Photo : Reuters
EM In Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
POLAND
Civic Coalition party in leverage to forming the coalition government
On 17 October, BBC reported on Poland’s opposition party Civic Coalition gaining enough votes to win the governing Law and Justice party (PiS). In the election results, PiS won 35.38 per cent whereas the Civic Coalition secured 30.7 per cent. To form a majority government, a party requires 231 seats and PiS drawback is its possible coalition partner seats winning only 12 seats will not help in securing the majority. Therefore, the opposition is in favour to form government with support from Third Way and New Left parties. Till 14 November, the PiS party will be given time to form coalition and on failure the opposition will be asked. (“Poland election: Tusk's opposition eyes power after pivotal vote,” BBC, 17 October 2023)
RUSSIA
State of Duma adopts bill withdrawing from ratifying of CTBT
On 18 October, Russia’s State of Duma adopted a bill declaring the withdrawal of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State of Duma, criticized the US for ratifying and showcasing itself as hegemon of a unipolar world. Therefore, in interest of Russia’s security, justice and stability the bill was adopted. In the statement by the Chairman of the International Affairs Committee: “We will monitor the US activity, as its every action on the world stage, unfortunately, undermines the nuclear non-proliferation regime, the strategic balance of nuclear forces and global security.” (The State of Duma, “The State Duma adopted the bill de-ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty,” Duma.gov.ru, 18 October 2023)
SWEDEN
Government announces damage in Estonia-Sweden telecom cable
On 17 October, Sweden’s government announced the telecom cable connecting Estonia and Sweden to be damaged. According to Carl-Oskar, Sweden’s Civil Defence Minister the damage had occurred at the same time when gas pipeline of Finland and Estonia were damaged. In response to the incident, authorities from Sweden, Finland, and Estonia will jointly investigate. Countries located in the Baltic Sea have triggered alert on surveillance of undersea infrastructure since September 2022. Russia which has denied the allegations of the attack to the pipeline, the responsible actor remain unknown. (Ido Vock, “Sweden investigating damage to Baltic undersea cable,” BBC, 17 October 2023)
REGIONAL
Council of Europe stresses the need to phase out from fossil fuels by 2030
On 16 October, after the EU environment ministers meeting, the European Council released a statement indicating EU’s position for the upcoming COP28 summit. The united stand is to completely phase out from use of fossil fuels by 2030. According to the statement, burning of oil, coal, gas results in greenhouses gases serving as casual factor for climate change. During the meeting, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and other EU member stated enforced the EU to place the demand. Another group of 10 EU member states, including Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Slovakia, and Poland vouched only for the phase out of “unabated” type of fossil fuels. The meeting laid importance on four key factors. One, increasing of “global ambition towards climate neutrality” especially in the advanced economies through strengthened Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Two, through diverting from fossil fuels and increased usage of renewable energy. Third and fourth on enhancing climate mitigation efforts and boosting climate finance to counter the damage and bring adaptation strategies. (European Council, “COP28: Council sets out EU position for UN climate summit in Dubai,” European Council, 16 October; “EU to push for phasing out fossil fuels at COP28,” Deutsche Welle, 17 October 2023)
France and Germany resist to agree on EU’s reform on government spending
On 17 October, in a meeting held between the EU finance ministers disagreement continued between France and Germany on EUs plan to rework rules on government spending. According to European Commission reforming of the Stability and Growth Pact is a priority to prevent debt accumulation. Therefore, reaching consensus among the 27 member states was necessary to reapply the rules which were earlier suspended due to pandemic. The reform is to maintain the government debt at 60 per cent or reducing it to 60 per cent of GDP and keeping annual deficit at three per cent of the GDP. Germany argues on keeping a benchmark or “safeguard” by individual countries as a way to speed down debt reduction or keep a check on deficits. Whereas France is opposing the reduction of annual spending. In case of Poland and Italy, seek for an exemption for defence spending and those investments sponsored by the EU loans under COVID-19 fund recovery. Being a year since the Commission proposed the reform, many EU member states remain to support. (Paola Tamma, “Franco-German disagreement stalls EU fiscal rules reform,” POLITICO, 17 October 2023)