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By Advik S Mohan and Samruddhi Pathak
THE EU
Ursula von der Leyen announces new Council
On 17 September, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Parliament, announced nominees for the new European Council. The Council, also known as College, has 27 members. Every EU member country appoints an EU Commissioner. The EU Commissioner is a part of the Council. Leyen is the European Commissioner for Germany. The regulations proposed by the Council come into effect across the Union after they have been passed through the Parliament and the Council. Member countries are given two years to incorporate those changes. According to Politico, usually German and French leaders take the influential departments. However, Emmanuel Macron’s, the President of France, party lost national elections in June. Meanwhile, Olaf Scholz’, the Chancellor of Germany, party lost state elections in eastern Germany. These nominees will get voted in the European parliament. In case a nominee does not get votes to become a part of the Council, Leyen will ask that member country to announce a new EU commissioner. In the proposed Council, there are 11 women and average age is 52 years, which was 56 years in the previous Council. Amongst the members, Maroš Šefčovič, EU parliamentarian from Slovakia, has been elected in the EU for the fifth time.
Leyen has been a strong advocate of Ukraine’s right to defend itself in the Russia-Ukraine war. As per the new Council, Kaja Kallas, European Commissioner of Estonia, will be handling the Foreign Policy office while Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner of Lithuania, will be given the Defence department, which is a newly created portfolio. The decision seems to be strategic as per Politico as both important portfolios have been given to Baltic countries. Kubilius will be reporting to Finland’s EU Commissioner, Henna Virkkunen, who is the Vice-President of Technology, Sovereignty, Democracy and Security. According to Politico, the EU bloc plans to expand in the next five years and include Ukraine and western Balkan countries in the Union. Marta Kos, the EU Commissioner of Slovenia will be in charge of the EU enlargement. Kos’ responsibilities will also include focussing on Europe’s interests in the Mediterranean region i.e., curbing migration.
Another important portfolio is the EU budget. Piotr Serafin, the EU Commissioner of Poland, will be given the responsibility of the EU budget. Donald Tusk's European People’s Party, played a vital role in helping Leyen win a second term in the EU parliament. Serafin will be reporting directly to Leyen. While, countries of southern Europe i.e., Portugal, Spain and Italy are given other economic portfolios. The EU Commissioner of France has been given the Industrial policy to handle.
A surprising decision by Leyen was to give Raffaele Fitto executive vice presidency. Fitto is the EU Commissioner of Italy. He is a EU parliamentarian from Georgia Meloni’s hard-right Brothers of Italy party. Valérie Hayer, chief of the liberal Renew party, called this decision “unacceptable” and even said that he might withdraw support for Leyen’s Council, also called College. Fitto is seen as a moderate voice in Meloni’s hard-right party. However, these are only the nominees proposed by Leyen, the EU Commissioners will be approved by the EU parliament, first.
(“What just happened? A beginner’s guide to von der Leyen’s European Commission,” Politico, 17 September 2024; “Von der Leyen’s new Commission: Male and slightly less stale,” Politico, 17 September 2024; “5 takeaways on Ursula von der Leyen’s new Commission,” Politico, 17 September 2024)
New lines of command for new European Commission revealed
On 17 September, Politico reported on the new Commissioners of the European Commission and the Directorate-Generals and task forces they will head. The Commissioners were appointed by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission for her second term. In the new power structure, six Commissioners will be serving directly under von der Leyen. Each Commissioner was given a particular Directorate-General (DG) to head. For instance, Henna Virkkunen will head the DG for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, and Digital Services. Similarly, Teresa Ribera Rodriguez has been put in charge of the DG for Competition. Stephane Sejourne was put in charge of the DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. This is alongside the other positions held by the Commissioners, such as executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy held by Virkkunen or executive vice president for prosperity and industrial strategy held by Sejourne. The new European Commission has a layered power structure, with there being several other Commissioners holding lower-level positions and reporting to a higher-level Commissioner. For instance, Ekaterina Zaharieva who will head the DG for Innovation and Research will be working under Virkkunen and Sejourne. The six Commissioners directly under von der Leyen have an additional 3-4 Commissioners working under them. Each of the Commissioners was handed a specific DG to focus upon, and work for. ( Lucia Mackenzie, “Who works for whom in the new EU power structure,” Politico, 17 September 2024)
Rivers in Central Europe continue to flood
On 17 September, the death toll, due to severe flooding in Central European countries, increased to 21, beside several others missing. Due to Storm Boris, the rainfall in the Central European countries was five times the average rainfall expected in September. Several parts of Austria, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary were submerged in floods which led to thousands of people being evacuated. The Danube river, which runs through ten countries in Europe, peaked in Slovakia and its water level rose by metre in every 24 hours. The German Federation is also implementing measures like mobile flood protection walls in eastern Germany. Gradually, water levels in Elbe river in Saxony are also rising. The water levels in the city of Dresden in eastern Germany have risen up to 5.8 metres. If the level crosses six metres, the authorities will issue a flood warning. Authorities of Poland are also preparing for evacuations in Wroclaw. The main zoo in Wroclaw has asked residents to assist the zoo management to fill sandbags to protect animals from heavy flooding. However, the zoo management has said that they have moved animals to a safer place. The border between Poland and the Czech Republic has been hit the hardest due to floods. Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, announced a relief fund of EUR 200 million for victims of floods. In the Czech Republic, almost 60,000 households are facing electricity cut offs and food and drinking water scarcity. The state of lower Austria has been declared a disaster zone. The floods in Austria have caused 21 dams to collapse and left many households without access to electricity and water. The rainfall in the town of St Polten in Austria broke a 75 year record by receiving heavy rainfall in four days. Austria has deployed its army and announced a relief fund of EUR 300 million. Around 33,000 emergency service workers have been deployed. Austrian authorities have also closed the Danube river for navigation due to high water levels. The closure has led to 70 vessels being stuck in Austria. The Ministry for Climate Protection and Mobility said that snow on the mountains has started melting due to high temperatures, raising concerns over further rise in water levels in Austria rivers. Storm Boris is forecasted to move towards northern Italy from 17 September. (Jon Henley, “Central Europe braces for further flooding as swollen rivers continue to rise,” The Guardian, 17 September 2024; “Europe floods: Tusk in southern Poland for crisis meeting,” Deutsche Welle, 18 September 2024)
