu has strong ties to them, and he’s not even the only politician barred from running due to this for this election (Sosoaca).

Don’t worry, we know. We wouldn’t be re-arming like crazy if we didn’t. The general vibe here in eastern Europe is one of worried, resigned determination. I’ve never seen pro-EU rhetoric this popular before in my life.