Photo : Ben Stansall / AFP
17 April 2024 Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #810
By Rosemary Kurian
BELGIUM
Brussels mayor orders shutting of right-wing led conference
On 17 April, according to Deutsche Welle, Brussels city authorities ordered the shutdown of a right-wing conference called “national conservatism” or NatCon, to “ensure public security.” Organisers stated that the authorities did not shut the gathering but didn’t allow people to continue to enter the building. The event was slated to be attended by key far-right political figures of Europe, including Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, far-right French politician Eric Zemmour, and conservative German Catholic Cardinal Gerhard Müller expressing the common theme of euroscepticism. Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels, stated that the far-right was “not welcome” in Brussels, an opinion that the event’s organisers aim to challenge in court. Europe’s far-right is expected to gain ground in the upcoming June elections of the EU. (“Brussels authorities order shutdown of right-wing gathering”, Deutsche Welle, 17 April 2024)
GEORGIA
Police clear protesters against controversial ‘foreign agent’ bill
On 17 April, according to Deutsche Welle, Georgia’s riot police cleared protesters outside the parliament building in Tbilisi protesting the controversial “foreign agents” bill. They used pepper spray against the thousands protesting and kept water cannons on standby, detaining 11. The bill, brought by the ruling Georgian Dream party, stipulates that non-commercial organisations receiving 20 per cent or more of their funding from abroad will have to register as “pursuing interests of a foreign power”, dubbed as a Russian-styled bill. The ruling party holds a massive majority without needing opposition to support, with the bill receiving 78 votes in favour and only 25 against. (“Georgia: Riot police clear 'foreign agents' bill protesters”, Deutsche Welle, 17 April 2024)
GREECE
Greek journalists declare 24-hour strike demanding higher wages
On 16 April, according to Deutsche Welle, Greece’s Journalists’ Union of Athens Daily Newspapers (ESIEA) declared a 24-hour strike protesting low wages amid inflation. No news was carried on radio, and internet news portal for the day until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, citing “anarchic working conditions and very low pay”. The inflation is noted to be around 37 per cent over the last two years with salaries “not sufficient to cover their basic family and personal needs”. Another day-long strike has been planned by the General Confederation of the Workers of Greece (GSEE) by stopping public transport a day after the ESIEA’s strike. (Richard Connor, “Greek journalists launch 24-hour strike over low wages”, Deutsche Welle, 16 April 2024)
THE UK
Sunak faces opposition on historic tobacco ban bill
On 16 April, according to Politico, Rishi Sunak, the UK’s Prime Minister, wishes to ban smoking among British youngsters, passing the legislation in the House of Commons. Sunak expressed his plan last year, recommending a phased, generational ban on smoking, which, if passed, will become the first of its kind in the world. The legislation is facing considerable opposition from Sunak’s own party, who claim that Sunak is trying to build his legacy amid a failing image. The policy will make the sale of tobacco products illegal to those born after 01 January 2009. During the vote, 59 Tory MPs voted against the legislation citing “significant concerns”, and at least six members in Sunak’s government voted against his proposition, with more than 100 Tory abstentions. Sunak’s predecessors opposed the bill, with former Prime Minister Liz Truss calling it “un-Conservative” and Boris Johnson posing a rhetorical question “The party of Winston Churchill wants to ban [cigars]?” (Andrew McDonald, “Britain’s Conservatives just agreed the world’s toughest smoking ban. Tory MPs hate it”, 16 April 2024)
REGIONAL
EU threatens to take Germany to court if it fails to change new gas tax
On 11 April, according to Politico, the EU plans on taking Germany to court if it fails to call back its controversial gas law that puts a levy on all gas leaving the country. Germany’s neighbouring countries have expressed concerns that the levy violates EU law on gas storage and of the single market. Germany is using the law to plug an EUR 10 billion black hole in its budget and has so far gained EUR 1 billion. But the EU fears that the measure would drive up gas prices, thereby incentivising states to opt for cheaper Russian gas and ruin the EU’s energy diversification plan. The European Commission expressed its concerns to Germany and warned that if the law wasn’t taken back or the levy reduced, it would initiate an “infringement procedure” which comprises financial penalties, after enough compliance requests are offered, following which the case could be moved to court. (Victor Jack and Julia Wacket, “EU gears up to sue Germany if it doesn’t change divisive gas tax”, Politico, 11 April 2024)
EU plans to invest EUR 3.5 billion for ocean protection
On 16 April, according to Deutsche Welle, the European Union pledged EUR 3.5 billion for the protection of the world’s oceans and to promote sustainability through initiatives in 2024. The initiatives were announced during the “Our Ocean” conference in Greece, by Virginijus Sinkevicius, the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. The conference aims to support 14 investments and one reform targeting sustainable fisheries in Portugal, Poland, Greece and Cyprus worth EUR 1.9 billion. An additional EUR 980 million will be alloted for investments against marine pollution in Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Italy and Spain, under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility. (“EU pledges €3.5 billion to protect world's oceans”, Deutsche Welle, 16 April 2024)