NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Al Jazeera
By Lekshmi Muthu & Farhaz Rashid Ahmed
SPAIN
Protestors gather in Madrid to dissent against Spain’s PM
On 08 June, in Madrid, thousands of people gathered at Plaza de España for a protest organised by the Popular Party (PP), under the slogan “Mafia or Democracy.” The crowd protested against Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, for a scandal involving WhatsApp messages from socialist activist, Leire Díez and alleged corruption cases under his term. The opposition leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, addressed the rally and said, “Spain was tired, but it was not giving up,” while calling on Sánchez to call fresh elections. The demonstration also featured speeches by Madrid’s regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and their capital’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, with former presidents of Spain, José María Aznar and Mariano Rajoy, also attending. The rally started at noon, with the PP estimating 100,000 participants, while the Government Delegation in Madrid was putting the figure at 50,000. (Christina Thykjaer, “Mass opposition demonstration in Madrid: Feijóo demands fresh elections,” Euronews, 08 June 2025)
BOSNIA
Bosnian Serb leader Dodik rejects court verdict amid deepening crisis
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik refused to appeal his conviction and announced that he would not attend the next court hearing in Sarajevo. He dismissed the ruling of Bosnia’s state court as illegitimate and claimed it held no authority within Republika Srpska. Dodik cited a vote by his region’s parliament declaring the court unconstitutional and had pushed for laws to block national-level institutions. These measures were later suspended by the Constitutional Court. His actions had further intensified Bosnia’s ongoing political turmoil, following his earlier sentencing to one year in prison and a six-year political ban for defying the authority of the international peace envoy. (Aleksander Brezar, "Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik rejects verdict appeal amid political turmoil," Euronews, 05 June 2025)
ITALY
Hundreds of thousands march in Rome against war in Gaza
On 07 June, according to organisers, up to 300,000 people had taken part in a demonstration in Rome demanding an end to the war in Gaza. The march had been led by opposition parties, the Democratic Party (PD), Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S), and Alleanza Verdi Sinistra Italiana (AVS). They proceeded from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. Tens of thousands of participants waved Palestinian and peace flags, as well as anti-war placards. Notably, the flags of Israel and peace flags feature the Star of David. A banner demanding “Gaza stop the massacre. Enough complicity” led the procession, with people coming from across Italy. At least 10,000 people had lined Rome’s streets, and thousands more had gathered in the square where the march concluded. Opposition leaders Giuseppe Conte (M5S), Elly Schlein (PD), Angelo Bonelli, and Nicola Fratoianni (AVS) were the leading figures in the demonstration. ("Tens of thousands gather in Rome for demonstration against the war in Gaza," Euronews, 07 June 2025)
Italy faces a low turnout as citizens vote on labour and citizenship reforms
On 08 June, Italians were called to vote on five abrogative referenda concerning labour rights and citizenship requirements. These referenda required at least 50 per cent plus one voter turnout to be valid. Voting took place on 08 & 09 June, coinciding with local elections in various regions and municipalities. The first four questions addressed labour-related issues, including worker protections, obligations for small enterprises, regulation of short-term contracts, and clients' responsibility for subcontractor and employee safety. The fifth question proposed reducing the period required to be eligible for Italian citizenship from 10 years to five years. Government parties had opposed the referenda, and some politicians had urged citizens to abstain from voting. Analysts described the vote as a test for Giorgia Meloni’s government. According to the International Democracy Community, the referenda were characterised as a citizens’ initiative. Voter turnout had reached just over 7 per cent in the two days, which raised concerns about whether the required quorum would be met. For comparison, only 11.6 per cent had voted by midday during the last referendum in 2011. (Andreas Rogal, "Test for Meloni? Italian labour reform and citizenship referendum underway," Euronews, 08 June 2025)
LATVIA
Latvian local elections reveal rising fragmentation and populist gains
