NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Montenegrins demand top security officials resign after mass shooting Source: Risto Bozovic/The AP.
By Samrudhi Pathak
AUSTRIA
Conservative People’s Party ready to talk to far-right Freedom Party
On 06 January, Austrian People’s Party leader and the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen said that he is ready to talk to the Freedom Party to form the government after talks with the Social Democrats party failed. The Freedom Party emerged as the largest party in parliamentary elections in September with 29 per cent. But it has been unable to form a government since no other parties would enter a coalition with them. There is a convergence between the Freedom Party and People’s Party policy platforms, for example, regarding economic policy and restrictions on immigration. Austria has also been governed by a coalition between the Freedom Party and People’s Party under then-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. (“Austrian conservative leader open to talks with far right,” Deutsche Welle, 06 January 2025)
Chancellor Nehammer to resign after coalition talks fail
On 06 January, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer posted on X that he would resign in the coming days after coalition talks between his Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ) collapsed. The conservative ÖVP and centre-left SPÖ had been engaged in negotiations aimed at forming a coalition government without the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ). The Neos party has already withdrawn from the talks. The ruling party or coalition that leads the next Austrian government will face several challenges, including an economy in recession, rising unemployment and a budget deficit of 3.7 per cent of GDP, above the European Union's limit of three per cent. (“Austria: Chancellor to resign after coalition talks collapse,” DW News, 06 January 2025)
FRANCE
French forces withdraw from Ivory Coast
On 06 January, France24 reported that French forces will begin withdrawing from Ivory Coast in January. President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Quattara, said in his televised address that the departure was a result of Ivory Coast’s growing military capabilities. The French troops stationed at the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion in Abidjan’s Port-Bouet suburb, comprising some 600 soldiers, will hand over the base to Ivorian forces this month. French troops withdrew from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in 2022 and 2023 after the military juntas in these countries. This was followed by a rise in anti-French sentiment and a pivot towards alternative allies like Russia. (Analle Jonah, “'Time to move on': France faces gradual decline of influence in Africa,” France24, 06 January 2025)
GERMANY
Socialist party members condemn a member of CDU for criticising Scholz
On 06 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the responses made by Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Social Democratic Party on a social media post from the opposition party Christian Democratic Union’s member Roderich Kiesewetter. In his post, he said that Scholz was set for an alleged meeting with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. However, that post appears to be deleted now. SPD spokesman Steffen Hebestreit denied the possibility of such trips. He called the comments “slander” and said: “It would make no sense at all.” He also threatened to take “legal steps” against Kiesewetter. Other officials demanded Kiesewetter apologize for his statements as he was trying to formulate arguments against Scholz’s foreign policy. Recently, Scholz also said that Germany would be Ukraine’s “biggest supporter” in its war against Russia. He added that another conversation with Putin could be a possibility even it delivers at least a small benefit. (“Germany: Scholz condemns CDU member post about Putin meetup,” Deutsche Welle, 06 January 2025)
Scholz condemns rumours about meeting Putin
On 05 January, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned a post made by Roderich Kiesewetter, a leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) which claimed that Scholz has a meeting planned with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He sharply criticized Kiesewetter's post, describing it in a press conference as a "false allegation" and calling it "deeply inappropriate." Socialist Party of Democrats (SPD) General Secretary, Matthias Miersch, said that the claim was "vicious and sneaky."(“Germany: Scholz condemns CDU member post about Putin meetup,” DW News, 06 January 2025)
ITALY
PM Meloni meets Trump in Florida
On 06 January, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni met US President Donald Trump in his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Argentinian President Javier Milei, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungry also travelled to Florida to meet with Trump since he won the election in November. Meloni also has a close relationship with Elon Musk. Meloni is said to have discussed the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran in December, an immediate challenge for Meloni which has soured relations between Italy and Iran. Trump launched a hardline "maximum pressure campaign" against Iran during his first term in office, and will likely pursue similar policies targeting Tehran in his second term. No official statement on the meeting has been released so far. (“Italy's Meloni meets Trump at his Florida resort Mar-a-Lago,” DW News, 06 January 2025)
MONTENEGRO
Several protests against security officials
On 05 January, thousands of citizens participated in protests against top security officials. Protesters are demanding resignation from the officials. Protests come after there was a mass shooting in Montenegro on New Year’s eve which killed 12 citizens. There were silent marches also being organised for the victims. This is the second massacre in the past three years in Montenegro. This has also raised questions about illegal possession of weapons in the country. Authorities have also proposed new regulations and gun laws to be introduced. On 05 January, police said they raided several locations in the country and confiscated about 20 weapons, more than 500 rounds of ammunition and explosives. Protesters are also demanding “demilitarization” of its population. (Gavin Blackburn, “Montenegrins demand top security officials resign after 12 killed in mass shooting,” Euronews, 06 January 2025)
SLOVAKIA
4,000 protest over Prime Minister Fico’s pro-Russian stance
On 04 January, there were protests in Slovakia over Prime Minister Robert Fico’s “pro-Moscow stance” and his meeting with Putin. Around 4000 were protesting, who held various signs like "We are Europe" and "Treason!” They sang the national anthem of Slovakia at the end. Some of them even chanted that they were not some Russian rag. Fico met with Putin to discuss the transit deal that transported Russian gas to Slovakia. He even threatened Ukraine to stop energy supplies as the latter did not renew the transit deal. (“Thousands protest against Slovakian PM Fico over meeting with Putin and pro-Moscow stance,” Euronews, 04 January 2025)
RUSSIA
More than 30 dolphins found dead in Kerch Strait
On 06 January, at least 32 dolphins died after two oil spill incidents in the Strait a few weeks ago. Delfa Dolphin Rescue and Research Centre in Russia informed that the deaths were "most likely due to the fuel oil spill." On 04 January, Crimea declared an emergency after oil was detected on the shores of Sevastopol. Authorities in the southern Krasnodar region of Russia announced a region-wide emergency last week, as the fuel oil continued washing up on the coastline even 10 days after the incident. More than 96,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil have been removed along the region's shoreline since the original spill. (“More than 30 dolphins dead in southern Russia oil spill, animal rescue group says,” Euronews, 06 January 2025)