Photo : Xinhua/Picture Alliance
04 January 2022, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #89
IN FOCUS
By Padmashree Anandhan
France's EU presidency: What it means for Europe?
On 01 January, France celebrated the launch of its EU presidency by lighting up the EU flag on historical monuments and embassies across Paris. The country is set to hold the presidency of the Council of the EU for the next six months, till 30 June 2022. In the statement released by the French President Emmanuel Macron, he said: “This is a time for Europe. Faced with health and economic challenges, the rise of aggressive powers and climate change, the best response is a European one.” However, replacing the French flag with the EU’s was criticized by French right-wing politicians, leading to the eventual removal of the flag from the Arc de Triomphe. Macron’s opponent, and far-right independent candidate Eric Zemmour called it “an outrage”, as the move was seen as an attack on the French identity.
French agenda for its Presidency
The critical role of France as it holds the EU presidency will be first, to organize meetings for the Council of the EU. Second, to nurture cooperation among member states. Third, to handle the Council relation with the European Commission and Parliament. Fourth, to mediate negotiations. Fifth, to create a new growth model for Europe and finally, the sixth, to bring out a human-centred Europe. According to Macron: “This agenda for a sovereign Europe will be accelerated with the French Presidency. Europe must rise to the major economic, educational, migration and military challenges. The French Presidency must be a moment of truth for the regulation and accountability of digital platforms, the carbon pricing at European borders on imported products, minimum wages, and our relationship with Africa.”
Other responses
First, the domestic level. A survey conducted by POLITICO’s Cornelius Hirsch among the French public revealed that the majority of the people were not aware of France taking up the Presidency. On being questioned regarding the issues that France as the Council President needed to prioritize, issues such as environment, climate change, immigration, economy and health topped the graph.
Second, the community level. The Muslim community feels that France’s divisive anti-Muslim political discourse will see a manifestation in the EU policymaking. Many French politicians have opted for raging against Islamophobia as their electoral strategy in recent days. Macron’s government has been criticized for closing the collective against Islamophobia in France, an anti-discriminatory body documenting anti-Muslim hate crimes. The community now fears that with France taking up the Presidency, such repressive measures might widen across Europe.
Third, the regional level. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said that Germany and France, being the closest of friends, now have an obligation to join together for a united and stronger EU.
What does it mean for Europe?
The rampant problems Europe faces is more challenging than ever for the French government leading the bloc. The challenges range from controlling the spread of the new Omicron variant, handling the COVID-19 protests across the region, the migration crisis, the Russia-Ukraine border tensions to climate change. It is well-known that the six-month tenure of France will not bring a solution to everything, but the French President nearing his elections in April 2022 cannot afford to take any missteps while dealing with these issues. If there is a change in the leadership, the situation will get chaotic, as is seen with the unsettled migration issue; the new party might have a different agenda for Europe.
References:
“France takes over EU presidency with push for ‘strategic autonomy’,” Deutsche Welle, 01 January 2022.
“EU flag removed from Arc de Triomphe after right-wing outrage,” BBC, 02 January 2022.
“Message from the President,” French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, 09 December 2021.
Cornelius Hirsch, “What the French think of the EU presidency, in charts,” POLITICO, 03 January 2022.
Shada Islam, “Why Europe’s Muslims are braced for France’s stint running the EU presidency,” The Guardian, 03 January 2022.
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Ashwin Dhanabalan
FRANCE
France: French MP's receive threats for law on “vaccine pass”
On 04 January, French Members of Parliament (MP) received death threats as the government sought to legislate a "vaccine pass" law. The vaccine pass would be used as a means to identify unvaccinated people and bar them from much of public life in France. As reported by the BBC: "The government is seeking to pass a law that would require people to show proof of vaccination to access public venues and transport with some exceptions." On 02 January, center-right party member Agnès Firmin Le Bodo received death threats as she supported the vaccination pass. Another MP, Naïma Moutchou received similar threats in an email that she shared on Twitter. Assessing the situation, the lower house of the parliament suspended debates on the law and the next date for the discussion is yet to be decided. France has been very strict with COVID-19 regulations, and an individual using a fake vaccine pass could be sentenced to five years in prison with a fine of EUR 75,000. ("Covid-19: French MPs get death threats over support for vaccine pass," BBC, 03 January 2022; "French lawmakers suspend fractious vaccine pass debate in setback for government," France24, 04 December 2022)
TURKEY
Turkey faces high inflation with Erdogan's policies.
