The EU can impose fines, which members can refuse to pay. Ultimately, members can be expelled. Bluntly, if a member state becomes a dictatorship, for example by a coup, the EU cannot intervene militarily to restore democracy. Probably the bloc will expel it and impose economic sanctions, but the latter is doubtful and also hypocritical, as long as the EU continues dealing with other dictatorships outside the bloc.

So yes, when one thinks more about it, this protection has its limits after all.

Is ‘parliamentary dictatorship’ a ‘spade’?

Is that what you mean?

[Daphne – David, somewhere in this thread you will find a link I posted (admin) to a faithful translation of the Hungarian PM’s speech. Read it.]

>John Higgins whoever you are. I have always had the guts to tell it as it is in ANY era. Needless to say I certainly do not hide behind a pseudonym. Unfortunately (more often for me) I have been brought up to call a spade a spade.

The suggested postponement of local council elections is but the start of that. The secretive deals made, or that will be made, with non-democratic states are further indicators. In addition, the government has put Malta’s energy production infrastructure under the control of a foreign state.

Hungary is a test case. The PN should lobby EU institutions, including the EU parliament so that the EU will take appropriate action to prevent Orban in his intentions. If the EU fails to take decisive action against Orban, it will also not do anything if Muscat chooses to go down the same route.

There are some leading PL activists who have a brain and a conscience and who can understand that undermining democracy is not in the best interest of Malta and the Maltese. They have a responsibility to stand up to Joseph Muscat and warn him against contemplating any such action.