On 08 June, Euractiv reported that Latvia held municipal elections on 07 June 2025 across its 42 municipalities. Voter turnout was around 47 per cent, as reported by the time polls. The results showed growing political fragmentation, with a rise in the number of parties gaining seats and a weakening. The populist party “Latvia First” recorded significant momentum, achieving notable gains compared to previous cycles among the country's Russian-speaking minority. Overall, 731 councilor seats had been filled through open-list proportional representation, with each municipality allocated between 13 and 60 seats depending on size, where Riga held the maximum of 60 seats. Analysts interpreted the fragmentation and populist surge as a key indicator of public sentiment ahead of the next parliamentary elections set for October 2026. (Juris Sokolovskis, "Latvian municipal elections show increasing political fragmentation," Euractiv, 08 June 2025)
POLAND
Electoral Commission to review Presidential votes
On 08 June, the National Electoral Commission (PKW) was set to review vote count errors from some constituencies, as PKW member Ryszard Kalisz announced on X. This followed the second round of Poland’s presidential election, where Karol Nawrocki from Law and Justice Party’s (PiS) backing, and secured victory with 50.89 per cent, and narrowly defeating RafaÅ‚ Trzaskowski from Civic Coalition (KO), who had 49.11 per cent. The Supreme Court, which was to rule on the election’s validity, received 21 protests so far, with submissions open until 16 June. Meanwhile, an online petition for a recount gathered over 160,000 signatures, citing a slim margin of 189,000 invalid votes and reported irregularities. The mistakes were being confirmed in MiÅ„sk Mazowiecki and Kraków, where local commissions were admitting to errors. Additionally, Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, urged caution, saying all complaints were being investigated. The presidential office head, MaÅ‚gorzata Paprocka, was warning against spreading claims of fraud, calling such narratives harmful. (“Poland: Electoral commission will consider erroneously completed protocols,” Euronews, 08 June 2025)
SPAIN
Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez faces a no-confidence vote over corruption
On 07 June, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, was facing mounting pressure amidst a wave of corruption scandals involving close allies, including investigations into his wife, brother, and former transport minister, José Luis Ábalos. A report by El Confidencial alleged that Sánchez’s Spanish Socialist Workers' Party orchestrated a smear campaign against the Guardia Civil’s anti-corruption unit (UCO). Following that, the opposition Popular Party (PP) filed a legal complaint against former Socialist politician, Leire Díez, citing links to current Guardia Civil chief, Mercedes González, where the PP and far-right Vox were both vowing a strong response, but they differed a split on certain areas as PP preferred mass protests, while Vox demanded an immediate no-confidence vote, accusing PP of lacking resolve. Even using a similar way, Pedro Sánchez came to power in 2018 by toppling Mariano Rajoy through a no-confidence motion over corruption. Now, with his coalition partners wary and new revelations emerging, his position looked increasingly weak, though the divided opposition had yet to agree on how to act because of differences. (Inés Fernández-Pontes, “Scandals rattle Sánchez as opposition spars over confidence vote,” Euractiv, 07 June 2025)
SWITZERLAND
Afghan asylum seekers in a dilemma due to the repatriation policy
On 08 June, no Afghan asylum seekers had been deported under Switzerland’s new April policy, which enables the repatriation of single men with rejected claims. Deporting convicted Afghans proved the difficulty, as one was sent back after being denied entry in Kabul. Since October 2024, only five such deportations have occurred. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) confirmed these, but stated new returns required strict conditions and case-by-case review. Following this, Switzerland reopened its humanitarian office in Kabul, with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) head, Patricia Danzi, noting improved stability and ongoing CHF 27 million aid efforts. (“Swiss repatriation policy for Afghans has not been implemented,” Swissinfo, 08 June)
Graubünden’s Brienz slope at risk due to landslides
