Photo : Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
13 May 2024, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #832
By Neha Tresa George
FRANCE
Politico on the state of French Digital Industry: New regulation to reduce children screen time
On 10 May 2024, Politico reported on the challenges faced by France’s digital industry following the new set of regulations based on a government report on reducing the screen time of children. The report suggested restrictions on children to access the most popular social networks until they reach the age of 18. It has also suggested the creation of a “European ethical standard” for platforms and an agency for digital governance. The government is fixating its position on fundamental issues such as ‘introducing a digital age.’ The Parliamentarians have also stressed on the three bills from the right and center on curbing screentime.
GEORGIA
Protests continue against the Foreign Agents bill
On 11 May 2024, thousands of people protested against the ‘Foreign Agent’ bill in Tbilisi. The controversial bill has been termed the “Russian law” by critics who argue that it will undermine the country’s civil society. The law would require any NGO or media organization that receives more than 20 per cent of its funding from other countries to register as an “organization pursuing the interests of a foreign power.” Despite the numerous rallies held over the bill in April, the government has decided to revive it. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze argued that it will increase the transparency over the foreign funding of NGOs.
LITHUANIA
Incumbent President to face presidential runoff against Prime Minister
On 12 May 2024, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda appeared to secure his second term in office after the first round of voting in the Presidential elections. According to the data shown by the electoral commission, he won 44 per cent, which is short of the 50 per cent he needed to secure the majority. Therefore, a runoff will be held against Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte who is in second place. Both candidates are in favor of increasing the defense spending to at least 3 per cent of gross domestic product with the campaigns focused on security concerns. The citizens are concerned about a possible threat from Russia as the Baltic states are now members of NATO and the EU.
SPAIN
Socialists emerge victorious in Catalan regional elections
On 12 May 2024, Catalonia, an autonomous community of Spain held regional elections to the Catalan Parliament where the Socialists under Salvador Illa emerged victorious with a majority of 42 seats. However, they need to win the support of other parties to form the government. According to Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, it would mark the beginning of “a new era in Catalonia.” This marks an important stage as the separatist parties appear to have lost their prominence in Catalonia due to the poor turnout among separatist forces. Junts candidate Carles Puigdemont who fled to Belgium following the independence referendum in 2017 hopes to come back to Spain. Both the Junts and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) have ruled out forming a coalition with the Socialists. If the majority party fails to form a coalition by August, another election will be held in October.
Spain Prime Minister criticises European Commission President for neglecting green agenda
On 10 May 2024, Spain’s deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera reported in an interview with Politico that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s willingness to work with the far right and cooling down of the green agenda has revealed: “…an attitude of resignation that is enormously pernicious” and “enormously harmful to European interests”. She criticised both von der Leyen and her center-right European People’s Party. This is the sharpest attack against her since she is campaigning for a second term in July. Ribera with her green credentials is seen as a qualified successor to be the EU’s next Green Deal Chief. According to her ‘Europe could implode’ in the hands of right-wing parties with their hardline anti-green policies.
REGIONAL
China and Russia are the primary threats: Politico enlists cyber-attacks witnessed by Europe in 2024
On 09 May, Politico reported on the cyber-attacks against politicians, parliaments and other institutions in Europe which led to a massive data breach affecting thousands of people. Hackers from other countries especially China and Russia have been continuously attacking the European systems in 2024. In January, there was a report on a massive cyberattack by Russian hackers that brought down the country’s telecoms against the giant Kyivstar. Another attack reported in February was regarding the spyware on the devices of two MEPs of the European Parliament. Following these, German authorities investigated an audio of four paramilitary officers’ discussion in support of Ukraine which is alleged to be a disinformation attack in the month of March. Berlin revealed that it had been caught in a cyber-attack from Russia in May for compromising the email accounts belonging to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party. Similar attacks followed including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen report being “attacked by bots.”