Microw

That’s not even remotely the same. You are talking about economic interdependence.

I am talking about the political act of self-surrendering powers to the union that all EU member states have done.

Oh yeah absolutely

China stands against it because it is geopoliticially helpful. They still carry out a cultural genocide against Tibetans and Uyghurs.

Turkey and Indonesia stand against it because that is popular with their population. They still suppress Kurds, Syrians, and Papuans.

And I know why my country is not publicly standing against it. Because they know that with the ties it has to Israel, there are better ways behind closed doors to pressure Israel. If we go publicly against them they will completely turn on us. Do I think that strategy is working? Not really. But trying it isn’t dumb.

Afghanistan was pre-Lisbon Treaty. EU countries would have a hard time nowadays going “I’m joining this war no matter what you guys do”. It could still happen, but there would be a lot more discussion between the institutions.

It’s a bit delusional to say that EU countries are truly independent. Yes, any country can independently decide to leave the union – but as long as you’re part of it, you give up parts of your independence.

China, Indonesia and Turkey in a group of countries standing against genocide is… not exactly optimal for the cause

It’s relevant to note that the private rental market in Vienna has gotten significantly worse in recent years. And newcomers to the city often don’t have good access to council housing or even limited-profit housing associations.

It seems however that the city government has finally acknowledged that - likely due to pressure from the liberal coalition partner - and is now enabling university students access to council housing.

I think saying “their culture” is way too generalizing. The problem is that they had their traditional way of living, and ever since the 1700s the governments all over central Europe have gone out of their way to destroy that. Treating Romani, Sinti and other “traveler” groups very much like how natives were treated in the Americas - their children taken away, families broken apart, languages forbidden etc. That has created a broken community/society. What laypeople might consider “their culture” is not their traditional culture at all, it is a result of their original culture having been destroyed by modern societies.

Obviously the status quo is a huge problem and the main factor in that are Romani people themselves. But I’d argue that it is really hard as a kid growing up to figure out a way that works in between problematic adults in your community, actual racism, reaching a good point in the main society and still not losing your roots.