Dave Keating

🇺🇸🇪🇺American by birth, European by choice 📘Read my book: ✍️Read my Substack:

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

🇺🇸🇷🇺🇨🇳WSJ reports America, Russia and China are backing Viktor Orban to become the next UN Secretary General.

That's the 3 largest members of the 15-seat 🇺🇳Security Council which selects the Sec Gen (subject to confirmation by gen assembly).
https://t.co/t5qzZ3haIx

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

The joint statement from the EU-Canada Summit in Montreal has just been published.

It speaks of an "alliance for the future" (in caps and bold) and "an even closer association" – but no mention of associate membership.
https://t.co/ytXYYAEWZ5

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

The "associate membership" idea was always dead on arrival. But the alliance is very much alive, and very much needed.

My piece on why today's announcements in Montreal are critically important for both Canada and Europe.
https://t.co/efrBJpPmgc

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

More here on how a Sanchez loss next month could trigger a series of events in the European Parliament that causes 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's centrist coalition to collapse and forces her to rely on the far right for governing the EU: https://t.co/oFAaPNq43x

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

Spain's election could shift the direction of the European Union, even collapsing of the EU’s centrist governing coalition and bringing the far right into power in Brussels.

And yet, as @EmilioOrdiz writes, Europe is not featuring in the 🇪🇸campaign: https://t.co/kvTLZPD0Of

[Clash Report @clashreport]

The Pentagon has urged several NATO allies to tone down their public rhetoric against Russia.

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby reportedly warned European officials against “poking” Moscow, citing statements portraying Russia as “cornered like a rat.”

One European official summarized the U.S. message as: “We are helping you. The Americans are there. Just don't be loud. Don't make noise.”

Some European officials expressed surprise at the advice, arguing that their assessments of the Russian threat were already measured.

Source: Reuters

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

@QuentinAries Yeah I think the bandage video confirms she won't.

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

Lagarde has just resigned as ECB chief.

Is she preparing a last-minute bid to run for president of France?

She had previously said she wouldn't step down early. This is a reversal. https://t.co/ncDku4OonF

[António Costa @eucopresident]

I have been informed by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, of her intention to step down from her role on 7 February 2027. I respectfully acknowledge her decision.

I would like to thank Madame @Lagarde for her dedication as President of the @ecb since November 2019. Throughout her mandate, she has led the European Central Bank with a strong sense of duty and responsibility. Europe has been well served by her leadership in uncertain times and her unwavering commitment to the European project. Through a global pandemic, a war in Europe, energy crises and inflation shocks, she has provided a steady and determined stewardship, helping to safeguard stability and the resilience of the euro area.

To ensure a smooth transition to the next leadership of the ECB, the process for the appointment of her successor will be initiated today and will proceed without delay, with a view to a timely decision by the European Council acting in its euro area composition, in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 283 (2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

@PoisonousPlum That doesn't change the math. Unless there's a dramatic shift in polling over the next month, PP cannot form a government without Vox's support.

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

In recent weeks, Spanish 🇪🇸Pedro Sanchez – the last remaining defender of the left in the EU – looked poised for a Lula-style comeback victory in the 29 November election.

But after yesterday's train crash, the 2nd in a year, that's now looking unlikely.
https://t.co/SBQ1XGOTqi

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

The nightmare Trump and Netanyahu's war on Iran has caused for Europe.

[Clash Report @clashreport]

French President Macron:

The core of what triggered this purchasing-power crisis is the war in Iran, the blockade of Hormuz and the resulting rise in fuel prices.

It's not a tax increase, it's not a government decision, it's not a pension reform that's triggering this social movement.

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

If Sanchez is defeated, as now looks likely, it can only be by an alliance between the centre-right PP and the far-right Vox.

Vox leader Abascal responded to the train crash yesterday by saying he will seek vengeance against the left – reminiscent of Trump's America.

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

As I wrote this month, a Sanchez loss would be a political earthquake - not just for Spain but for all of Europe.

He's the last shred of power the left has in the EU. His exit could collapse the 🇪🇺centrist coalition – replaced by a right-wing coalition.
https://t.co/oFAaPNqBT5

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

@P_VanElsuwege Indeed. This was always just about branding. "Associate membership" is not a real thing.

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

Republicans now openly campaigning on the idea that only Christians can served in the United States Congress.

[Aaron Rupar @atrupar]

Moreno: "I campaigned with Mike Rogers because he's in a race with somebody that is an affront to me as an American, as a naturalized citizen. Abdul El-Sayed can be nowhere near DC. Do you think he understands that concept that our rights come from God Almighty? That Jesus came here for our salvation? He should be nowhere near Washington DC and Mike Rogers is going to kick his ass."

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

Yes I agree with Joe. "Associate membership" was never a real thing, it was branding to get the world's attention - and it worked.

Whether President von der Leyen was wise to throw this out there without consulting member states, let's see. Hopefully the wording doesn't prove a distraction.

[Dave Keating @DaveKeating]

*New book reading event*

Come to the new Waterstones bookstore on Avenue Louise in Brussels for an evening in conversation with me and former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhoftstadt.

10 November, 7:30pm. Register here: https://t.co/vn3Ixojkqs

[S.V. Dáte @svdate]

The president has vowed no such thing.

[Clash Report @clashreport]

Abdul El-Sayed on Trump:

We are being actively bullied by the dumbest people in the room. And I mean, Donald Trump is an idiot.

Whatever you think about him, he has one genius, which is the genius of getting attention, because his dad never gave him enough.

Because he was a nepo baby, because he had resources, he realized quickly that he just craved attention and then used the bullying tactics that he uses right now to get it.

But the man is an idiot. I mean, just when it comes down to it, just a fool.