Must not diss the nominal leader of Europe

The European union has a very authoritarian structure.  Despite propaganda to the contrary, the bureaucracy makes all the decisions and the parliament is mostly just a talking shop.  They are not even allowed to initiate legislation. So the President of it is just a figurehead.  Nigel Farage summed him up pretty accurately but frank speech is risky anywhere in Europe these days

The European Parliament has upheld a £2,400 fine against UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage.

The MEP was docked the money in 2010 for tearing into Herman Van Rompuy, who had just been appointed EU president.  Addressing the former Belgian premier in parliament, Mr Farage said he had ‘the charisma of a damp rag’ and the ‘appearance of a low-grade bank clerk’.



As Mr Van Rompuy listened, Mr Farage added that the Belgian came from 'pretty much a non-country.'

Jerzy Buzek, the then parliamentary chief, ordered Mr Farage to apologise. He refused and the authorities cut €3,000 from his pay.

He appealed to the European Court of Justice but it ruled that he filed his appeal too late and would also have to pay parliament's legal expenses.

Mr Farage was unrepentant last night, saying: ‘They have made themselves a laughing stock over this. It is a simple question of free speech.’

Although MEPs have protection from prosecution when discussing political issues or constituency matters this legal privilege does not extend to personal comments.

Shortly after the incident, Mr Buzek met with Mr Farage and made a statement explaining that the matter was not one of free speech but simply common courtesy.  'I defend absolutely Mr Farage's right to disagree about the policy or institutions of the Union, but not to personally insult our guests in the European Parliament or the country from which they may come,' he said in a statement at the time.

Source