Divisions emerge as EU considers political conditions for aid

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For divisions are emerging over the political conditions which the European Commission (EC) - the EU's executive body - may impose in return for cash disbursements.

We can't tell French, Polish, Hungarian or other European citizens that we should have financial solidarity in Europe, yet not care how the basic rules of democracy, free media and equal rights are respected

France has led the argument in Europe that the two countries cannot expect to rely on EU solidarity when it suits them - such as when they need access to European recovery funds - but decline to apply EU obligations, which include equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, and support for multi-ethnic societies.

Imposing political conditions on member states could shatter European solidarity - precisely what the recovery fund is supposed to cement.

During the recent Polish presidential electoral campaign, several of the country's cities controlled by right-wing mayors declared themselves as "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-free zones". These cities have now discovered that their applications for EU funding have been rejected.

Qn: How far do you believe that disaster relief is best handled by coutnries on their own? (EJC Mid-Yr J2 2020)