Photo : BBC
In Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
GREECE
Divide among the political parties over same-sex marriage and adoption
On 07 February, Politico reported on Kyriakos Mitsotakis Greece Prime Minister’s attempt in the parliament to pass a bill legalising same sex marriage. The vote being scheduled for 15 February, has not gained much support among his party members, making Mitsotakis rely on leftist opposition group to pass the bill. This has led to the metropolitan bishops to organise protests and warned: “..those who vote for it cannot remain members of the church.” The bill recognises the “right of same-sex couples to adopt,” According to the report, his push behind the bill is viewed to attract the international to repair the earlier reputation damages. In terms of support, both the right and left-wing Syriza party is observed to be divided over gay marriage and adoptions, whereas the stance of centre-left remains unclear. As per the survey by Pew Research Center, many in Greece along with Poland, and Hungary remains to be against same-sex marriage. (Nektaria Stamouli, “Greece’s Mitsotakis makes progressive pivot with same-sex marriage bill,” Politico, 07 February 2024)
RUSSIA
Nikolay says no withdrawal from the Arctic Council despite low activity
On 06 February, Nikolay Korchunov, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Ambassador issued statement on the Russia’s decision to not withdraw from the Arctic Council. He highlighted on Russia keeping its “options for foreign policy” open even in case of the council activities not meeting its interest. He said that the council was operation at “its lowest capacity,” and Norway’s failure to restart since it lacks support from other members. The Arctic Council established in 1996 is a high-level intergovernmental forum to promote cooperation and protection. Western countries have suspended their activities since Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. (“Russia Not Ruling Out Withdrawal From Arctic Council if Necessary,” Sputnik, 06 January 2024)
SPAIN
Farmers protest over the EU regulations
On 06 February, adding to the farmer protests across the EU, farmer in Spain staged protests demanding for flexibility over the controls imposed by the EU on products of non-EU countries. They blocked the road using tractors, horns and showing placards causing disruption and intend to stage a larger protest in late February. The protest was observed in north-eastern Catalonia, southern Andalusia, and Extremadura in the west. Similar to the farmers in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy, they criticised the regulations of EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), high fuel and energy cost to be challenging. (Guy Hedgecoe, “Spanish farmers join wave of protests,” BBC, 06 January 2024)
THE UK
Sinn Fein First Minister considered a historic point for the Northern Ireland
On 06 February, in an editorial, Le Monde reported on the latest history point in the Northern Ireland following the formation of new government with Michelle O’Neill as First Minister. It is historic since the Sinn Fein party, a political section of the Irish Republican Army in the civil war between 1968-1998 and took the wheels since 1921 creation post partition of Ireland. It is known for its support for a united Ireland, with O’Neill leading the government alongside Emma Little-Pengelly from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) sets a new stage to implement the Good Friday Peace Agreement (1998). This deal ended the three decades of fighting between the Catholic republicans and protestant unionists. The agreement instructs for a referendum for reunification, a shift is not in the radar. Although the success is perceived as way forward to pushback the moment in the North. (“A historic turning point for Northern Ireland,” Le Monde, 06 February 2024)
REGIONAL
Commission proposes two targets to set the climate goals right
On 06 February, the European Commission proposed two recommendations to meet the EU climate goals. One, it vouched for a 90 per cent cut in the greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. This target is set to help the EU on track to achieve the net zero emission by 2050. In 2022, the emission was reduced by 33 per cent and the commission stressed on more focus for citizens to enjoy the benefit from climate transition. Two, it proposed a document with plans to “capture and store” millions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission by 2050. The proposal comes a juncture where the EU witness mass farmer protests and a tight climate target to meet. Key reasons behind the proposal are to target climate neutrality and increased CO2 reductions. (“European Commission pushes to slash emissions by 2040,” Deutsche Welle, 06 February 2024)
Ursula relaxes the chemical pesticide use
On 06 February, Ursula Von Der Leyen, European Commission President proposed withdrawal of a plan to cut the pesticide use in agriculture as a negotiation against the farmer protests. She indicated that the earlier announced green transition as “symbol of polarization,” and the initial target to half down the chemical pesticide use in the EU had paused in the discussions in the European Parliament. On the farmers, she added: “Many of them feel pushed into a corner…our farmers deserve to be listened to,” but she also insisted on turning the European agriculture into a sustainable form of production. The pesticide problem is only one out of the grievances stated the farmers on protest across Europe where the larger environmental regulation remains debated. (“EU's von der Leyen backtracks on cutting pesticide use,” Le Monde, 06 February 2024)
Hungary's vote to Sweden's accession prolongs
On 06 February, in the session held by Hungary’s opposition to vote for Sweden’s accession only 51 MPs participated out of 199 prolonging the decision. While one of the MPs from the left liberal opposition party criticised Victor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister for the delay, the conservative Jobbik party and far-right Mi Hazánk party found the vote against its interest. Following this David Pressman who was the attendees in the parliament said: “Sweden's accession to NATO is an issue that directly affects the national security of the United States and also the security of the entire alliance.” (Niklas Zimmermann, “Continue waiting for a yes from Budapest,” Frankfurt Allgemeine, 06 February 2024)