[disgruntledphd2]

In Ireland, too. It's essentially where you send either a complete idiot, or someone who threatens you politically, to retire.

They get lots of money, and you get rid of them. Sure, the Council pretty much agree with all commission proposed laws anyway, so the only risk is a media one.

[sonthonax]

Ireland's pretty bad, recently as MEPs we've had legalize-weed-druid, Ireland's Michelle Bachman, and far to many Sinn Feiners lately.

[spopejoy]

The Danish political drama 'Borgen' had this too, basically EU as political exile ... so possibly Denmark too