Photo : REUTERS/Johanna Geron
25 November 2021, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #52
IN FOCUS
By Vaishnavi Iyer
Belgium: Protests over new COVID-19 restrictions
In the news
On 18 November, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Europe to be the epicentre of the epidemic, the only region where COVID-19 mortality is on the rise. In many Central and Eastern European countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, the autumn rush of diseases is overloading hospitals. As a result, face mask regulations have been increased in Belgium, particularly in locations like restaurants wherein COVID passes are now compulsory, and most citizens are expected to work from home "four days a week until mid-December." Measures have been initiated to make immunizations mandatory for health care employees. All healthcare employees in Belgium are required to be vaccinated as of 01 January, or fear being laid off if they decline.
What happened?
On 21 November, thousands of people marched through central Brussels to denounce the Belgian government's COVID-19 regulations, which were introduced in response to the recent surge in coronavirus cases. According to police, 35,000 people gathered in Brussels to protest the COVID Safe Pass app, which shows the immunization and recovery status required to enter bars and restaurants. Protestors wished to express their displeasure with the COVID limitations, which were strengthened last week in response to an increase in the number of illnesses. Hundreds of people began throwing rocks at police officers, shattering cars, and setting garbage cans on fire. Police used tear gas and water cannons in retaliation to restore the situation. The conflicts resulted in the injuries of three police officers and one protester. Furthermore, 42 protestors were detained and two were taken into custody in the violent rampage that followed the demonstration.
Demography of protestors
The far-right, extremists spouting anti-vaccine conspiracies and antisemitism, as well as apolitical people resisting vaccination, including families, were among those who attended the march, according to local media. Protesters gathered around a large banner reading "Together for Freedom" and advanced to the European Union offices, shouting "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!" while also chanting the anti-fascist hymn "Bella Ciao." The signs in the group ranged from far-right emblems to rainbow flags of the LGBTQ community.
Response from politicians
After a nonviolent demonstration against coronavirus regulations became deadly in Brussels, Belgian politicians strongly condemned the violence in the protests. Belgian Prime minister Alexander De Croo denounced mandatory COVID vaccinations as a "false good idea", claiming that persuasion would be more difficult in practice and that it would be "more effective to persuade people". Belgium's home affairs minister Annelies Verlinden said: "A mature democracy respects the opinion of a minority but does not accept that a few abuse their protest vote by force. Vaccinated or not: it is important that we continue to follow the measures." The violence has rekindled the debate in Belgium about mandatory vaccination, an issue that has split the government coalition's seven parties. The Socialist deputy prime minister and economy minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne, supporting the need to open the debate, stated: "We must have this debate because we know that we are going to live with this virus for months and even years. We cannot limit ourselves to short-term measures." The government is already receiving criticism for requiring healthcare workers to get the COVID vaccine.
In perspective
Alexander De Croo's remarks were directly aimed at the violent minority that disrupted demonstrations in Brussels. However, there is a broader sense of dissatisfaction among Western European political leaders: when the anticipated autumn surge materialises, a large minority of citizens are exacerbating the issue by declining to be vaccinated. Dealing with this segment of the population, which is significantly more likely to require medical treatment following infection, has become a significant policy conundrum for governments attempting to balance civil liberties along with preserving societal needs. For any liberal democracy, this is dangerous territory.
It is vital to emphasize the need for social separation and mask-wearing for all residents. While libertarian reasons cannot be permitted to override the necessity for social solidarity in the face of a pandemic, statutory discrimination against the unvaccinated must be accompanied by more robust efforts to explain, convince, the hesitant crowd. This is especially true in parts of the population where public trust is at an all-time low and civic disengagement is already rampant. If permitted to remain for any length of time, a two-tier COVID society will become a boon to far-right groups looking for fertile ground. Austria's Freedom Party is exploiting anti-vaccination protests as a form of rehabilitation after being tarnished by a corruption scandal that saw its popularity drop. In Germany, a contentious debate is raging over whether making vaccination compulsory would infringe the constitutionally protected right to "bodily integrity." It is critical to find a more cooperative path in these lines.
