Photo : AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews, Padmashree Anandhan and Ashwin Dhanabalan
POLAND
Protests erupt post demands to veto media law
On 19 December, Poland saw protests erupting across major cities as Polish President Andrzej Duda was called on to veto a controversial media law. Around thousands of demonstrators even gathered outside the presidential palace. One of the protestors commented on the bill, stating: “We need free speech. I would like the president not to sign it.” According to critics, the new law is a coercive effort at selling US-owned TVN24. The lower house of the Polish parliament, called the Sejm, reconsidered the legislation without notice during the closing session for 2021. The bill had been previously voted down by the Senate which is the upper house. The protests come amid concerns of increased repression of media freedom in Poland. Civic Platform member and Senator Bogdan Klich commented on the bill, saying: “At this moment we are talking about TVN, but it is not just about TVN. It’s about the future of free speech in Poland, about the future of our democracy.” The US State Department spokesperson Ned Price released a statement on the legislation. He said: “The United States is deeply troubled by the passage in Poland today of a law that would undermine freedom of expression, weaken media freedom and erode foreign investors confidence in their property rights and the sanctity of contracts in Poland.” The European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova also responded to the bill: “Once this bill becomes a law, the commission will not hesitate to take action in case of non-compliance with EU law.” (“Poland: Protesters urge president to veto media law,” Deutsche Welle, 19 December 2021; “'We need free speech': protests erupt across Poland over controversial media bill,” The Guardian, 20 December 2021)
RUSSIA
Foreigners to be tested every three months for diseases and drugs
On 19 December, The Russian parliament implemented an amendment that was passed in June 2021 regarding a law that requires foreigners working in the country to undergo medical check-ups. According to Deutsche Welle, the law would require foreign professionals and their family members to be tested every three months for "syphilis, HIV, leprosy, tuberculosis, and COVID-19". The rules even apply to children over the age of six, and if any foreigner tests positive for the diseases above mentioned, their visa would either be declined or revoked. German Russian Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Thorsten Gutmann said: "Originally, people were going to be required to take the tests every time they entered the country, but now they will have to do them every three months." Germany has been trying to get the new regulations dropped but have been met with minimal success. Ten foreign business associations such as the Association of European Businesses and the American Chamber of Commerce have appealed to Russia regarding the new rules. The new rules would cause severe impediments to Russia's economic development and foreign investments. (Sergei Guscha, “Foreigners in Russia outraged by new medical checks,” Deutsche Welle, 19 December 2021)
Two German diplomats expelled in retaliation to Berlin
On 20 December, Moscow expelled two German diplomats in a tit-for-tat move to Berlin. On 16 December, Berlin had sent back two Russian diplomats after a German court ruled a life-imprisonment sentence for a Russian national as he was speculated to be an FSB agent. The Russian Foreign Ministry said: "The German ambassador was informed that two diplomatic employees of the German embassy in Russia were declared 'persona non grata' as a symmetrical response." The German government criticized the move as it aggravated tensions between the two countries. Germany's Foreign Ministry said: "This move comes as no surprise, but it is completely unwarranted from the federal government's perspective." The retaliatory behaviour owed to a ruling by the Berlin court where a Russian national called Vadim Krasikov had shot and killed an ethnic Chechen of Georgian nationality. The Berlin court mentioned that the act was in "retaliation" as the victim was an opponent of the Russians. ("Russia expels 2 German diplomats over Berlin park assassination," Deutsche Welle, 20 December 2021; "Russia Expels 2 German Diplomats in Tit-for-Tat Move," The Moscow Times, 20 December 2021)
REGIONAL
Lithuania: German Defense Minister visits troops; condemns Russian actions
On 19 December, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht visited German troops stationed in Lithuania and stated that NATO is set to consider Russia’s proposals regarding the alliance’s “military affairs on its eastern borders”. However, she maintained that Russia would not be allowed to “dictate” the alliance's actions. On 17 December, Russia had given a list of military demands it required NATO and the US to fulfil. Lambrecht stated: “We have to talk to each other, which means discussing the proposals that Russia has put forward. But it cannot be that Russia dictates to NATO partners how they position themselves… We need to solve the current tensions on the diplomatic level but just as well by putting up a credible deterrence.” Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas, also present alongside Lambrecht, commented: “We need to support Ukraine with all means, which includes the delivery of lethal weapons.” (“German defense minister: Russia will not 'dictate' to NATO,” Deutsche Welle, 19 December 2021)
BREXIT
Foreign secretary Truss takes over as new Brexit minister
On 19 December, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was appointed as the new Brexit minister to handle the UK's relationship with the EU and Northern Ireland. As previous Brexit Minister David Frost handed over his resignation papers to the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he expressed his "concerns about the current direction of travel" due to COVID-19. He stated the need for a more low-tax, lightly regulated, entrepreneurial economy that would benefit of the people. According to The Guardian, France called on the Johnson government to use this new opportunity to "rebuild trust" with the EU and clear the new year's uncertainties in their relations. The new minister's handling of the situation is closely being monitored, as she would have to decide on either resetting the strained relations with the EU or continuing with the former minister's approach to Northern Ireland. (“UK foreign secretary Truss to take over Brexit talks with EU after Frost exit,” France24, 19 December 2021; Daniel Boffey and Lisa O’ Carroll, “France urges Johnson to use Frost’s exit to rebuild trust with EU,” The Guardian, 19 December 2021; Lisa O’ Carroll, “Liz Truss to take on Brexit brief after David Frost resignation," The Guardian, 19 December 2021)
COVID-19
World Economic Forum postpones its annual meeting for 2022
On 20 December, the World Economic Forum (WEF) announced that it would not be hosting its in-person annual meeting in Davos due to the spread of the new Omicron variant. Instead, the event will take place as an online series of sessions titled “State of the World” which will bring all the global leaders to bring solutions to most persisting challenges. As per the statement released by WEF: “Current pandemic conditions make it extremely difficult to deliver a global in-person meeting.” The cancelled in-person meeting will take place in early summer of 2022. The previous meeting held by WEF at Davos was in January 2020 for its 50-year anniversary, which was attended by the US President Donald Trump along with campaigners including Greta Thunberg. (Richard Partington, “Davos economic forum delayed until summer amid Omicron fears,” The Guardian, 20 December 2021; “COVID: Davos meeting called off due to omicron variant,” Deutsche Welle, 20 December 2021)
European Medicines Agency recommends approval of Novavax vaccine
On 20 December, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval of the Novavax vaccine. The vaccine is considered to use more conventional technology making it beneficial for the developing nations. According to the company, the vaccine showed 90.4 percent efficiency in the last trial and is scheduled to be delivered from January 2022 to the EU. According to Novavax Chief Executive Stanley Erck: “... looks forward to providing an additional vaccine option in Europe, built on a proven, well-understood technology platform…may help address major obstacles to global vaccination, including global distribution challenges and vaccine hesitancy.” (“COVID: EU regulators recommend approval of Novavax vaccine,” Deutsche Welle, 20 December 2021; Helen Collis, “EU regulator green-lights Novavax COVID-19 vaccine,” POLITICO, 20 December 2021)