Photo : Pawel Supernak/PAP/dpa/picture alliance
Photo : Pawel Supernak/PAP/dpa/picture alliance
By Padmashree Anandhan
GERMANY
Protestors demonstrate against expansion of Tesla factory again
On 10 May, the BBC reported on hundreds of climate protestors clashed with police in Germany against expansion of Tesla factory. As a result, many were injured including three police officers. Police arrested several and prevented activists from accessing the facility. The protests come as Tesla proposed to double the factory which could lead to environmental damage. Protestors blocked the road, motorway and railway near the factory. Tesla announced on closure of factory and criticised the police for letting the protestors free. Known as Gigafactory with 12,000 people and 500,000 cars per year and production had halted in March after power outage after an attack. (James Gregory, “Protesters attempt to storm Germany's Tesla factory,” BBC, 10 May 2024)
MALTA
Deputy Prime Minister resigns over hospital scandal
On 10 May, Chris Fearne, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister announced his resignation and ended his candidacy for European Commissioner. The move comes after a judicial document ruled Fearne to face criminal charges over a hospital scandal. Fearne said: “My solitary and humble hope is that the judicial process to clear my name is expeditious. If, upon its conclusion, the country calls on me to serve again, it shall find me ready.” In response, Robert Abela, Malta’s Prime Minister called for reconsideration of the decision expressing confidence in Fearne. He is the leading candidate for the EU elections and known for his experience in domestic and international health policy. On his involvement in the scandal, several MEPs in European Parliament and health committee called for resignation and denied to support his nomination as Commissioner. (“Malta’s Fearne resigns, ends Commission bid, protests innocence,” Politico, 10 May 2024)
NORTH MACEDONIA
Political scenario likely to witness an overall turn
On 07 May, citizens of North Macedonia cast their votes for a new government that will change the trajectory of the country’s political future by bringing back the unreformed conservative VMRO-DPMNE, whose 2006-2016 time in power was marked by undemocratic trends. The political gridlock between the two largest parties, the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE and the Social Democratic Union (SDSM) has impeded the implementation of critical agreements and reforms. Meanwhile, the public's confidence in the current government, led by the Social Democrats, has declined in its two consecutive terms as leader of parliament, due to scandals, and missed opportunities. After settling the dispute with Greece regarding the name change in 2018, the state hoped to complete the EU accession process just like the NATO membership it acquired the same year. However, other hurdles came their way as the French president in 2019, blocked the negotiations for EU enlargement, and in 2020, Bulgaria demanded rights for its citizens in North Macedonia. As the opposition strongly opposes the constitutional changes, there was no majority to pass the bill recognising the Bulgarian minority. The opposition party also chose the slogan for its presidential campaign: “Make Macedonia proud again,” reflecting its nationalist stand on the name change. Apart from the two major parties, the third-biggest political party, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) comprising the largest minority and the dominant force in the Albanian political bloc, has acted as a major power broker and been a key player in almost every government since 2002, but would likely be excluded from joining a ruling coalition this time. However, VLEN, a coalition of several smaller Albanian political parties that serve as the legitimate opposition of the DUI, and the ZNAM party have already started to discuss the possibility of forming a ruling coalition. However, a major point of contention was the parties' divergent positions on adopting the constitutional amendments. (Bojan Stojkovski, “North Macedonia’s Political Future Is on the Line,” Foreign Policy, 08 May 2024 ; Aleksej Demjanski, “What will North Macedonia’s upcoming elections mean for its EU accession prospects? ,” Atlantic Council, 03 May, 2024 )
POLAND
Farmers once again stage protest against EU climate policies
On 10 May, Deutsche Welle reported on thousands of farmers protesting in yellow vests while others protested in Warsaw against the EU climate regulations risking their cost of living. A farmer’s union, Solidarity held a slogan saying “Down with the Green Deal” opposing the EU policies relating to climate-farming policies. Another banner said: “Let Brussels eat worms, we prefer pork chops and potatoes.” While other protestors criticised the import of Ukrainian farm products which they claim to have reduced their income and also condemned the government policies. (“Poland: Farmers protest against EU climate policies,” Deutsche Welle, 10 May 2024)
SLOVAKIA
Prime Minister plan to shut independent press raises concerns
On 11 May, Politico reported on Robert Fico, Slovakia’s Prime Minister move to shut down independent press and revise public broadcasting. According to the report, Fico’s administration had approved a proposal in 24 April to remove a public broadcaster RTVS. This has sparked fears among the advocates of free speech as the replacement could give more control to the ruling coalition in terms of appointment of the director and board. While Fico said: “[Public] television and radio were unable to be objective because they were in a conflict with the Slovak government.” The move comes after the EU adopted a new Media Freedom Act to protect newsroom from “political influence and support media pluralism.” (Ketrin Jochecová And Tom Nicholson, “Slovakia’s Fico plots to dismantle the free press,” Politico, 11 May 2024)