--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It has become routine for national…" description: "\"It has become routine for national politicians to blame Europe. When something works, they claim it as their success. When something doesn't work, then..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/275/frans-timmermans-9984_blame_it-has-become-routine-for-national-polit_1743508.jpg" --- # It has become routine for national politicians to blame… ![“It has become routine for national politicians to blame Europe. When something works, they claim it as their success. When something doesn't work, then Europe is to blame.” quote by Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/275/frans-timmermans-9984_blame_it-has-become-routine-for-national-polit_1743508.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/275/frans-timmermans-9984_blame_it-has-become-routine-for-national-polit_1743508.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/275/frans-timmermans-9984_blame_it-has-become-routine-for-national-polit_1743508.jpg) > “It has become routine for national politicians to blame Europe. When something works, they claim it as their success. When something doesn't work, then Europe is to blame.” [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Politicians often credit successes to themselves and blame failures on Europe, showing a pattern of self‑serving narratives. **In simple terms:** Blaming Europe is a convenient excuse. Key Takeaway Check your own biases before blaming others. Themes politics accountability self‑interest Mood critical reflective Type analytical political When to use this quote - campaign speeches - policy debates - media analysis Key Concepts narrative bias responsibility groupthink Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify the true cause of a policy outcome? - What incentives drive politicians to shift blame? A Different Perspective Oversimplifies complex issues to a single cause. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/) [Blame Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame-europe-1541200/) [Claim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claim/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Europe Blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe-blame-1541199/) [Europe Works](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe-works-1541201/) [Politicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians/) [Politicians Blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians-blame-899300/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-europe-1541202/) ## Related quotes > [“Yet, with all his acuteness, it did not occur to him that Europe was not in the least to blame for his disillusionment. Europe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-shestov/yet-with-all-his-acuteness-it-did-not-occur-to-him-that-europe-was/) [Lev Shestov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-shestov/) > [ Confronted with economic problems, politicians always blame the private sector first ... \[even\] blaming the problem on the solution. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-l-gordon/confronted-with-economic-problems-politicians-always-blame-the/) [Richard L. Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-l-gordon/) > [I created a weapon to defend the borders of my motherland. It's not my fault that it's being used where it shouldn't be. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-created-a-weapon-to-defend-the-borders-of-my-motherland-it-s-not-my/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [It seems to be in fashion among Russian politicians to blame Berezovsky for everything. Soon they'll be holding him responsible for global warming, earthquakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-lebedev/it-seems-to-be-in-fashion-among-russian-politicians-to-blame/) [Alexander Lebedev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-lebedev/) > [In Estonia, the Russian minority can move freely, travel freely, work anywhere in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kersti-kaljulaid/in-estonia-the-russian-minority-can-move-freely-travel-freely-work/) [Kersti Kaljulaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kersti-kaljulaid/) > [Countries that work with Europe should feel safer than they would if they worked with non-democratic regimes. Why isn't Europe building infrastructure in Africa…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmar-gabriel/countries-that-work-with-europe-should-feel-safer-than-they-would-if/) [Sigmar Gabriel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmar-gabriel/) > [I sleep well. 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It is in our hands. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-stanfield/these-are-the-people-we-elected-and-if-we-are-not-satisfied-we-should/) [Robert Stanfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-stanfield/) > [If ever my life can be of any use to you, come and claim it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/if-ever-my-life-can-be-of-any-use-to-you-come-and-claim-it/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [Extremist perspectives win sympathy and recruits because they offer narratives that claim to identify deep injustices and enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-gahr-store/extremist-perspectives-win-sympathy-and-recruits-because-they-offer/) [Jonas Gahr Store](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-gahr-store/) > [That FRIEND who claim they do anything for you. but yet talk behind your back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kushsoulja/that-friend-who-claim-they-do-anything-for-you-but-yet-talk-behind/) [KushSoulja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kushsoulja/) > [I don't claim 2 be perfect, but whatever I do is more then it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-claim-2-be-perfect-but-whatever-i-do-is-more-then-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Frans Timmermans > [The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/the-argument-that-won-the-brexit-campaign-is-the-one-that-said-take/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [If nationalism makes us poor, weak, and morally insecure, how can it claim to be patriotic? I maintain that nationalists are unpatriotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/if-nationalism-makes-us-poor-weak-and-morally-insecure-how-can-it/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [The Netherlands believes in a vigorous Europe with a commission that is independent and robust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/the-netherlands-believes-in-a-vigorous-europe-with-a-commission-that/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Protectionism has never been an answer, will never be an answer. We need trade. We need trade agreements worldwide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/protectionism-has-never-been-an-answer-will-never-be-an-answer-we/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Let's be clear: a nationalist is not a patriot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/let-s-be-clear-a-nationalist-is-not-a-patriot/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [It is a duty for any government to uphold the rule of law, and this sometimes requires the proportionate use of force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/it-is-a-duty-for-any-government-to-uphold-the-rule-of-law-and-this/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Since when is politics consistent?