Photo : PLD Space/Handout via Reuters
09 October 2023, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #641
EM In Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
FRANCE
Accused for giving weapons to Armenia
On 08 October, Politico reported on Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s President criticism against France for being the reason for conflict with Armenia. Aliyev accused France for providing weapons to Armenia was not useful in establishing peace but served as escalation of conflict. France and Armenia which has strong diplomatic relations and has been the host to many Armenians. Although Josep Michel, EU’s High Representative assured EUs commitment to normalize relations, the criticism has come from Azerbaijan. France’s ministry of foreign affairs is yet to respond. (Sarah Anne Aarup, “Azerbaijan leader: ‘France would be responsible’ for any new conflict with Armenia,” Politico, 08 October 2023)
GERMANY
CDU and CSU win elections in Bavaria
On 08 October, Deutsche Welle reported on the win of Christian Social Union (CSU) party and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the elections held in Bavaria and Hesse. According to the report, the win of CSU and CDU showcased the gains of AfD party (far-right). The CDU lead by Boris Rhein won 34.6 per cent followed by AfD far-right with 18.4 per cent and lastly Social Democrats placed in third place with 15.1 per cent. In case of Greens and SPD which received 14.4 per cent and 8.4 per cent failed to meet the threshold to enter Bavaria’s parliament. (“Germany: CSU and CDU victorious in Bavaria and Hesse,” Deutsche Welle, 08 October 2023)
LUXEMBOURG
Christian Social People’s Party wins general elections
On 08 October, in Luxembourg general elections, center-right Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) won the elections with 21 seats of 60. The outgoing coalition consisting the Greens, the Socialists and liberal Democratic Party along led by Xavier Bettel’s failed to secure majority. The election result indicates strong hold of CSV which will initiate the formation of coalition on 09 October. According to CSV leader Luc Frieden: “…voters voted massively for a different government and a different policy…They put the CSV in a position to play a key role in the formation of that government.” In the case of right wing Alternative Democratic Reform party (ARD), it made gains with extra seats securing fourth place in the election. (Nicolas Camut, “Luxembourg PM Bettel faces exit after election defeat,” Politico, 09 October 2023)
SPAIN
Protest against giving amnesty to Catalan leaders
On 08 October, many thousands of people staged protests in Barcelona against the proposal of giving amnesty to Catalan Separatists. According to the States’s police, more than 50,000 took part in the protest whereas according to Societat Civil Catalana (SCC), a civil society group which organized recorded 300,000 protestors. The protests have emerged to the continuing political impasse in Spain’s government. After the failure of People’s Party leader Alberto Feijoo to form a coalition government, Socialist group leader Pedro Sanchez will now attempt to form government. To form the coalition, support of Junts, along with Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya party is required. Giving of amnesty would mean elimination of charges on Catalan leaders who tried for 2017 independence bid. This has sparked protest among people. (“Spain: Protest against Catalan amnesty deal draws huge crowd,” Deutsche Welle, 08 October 2023)
PLD Space firm succeeds in launching Miura-1 private rocket
On 07 October, Spain’s firm PLD Space launched its first private rocket. This will be Europe’s full private rocket to step its space agenda. The rocket called as Miura-1 was launched from a military base in Andalusia. According to Raul Torres, Chief Executive of PDL Space, the systems in rocket worked “perfectly” after two failed attempts. In recent years, Europe was under scrutiny due to its failure in sending small satellites. Along with Spain, firms from Scotland, Sweden and Germany are in line to join the race in sending small payloads. (“Spain's first private rocket launch deemed 'successful',” Deutsch Welle, 07 October 2023)