Photo : Ludovic Marin/AFP
Photo : Ludovic Marin/AFP
FRANCE
President Macron says “open to the deployment of nuclear weapons to the rest of Europe”
On 14 May, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with TF1, said that he is open to discussing the deployment of nuclear weapons to the rest of Europe but not at the cost of compromising his own. He noted that the US has already stationed their nuclear-armed aircraft in Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Turkey. He further added the conditions that are to be met, to attain French nuclear weapons, which are, the control of the use of the weapons lie with the French government, and since France is EU’s only nuclear power, it would not pay for the security of the others. Since the first talks in March 2025, countries like Germany have expressed their interest in having French nuclear weapons, as they cannot rely on the US for nuclear commitments. Chancellor Merz also claimed that with, with their history, Germany cannot be trusted with its own nuclear weapons. Poland, Denmark and Lithuania are looking to take upon the offer. (Kate Hairsine, “Macron open to deploying French nuclear weapons in Europe,” Deutsche Welle, 14 May 2025)
GERMANY
Chancellor Merz to build one of the strongest military forces in Europe
On 14 May, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed the agenda created by the government to the Bundestag regarding the defence sector. With the Russia-Ukraine war affecting the peace of other European nations, Merz looks to create the “strongest conventional army” in Germany. He emphasizes that Germany will assert its leadership role in Europe, rebuild it, and support Ukraine. Merz has pledged to the Bundeswehr that Germany “will have the strongest military in Europe.” (Saim Dušan Inayatullah & Richard Connor, “Germany: Merz vows to build Europe's strongest army,” Deutsche Welle, 14 May 2025)
REGIONAL
EU limits green regulation and increases subsidies upon farmer protests
On 14 May, the European Commission proposed to limit the green regulations, especially for farm subsidies. This comes after several protests on issues including the EU regulations and cheap imports. The protests have been going on for several months, and the EU members are looking to negotiate and resolve them. The purpose of this proposal, according to the EU, is to boost the competitiveness among farmers and reduce the administrative pressure laid on them. The proposal looks at saving up EUR 1.58 billion per year and reducing the number of on-site checks to once a year. According to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the subsidies will rise to around EUR 387 billion. The proposal includes the following: small farmers are exempt from acknowledging the receipt of subsidies, certified organic farmers are to be considered under the environmental regulations, enable the farmers to remove more grasslands due to the increased CO2, and lastly, to receive more subsidies for the conservation of peatlands and wetlands. (Saim Dušan Inayatullah, “EU to ease green rules on farm aid subsidies” Deutsche Welle, 14 May 2025)
European Parliament rejects the draft of a separate ethics body
On 14 May, the European Parliament Committee on constitutional affairs rejects the draft plan to implement a separate ethical standards body, after the allegations of corruption from Qatar and Morocco hit the Parliament in 2022. The draft had agreements by eight institutions to establish the “Institutional Body for Ethical Standards for Member Institutions.” This advisory body was to have representatives from the respective institutions and experts who were responsible for keeping up the standards for ethical conduct and ensure that everyone abides by the regulations. With the draft rejected, the EU institutions need to work on implementing the agreement in their respective organizations, by imposing a set of rules and ensuring they are followed. (Vincenzo Genovese, “European Parliament blocks new EU transparency rules,” Euronews, 14 May 2025)
NGOs warn of the destructive activities in the oceans and the EU’s lack of execution
On 12 May, NGOs raised concern over a leaked European Commission draft “The Ocean Pact” for not addressing the preservation of marine life and biodiversity. NGO’s are looking for improved implementation of the proposals by the EU, one of the proposals being the “Enforcement Strategy.” According to the NGOs, the proposal does not have a solution to tackle the issues of the fishing sector, climate change, the collapsing ecosystem, and mass fishing in the Marine Protected Areas (MPA). While the Ocean Pact makes the European Commission aware of the gap between the legislation and the actions, and how the gap is increasing over time. The pact does not raise the key issues that need quick resolutions, which include bad status of the European seas due to human activity in land and water, changes in the blue economy policy, making it more inclusive of both people and the planet, and the health of the oceans. The concerns raised by the NGO’s give the EU an idea of the problems that needs solutions and enhances the position that EU holds in the next UN Ocean Conference. (“EU Ocean Pact must confront destructive activities for the ocean, NGOs warn,” Bird Life International, 12 May 2025)