NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
By Lekshmi Muthu & Rizwana Banu
POLAND
Presidential power and political shift: Nawrocki’s rise in Poland
On 01 June, Euronews reported the victory of Conservative Karol Nawrocki in Poland's presidential runoff election. The election saw a significant voter turnout of 71.6 per cent. In the early exit polls, RafaÅ‚ Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw and candidate from the Civic Coalition (KO), was slightly leading Karol Nawrocki, who was affiliated with the Law and Justice (PiS). Nawrocki wanted to focus more on the Polish people. He was against Ukraine joining NATO. Because it feared it would lead to war with Russia. Subsequent vote counts revealed Karol Nawrocki's winning of the presidential runoff with 50.89 per cent of the vote compared to Trzaskowski's 49.11 per cent. Nawrocki's victory was being seen as a hindrance to the planned reforms, judicial Changes and liberal policies on issues like abortion proposed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government. (“Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland's presidential election, according to final vote count,” Euronews, 01 June 2025)
BULGARIA
Bulgarians protest euro adoption, demand referendum
On 31 May, thousands of Bulgarians were protesting against the government's plan to adopt the Euro instead of retaining their national currency, the Lev. The protest was held peacefully in Sofia and major cities under police presence, with citizens carrying national and pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party flags and chanting “Freedom for the Bulgarian Lev.” Protesters were referring to Croatia’s experience in 2023, fearing that the adoption of the euro could lead to inflation and a reduction in purchasing power. Disinformation campaigns were heightening these concerns among Bulgarian citizens. President Rumen Radev was supporting the citizens' call for a referendum, but the pro-European party rejected the proposal. The party accuses Radev of promoting Russian interests and hindering Bulgaria's path to European integration. Under Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, the Bulgarian government remains committed to joining the eurozone by 01 January 2026. (“Thousands protest in Bulgaria against Euro and to maintain national currency,” Euronews, 31 May 2025
GERMANY
Germany faces one of the worst drought crises in history and needs an urgent solution
On 31 May, Deutsche Welle reported on Germany’s drought risks. It experienced one of the driest springs this year as a severe drought was affecting agriculture, transportation, and groundwater levels, risking wildfire. There was less rain from early February to mid-April 2025 than in the past hundred years. These led to deep dryness of the topsoil in the north and northeast of the country. The topsoil is important for the cereal crops and grasses as they have very shallow roots. Groundwater levels also dropped heavily. The low Rhine River levels were disrupting transportation and leading to an increase in consumer prices. Experts say that this will continue due to climate change and suggest that the agriculture sector should invest in drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants like Chickpeas and lentils. (Katharina Schantz, “Not enough rain: How can Germany cope with drought?” Deutsche Welle, 31 May 2025)
Germany and Greece's relations are strained over the refugee policy
On 31 May, Deutsche Welle reported that the German government wants to send the refugees back to Greece, which the latter opposes. Greece wants more support from the EU with border protection and a migration agreement with Libya. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Germany in mid-May and met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Both decided that from now on, there will be strict controls on who can and cannot come to Europe. The asylum seekers who registered in Greece are travelling from there to Germany, France, and Scandinavia. So far, only less migrants have been sent back to Greece, but the Merz government is working on deporting the remainder refugees. The Greek Ministry of Immigration and Asylum said that 56,066 irregular migrants were registered last year, and 219 people returned from Germany to Greece. If Germany decides to send back the estimated 20,000-30,000 migrants who went from Greece to Germany, it would create problems for Greece. (Kaki Bali, “German-Greek relations face crisis over refugee policy,” Deutsche Welle, 31 May 2025)
HUNGARY
Hungarians protest in silence against the transparency bill
On 01 June, Euronews reported that thousands of Hungarians protested against the transparency bill proposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. They expressed their opposition by marching silently through Budaspet. The bill aims to monitor, penalise, and ban media outlets and NGO's receiving foreign funding in comparison with the foreign agent bill of Russia. The ruling Fidesz party claims that the bill is necessary for protecting national sovereignty from the influence of the US and Ukraine. Hungarians argue that the bill threatens free speech and civil liberties and restricts the independent media and NGOs ahead of the 2026 elections. The bill was expected to pass despite the public opposition, as the Fidesz party had a two-thirds majority in parliament. (Rita Konya, “Thousands march in silence in Budapest to protest against 'transparency bill',” Euronews, 01 June 2025
ITALY
Activist Greta Thunberg joins Gaza aid mission amid rising tensions
On 01 June, Climate Activist Greta Thunberg, along with 11 activists, was a part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's aid ship sailing to Gaza. The aid ship Madleen was carrying essential baby food and medical supplies. An earlier mission in May failed after another vessel, Conscience, was attacked by drones near Malta by Israel. The flotilla sought to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and was bringing international awareness to the ongoing blockade. The activists, along with actor Liam Cunningham and French MEP Rima Haasan, were accompanying Thunberg. Thunberg described the situation as a live-streamed genocide and emphasised the imperative to act against it. (Andreas Rogal, “Climate activist Greta Thunberg joins 'Freedom Flotilla' aid ship sailing to Gaza,” Euronews, 01 June 2025)
SPAIN
A replica of Columbus’s ship docked in London for a historical display
On 30 May, Euronews was reporting that the Nao Santa Maria, a replica of Christopher Columbus’s 15th-century flagship from the 1492 voyage, was docking at St Katharine Docks in central London for visitors. The Nao Santa Maria was being reconstructed in 2018 by Spain’s Nao Victoria Foundation, combining historical design with modern safety adaptations. The ship was measuring 28 metres in length as a replica of a 15th-century carrack with timber construction. It was open to the public from 28 May to 9 June. The exhibition aimed to educate the public about the historical significance of Santa Maria. (“Replica of Columbus’ flagship docks in central London,” Euronews, 30 May 2025)
THE UK
UK to expand the nuclear-powered submarine fleet amid Defence review
On 2 June, Reuters reported that the UK will expand the size of its nuclear-powered submarine fleet as the government said the country should invest billions to be ready and to fight a modern war. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like others, started to rebuild the defence capabilities after US President Donald Trump urged Europe to take more responsibility for its security. The strategic defence that is to take place on 02 June calls for a “warfighting readiness” as it will build up to 12 of its next generation nuclear-powered submarines, which will replace the current fleet of seven from the late 2030s. The new submarines will be jointly developed by AUKUS. Starmer is committed to reversing the decline of the country’s defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2027. (William James, “UK to expand submarine fleet as defence review calls for 'warfighting readiness',” Reuters, 02 June 2025)
UK Finance Minister sets out a multi-year spending plan, IFS warns
On 01 June, the UK’s Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is set to decide on a multi-year spending plan for healthcare and other public services. It is set to happen on 11 June, and these limits will run till March 2029. The UK has done these spending reviews since 1998, and for the first time since 2015, it is to cover multiple years' spending, other than the 2021 review, which focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), it is one of the most significant domestic policies for the current Labour government. Along with that, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the defence spending will reach up to 2.5 per cent by 2027. This forces Reeves and Starmer to choose whether the budget will go into the health or defence sector. (David Milliken, “UK faces choice next week between health and other spending, IFS think tank warns,” Reuters, 01 June 2025)