Photo : Thomas Samson/AFP
In Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
FRANCE
National Assembly approves to include abortion rights in the constitution
On 30 January, France’s National Assembly voted in favour of including abortion rights into the constitution. The move comes following Emmanuel Macron, France’s President promise in 2023 to constitutionalise the abortion bill. In the lower house, 493 voted in favour while 30 voted against. For an amendment into the French constitution, either both chambers of the parliament approve through a referendum or through three-fifth of majority by a joint session, the later, being the preferred option of Macron, the next step of Senate approval is scheduled for 28 February. At the parliament not many major parties stand against the bill but centre-right members seem to oppose as they consider it not necessary to constitutionalise as access to abortion in France is not threatened. (“French lawmakers vote to enshrine abortion in constitution,” Deutsche Welle, 30 January 2024
RUSSIA
Putin’s contender submits bit to take part in the election
On 31 January, Boris Nadezhdin, a potential candidate to Russia’s presidential election submitted close to 100,000 signatures from supporters to register for the election. Following this the Central Election Commission will authenticate the signature and decide his candidacy. Nadezhdin is considered the only anti-war candidate and he said: “People understand that their lives and the safety of their families is threatened by what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is doing.” On submitting the signatures, he stated on calling for protests if rejected by the commission. (“Putin challenger submits bid to run in Russian election,” Deutsche Welle, 31 January 2024)
SPAIN
Bill to grant amnesty to Catalans fails in the lower house
On 30 January, the controversial bill to grant amnesty to the Catalan separatists was rejected in the lower house of the parliament. The bill was pushed by Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s Prime Minister in exchange of the support received from the Catalan political group to form the coalition government in 2023. Although the law trigger domestic protests and opposition from the Popular Party headed by Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the bill was important for Sanchez to maintain the government. The bill suffered a setback with no support from the Junts party which comprises Catalans. Junts withdrew its support to the bill asking points on terrorism to be removed. This is because, some of the Catalans who were part of the 2017 secession bid have been charged under terrorism-related crimes. (“Spain: Amnesty bill for Catalan separatists rejected,” Deutsche Welle, 30 January 2024)
THE UK
DUP sign deal with the UK ending the political deadlock
On 30 January, the leaders of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) signed a deal with the UK government to revive the power-sharing government in the Northern Ireland. The move comes after two years of “power vacuum” where the nationalist part Sinn Fein won with majority and DUP disagreed to form government due to clash over post-Brexit trade arrangements. To address this the UK and the EU reached a deal to ease the border checks and to bifurcate the goods moving through the Northern Ireland, the UK and the EU. Despite the deal, the DUP continued to boycott and on pressure, the UK approved GBP three billion for public services and made “legislative assurances” to put back DUP. The details of the deal still undisclosed, DUP has agreed to form the government with Sinn Fein party. (“Northern Ireland eyes end to government shutdown,” Deutsche Welle, 30 January 2024)