Photo : AFP 2023 / VLADIMIR SIMICEK
08 April 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #802
By Alka Bala and Rosemary Kurian
SLOVAKIA
Pro-Russian Pellegrini emerge victorious in the Presidential run-off
On 06 April, according to Politico, Peter Pellegrini, the Speaker of the Parliament won the runoff Presidential elections against Ivan Korčok, a pro-West career diplomat. Pellegrini’s victory allows Prime Minister Robert Fico’s ruling coalition absolute control over the legislative and executive organs of the government. Pellegrini who won with 53 per cent of the votes, said: “...this victory is an enormous vindication for me.” The reasons behind Pellegrini's victory was due to social media campaign, pledges to increase the pension and bonus for police and firefighters. Korčok who had received 47 per cent of the votes in the runoff elections, which was five per cent more votes than Pellegrini condemned the aggressive election campaign led by the competitor. Pellegrini accused Korčok of being “a war-monger who unhesitatingly supports everything the West tells him, including dragging Slovakia into [the Russia-Ukraine] war.” The opposition held the stance in support for Kyiv, while Pellegrini favours the role of the state and accused of sending Slovakian soldiers to fight in Ukraine. In Slovakia, the power of the President is limited to appointing ambassadors, returning legislation and granting amnesties. However, Pellegrini being an ally of Fico, is observed to be benefit the Direction – Slovak Social Democracy party's pro-Russian policies and agenda to modify penal code and control of media. (Tom Nicholson, “Slovak presidency goes to PM Fico’s proxy,” Politico, 06 April 2024)
HUNGARY
Prime Minister Orban’s rival garners mass support
On 06 April, according to Deutsche Welle, tens of thousands of people rallied in Budapest to the parliament building demanding resignation of the Viktor Orban, Prime Minister. Peter Magyar, who was closely associated with Orban’s government launched a political movement against him alleging corruption and cronyism. Magyar addressed the crowd and stated how his movement would unite political opposition and the citizens unhappy with Orban’s rule for 14 years. He promised to build a new Hungary step-by-step. Magyar was closely associated with the ruling Fidesz party and was married to Judit Varga, Orban’s former Justice Minister. Earlier this year, Orban was hit with a child sex abuse scandal, which led to the resignation of former President Katalin Novak and Judit Varga’s resignation. Orban has also been accused by the EU of controlling the media, and elections and eroding the rule of law in the country. According to a study by pollster Median, Magyar’s movement has reached up to 68 per cent of voters, out of which 13 per cent of voters have indicated the intention to support him. (“Hungary: Tens of thousands rally in support of Orban rival,” Deutsche Welle, 06 April 2024)
NORWAY
Government plans to double its defence budget by 2036
On 05 April, according to Politico, Norway announced a proposal to increase their defence spending in the next 12 years by 600 billion kroner (EUR 51 billion). Anne Marie Aanerud, the Norwegian Deputy Defence Minister, during the Norwegian-American Defence Conference in Washington, cited the need for “major investments” in Norwegian forces. Norway aims to increase its spending to 1.6 trillion kroner by 2036 for boosting its industry to support the armed forces. A major chunk of the spending will go to the navy, which would add at least five frigates with anti-submarine helicopters, five submarines, 10 large and 18 small vessels. It will further spend in upgrading its long-range air defence systems and increase surveillance with more satellites, vessels and drones. (Laura Kayali and Paul Mcleary, “Norway pitches ‘historic boost’ in defense spending,” 05 April 2024)
POLAND
Voting in the local elections act as a test for Tusk
On 07 April, according to Deutsche Welle, voters cast ballots in the local elections across Poland. The elections would act as a test of support for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-European policy. The parties leading the election race include Tusk’s Civic Coalition and the conservative nationalist party of Law and Justice Party (PiS), which had governed Poland for the last eight years. According to Poland’s election commission, voter turnout at 1500 GMT stood at 39.4 per cent. The polls indicated 33.7 per cent votes for the PiS and 31.9 per cent for Civic Coalition Party. Third Way Party and the Left which make up the other governing coalition parties, gained 13.5 per cent and 6.8 per cent of votes respectively. The elections act as a test for Tusk’s liberal pro-European government, which has focused on reversing changes brought in by the PiS in the judicial system and media. Tusk had warned that winning of Civic Coalition is essential to prevent Poland from slipping back into nationalist rule. Around 190,000 candidates are contesting for positions as mayors and councillors. (“Poland votes in local elections test for Tusk,” Deutsche Welle, 07 April 2024)
RUSSIA
Thousands evacuated from Osrk city as floods aggravate
