REMIX
‘A German is calling for the starvation of Hungary and Poland. No illusions remain. The fight for the rule of law is not meant to improve legislation in the EU. It is an ideological weapon against conservative governments’
Deputy Head of the European Parliament, Katarina Barley, has caused massive outrage due to her appeal to “starve” Poland and Hungary of EU funds.
According to the website of radio Deutschlandfunk, Barley called for increased pressure against Poland and Hungary to maintain so-called rule of law in those countries.
“The rule of law is constantly broken and EU funds are an efficient way to exact pressure. States such as Poland and Hungary must be financially starved. Funds are an efficient lever,” she told German radio.
Several Polish politicians and commentators criticized Barley, emphasizing the historic connotation of using the word “starvation” in context of Polish-German relations, according to Polish media outlet Salon24.
“This statement is outrageous and reminds us of the most dreadful historic connotations. We could say that Germans have ample experience in starving and persecuting Poles. We are awaiting an official apology from Mrs. Barley and the retraction of these shameful words,” Michał Dworczyk, the chief of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, posted on social media:
Law and Justice MEP (PiS) and former Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski also did not spare his criticism, saying, “A German is calling for the starvation of Hungary and Poland. No illusions remain. The fight for the rule of law is not meant to improve legislation in the EU. It is an ideological weapon against conservative governments.”
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