One of reasons the the EU exists is so domestic prime ministers can deflect blame and say "not me, it was them over there in the EU parliament and my hands are tied"

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wongarsu 3 hours ago | parent [-]

That's the British approach

In Germany it's usually the other way around: the EU tries to force us to do objectively good things, while national and regional governments drag their feet implementing EU law or complying with regulations. We regularly have headlines about how we might have to pay fines to the EU, and every time it's for something where the EU seems clearly on the morally right side

And all that despite our government's best efforts to send their worst politicians to represent us in the EU. Describing von der Leyen as a disgraced politician who just failed upwards would not be entirely inaccurate

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khurs 3 hours ago | parent [-]

"In Germany it's usually the other way around:"

Germany is one of most wealthy, powerful and biggest contributors to the EU budget. They can't be bullied round easily.

"We regularly have headlines about how we might have to pay fines to the EU"

The state controls the media... a lot of headlines are orchestrated. But it is done so well, unless you know, you don't know...

Where Germany doesn't agree, it has sway. Where Germany and France don't agree, it is unlikely, and where Germany, France and Italy don't agree it's not going to happen as some countries matter more than others.

	▲	wongarsu 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Sure, but all of those used to be true of the UK too back when they were in the EU, and yet they had the good cop/bad cop roles swapped compared to Germany