NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Euronews
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
GERMANY
SPD votes in favor of coalition with CDU and CSU
On 30 April, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) voted in favor of the 144-page coalition agreement with the CDU/CSU. This agreement also makes Friedrich Merz from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) the next Chancellor. 84 per cent of the party members have voted in favor of the agreement. Voter turnout was 56 per cent, which has crossed the parr that was set at 20 per cent, for it to be valid. Lars Klingbeil is named as Germany’s Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister. The party’s executive committee approved his roles after the SPD voted in favor of the coalition agreement. (Dyytro Hubenko, “Germany's new government clears final hurdle with SPD vote,” Deutsche Welle, 30 April 2025)
DENMARK
12 injured in a car accident in Copenhagen
On 30 April, the Danish police reported on 12 injured people, with two presently in critical condition after being hit by a car near a bridge crossing in Copenhagen. The driver in the car was an elderly man who lost control of the vehicle and rammed it into several pedestrians and a cyclist. The police are currently investigating the scene and have ruled out any possibility of a terrorist attack. They are looking into the vehicle, whether the car is electric or if an external influence was present at the scene. (Felix Tamsut, “Denmark: Several injured in Copenhagen as car lost control,” Deutsche Welle, 30 April 2025)
FINLAND
Parliament prohibits the use of smartphones during school hours
On 01 May, Finland’s parliament approved the legislation restricting students from using smartphones and other electronic devices in school during the day. The Concerns raised over the well-being and the quality of education of their learning, which the parliament looked into and brought about the new policy. The law is to take effect in August. According to the law, the mobile phones are to be handed over to the teachers on whether to permit or deny the use of devices during class hours. The student will need to get special permission from the teachers to use their phones for assistance purposes, medical emergency. Some students look at this as an advantage for improving their productivity, and others look at it as an unnecessary motive. (Malek Fouda, “Finland to restrict the use of smartphones during the school day,” Euronews, 01 May 2025)
GERMANY
New Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to succeed Annalena Baerbock
On 30 April, from the new government, Johann Wadephul, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is to take the role as Germany’s Foreign Minister. He is to succeed Annalena Baerbock, Green Party, and for the first time, it is known that the Chancellery and the Foreign Minister come from the same party, CDU/CSU. Wadephul is to be sworn in on 06 May. Wadephul was a lawmaker in the Bundestag since 2009, and as the Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, he was responsible for the country’s foreign and security policy. Before his career in politics, Wadephul also had a military background and was a soldier in the Bundeswehr from 1982 to 1986, and retired as a lieutenant colonel. With his experience in the military, he was considered for the Defence Ministry; however, it was given to Boris Pistorius from the Social Democratic Party (SPD). He joined the CDU in 1982 and began his career in the regional branch. He was a member of the Schleswig-Holstein parliament until 2000, and he entered the Bundestag. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Wadephul spoke of his support for Ukraine. He said: “I think it must be clear to everyone involved, especially Russian President Vladimir Putin, that we stand by Ukraine’s side.” He also spoke on Germany’s defence, especially on Europe stepping up the defence factor, since they cannot rely on the US no more. He said: “Europe must do more to defend itself than before, Germany will take up the lead role.” Lastly, on the feminist foreign policy, the incoming foreign minister has made it clear that they will not continue Baerbock’s feminist foreign policies. (Nina Werkhauser, “Johann Wadephul to become Germany's new Foreign Minister,” Deutsche Welle, 30 April 2025)
REGIONAL
EU calls the US investigations on the pharma imports as “unjustified”
On 30 April, the EU criticised the US investigation into the pharmaceutical imports, by calling it an unjustified step, which could harm the European and the American healthcare systems. In April, the US initiated the investigation of pharma imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows tariffs upon those countries whose imports are deemed to threaten national security. The EU is concerned about the decision revealed by the US after the investigation. Trade official of the European Commission, Elena Kamilarova said: “We do not agree with this investigation, nor the concept of it.” Pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Eli Lilly have raised their concerns over the consequences of the investigation, and warn of the rise in drug prices and disruptions in the global supply chains. In 2024, the EU was the biggest exporter of medicines to the US, which were worth USD 127 billion. This poses a risk of disruptions and consequences for the consumers and businesses. (Martina Iraola Iribarren & Gerardo Fortuna, “EU Commission slams first US step towards pharmaceutical tariffs,” Euronews, 30 April 2025)
Birthrates in the EU drop lower than migrant birthrates
On 30 April, the birth rates in the EU dropped significantly. According to the data from Eurostat, the latest rates show a drop of 5.4 per cent, which comes to 3.67 million in 2023. Comparing the data to the migrant's birthrate, the numbers show a decrease but at a slower rate. Polish reports show the highest rates in migrant newborns. Between the years 2014-2023, the number of newborns rose by 645 per cent, after the war in Ukraine. The numbers have also risen in Malta, Estonia, and Portugal by 159, 92, and 91 per cents. The decline in the rates comes from Croatia by -41.3 per cent, Greece by -33.7 per cent, Italy by -27.5 per cent, Latvia by 19.1 per cent, and France by -0.5 per cent. The highest fertility rates among EU members are in Bulgaria, and the lowest is in Malta. (Alessio Dell’Anna & Mert Can Yilmaz, “This is the EU country where babies born to migrants outnumbered local newborns,” Euronews, 30 April 2025)