On 07 June, Beyond Brienz, known as the best monitored slope in Europe, especially in the canton of Graubünden, was facing serious risks from landslides and other natural hazards. In Brienz, around 80 residents had been evacuated due to the threat of a rock avalanche after 1.2 million cubic metres of debris narrowly missed the village in 2023. In Graubünden, about 10 per cent of the canton’s 170,000 buildings were located in general hazard zones. Around 5,100 of these were residential buildings, while others were used for agriculture, industry, or other purposes. Major risk lies near Thusis, Andeer, Savognin, Pontresina, and several other alpine valleys, where instances of landslides and rockfalls have occurred. The region was also exposed to issues over avalanches, floods, debris flows, and earthquakes. Even Cantonal expert, Urban Maissen, warned that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 near Chur could cause severe damage and lead to significant loss of life. (“Many Swiss valleys face considerable landslide risk,” Swissinfo, 07 June 2025)
Protesters in Lausanne condemn police violence
On 08 June, after a custodial death, roughly a thousand people gathered in Lausanne to protest the death of a Nigerian man who had died while in police custody nearly two weeks earlier. Demonstrators expressed outrage over recurring instances of alleged police brutality and racial injustice, referencing other deaths involving black men in the Vaud region. Outside the Montbenon courthouse, speakers accused the authorities of systemic racism and demanded accountability. Meanwhile, the Lausanne police association defended the officers under investigation, criticising what they described as a rushed public judgment. ("Thousands rally against police violence in Lausanne," Swissinfo, 08 June 2025)
REGIONAL
European Commission gives EUR 700,000 to Green NGOs
On 7 June, Brussels reportedly paid up to EUR 700,000 to environmental NGOs to lobby and take legal action against German companies, as Welt am Sonntag reported. ClientEarth allegedly received EUR 350,000 to sue German coal plants, while Friends of the Earth was said to campaign against the EU-Mercosur trade deal. The funds were paid in 2023, following the contracts signed with the Commission. It was used to influence MEPs on votes concerning chemicals and plant protection. Critics, including right-wing parties and the European People’s Party, accuse the Commission of misusing public funds for its green agenda. The Commission denied wrongdoing, saying funding is transparent and goals are set by the NGOs. Yet, ClientEarth said that no EU money covered litigation costs. (Charles Szumski and Thomas Moller-Nielsen, “EU Commission paid environmental NGOs to target Germany, report says,” Euractive, 08 June 2025)
European Commission pushes back against NGO gag order accusations
On 07 June, the European Commission accused NGOs and Hungary that the Commission was retaliating with an “NGO gag order.” The accusation centred on the Commission's introduction of new funding guidelines that barred NGOs from using EU funds for advocacy or lobbying activities. Critics warned that the policy shift would marginalise environmental and social NGOs such as WWF and ClientEarth, potentially amplifying the influence of corporate lobby groups by comparison. The Commission defended the rules by citing concerns over reputational risks and misuse of public funds as motivation for restricting advocacy spending. Documents revealed that the Secretariat General had ordered several DGs, including DG Environment, to amend and revise the terms of previously awarded grants to prohibit advocacy. Observers described the move as part of a broader strategy by conservative and far-right MEPs to weaken the capacity of NGOs to influence EU policy, thereby reducing corporate lobbying. EU-based watchdog groups expressed alarm that the restrictions could undermine democratic processes, reinforce the dominance of corporate interests, and diminish transparent debate in areas like the environment, climate, and consumer rights. (Mala de La Baume, "European Commission goes on the offensive in NGO accusations case," Euronews, 07 June 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
Pope Leo XIV welcomes Argentina’s President Javier Milei at the Vatican
On 07 June, Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, arrived at the Vatican as part of his 10-day European tour, which includes his visits to Spain, France, and Israel. He also met Pope Leo XIV to discuss urgent peace efforts, bilateral relations, and issues like poverty reduction, economic progress, and social cohesion, according to the Holy See Press. Following this, Milei was also holding talks with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Under-Secretary of State, MirosÅ‚aw Wachowski. He arrived in Rome on 06 June, where he was attending the signing of a natural gas export deal. Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, joined the event and was hosting Milei for a private dinner that evening. Shortly after his Vatican visit, Milei was heading to Spain for the Madrid Economic Forum, with plans to continue to France and conclude his tour in Israel on 11 June, where he was scheduled to receive an award at the Knesset. (Evelyn Ann-Marie Dom, “Pope Leo XIV welcomes Argentine President Javier Milei at Vatican,” Euronews, 7 June 2025)