Photo : Armando Franca/AP/Financial Times
11 March 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #778
Europe In Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
GERMANY
Environmentalists protest against Tesla’s factory expansion
On 10 March, hundreds of environmental activists protested in Grünheide, against the expansion of Tesla’s factory outside Berlin following an attack on the power supply. The protests emerged due to risk of water contamination as Tesla’s proposal to construct the electric vehicle (EV) factory with an additional freight station, warehouses and kindergarten fell under water protection area. It also endangers forest near the factory as 100 hectares could be cleared. Earlier, the attack hauled its production for a week after an electricity pylon caught fire prompting for an investigation. Germany’s Federal Network Agency called for securing the energy and telecommunication infrastructure. (“Germany: Protest against Tesla plans to expand 'Gigafactory',” Deutsche Welle, 10 March 2024)
IRELAND
Irish reject government’s proposal to redefine make-up of family and woman’s role
On 09 March, Irish rejected government’s proposal to amend the definition of “make-up family and a woman’s role within the household” in the constitution. Leo Varadkar Prime Minister of Ireland and major political parties support the changes but with considerable turnout, the people voted against the referendum. According to the proponents, the first amendment would expand the definition of a family by including the term “durable relationships” with marriage. The second amendment would mean “the state would strive to support” the provisions where other member of the family can help or care for mothers at home. This was refused by most of the people due to two reasons. One, they argued it as scope for unintended changes to taxes and citizenship and two, the word “strive” was not well received as it does not hold the state fully responsible rather shift to private caregiver. (“Ireland: Voters reject amendments redefining family, women,” Deutsche Welle, 10 March 2024)
THE UK
Government announce measure against rising anti-Muslim incidents
On 10 March, Government of the UK announced to provide GBP 117 million to boost security at mosques and Muslim sites across the UK over four years. The move comes as the Home Office experiences surge in anti-Muslim hate events since the war in Gaza. James Cleverly, Home Secretary said: “We will not let events in the Middle East be used as an excuse to justify abuse against British Muslims.” One of the organisations called Tell MAMA which monitors hate crimes, recorded more than 2,000 hate incidents in past four months which was an increase of 335 per cent from 2022-2023 period. These included, threats, assaults, vandalism, hate speech and anti-Muslim literature. In February, Rishi Sunak, UK’s Prime Minister pledged to give GBP 70 million for next four years to protect Jewish community sites. (“UK: Government announces £117 million security funding for Muslim sites,” Le Monde, 11 March 2023)
TURKEY
Erdogan calls the upcoming May elections to be a decider for the leader of AKP
On 09 March, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s President announced the upcoming election on 31 March to elect mayors and councillors would be the final for him. Mentioning Turkey’s law, he said that it would be his last election as it will impact on his “political accession.” Re-elected for second term in 2023 elections Erdogan was the founder and leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). He said: “The result that comes out of this election will be a transfer of a legacy to the brothers who will come after me.” (Gian Volpicelli, “Erdoğan says upcoming Turkish local election will be his last,” Politico, 09 March 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Five European countries and India close the EFTA deal after 15 years of talks
On 10 March, India, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein signed European Free Trade Association (EFTA) an economic deal worth USD 100 billion. Under the deal, import tariffs on industrial products will be removed by India in exchange for an investment of USD 100 billion over 15 years. The deal was signed after 21 rounds of negotiations facilitates a modern, equitable and win-win deal for all signatories. This means Switzerland’s 95.3 per cent custom duties of industrial exports and Norway’s 40 per cent high import taxes will be waived off. The move also forms part of Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister target of reaching a USD one trillion export by 2030. (“India, Europe's EFTA bloc sign $100 billion deal.” Deutsche Welle, 10 March 2024)