Well, well, well, what do we have here! The European Commission dealt a heavy blow to one of Viktor Orbán's think tanks, called MCC Brussels. They suspended it from the transparency register, you know, that database where all the lobbyists and campaigns are listed. The reason? They didn't want to say where their money comes from, bro. And now they're not allowed to attend meetings at EU institutions, expert groups, or European Parliament hearings. Just like that, to teach them a lesson.
Listen up, 'cause this is juicy. The complaint came from Corporate Europe Observatory, some activists who accused them of not disclosing their funding and spreading "Orbán regime propaganda." And just like that, MCC Brussels, launched in 2022, raked in over 6 million euros last year, almost all of it from Mathias Corvinus Collegium, a school in Budapest controlled by Orbán's buddies. Now their director, Frank Furedi, is whining that "they tried to marginalize us, isolate us, and silence us." And the communications director, John O'Brien, says it's a "political decision" and that the complaint comes from an organization linked to George Soros' Open Society Foundations. Come on, we know the story: when you stir the pot, all the frogs start croaking. They announced they'll appeal, let's see what happens.
But the EU doesn't live on scandals alone, bro. In the same week, the European Commission, through the TAIEX program, organized a study visit in Oradea about garbage. Yes, municipal waste management, to see how we align with Montenegro on EU legislation. Five Montenegrin inspectors and advisors came to see how we do it, with inspection, monitoring, and traceability. They visited facilities of SC Ecologic Prest Bihor SA and AVE Romania, and a RetuRO point in Oradea where packaging is returned. And in the end, the Montenegrins said they'll return the visit and maybe bring some European experts to help us with legislation. So there you have it, between a propaganda scandal and a garbage lesson, the EU does its job. At least we're setting an example, not just getting beaten!
Man, I say that for now, Oradea got its moment in the sun. What can I say, better to set an example with waste than to be suspended over money. I'm off to tell Mioara what I found out interesting at the terrace, and maybe pour another glass of plum brandy to forget my worries.