On 06 April, BBC reported the evacuation of more than 1100 residents in the Orsk district of Russia. The rise of water in the Ural River due to the melting of ice had called for an emergency in the entire region of Orenburg. According to officials, “10,000 residents may be in the flooding zone and up to 4,000 houses could be inundated.” Russian Emergencies Ministry stated that work on the dam rupture in Orsk was continuing. Vasily Kozupitsa, Mayor of Orsk warned about the “worsening situation” as the old town city is flooded and could be potentially cut off from the rest of the city. Orsk which has a population of 230,000 people is moving its residents to nearby schools. Regions of Orsk, Orenburg, Urals regions and parts of Kazakhstan have been suffering from floods in recent days. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakh President stated the calamity to be the worst natural disaster for 80 years. (“Thousands evacuated as Orsk dam burst worsens Russia floods,” BBC, 06 April 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Alps witness rise in temperatures
On 07 April, according to Swissinfo, the northern side of the Alps witnessed temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius, earlier than usual. Several weather stations witnessed the warmest April this year. Basel was the warmest with 28.8 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, due to the southwest wind. The Interlaken region observed a four degree rise in temperature in the beginning of April compared to previous years. Weather forecasts expect this “heatwave” to pass by Tuesday. (“April heatwave sets Swiss temperature records,” Swissinfo, 07 April 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Dutch authorities detain Greta Thunberg at a protest against fuel subsidies
On 06 April, according to Deutsche Welle, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested by the Dutch authorities twice as she joined demonstrators from Extinction Rebellion to block a motorway in Hague. According to a spokesperson of Extinction Rebellion, “Thunberg had been held for several hours before being released in the evening.” The demonstration was against the Dutch fossil fuel subsidies. Dutch police announced that more than 400 people were arrested as they ignored the orders to disperse. Extinction Rebellion stated its intention to continue the protests until the government stops using public funds to subsidise the gas and oil industry. The protests come before the debate in the Dutch government on fossil fuel subsidies which is scheduled in June. (“Climate activist Greta Thunberg arrested in the Netherlands,” Deutsche Welle, 06 April 2024)
REGIONAL
Apple revises rules in favour of music apps outside App Store after EU antitrust decision
On 06 April, according to Politico, Apple agreed to allow music-streaming apps within the EU to inform their users of alternatives for payment outside of the iOS App Store. Regulators of antitrust laws found that Apple’s rules prevented alternative apps like Spotify from informing iOS users of alternative modes of subscriptions, often cheaper, available outside the App Store, which the EU termed as “anti-steering provisions”. EU regulators called Apple’s regulations “abusive”, fining it with more than EUR 1.8 billion in March for potentially increasing subscription prices. While Apple earlier decided to appeal the EU's decision citing lack of “credible evidence of consumer harm”, it later updated its guidelines to allow music apps to inform users of their subscription/music purchase options. In the new rules for App Store, Apple has however included a 27 per cent “commission” if the music purchase was made within seven days of accessing the link provided by the company. The EU is “currently assessing” Apple’s level of compliance to its decision. (Tommaso Lecca, “Apple allows music apps to offer payments outside App Store in the EU,” Politico, 06 April 2024)
Von der Leyen appoints senior officials to lead her campaign
On 05 April, according to Politico, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, picked Björn Seibert, her head of Cabinet, to lead her campaign in the bid for a second term in the position. Alexander Winterstein, a senior civil servant at the communications directorate-general of the Commission, was announced as her campaign spokesperson. Winterstein’s promotion to his current position was announced during the European People’s Party’s gathering in Romania to endorse von der Leyen, raising questions from journalists. Eric Mamer, the Commission’s spokesperson, called the promotion “totally normal”. Seibert and Winterstein will be taking unpaid leave from their current positions until the elections on June 6 to work on the campaign. Von der Leyen will continue in her current role while running for re-election, albeit separating her campaign appearances with her day-to-day appearances. (Eddy Wax, Pierre Ngendakumana, “Von der Leyen picks campaign team for run at second term as EU Commission chief,” 05 April 2024)
EU’s measure to ease Ukrainian truckers’ access sparks furore
On 02 April, according to Politico, the EU plans on extending the access for Ukrainian and Moldovan truckers into the bloc, causing anger among EU truckers. The earlier measure that allowed Ukrainian shippers to transport cargo into the EU didn’t allow Ukrainian truckers to transport these goods within the EU. Truckers from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania had earlier blocked road crossings connecting Ukraine with their countries as a mark of protests against EU policy. They suggested that Ukrainian truckers failed to follow the rules, and instead of the policy helping Ukraine’s economy during the war, “Ukrainian trucking companies have gone into cross-trading and cabotage services, undermining EU companies” by providing services at cheaper rates, according to Jan Buczek, President of the Polish Association for International Road Carriers. The EU took some concerns into account, suggesting to suspend the agreement given a national road transport market faces major disturbances, as a safeguard. (Jeremy van der Haegen and Wojciech Kosc, “There’s a fight looming over EU plans to extend access to the bloc for Ukrainian truckers,” Politico, 02 April 2024)