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By Shilpa Joseph, Padmashree Anandhan and Ken B Varghese
GEORGIA
Parliament approves the “foreign agents” bill despite President’s veto
On 28 May, Georgian parliament approved the 'foreign agents' bill which caused protests across Georgia over restraining of media freedom. The move was opposed as it also pushed Georgia further away from being part of the EU. 84 in the committee were in favour while four were against. This was an override of the veto by the Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia who was observed to be against the Georgian Dream party. Whereas the opposition, MP’s holding 150 seats walked out from the chamber. This bill was widely criticised by the EU, the UN and NATO. The US has already announced a travel ban because of this bill. Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesperson said: “It is unfortunate that Georgia leader are choosing to forego the steps needed to advances Georgia and the western direction that its people want.” Zourabicvili criticised the governing party stating Georgian dream to be jeopardising the country’s future and that the law had become a “symbol of number of laws and measure that is taking Georgia away from its European path.” Meanwhile the opponents labelled the bill as “the russian law” because of similarity in nature and measure that was implemented by the Russians. (Georgia parliament pushes through 'foreign agents' law,” Deutsche Welle, 28 May 2024)
GERMANY
Highest number of people from Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Romania granted citizenship in 2023
On 27 May, Deutsche Welle reported on close to 200,100 people granted citizenship in Germany as the highest record in one year. The new figures have been revealed ahead of the relaxed rules on German citizenship and enforcement of dual citizenship which is expected by June. According to the report there was an increase in the count by 31,000 compared to 2022 and 37, 000 recorded compared to 2021. The new set of citizens had originated from 157 different countries majorly from Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Romania and Afghanistan accounting for 56 per cent. Among those granted citizenship, there was a significant younger population on an average and slightly more than half were male above the German national average. In a press release by the German government: “The high number of naturalizations of Syrians correlates with the high number of Syrian asylum seekers who migrated [to Germany] between 2014 and 2016.” (“Germany records highest number of naturalizations since 2000,” Deutsche Welle, 28 May 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Finally a new Prime Minister after 14 years of Mark Rutte
On 27 May, Deutsche Welle reported on Dick Schoof, former head of Dutch intelligence and terrorism to lead the coalition government as Prime Minister. He is a senior civil servant in the justice ministry with no party affiliation and his expert areas include security and migration. The largest party in the coalition, Party for Freedom (PVV) won the largest share in the held November 2023 elections. Following months of discussion, PVV reached a deal with the liberal People’s Party, Freedom and Democracy (VVD), conservative New Social Contract (NSC) party and conservative New Social Contract (NSC) party. As a result of the negotiations, Geert Wilders from the PVV agreed to withdraw from Prime Minister office in return for his extreme anti-Islam policies such as imposing of ban on mosques. Apart from this, the coalition also pledges to opt “strictest-ever asylum regime,” for stricter border controls and tighter rules for asylum seekers entering the Netherlands. (“Netherlands: Former spy chief to lead right-wing coalition,” Deutsche Welle, 28 May 2024)
SLOVAKIA
Increased disinformation detected high since Crimean annexation
On 27 May, Euronews reported on how Slovakia and other EU member states had turned to be the hotspots for pro-Russia disinformation campaigns. In an investigation held by Bryan Carter found the spread of fake news and conspiracy theories online following the assassination attempt of Robert Fico, Slovakia’s Prime Minister. In the disinformation spread, a shooter Juraj Cintula was accused to behind the attack. According to the report, such campaign is not of surprise but the Euronews report on “scale of disinformation” through experience and collection of perspectives from journalists, researchers and media professionals to counter the spread of fake news and combat its impact on the political stability and social cohesion. Since the annexation of Crimea, disinformation was observed to have surged along with “Russian operatives” inside and out Slovakia influencing the public decision. Veronika Frankovská, a Slovak fact-checker said: “It doesn't matter to make people believe in a certain story, but to simply, erode that trust in whether what they read and what they see … you can trust no one.” (Bryan Carter, “Slovakia’s disinformation history serves as a cautionary tale for the EU,” Euronews, 27 May 2024)
REGIONAL
Spain, Norway and Ireland announce recognition of Palestinian state
On 28 May, the BBC reported on Spain, Ireland and Norway’s formal recognition of Palestinian state. According to them it is an attempt to bring back the attention towards a political solution for the war in Middle East. The move is expected to encourage other European countries to pursue the same diplomatic way to achieve ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostage held by Hamas. This effort has also infuriated Israel’s government who have accused all the countries for “rewarding terrorism.” Recognition by the three countries also adds diplomatic pressure on Israel following two international courts demanding it to end the operations of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in southern Gaza. Simon Harris, Ireland’s Prime Minister called it “historic and important” and expressed scope in convincing other European countries to follow pursuit. On the same, Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister said: “…not only a matter of historic justice”, it was also “an essential requirement if we are all to achieve peace.” Similarly, Slovenia, Malta and Belgium have also expressed the possibility of recognising Palestine. (James Landale, “Spain, Norway and Ireland recognise Palestinian state,” BBC, 28 May 2024)
EU discusses on sanctioning Israel
On 27 May, the EU foreign ministers for the first time discussed on imposing a sanction on Israel if it failed to comply with the international humanitarian law. Micheal Martin Irish Foreign minister added: “…there was a very clear consensus about the need to uphold the international humanitarian legal institution.” On 24 May, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled Israel to immediately stop being offensive in Rafah and demanded to open Rafah border crossing to allow humanitarian aid to enter the enclave. The EU leaders had reacted to Israel's bombing of the refugee camp killing at least 45 Palestinians, over half of them are women, children and elderly, according to the Gaza health authorities. Martin also added on the increased concerns among the members regarding the situation based on ICJ ruling. According to Martin there was an intense discussion on the orders of the international court. As a result of the meeting: “One of the conclusion was to convene a meeting of the EU- Israeli Association Council to raise our grave concern and to hope response from Israel in terms of complying with the orders from the court.” The EU prioritised on the 27 May attack which killed several people. Martin highlighted the need to hold Hamad accountable and for what Israel has done against thousands of Palestinians. (Nathalie Weatherald, “EU foreign ministers discuss sanctions against Israel,” Politico, 27 May 2024)
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