Understanding the protestors
Furthermore, there is no consistent trend in the protestors' demographic affiliation. They were made up of both youth and adults, and a few even brandished LGBTQ flags. There was also no specific restraint in the sphere of religion. Vaccination sceptics in Europe have some characteristics with anti-vaxxers in the US, but they also have a distinct profile. Far-right fringe organizations, soccer fanatics, libertarians from both sides of the political spectrum, and citizens fearful of vaccines due to a barrage of misinformation are among them.
Anti-vaxxers in the US and Europe typically share a mistrust of the government, stating different reasons. According to Alix Kroeger, Europe's vaccine hesitant crowd tends to cluster in the southeastern parts, in countries that were once divided by the Iron Curtain and also where citizens shared a common distrust of communist government and authorities even when it came to health issues. In addition, the COVID-19 vaccine is the second vaccine to be declared mandatory, following the polio vaccine. The government has stringent laws against polio anti-vaxxers, but the number of polio anti-vaxxers in Belgium is equally high. As a result, the COVID-19 vaccination is not the only vaccine that has been rejected by the public. While anti-vaxxers resort to violence, the same skepticism may be useful in measuring the success of herd immunity. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to examine the demographics of these protestors, since some may have already got one shot or may just desire proof of the vaccine's effectiveness. In the event that individuals protest on religious grounds, the government may consider steps to address religious exemptions to the law. To keep the peace in Belgium's society and keep infection rates low, the Belgian government may have to step carefully in order to develop trust among vaccine sceptics.
References
"The Guardian view on Europe's Covid protests: treat with care," The Guardian, 23 November 2021.
Jennifer Rankin , "Violent anti-lockdown protesters are idiots, says Dutch PM," The Guardian, 22 November 2021.
"Covid: Huge protests across Europe over new restrictions," BBC, 22 November 2021.
Raf Casert, "Tens of thousands protest Belgium's tighter COVID-19 rules," AP News, 22 November 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Padmashree Anandhan
MIGRATION
More migrant boats arrive despite drownings in the English Channel
On 24 November, a fishing boat set off an alarm where 27 men and several women were dead in the English Channel. So far, 47,000 have attempted to cross the channel to enter the UK, but it was this time where the boats have sunk. The reason for the accident is unknown; as per the rescue authorities, the boat seemed to be in a fragile condition. Five people responsible for the incident have been arrested. The most concerning issue is that the crossing has not stopped despite the happening, and more boats seem to be arriving. As per the leaders of the UK and France, both have agreed to cooperate and take steps to prevent worsening the humanitarian situation. The UK prime minister said that "he hoped the French would now find a renewed offer of joint patrols along the French Channel coast acceptable." While Mr. Macron has said "he was expecting the British to cooperate fully, and that they abstain from instrumentalizing a tragic situation for political purposes." (Dulcie Lee, "Channel deaths: More boats arrive after 27 people drown", BBC, 25 November 2021)
GERMANY
Olaf Scholz to head the three-party coalition replacing Angela Merkel
The coalition of the Social Democrat Party, the Greens, and business-friendly Free Democrats will be headed by Olaf Scholz. In the recent conference, the three-party coalition announced its significant plans. Starting with climate protection which forms the core deal of the coalition. It aims to phase out usage of coal by 2030 and wants its 80 percent of its electricity to be renewable energy. Part of its agenda it is planning to legalise the sale of cannabis and the distribution of a drug in licensed premises. Mr Scholz highlighted the importance of Germany's relations with France and the US. With Europe facing its worst in the spread of Covid infection, the party has promised to invest EUR one billion as bonus to its health workers and plans to mandate vaccines for the essential workers. In terms of taking a stance on Russia and China, it is believed that the coalition will take a tougher stance. (Katya Adler "Germany's Team Scholz sweeps away 16 years of Merkel," BBC, 25 November 2021)
POLAND
Constitutional Tribunal rules ECHR's inability to review the appointment of judges