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/since-when-is-politics-consistent/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [This is the game of those who deny climate change or who deny the need for sustainability. They say, 'They are going to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/this-is-the-game-of-those-who-deny-climate-change-or-who-deny-the/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [How many millions of straws do we use every day across Europe? I would have people not use plastic straws any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/how-many-millions-of-straws-do-we-use-every-day-across-europe-i-would/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [What is the issue that has brought the European Union to the brink? The issue of migration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/what-is-the-issue-that-has-brought-the-european-union-to-the-brink/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [For all its shortcomings, European co-operation and integration has created an understanding of shared destiny. We no longer point guns at each other; we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/for-all-its-shortcomings-european-co-operation-and-integration-has/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [I want Europe to go forward, not backward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/i-want-europe-to-go-forward-not-backward/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Nationalism makes us weak because its eternal seeking of enemies, its disdain of others, its need to feel superior makes cooperation with other nations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/nationalism-makes-us-weak-because-its-eternal-seeking-of-enemies-its/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [I think we have a political and moral duty to do everything within our power to maintain the Good Friday Agreement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/i-think-we-have-a-political-and-moral-duty-to-do-everything-within/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Plastic waste is undeniably a big issue, and Europeans need to act together to tackle this problem because plastic waste ends up in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/plastic-waste-is-undeniably-a-big-issue-and-europeans-need-to-act/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) [Explore all 68 Frans Timmermans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) ## More Blame quotes > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Me mum used to always have the radio on - even now she has it on in every room. Me girlfriend sort of blames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/me-mum-used-to-always-have-the-radio-on-even-now-she-has-it-on-in/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-like-to-praise-and-reward-loudly-to-blame-quietly/) [Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/) > [Some of the things that I said I hated to say, but blame yourself mother fucker you made it this way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jedi-mind-tricks/some-of-the-things-that-i-said-i-hated-to-say-but-blame-yourself/) [Jedi Mind Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jedi-mind-tricks/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“In places where government priorities and market imperatives create a world so capricious that to help a neighbor is to risk your ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/in-places-where-government-priorities-and-market-imperatives-create-a/) [Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/) > [“Stop Blaming Others For Your Own Actions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-g-roldan/stop-blaming-others-for-your-own-actions/) [Alexis G. Roldan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-g-roldan/) > [We know from this book entitled... What is it? Surrendered? Succumbed? I can never remember the title perform. And we learn from this book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-know-from-this-book-entitled-what-is-it-surrendered-succumbed-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't blame anyone .. I did this to myself .. It's my fault .. Everything is my FAULT ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nurnizz95/i-don-t-blame-anyone-i-did-this-to-myself-it-s-my-fault-everything-is/) [Nurnizz95](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nurnizz95/) > [“They would congratulate themselves every morning on keeping their integrity, and blame themselves each night for that missed opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/they-would-congratulate-themselves-every-morning-on-keeping-their/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [I try to live my life where I end up at a point where I have no regrets. So I try to choose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-aronofsky/i-try-to-live-my-life-where-i-end-up-at-a-point-where-i-have-no/) [Darren Aronofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-aronofsky/) > [How come you don't feel that magic in the air? I guess I knew you'll never be there. I guess I knew you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-come-you-don-t-feel-that-magic-in-the-air-i-guess-i-knew-you-ll/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am down mentally. I can't understand how it happened and who is to blame? I don't know why the ground was rolled before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yeasin-khan/i-am-down-mentally-i-can-t-understand-how-it-happened-and-who-is-to/) [Yeasin Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yeasin-khan/) > [A refusal to admit one's mistake & not accepting responsibility for that mistake by blaming everyone else, is d beginning of one's decline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-refusal-to-admit-one-s-mistake-not-accepting-responsibility-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listen, the guy was not created by coverage from MSNBC and CNN. If you want to blame us for making Donald Trump president because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-tur/listen-the-guy-was-not-created-by-coverage-from-msnbc-and-cnn-if-you/) [Katy Tur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-tur/) [Browse all 3,779 Blame quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It has become routine for national politicians to blame Europe. When something works, they claim it as their success. 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