Photo : Lafargue Raphael/ABACA/picture alliance
26 January 2024, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #740
In Brief
By Rosemary Kurian
FRANCE
Farmers’ protests continue for the second week
On 25 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the blockade by farmers’ unions of major highways in south-west France as they approached Paris. Major highways have been barricaded and roads blocked over their demands of reduced diesel price, EU subsidies and slashed bureaucratic procedures. This marks the greatest challenge in Gabriel Attal, the new French Prime Minister’s agenda as the right-wing, led by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, takes the opportunity to frame Macron’s government against farmers’ interests. Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, has inaugurated her “strategic dialogue” with the farmers to heed to their concerns and suggest alternatives before the European Parliament elections. (“France: Farmer protests edge closer to Paris,” Deutsche Welle, 25 January 2024)
French Court deems one-third of the immigration bill unconstitutional
On 25 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the decision by the French Constitutional Council to declare 32 out of the 86 articles of the controversial immigration bill unconstitutional. Almost one-third of the bill has been rejected by the court which had created significant anger and protests against the government. Macron’s government was forced to add these parts to gain the support of the far-right parties due to a failure to achieve a majority in the lower house. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally called the decision a “coup by the judges”. The bill as law suggested cutting of social benefits for immigrants and made family reunification difficult. (“France's top court rules against parts of immigration bill”, Deutsche Welle, 25 January 2024)
REGIONAL
Reports estimates major victory for far-right in the EU elections
On 25 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the report published by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) that predicted a major victory for far-right parties in the European Parliament elections in June. The report sees a potential coalition between conservative parties and radical groups in the Parliament that could significantly alter EU policy towards climate and immigration. The AfD in Germany is emerging as the second largest in the state, and Geert Wilders’ party for Freedom won most seats in the Netherlands. The report predicts far-right victory in France and Italy and a close second in Spain, Sweden and Germany in the polls. A far-right victory could hamper the European Green Deal and create anti-immigration policies that could affect the European agenda, given member states accept. (Roshni Majumdar, “Right-wing parties forecast for gains in 2024 EU elections,” Deutsche Welle, 25 January 2024)