NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : AFP
By Samruddhi Pathak
FRANCE
Barnier to remain caretaker of the parliament; Macron pledges to stay till his term
On 05 December, Micheal Barnier, the Prime Minister of the Republic of France, handed over his resignation to Emmanuel Macron, the President of the Republic of France, after he lost the vote of confidence in the parliament. The pressure has again been created on Macron for naming the new Prime Minister. Most world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, will be present in France on 07 December for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. Caretaker governments in France are appointed only for a few days until a new government is formed. The media has not reported on any potential successors of the PM position. On 05 December, Emmanuel Macron, the President of the Republic of France, addressed the French citizens through television after the government lost the vote of confidence in the parliament. The address came after Marine Le Pen demanded resignation from the President as well. After the address, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a far-left leader, gave an interview. He said that he was “democratically elected” and will stay “fully” till his term. Macron also said that he will appoint a new Prime Minister shortly and form a government in general interest and a new budget will be passed in January for 2025. He also accused the far-right and far-left parties of causing political chaos in France. (Victor Goury-Laffont, “France’s Barnier to stay on as caretaker prime minister after resigning,” Politico, 05 December 2024; Clea Caulcutt, “Macron to Le Pen: I’m not going anywhere,” Politico, 06 December 2024)
GEORGIA
Mass protests against the government continue
On 05 December, the police used water cannons and tear gas to curb protests in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. The protests were sparked in the country after the government suspended talks with the European Union to join the bloc. Euronews reported that retaliation by the police, specifically journalists and reporters. The protests have been going on for a week. More than 300 protesters have been arrested so far. Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, and the opposition party have accused Georgian Dream, the ruling party, of rigging the elections that took place on 26 October. Protests started on 29 November when the government announced that EU accession talks will be on hold until 2028. Protestors have also accused the government of causing democratic backsliding in the country. Zourabichvili has urged western countries to respond to the ruling party’s police brutality by putting strong pressure on the government. (“Protests across Georgia against suspension of EU accession talks enter second week,” Euronews, 06 December 2024)
GERMANY
Olaf Scholz to be questioned over tax scandal of EUR 36 billion
On 05 December, Politico reported on the challenges that continue for Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of the German Federation. Scholz will present himself on 06 December before Hamburg's parliamentary investigation committee due to charges over “cum-cum affairs.” The scandal is estimated to be around EUR 36 billion as some banks and corporations have filed for enormous tax reimbursements. He will also be questioned over his dealing with HSH Nordbank which has paid around EUR 126 million to the tax authorities in 2014. Scholz was the Mayor of the Hamburg city-state in 2014. Julia Klöckner, a senior lawmaker from the center-right Christian Democratic Union, said, “Scholz is responsible for the fact that the state has lost millions of taxpayers’ money.” Germany’s snap elections are due in February 2025. The opposition will hold on to the scandal during the elections to make an issue. Meanwhile, Scholz is already struggling with political hold in the country. Scholz has been questioned over other scams before as well. During his time as the Mayor of Hamburg, Scholz met the former head of the Warburg bank, Christian Olearius, several times who stood trial over tax evasion resulting in losses of EUR 280 million. However, the financial lobby in Germany is very strong. Therefore, convicts of financial crimes either are pardoned or get benefit of the doubt due to systematic proceedings in such cases. (Nette Nostlinger, “€36B tax fraud scandal returns to haunt Germany’s Scholz,” Politico, 06 December 2024)
KOSOVO
Government announces opening of first state-financed ammunition factory to develop military industry
On 05 December, the government of Kosovo announced plans to open its first state-financed ammunition factory. The government has announced plans to transition into an army by 2028. Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, told the media that the country has doubled the size of Kosovo Security Forces and tripled the budget. The increased expenditure comes after tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have risen. Meanwhile, NATO peacekeepers under a UN mandate, KFOR, have been in charge of Kosovo's security. Ejup Maqedonci, the security minister of Kosovo, also said that the Security Ministry in Kosovo has received a feasibility report with a state-owned manufacturer from the Turkish Ministry of Defence for developing Kosovo’s military capabilities. Currently, Kosovo’s military equipment is sourced from NATO member countries like the US, Turkey, Germany, the UK, and Croatia. The Kosovo Security Forces have expanded their weaponry by acquiring armoured and transport vehicles, howitzers and mortars, Bayraktar drones, and Javelin anti-tank missiles. (Lucy Davalou, “Kosovo to open first state-financed ammunition factory,” Euronews, 05 December 2024)
ROMANIA
Thousands participate in pro-Europe rallies ahead of Presidential elections
On 05 December, more than 4,000 citizens in Romania participated in pro-Europe rallies across Bucharest. Presidential elections are scheduled on 08 December. This incident depicts the larger public opinion in the country. However, the first round of polls suggest that the far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) won almost 23 per cent of votes. Euronews suggested that his presence on platforms like TikTok has increased his reach to the younger population in the country. He has an anti-Europe and anti-NATO stance in his campaigns. He has also pledged to cut down Romania’s military supply to Ukraine. The shift towards right-wing candidates is just not limited to the Presidential elections but is also extending to parliamentary elections. The parliamentary elections were held only a week after the first round of presidential elections. The voting trend showed the same pattern. PSD won almost 22 per cent of the votes. (“Thousands of Romanians stage pro-Europe rally days ahead of presidential runoff,” Euronews, 06 December 2024)
EU orders TikTok to ‘freeze and preserve’ data on political content before elections in Romania
On 06 December, the European Union ordered TikTok to retain the data on promotion of political content and spread of fake news under the Digital Services Act. The impact of TikTok was prominent in Romanian elections. The order will apply from 24 November 2024 to 31 March 2025 and monitor upcoming elections in Romania, Croatia, Austria, Greece and Germany as well. The European Union is also expected to open a formal investigation against TikTok for its potential role in Romanian elections. Klaus Iohannis, the current President of Romania, has suggested that Calin Georgescu's sudden rise to fame was "not a natural outcome" but the result of artificially coordinated action to manipulate and exploit TikTok's algorithm. Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) reported that nearly EUR one million were spent in the campaign by an individual supporting Georgescu's candidacy, with up to EUR 950 paid for a repost. (Jorge Liboreira, “Brussels asks TikTok to keep all data about electoral risks in Romania as fears of interference grow,” Euronews, 06 December 2024)
REGIONAL
France accuses Leyen of favouring Germany over Mercosur deal
On 06 December, Politico reported on the disagreement between Germany and France over the Mercosur deal. Under the deal, poultry and beef products will be imported from Latin American countries at a much cheaper rate. This might undermine the poultry and beef industry of France which is a major source of income. Farmers’ lobby is also very strong in France which affects the politics of the country. France has been repeatedly vetoing the deal in the European parliament. German leaders were questioning the hold of the European council in the parliament after France was vetoing the bill. After the deal was approved by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU, the spokesperson of the PM office in France issued a statement suggesting that the French government will continue to fight for its agricultural sovereignty. The deal can threaten the relations between France and Germany, according to Politico. Politico also suggested that the deal might threaten the very foundational understanding between the EU members. (Camille Gus, Giorgio Lealli, Nette Nostlinger, Clea Caulcutt and Lucia Mackinzie, “Franco-German fight over South American trade deal threatens EU rupture,” Politico, 06 December 2024