Oil countries (that includes the USA) buying political will in Europe is nothing new. The EU was already fighting against its own internal corruption and inequality, the state of the world is not helping at all.

As inequality grows in any part of the globe that money will be used to corrupt the rest of the world. The EU is not immune to it.

So, we all need to fight against wealth accumulation, inequality and corruption.

It isn't just the EU. Anytime $1M in lobbying will buy you $1B in contracts or regulatory capture, it will always be a no brainer. We need better transparency about the money trail and full disclosure before things go to vote so the public can weigh in.

States, generally, have to combat corruption.

This is an example. The corrupting influence of "Big money" up against transparency

Transparency helps, especially in Europe where civil society runs deep.

My mind is blown by the USAnian president blatantly grafting, out in the open, and it is not a political liability. Many political analysts think that is what cost Orbán the Hungarian election