Photo : PA Media
Europe In Brief
By Rosemary Kurian
GERMANY
Tesla’s new working council assures wage changes
On 10 March, Frankfurter Allgemeine reported that the Tesla factory in Berlin will be electing a new works council. The election at Tesla’s sole factory in Europe came to an end on 13 March. The works council has 39 seats with 234 candidates having contested the elections. With more than 12,500 people employed in the factory, IG Metall, Germany’s largest metal union, wishes to increase its influence in the plant by demanding better working conditions. Tesla stated that several of the demands are already in practice and rejected a collective bargaining agreement. With Michaela Schmitz, the previous chairwoman of the council standing for re-election, Dirk Schulze, the district manager of Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony, has accused the previous council as failing to side with the workforce. Schmitz rejected the allegation, stating that their council brought about an 18 per cent increase in salary without any collective agreement. Tesla has stated that they are willing to offer annual wage changes. (“Tesla has elected a works council”, Frankfurter Allgemeine, 20 March 2024)
IRELAND
Prime Minister resigns claims personal and political reasons
On 20 March, according to Le Monde, Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s Prime Minister, announced his resignation from the office and as the leader of the Fine Gael party in a surprise move, claiming “personal and political” reasons. Varadkar stated that he would resign the office of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) as soon as he finds a replacement, stating that he is no longer “the best person” to lead Ireland. He had earlier faced a defeat in what was deemed the ‘biggest ever referendum loss by a government’ in his policy to reform references for women, family and care. Experts have noted that the “unexpected” resignation ahead of local elections in Ireland and if the European Parliament will cause a “political earthquake.” (“Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announces shock resignation,” Le Monde, 20 March 2024)
SPAIN
Study finds girls from 14 to 17 ages to be victim of sexual violence
On 20 March, EL PAÍS reported on a study by the University of Barcelona that found that one in four girls in the age group of 14 to 17 years has been a victim of sexual violence in Spain, based on a survey of 4,024 respondents. 11 per cent of boys have also suffered from sexual violence. 17.8 per cent of adolescents in the specified age group have experienced requests of sexual nature through the internet, touching, penetration, oral sex and exploitation. The study found that women were at the receiving end of violence more than men in all categories, which included 14 variables. But men face very severe of violence more frequently, it notes. “The main victimisation is electronics,” it noted, citing greater access to pornography at an early age. Pereda, one of the survey conductors, noted that such violence faced in the developmental stage could have “an impact on later stages of life,” The report recommended proper sex education programs at a comprehensive level to be included in the school curriculums at a state level. (María Sosa Troya, “One in four girls aged 14 to 17 has been a victim of sexual violence in Spain in the last year,” EL PAÍS, 20 March 2024)
THE UK
Strikes of junior doctors continue demanding pay rise
On 20 March, the BBC reported on the decision by junior doctors to continue their strike for the pay dispute. The British Medical Association (BMA) demanded a pay rise of 35 per cent for junior doctors. 98 per cent of the BMA members voted for further walkouts. Around 10 walkouts by junior doctors have been recorded so far since March 2023. The fresh vote means an extension of the strike mandate for a further six months. The government deemed their demands “unreasonable.” Robert Laurenson and Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the junior doctors committee, urged the health secretary to make a new offer to prevent future strikes. A spokesperson of the Department of Health and Social Care called the vote “disappointing,” calling the BMA back from negotiations to strike a “fair deal,” since further strikes will “impede the progress” in tackling hospital backlogs. Junior doctors' pay rise this year was a nine per cent average. The BMA’s 35 per cent demand is to make up for 15 years of pay rises below inflation rates. Junior doctors from Wales and Northern Ireland are also participating in the strikes. Since the strikes by doctors, nurses and other health care professionals began in December 2022, more than 1.4 million operations and appointments have been cancelled. But while other concerns have been resolved, the junior doctors remain concerned. The NHS is concerned that further strike actions will “inevitably lead to more disruption to patient care.” (Nick Triggle, “Junior doctors vote to continue strike action,” BBC, 20 March 2024)
Rishi Sunak reject call for general elections
On 20 March, the BBC reported that Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, rejected calls for immediate general elections, which would instead happen during the second half of 2024. Answering questions by Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, during a session of Prime Minister’s Questions, Sunak addressed questions on the Tory MPs plot to replace him before general elections. Sir Starmer stated that the PM was “scared” to face the vote after his immigration policy and record on mortgage rates. The opinion polls suggest that the Conservatives have fallen far behind Labour after Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s tax-cutting budget. Sunak had achieved great inflation figures, claiming his plan for Britain was working. Sir Starmer questioned Sunak on the plot to replace him, hinting at the reported prospect of Penny Mordaunt, the Commons leader, or Tom Tugendhat, the security minister replacing him after a confidence vote. Sunak jeered back with Labour not backing the Rwanda bill and not caring about “fixing” the immigration system, hinting at Sir Starmer calling his policy a “gimmick.” (Brian Wheeler, “Rishi Sunak rejects Labour call for general election now,” BBC, 20 March 2024)
REGIONAL
International Olympic Committee to bar Belarusian and Russian athletes
On 20 March, BBC reported on the decision by the International Olympic Committee to not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to be a part of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The qualifying players are however allowed to participate under neutrality. Till now, there are 12 neutral athletes with Russian and seven neutral athletes with Belarusian passports respectively. The decision to ban players from the two countries was taken after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The qualified players have however been instructed to compete without any flags, emblems or anthems of their country. Maria Zakharova, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman expressed that Russia was “outraged” by the IOM’s decision, calling them “unprecedented discriminatory practices.” Meanwhile, Russia wants to host the ‘Friendship Games’ in September 2024, with a winter Games planned in 2026. Friendship Games was first organised by the USSR and eight other states after they boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The IOC called the decision a “blatant violation of the Olympic Charter” and a “cynical attempt by the Russian Federation to politicise sport.” (“Paris 2024 Olympics: Russia & Belarus athletes will not be part of opening ceremony,” BBC, 20 March 2024)
Bulgaria and Romanis to join the Schengen zone by March
On 20 March, Euro News reported the joining of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen zone, which will officially take place on 31 March. The Schengen zone allows free movement between member states as part of the Schengen agreement. Both the Balkan states joined the EU in 2007, but were obliged to show passports upon entry into the territory of other EU states. But the decision to simplify borders would bring about several changes for the states, which haven’t as yet decided to adopt the Euro as their official currency. There are speculations as to whether the two countries will raise their prices like the recent Schengen entrant Croatia, which could affect tourism. Bulgaria and Romania are set to witness increased tourism and greater economic opportunities by joining the Schengen area. (Saskia O'Donoghue, “The Balkan countries will officially enter the Schengen zone on 31 March”, Euronews, 20 March 2024)