Photo : Radovan Stoklasa/TASR/AP
By Neha Tresa George and Padmashree Anandhan
SLOVAKIA
Assassination Attempt on Prime minister triggers accusation of police and bodyguards
On 15 May, The Slovak Spectator reported on the shooting of Robert Fico Slovakian Prime Minister in Handlová. Fico suffered an injury in the abdomen which is currently observed as “life threatening.” Following this, the police had arrested the suspect who is identified to be a amateur poet and according to a Hungarian investigate the suspect is associated with a pro-Russian paramilitary group.
World leaders such as Ursula Von Der Leyen, European Commission President responded: “Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good.” Apart from this, Putin and leaders from Hungary and Czech Republic also condemned the attacks
Who is Robert Fico?
Robert Fico, who had played a very important role in Slovakian politics since 1993 independence has served as a prime minister longer than anyone else. The country gained independence after the Velvet Revolution, it was a series of popular and non-violent protests the Communist party when the country was still Czechoslovakia. Fico had been a communist party member and later founded Smer party in late 1990s. He began his first three terms as a Prime Minister in 2006 and served for four years before going into opposition after his coalition lost the election. The Smer party which started out as political left has but has embraced right- wing views in terms of Immigration and cultural issues.
Most of the international discussion of Fico leadership in recent years has focused on Russia’s President Vladimir Putin of Russia and the Viktor Orban Prime minister of Hungary. The police and bodyguards have been blamed for failing to protect along with journalist and the opposition for attempting the assassination. According to the report, in 2018 an investigative journalist and his fiancée were killed when investigation on corruption began to lead to higher officials. This led to Fico facing criminal charges in 2022 and was demanded to resign in 2018 after mass protests upon the killing. This led to protests, largest since the Velvet Revolution; where the demonstrators demanded resignation and a new election. Fico had overseen the fact that the nation ranks the highest in terms of press freedom. He returned to power in an election in 2024, forming a coalition government securing around 23 per cent votes. He had campaigned against sanctions that were imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. Slovakia's military contributions towards Ukraine were small compared to other nations like the US and the UK.
“PM Fico shot as he speaks to supporters in Handlová,” The Slovak Spectator, 15 May 2024
"Who is Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister who was shot?," The Washington Post, 16 May 2024
RUSSIA
Putin visits China seeking assistance after the full-scale Ukraine invasion
On 15 May 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China for a two-day trip focusing on financial and military support. On his first trip abroad after re-election, he was welcomed by Chinese officials with a military honour guard. Putin praised Xi, Chinese President for building a “strategic partnership” with Russia. They are expected to discuss on “key areas of development in Russian-Chinese cooperation, and exchange views on international and regional issues” and on “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.” According to the report in Deutsche Welle, Russia after being internationally isolated is observed to be searching for military and financial assistance amid rigorous sanctions from the west. In 2022, when Putin launched the invasion into Ukraine both China and Russia entered into a ‘no limits relationship’ with each other.
According to the report in SCMP, by March, 80 per cent of payment settlements between Russia and China had ended due to sanctions. Elizabeth Wishnick, an expert on China-Russia ties and senior research scientist at the Centre for Naval Analyses, a US think tank said: “For Putin, the visit is important to emphasise that the strategic partnership with China remains strong, at a time when his own personal travel is restricted and his country is isolated internationally and economically.” Although Beijing has benefitted from supporting Moscow by receiving cheap gas and oil, it has come under pressure to face sanctions from the Western nations that could block its access to international financial markets. Artyom Lukin, an associate professor at Russia’s Far Eastern Federal University says that China is not expected to comply to the pressure imposed by the US fully, it would continue to strike balance and have strategic relations Russia. This could be mainly due to Putin’s close relations but this might change if US adds more “containment policies” against China.
Putin’s last visit to China was on 17 October 2023 which marked as a bid to expand Russia-China economic and diplomatic influence. The visit showcases the formation of the group against the US and China’s Belt and Road initiative. During the meeting, they discussed on economic ties, energy, high-tech and financial industries. On the sanctions, Xi, Chinese President condemned the international sanctions imposed on Russia. On the growing partnership, Xi said: “Right now there are changes – the likes of which we haven’t seen for 100 years – and we are the ones driving these changes together.”
