Photo : EPA-Yonhap
In Brief
By Alka Bala and Padmashree Anandhan
FINLAND
Stubb wins Presidential elections
On 11 February, according to Deutsche Welle, centre-right presidential candidate Alexander Stubb won the run-off elections by a margin of four per cent. Alexander Stubb, Finland’s former Prime Minister garnered 52.3 per cent of the votes compared to 47.9 per cent of votes by his rival Pekka Haavisto from Green Party. Stubb had earlier voiced strong support for Ukraine and had urged the European Union to do more in the situation. His approach towards defence contrasted with his rival’s, where he believed in the permanent deployment of troops in Finland using the nation as a transit for nuclear weapons. Whereas he does not support the permanent storage of nuclear weapons in the country. Stubb has called for an anti-Moscow approach until the war in Ukraine is stopped. (“Finland: Alexander Stubb claims win in presidential runoff,” Deutsche Welle, 11 February 2024)
NETHERLANDS’
Appeals Court halts export of F-35 fighter jets to Israel
On 12 February, according to Deutsche Welle, the Appeals Court in The Hague called for a halt in the export of parts of F-35 fighter jets to Israel. Israel is using them in “serious violations of international humanitarian law," the ruling by Judge Bas Boele stated. According to the ruling, the government has to comply with it within seven days after judgement. The case was petitioned by three human rights organisations, Oxfam's Dutch affiliate, PAX and The Rights Forum, and argued that delivery of these weapon parts would make Netherlands complicit in the war crimes committed by Israel. The lawyers of the Dutch government raised the argument that the weapons in Dutch warehouses are US-owned and made, and questioned the jurisdiction of authorities to intervene as it is a US-run operation. (“Dutch court bans export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel,” Deutsche Welle, 11 February 2024)
SPAIN
Eight arrested after killing of two police officers in Barbate
On 12 February, the BBC reported on the arrest of eight including drug dealers and money launderers following the killing of two officers Miguel Angel Gomez Gonzalez and David Perez Carracedo. This comes after the officers were injured in a boat chase in southern port of Barbate under suspicion of drug trafficking. According to the report in El Pais, Miguel Moline, Barbate’s Mayor had earlier requested for assistance after “narco-boats” were spotted. The incident sparked shock across the local community insisting on giving more powers to police and in a statement, the Spanish Guardia Civil officers' association (AUGC) said: “Long demanded a "real plan" to provide officers with better means and resources to fight drug traffickers.” They also called for resignation of Spain’s Interior Minister. (Laura Gozzi, “Spain: Eight arrests after two officers die in 'narco-boat' chase,” BBC, 12 February 2024)
REGIONAL
Work piles on European Commission as it investigates 50 deals
On 07 February, Politico reported on the increase in work by European Union regulators as they investigate deals based on the new rules aimed at non-EU companies that are supplied with State support, especially from China. The rules entered into force in October and require EU officials to investigate whether the state-funded businesses increase unfair competition for European companies. Currently, the European Commission has 50 deals under review for unfair advantages for foreign subsidies. The Commission had only expected to review 30 in a year; however, it has cleared 12 in four months. Lawyers also raised concerns about the Commission not being adequately equipped to handle the increased number of filings. (Varg Folkman, “EU team combating Chinese subsidies struggles with a flood of deals,” Politico,11 February 2024)
EU scraps promoting lab-grown meat from climate proposal
On 09 February, Politico reported on the European Commission scrapping its initiative from its climate agenda for promoting “lab-grown and plant-based meats” following the request from Janusz Wojciechowski, Agriculture Commissioner. Earlier, the EU released its climate goal for 2040 on 06 February including the concessions to farming sector. The previous draft included conditions on producing healthier diets through right incentives, but in the final version the “diversified protein intake” was removed. Lab-grown meats, plant-based alternatives and novel protein were considered as key products to reduce environmental impact. Especially Beef is viewed the largest source of greenhouse gases, although full ban on lab-grown produce has not initiated yet, few governments like Italy have proposed laws. (“EU dumped lab meats from climate plans on farm chief’s demand,” Politico, 09 February)