GERMANY
Frederich Merz to run for Chancellor of Germany
On 17 September, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democrat Union (CDU), announced that he will be running for the Chancellor against Olaf Scholz, who has announced that he will be running for a second term in 2025. Merz became the chairperson of the CDU party in 2022. Since then he has shifted CDUs stance on migration towards the right-wing. This stance differs from Angela Markel’s, who was more liberal towards immigration. Markus Söder, a leader of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), a sister party to the CDU had denounced Markel’s liberal approach towards immigration on several occasions. However, since Merz made his stance on immigration clear, the differences between CDU and CSU seem to be bridged. Soder said, “The fundamental realignment of the CDU on the issue of migration has healed the wound between the CDU and CSU.” The cooperation comes after Alternative for Germany (AfD) swept the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia and the ruling coalition between centre-left parties seems to be losing its appeal. (Emilia Mobius, “German conservative leader announces chancellor candidacy,” Politico, 17 September 2024)
Germany’s economic sentiment lowest since October 2023
On 17 September, the ZEW Economic Sentiment Index was released which measures the economic morale of a country. Germany faced a drastic fall from 19.2 points in August to just 3.6 points in September. The sub-index that measures current economic conditions fell to -84.5 points in September from -77.3 points in August. This is the weakest reading since May 2020. In terms of industrial sectors, mechanical engineering, steel industry and automotive industry have experienced the steepest decline in future outlooks. Construction and telecommunications still seem optimistic as per the Index. Top four automobile manufacturers are facing declines in double digits. Mercedez by 10 per cent, Porsche AG by 15 per cent, Volkswagen AG by 17 per cent and BMW by a drastic 28 per cent. The reason being that these companies are losing their EV market to Asian companies like China’s BYD. Despite the release of the Index, the European share market rose by 0.8 per cent and the German share market also rose. (Piero Cingari, “Germany's economic sentiment takes a dramatic fall as outlook worsens,” Euronews, 17 September 2024)
GEORGIA
Parliament passes contentious anti-LGBTQ+ bill
On 17 September, an article in Deutsche Welle News informed the Parliament of Georgia passed a bill restricting LGBTQ+ rights. The new bill contains provisions allowing authorities to bar Pride events and public displays of the LGBTQ+ flag. The bill was passed unanimously by 84 lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream party, amidst a boycott by opposition parties. According to Georgian Dream leaders, the bill is essential to protect Georgia’s traditional moral values in the predominantly Christian country. Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia had stated she plans to block the bill. However, the Georgian Dream has enough parliamentary support to override a possible veto by the president. Tamera Jakeli, Director of the Tbilisi Pride group stated the bill was the most terrible thing to happen to the LGBT community in Georgia, and her organisation could not function anymore. The LGBTQ+ bill drew comparisons with similar bills passed in Russia. It was also passed months after another controversial law on “foreign agents” passed by Georgia. (“Georgia’s parliament approves anti-LGBTQ+ bill,” Deutsche Welle News, 17 September 2024)
NORWAY
EVs outnumber petrol-run cars in Norway
On 17 September, the Norwegian road federation (OFV) said that for the first time, out of 2.8 million cars registered in the country, 7,54,303 were EVs and 7,53,905 were petrol-run cars. Diesel-run cars remain as the first choice of Norwegians with just under one million cars registered. OFV has described it as a historic milestone. Norway might become the first country to have a passenger car fleet dominated by electric cars. Meanwhile, Norway is a large producer of oil and gas in Europe. It is also ten years ahead of the EU’s sustainability goals. In August 2024, 94.3 per cent of all car registrations were for electric vehicles. The increase was recorded due to sales of Tesla Model Y. To promote the sale of EVs, Norwegian authorities offer incentives like tax rebates and lower pricing. The trajectory in Norway is in contrast with the trends in Europe since the sale of EVs fell to 12.5 per cent of total sales by December 2023. (“Norway: electric cars outnumber petrol for first time in ‘historic milestone’,” The Guardian, 17 September 2024)
PORTUGAL
Government struggles to combat deadly wildfires
On 18 September, Deutsche Welle reported on dozens of wildfires raging in the northern and central regions of Portugal. Portugal is battling over 50 active forest fires, with over 5,000 firefighters, civil defence personnel and soldiers deployed to tackle the fires. 21 firefighting planes and helicopters are also being used, including eight firefighting planes sent by EU countries after a request from the Government of Portugal. The wildfires also caused highways to be closed, and train services to be suspended. Andre Fernandes, commander of the Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) informed three firefighters from the Vila Nova de Oliveirinha fire brigade died while tackling a fire in the town of Nelas, to the northeast of the capital of Lisbon. Since 15 September, at least seven individuals have died from the wildfires, with over 50 individuals injured. Jorge Ponte, a member of the meteorological agency IPMA stated 16 September was a particularly bad day for the risk of major fires in Portugal. According to Ponte, this was due to the combination of high temperatures, wind gusts reaching 70 kilometres per hour, and very low humidity, all brought by an anticyclone. (“Portugal: Firefighters battle dozens of deadly wildfires,” Deutsche Welle, 18 September 2024)
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