Photo : Hungary Today
In Brief
By Alka Bala
FRANCE
Sociologist and political-scientist Alfred Grosser dies at 99
On 08 February, Deutsche Welle reported on the death of Alfred Grosser, a Jewish-origin intellectual and German-French writer in Paris. Grosser’s contribution towards Franco-German relations is significant in restoring bilateral ties between the two nations post-Second World War. Completing his studies at Sciences Po College in Paris, he has authored more than 30 books and publications explaining the mindset of the French and the Germans, while providing internal and external perspectives. He was also a recipient of awards from both countries for his work, and had even received the highest honour of France- Grand Cross of France's Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor (Légion d'Honneur). His unconventional opinions on Israel provoking a war with Iran in 2007 had garnered him criticism as an antisemite, however, he highlighted that people should be able to criticise Israel without being tagged as an antisemite. (Sarah Judith Hofmann, “German-French sociologist Alfred Grosser dies at 99,” Deutsche Welle, 08 February 2024)
Farmers' protest and EU response, a recede for green goals
On 07 February, Politico reported French farmers’ protest against EU environmental standards and import of grains from Ukraine, comprising only 1.5 per cent of the population had forced Emmanuel Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President to reverse the green farming rules. It also restricted the massive food imports from Ukraine and scraped the plans to eliminate pesticide use. The upcoming European elections have forced Paris and Brussels to double back on environmental commitments, garnering the strongest political consequences from France, even as the rest of Europe faces farmer’s protests such as in Germany, Poland, Italy and Belgium. Macron’s disapproval of the EU’s Free Trade Agreement with the Latin American Mercosur bloc has sparked criticism from other EU nations. Jordi Cañas, European Parliament’s delegation for Mercosur views this move as an attempt to “divert the attention of farmers.” Whereas Macron believes that if Brussels does not take actions to simply rule in support of the farmers, it would lead to a win for the far-right in European elections. (Giorgio Leali and Victor Goury-Laffont, “The French farmer on a tractor is back — running the EU,” Politico, 07 February 2024)
RUSSIA
Boris Nadezhdin, a pro-peace candidate against Putin banned from election
On 08 February, Deutsche Welle reported the ban on anti-war candidate Boris Nadezhdin by Russia’s Central Election Commission from standing in the upcoming presidential elections. Nadezhdin was the opposition’s best hope against Vladimir Putin, the current Russian President who would now run against three namesake opposition candidates, backed by the Kremlin. The ban on Nadezhdin was justified by citing the incorrect signatures obtained from the supporters, where out of a random sample of 60,000 signatures, 9,147 signatures were declared invalid. However, Nadezhdin plans to challenge this decision in the Supreme Court, believing “sooner or later, I will be the President of the Russian Federation.” Nadezhdin during his election rally had campaigned against Russia’s war in Ukraine. (“Boris Nadezhdin: Russia bans antiwar candidate from election,” Deutsche Welle, 08 February 2024)
REGIONAL
EU unable to agree on a consent-based definition of rape
On 07 February, Deutsche Welle reported on the inability of the European Union to agree to a standard consent-based legal definition for rape. Frances Fitzgerald an Irish Member of the European Parliament who was in charge of formulating common guidelines for violence against women in the EU, remarked her displeasure on “disturbing insights into the attitudes to rape” by certain member states and over the inability to get the definition into the directive. Different EU member states have different regulations on rape and its definition; 14 member states follow an “only yes means yes” approach, which specifies clear consent for sexual activity. Whereas Germany and Austria follow the “no means no” principle which means the victims would have to prove their verbal refusal, while the other 11 member nations, including France and East Europe countries, consider resistance to violence or threatening situations as elements of rape. However, the EU’s proposal for a uniform law on rape and violence has been met with opposition from Germany, France and Hungary as they believe the “only yes means yes” principle lacks a “legal basis for provision in European primary law.” (Lucia Schulten, “EU fails to agree on legal definition of rape,” Deutsche Welle, 07 February 2024)
Commission launches infringement procedure on Hungary
On 08 February, About Hungary reported on the European Commission’s formal letter to Hungary indicating the launch of an infringement procedure over Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Act. The Act, which has been in force since December 2023, has powers to investigate activities carried out by foreign bodies, states or individuals that might violate Hungary’s sovereignty or influence the outcome of elections and voter’s will. The law restricts candidates and parties from using foreign funds and allows for punishment under criminal law for doing so. EC found the law as volatile of the “democratic values of the Union; the principle of democracy and the electoral rights of EU citizens” and other rights regarding privacy and protection of personal data and freedom of expression and association. Hungary can take two months to reply to the formal letter. Zoltán Kovács, Hungary’s State Secretary for International Communications and Relations remarked that Brussels and the “dollar left” are attacking the new law as it limits foreign influence and that “the main supporter of the dollar left was George Soros” in the 2022 campaign. He reiterated that according to the law, “accepting campaign funds from abroad is a criminal offense.” (“Zoltán Kovács: The sovereignty protection law is being attacked because its aim is to prevent foreign influence,” About Hungary, 7 February 2024 and “EC to launch infringement procedure over Hungary's Sovereignty Protection Act,” About Hungary, 08 February 2024)
European Parliament calls for a global moratorium after Norway’s clearance for deep-sea mining
On 07 February, the Environmental Justice Foundation reported on the European Parliament’s response to the call for a global moratorium on the industry as a response to Norway’s decision to allow deep-sea mining in the Arctic, earlier in January. Anne-Sophie Roux, Deep Sea Mining Europe Lead, remarked that currently there is a lack of scientific knowledge and “Any mining activity would therefore contradict Norway’s commitment to the precautionary approach, sustainable management, and international climate and nature obligations.” The resolution by the Parliament also raised concerns about the impact of Norway’s deep-sea mining on the EU fisheries, food security marine biodiversity and other impacts on its neighbours. Reports claim that deep-sea mining will provide financial benefits only to a limited few. (“European Parliament responds to Norway’s decision to open the Arctic to deep-sea mining by calling for a global moratorium on the industry,” Environmental Justice Foundation, 07 February 2024 )
INTERNATIONAL
Historical tales of caution highlight Carlson as the latest in the trend to support tyrants
On 08 February, Politico reported on Tucker Carlson and his support for Russia as he set to interview Vladimir Putin, the Russian President in Moscow. His support for Putin and Russia was earlier made evident when he had argued for Washington’s support to Russia in the Ukraine war and had labelled Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President as a Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He is also in tune with Putin’s call for traditional values, against LGBTQ+ rights. Politico draws similar parallels in the past regarding Walter Duranty, bureau chief of the New York Times in Moscow from 1922 to 1936 where he interviewed Joseph Stalin and falsely reported on the millions of deaths in a deadly Ukrainian famine. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Soviet Union however, the New York Times had discredited it. Insights of other supporters of Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler were William Joyce and Unity Mitford who amplified the Nazi propaganda. (Jamie Dettmer, “Tucker Carlson joins long line of ‘useful idiot’ journalists helping tyrants,” Politico, 08 February 2024)