Photo : Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP
05 March 2024, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #773
In Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
FRANCE
Parliament constitutionalises abortion rights of women
On 04 March, France’s parliament approved the bill with three-fifth majority to constitutionalise women’s abortions rights. Through the approval, Article 34 will be amended to include the conditions to put freedom of women under practise for an abortion. Emmanuel Macron, France’s President called it a “universal message” across the globe to defend abortion rights. The decision echoes back to the US Supreme Court decision which reversed women’s constitutional rights to abortion. France will be the first country to establish the right to terminate a pregnancy while many countries across Europe stand divided. First legalised in 1975 in France, the law allowed abortion up to 10th week and later extended to 14th week by 2022. Across Europe the divide can be viewed between the catholic countries, right-wing governments and eastern Europe. In the catholic countries like Spain, Malta, and Hungary doctors, healthcare providers refuse to give the abortion services under religious and moral basis. Whereas in the case of right-wing parties and eastern European countries unless there is threat to life or under situations of rape, incest imposes strict policies and ban on abortion. (“Why France enshrined abortion rights in its constitution,” Deutsche Welle, 04 March 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Jans calls for joint effort to strengthen the EU border management
On 04 March, Beat Jans, Swiss federal councillor and minister of the interior issued a statement to solve the country’s migrations and international crime problem. On his visit to the EU, he highlighted the need for protection in the Schengen external border against migrations. He assured Switzerland to play a vital role in Frontex (Europe’s border management) if human rights were taken into account. In countering international crime, Switzerland can adopt measures from the EU especially in data exchange, however negotiations are expected to kick start. (“Swiss minister seeks EU collaboration on migration and crime,” Swissinfo, 04 March 2024)
THE UK
Calais Group and France to partner to track down small boat material shipment
On 04 March, the UK along with the Calais Group of northern European countries announced a partnership with France to prevent supply of “small boats” into France. Such boats encourage migrants to cross the English Channel and under the deal, the countries customs will share information on those shipping materials for small boat. The group comprise of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands apart from the UK and France aims to cooperation to counter illegal migration. This partnership will also explore ways to engage with social media companies and people smuggling agencies to track their activity. (“UK announces customs partnership with France to fight illegal Channel crossings,” Le Monde, 05 March 2024)
Department of economy propose to raise student fee to the UK level
On 05 March, the BBC reported on the Northern Ireland official from economic department decision to increase student fees to the UK level. According to the report, raising would generate GBP 98 million but the draft is under consultation. Conor Murphy, Economy Minister contradicts this saying it might lead to reduction of student intake in universities. At present the tuition fee for an undergraduate level stand at GBP 4,710 per year while in the UK it is GBP 9,250. For the country to prevent cuts in other sectors reduction of funding to higher education is considered the way without generating additional income. For the draft to be approved assembly and executive approval would be required before 2026-27 year to notify students. (John Campbell, “Raising Northern Ireland tuition fees could generate £98m,” BBC, 05 March 2024)
REGIONAL
EU fines Apple over breach of antitrust laws
On 04 March, Deutsche Welle reported on the EU fine of EUR 1.8 billion on Apple over breach of antitrust regulations. According to the European Commission, it found Apple to have exercised restrictions on “app developers” not allowing them to notify iOS users on alternative or cheaper music subscriptions. It said: “This is illegal under EU antitrust rules." Apple was also reported to be charging 30 per cent of fee for sales done though the apps in its system and restricting other apps within to give links to external pages. In response, the Apple confirmed to appeal against the decision and criticised saying the move would benefit Spotify which hold 56 per cent share in Europe’s streaming market. (“EU fines Apple $1.8 billion over music streaming competition,” Deutsche Welle, 04 March 2024)
EU strikes deal banning use of single-use plastics
On 04 March, the EU signed a deal banning the use of single-plastic for fresh fruit and vegetables. This means mini hotel and fast-food restaurants will not be barred from using and switch to more sustainable packaging practice. Under the new legislation, the EU aims to bring down the piling plastic which was 188.7 kilograms as of 2021 which is considered the biggest rise in 10 years. The larger effort is to make the packaging market of the EU to be recyclable by 2030 and mandate customers to bring own containers to buy drink or ready-made foods. According to Delara Burkhardt, a German MEP: “I think what we achieved is a good compromise. It's more ambitious than what the Parliament has put on the table, it gives more clarity in some aspects.” A similar ban was attempted by the EU in 2023, where it banned all single-use packaging which imposed ban on beer brewers, winemakers, cosmetic businesses and paper producers but now with focus on single-use plastics few industries will get to ease. (Leonie Cater, “EU to ban single-use plastic in deal on new green packaging rules,” Politico, 04 March 2024)