On 24 November, Poland's Constitutional Tribunal declared the incompatibility of the European Convention on Human Rights with the country's constitution. According to the ruling, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has no jurisdiction over reviewing and assessing the legitimacy of judicial appointments to Polish courts. The Tribunal's head Julia Przylebska stated: "Article 6 of the Convention… as far as it includes the Constitutional Tribunal in its definition of a court, is not compatible." Polish opposition parties, however, condemned the ruling by blaming the government for facilitating Poland's removal from the convention. Expressing her concern over the ruling, the Council of Europe's Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic Buric stated: "Today's judgment from the Polish Constitutional Tribunal is unprecedented and raises serious concerns. We will carefully assess the judgment's reasoning and its effects." ("Poland court says European rights pact 'incompatible' with constitution," Deutsche Welle, 25 November 2021)
SWEDEN
Magdalena Andersson resigns as Swedish Prime Minister within seven hours
On 24 November, Sweden's first female Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson resigned just hours after her appointment. The resignation came after her Social Democrat party's junior coalition partner, the Green Party chose to quit the government. The series of events were triggered following the parliament's rejection of the budget proposed by the coalition government; it was voted down in favour of spending plans suggested by the opposition parties. Commenting on the resignation, Andersson said: "For me, it is about respect, but I also do not want to lead a government where there may be grounds to question its legitimacy… There is a constitutional practice that a coalition government should resign when one party quits." Expressing her hope to return to office, Andersson said: "I am ready to be prime minister in a single-party, Social Democrat government." The Green Party head Marta Stenevi, however, expressed her regret over the administrative crisis, and stated: "We have sought to be in government to deliver green policies, it is not our job to administer a budget negotiated by the Sweden Democrats." ("Sweden's first female prime minister resigns hours after appointment," Deutsche Welle, 24 November 2021; "Sweden's first female prime minister resigns after less than 12 hours," The Guardian, 24 November 2021; Charlie Duxbury and Ali Walker, "Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson resigns hours after taking job," POLITICO, 24 November 2021)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Apple and Amazon fined for breaching the competition regulation
The tech giants Apple and Amazon have been charged EUR 200 million by the Italy's competition watchdog for deliberately breaching the competition regulations. The Italian competition authority has stated that the companies have violated both the EU rules and affected the pricing. It said "It ordered the two companies to end the restrictions and give resellers access in a non-discriminatory manner." In response both the companies have denied the charges and have planned to appeal. The spokesperson of Amazon has said that "We reject the suggestion that Amazon benefits by excluding sellers from our store, since our business model relies on their success." ("Italy fines Apple and Amazon over Beats headphones," BBC, 24 November 2021)
SPORTS
Football: Versailles court declares Karim Benzema guilty of blackmail
On 24 November, a Versailles court found French international footballer and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema guilty of 'complicity in attempted blackmail'. The star footballer has received a one-year suspended jail sentence along with a fine of EUR 75,000. Implicated in a sex tape extortion scandal, Benzema is alleged to have blackmailed his French teammate Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema, who has reiterated his innocence, is set to appeal against the verdict, which his lawyer terms as "unfair and based on no proof". The trial for the scandal, which occurred in June 2015, took place in October. According to the judge: "(Benzema) personally got involved, with insistence, to try to convince Mathieu Valbuena to meet his trusted man." Last month, however, the French football federation stated that Benzema would not be restricted from playing even if found guilty. (Angelique Chrisafis, "French footballer Karim Benzema guilty in sex tape extortion scandal," The Guardian, 24 November 2021; "Karim Benzema: French footballer guilty in sex tape blackmail case," BBC, 24 November 2021)