((“Putin visits China seeking assistance after the full-scale Ukraine invasion,” Deutsche Welle, 15 May 2024; Shi Jiangtao, “No limits? Why Vladimir Putin’s latest visit will test China-Russia ties,” SCMP, 16 May 2024; “Russia’s Vladimir Putin visits ‘dear friend’ Xi Jinping in China,” Aljazeera, 17 October 2023)
FRANCE
State of emergency declared in New Caledonia
On 15 May, Le Monde reported on French President Emmanuel Macron’s declaring state of emergency for minimum 12 days in New Caledonia (France’s Pacific territory). This comes after three were killed in violence and close to 100 police injured. There were also reports on exchange of fire between civil defence group and rioters in Nouméa and the commune of Paita. Following the announcement, French military forces were deployed in ports, airports to release police forces from being subject to violence. The violence was triggered due to reform proposed on altering the electorate Assemblée Nationale of New Caledonia. Located between Australia and Fiji has remained as French territories after post-colonial era and so far, there have been three rejections for independence referendums. While the notion of independence remains amongst the native Kanak. The reform is yet to approved by the both houses of the French Parliament. Meanwhile, the Pro-independence forces called on diluting the vote of Kanaks who comprise 41 per cent of the population whereas those in favour of the reform argue on the outdated voter lists derogating the rights of the island residents who have resided since 1998. Under the new situation, authorities can impose travel bans, house arrests and search. To carry this out 1800 law enforcement officers were mobilised and another 500 will be added to maintain the curfew. (“Macron declares state of emergency in New Caledonia,” Le Monde, 15 May 2024)
GEORGIA
President plans to veto the foreign agent bill
On 15 May, in an interview with Deutsche Welle Salome Zourabichvili, Georgian President said that she planned to veto the widely unpopular foreign agent bill which has passed the third and final stage in the parliament. Even though her veto can be overridden by another vote in parliament, she would still proceed with it as a symbol of “wider displeasure.” The 72-year-old President who had set up a liberal party that advocated closer ties with Europe thought that it was important for the country to conform to the European path which the bill denied. When the bill was justified by the government as a sole measure to promote transparency and accountability, Zourabichvili disagreed, arguing that the funding of such groups was already tracked and was a matter of public record. She has also described the bill to be “duplicating Russian law.” According to her, NGOs, media organizations, and institutions are part of active members of the civil society of the country essential to the transition towards democracy, and branding them as foreign agents would be “discrediting in the eyes of public opinion.” However, she is also unclear about the government’s motivation behind this as it was introduced without any prior notice. (“Georgia’s President plans to veto the foreign agent bill,” Deutsche Welle, 15 May 2024)
NETHERLANDS
Far-right PVV to form a government with Right-wing parties
On 15 May 2024, far-right- populist Geert Wilders announced that his Party for Freedom (PVV) along with the outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s Liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, Pieter Omtzigt's conservative New Social Contract (NSC) and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) had entered into a coalition to form a new government. The parliamentary elections which happened six months ago had resulted in the victory of the anti-immigrant and the anti-Muslim Wilders and his party by winning 37 out of the 150 seats. Even though Wilders had a strong desire for the post of Prime Minister, he had put aside his ambitions for the advancement of his agenda as he had revealed about the negotiations over the position of Prime Minister which is yet to be confirmed. No further details have been made public. (“Netherlands to form a government with Right-wing parties,” Deutsche Welle, 15 May 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Several wounded in a knife attack in Zofingen
On 15 May 2024, several people were attacked and injured by a man with a knife in the Swiss town of Zofingen about 50 kilometers south of the city of Basel and the German border according to the local police. The victims were hospitalised after the attack and a large-scale police operation was continued to avoid people near the crime scene The police have confirmed that the perpetrator was placed under arrest after he hid in a building for two hours while they were unclear of the possibility of one more attacker. (“Several wounded in a knife attack in Switzerland,” Deutsche Welle, 15 May 2024)