On 04 January, Turkey's inflation rate reached a record high of 36 percent. The last time Turkey registered an inflation rate similar to this was in October 2002. The likely reason for the economic turmoil is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's unconventional economic approach and his policies on inflation. Erdogan's party was credited to steer the country out of the 2002 financial crisis but, due to the current situation, the party now faces uncertainties in the 2023 elections. Erdogan's unconventional style of handling the crisis is peculiar as he stuck to his policies and opposed the hiking of interest rates. As reported by France24, Erdogan believed: "High interest rates are a drag on activity and slow down economic growth, but they are useful to tamp down inflation as they cut demand and encourage savings." A dollar was about Lira 7.4 at the beginning of 2021 but has now dropped down to Lira 18.4 in December. ("Turkish inflation soars to 36% as financial turmoil continues," France24, 04 January 2022; "Turkey's inflation hits 36% amid financial turmoil," BBC, 03 January 2022)
UKRAINE
Normandy format talks to be held on 06 January
On 03 January, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that Russia had called for urgent talks with Ukraine, Germany and France. The talks will, thus, be held under the Normandy format on 06 January. Russia is expected to be represented by its Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration Dmitry Kozak who will also be hosting the talks. Germany will send German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Foreign Policy Advisor Jens Plötner while France is expected to send French President Emmanuel Macron’s advisor Emmanuel Bonne. Deutsche Welle reported that the Ukrainian representative was still unclear. This will be the first Normandy format talks since 2019. (“Ukraine tensions: Normandy format talks set for Thursday,” Deutsche Welle, 03 January 2022)
Borrell to visit east Ukraine to reaffirm the EU's support to the country
On 03 January, EU's diplomat Josep Borrell decided to visit east Ukraine near the line of contact to reaffirm the bloc’s support to Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected to accompany him on his three-day visit. The EU Commission released a statement that read: "His first foreign trip of this year underscores EU's strong support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity at a time when the country is confronted with Russian military build-up and hybrid actions." East Ukraine is the centre of conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists. Borrell also mentioned: "any discussion about European security must happen in coordination with and participation of EU." The US and Russian officials are to meet in Geneva on 10 January, while discussions are scheduled to take place between NATO and Russia, later that week. ("Borrell to reiterate EU support to Kyiv during visit to eastern Ukraine as US-Russia talks near," Euronews, 04 January 2022; "EU's Borrell to Visit Ukraine Frontline Amid Russia Tensions," The Moscow Times, 03 January 2022)
COVID-19
France: New variant discovered in southern France and the rising COVID-19 cases in Europe
On 03 January, scientists in the country raised concerns about "the emergence of a new variant" in the southern part of France. As reported by The Daily Express, 12 patients tested positive for COVID-19 and indicated "an atypical combination". IHU Mediterranee Infection in Marseille discovered the variation, and the experts named the new variant B.1.640.2. COVID-19 cases have recently surged all across Europe due to the emergence of the new Omicron variant. Over the last few days, the UK registered 189,846 new cases, while Italy saw 98,030 new cases. As a result, countries like France, Germany and Greece have started implementing tighter restrictions such as more social distancing regulations and mandatory masking. (Callum Hoare, "Covid warning as new variant with '46 mutations' infects 12 in southern France," The Daily Express, 03 January 2022; "COVID in Europe: UK health service under strain, PM says," Euronews, 03 January 2022)
MIGRATION
Spain: Walking Borders reports 4,404 migrants died at sea in 2021
On 03 January, the NGO Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) released a report concluding that the refugee attempts to reach Spain took 4,404 lives, 205 of whom are children. The death toll is said to be the highest since 2015 when they began data tracking. The NGO’s founder Helena Maleno commented on the report and said: “It’s horrible… These are the worst figures we’ve seen since we began keeping count in 2007.” The reason for the increased deaths was attributed to the deviation of the migrants to the Canary Islands route which is extremely dangerous since it has stronger currents and is longer. According to the NGO’s data until 28 December 2021, 22,200 migrants landed on the Canary Islands. The NGO also called on Spain’s government to respond to the worsening situation. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) had earlier termed 2021 to be the “deadliest for migration routes to and within Europe” since 2018. (Ashifa Kassam, “Death toll of refugees attempting to reach Spain doubles in 2021,” The Guardian, 03 January 2022; “Death toll of migrants trying to reach Spain doubles in 2021,” Deutsche Welle, 03 January 2022; “4,400 migrants lost at sea bound for Spain in 2021, double previous year,” Reuters, 04 January 2022)
Report claims more than 28,000 migrants crossed English Channel in 2021
On 04 January, the PA news agency declared that more than 28,000 migrants had crossed the English Channel from France to the UK in 2021. The statistics were concluded based on the agency’s study of government data. The exact figure of 28,395 people (based on statistics by France24), is reported to be three times of what was recorded in 2020. November 2021 saw the highest number of migrants crossing the Channel into the UK. This was attributed to the fact that larger boats were used instead of the usual dinghies. The migration situation has been troubling both the British and French governments, putting at stake their bilateral relations. The UK’s Nationality and Borders bill is being reviewed by the parliament; the passing of the bill would legally permit repatriation of those asylum seekers who have crossed the “safe third countries”. UK Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove commented on the bill, stating: (the government was) making the tough decisions to end the overt exploitation of our laws… The sooner the House of Lords approves the Nationality and Borders Bill, the sooner these reforms will be delivered.” (“Record number of migrants crossed Channel from France to UK last year, says report,” France24, 04 January 2022; “Channel migrants: Crossing numbers in 2021 triple 2020's figure,” BBC, 04 January 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
P5 releases joint statement, says “nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”
On 03 January, the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) permanent five (P5) group of countries which includes China, France, Russia, the UK and the US released a joint statement which stated that nuclear war would never be an option. The statement read: “We believe strongly that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented… A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” The English-language version of the statement also included: “As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons — for as long as they continue to exist — should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war.” The agreement has been released before the tenth review session of the Treaty of the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). China’s state media agency Xinhua reported its Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhauxu commenting on the statement: “(the agreement) will help increase mutual trust and replace competition among major powers with coordination and cooperation.” Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry was quoted saying: “We hope that in the current difficult conditions of international security, the approval of such a political statement will help reduce the level of international tensions.” (“Five world powers issue pledge to prevent nuclear war,” Deutsche Welle, 03 January 2022; “Russia, China, Britain, US and France say no one can win nuclear war,” Reuters, 04 January 2022)