Photo : Andy WongThe AP
By Shilpa Joseph
GERMANY
Federal Network Agency set to make internet safer
On 03 June, Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency advised internet platforms to take more active action against hate speech, misinformation and product counterfeits. The Digital Services Act (DSA), which was passed by the Bundestag in March 2024, replaced the German Network Enforcement Act. The act includes European Union regulations which would be enforced by the Federal Network Agency. DSA which was in effect for the largest online services such as Google, Facebook, X and Amazon, recently amended to include smaller companies. According to the law, Platform operators risk fines of up to six per cent of their yearly revenue for violations. Klaus Müller warned that: "That is very painful…Turnover is usually much higher than profit - and that makes this sword quite sharp." He also introduced a user and complaints portal to make Internet safe for users. (“Federal Network Agency warns internet platforms of fines,” Frankfurter Allgemeine, 03 June 2024)
IRELAND
Growing frustration towards immigrants among Irish population
On 31 May, Euronews.business published an article which highlighted Ireland’s migration policy and its housing shortages. For many months, an influx of asylum seekers led to encampments due to lack of alternative accommodations with tents occupied by Nigerians, Afghanis, Pakistanis and Algerians. Ireland, generally has a positive and welcoming attitude towards migrants, however, between 2019 and 2023 there was a fivefold increase in the applications, which brought along increased frustration. According to Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO), since the war, 1,04,870 Ukrainian refugees arrived in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive, which adds on to the count. Inadequate investment in public services and a reliance on the private provision of those services are believed to be the causes for the frustration. Additionally, home ownership became unaffordable due to lack of loans, complex planning regulations and the cost of land and labour. The same is true with Ireland’s healthcare system which is pushing beyond its capacity. Shortage of beds and doctors causing unmet medical needs for the Irish population, is aggravated by the migrant crisis. The country is slowly witnessing far-right, anti-immigrant stance from the local population, which is expected to reflect in the elections on 07 June. (Eleanor Butler, “Ireland's asylum seeker crisis: Services at breaking point,” Euronews.business, 31 May 2024)
REGIONAL
US big tech donations to parties give significant boost in European Elections
On 31 May, Politico reported on how the US based tech companies being major contributors of donations to policy think tanks or parties directly ahead of the European Parliament elections. Between December 2023 and May 2024, over 60 per cent of all donations to European foundations and parties came from the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats of Europe (ALDE) and the center-right European People's Party. Big Tech companies such as Google, Apple and Microsoft topped the ranking of donors. Although certain European parties, such as the European Socialists, expressly oppose private donations, ALDE actively seeks them out. The party provided private-sector businesses with a range of options to sponsor events the previous year, with a complete package available for a maximum donation of EUR 18,000. The US companies have also donated to the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, the think tank of the center-right European People's Party, apart from other liberalist groups. Additionally, the donations are being made at a time when tech firms are being scrutinized by Brussels and facing several new tech-related regulations. (Pieter Haeck, Sarah Wheaton and Giovanna Coi, “Big Tech donations boost liberals ahead of EU election,” Politico, 31 May 2024)
Political parties and NGOs spend excessively on online advertising for elections reports Politico
On 02 June, according to a report by Politico, politicians and parties had invested huge sums of money on online ads ahead of the elections. Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian Prime Minister and his Fidesz party was the largest player with ads on Google's platforms and its network of 35 million websites, and on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram. The far-right party has explicitly showed its support to Russia in the war and called its opponents as beholden to Brussels. Similarly, according to Google’s public repository, Germany’s far-right party Alternative for Germany spent as much as EUR 108,000 in May 2024. It is observed that far-right and right-wing parties together spent the most money on Google ads. After Hungary, the far-right Flemish party Vlaams Belang in Blegium has been the second largest spender in online ads. Romania comes third with Marcel Ciolac, the Romanian Prime Minister who was the top individual candidate spender on Meta’s platforms. The European People’s Party topped the spending on ads on Meta’s platforms. Ads opposing climate fanaticism, migration, Islamization, and EU madness by attacking political rivals were viewed over 28 million times. Fighting crime, and supporting traditions and small businesses were among the other themes. Apart from the parties themselves, many NGOs and politically attached organizations behind parties have also helped raise support. However, nonprofits have voiced concerns that examining political and social media ads in Google's ad library is challenging. The European Commission has investigated into Meta for potentially not monitoring its ads, which could result in a fine of billions of euros under the Digital Services Act. Moreover, Politicians find it more difficult to target particular demographics due to European tech and privacy laws. (Clothilde Goujard, Mark Scott, Lucia Mackenzie and Hanne Cokellaere, “By the numbers: How politicians have advertised online for the European election,” Politico, 02 June 2024)
EM Special on EU Elections: #03 #04
Politico explores winning chances of the European Commission President
On 03 June, in an analysis Politico reported on the chances for Ursula von der Leyen’s re-election in the European Parliament and Council. According to the report, in 2019, she managed to win the majority with just nine votes, However, she needs to secure at least 361 votes from 720 Members of European Parliament in the current elections. She also needs to obtain a majority in the European Council during a post-election meeting in late June. As for the Council, Von der Leyen’s center-right European People’s Party (EPP) has 12 EU heads of state and government expected to support her, with the polls also suggesting that the EPP would be the single biggest group after elections. Additionally, with support from the liberal Renew Europe group and the Socialists and Democrats, she can secure 390 votes, which is beyond the threshold. However, considering a 10 per cent attrition rate, even from within her own party, she needs to campaign further. Von der Leyen was also seen to be leaning toward the far-right leader, Georgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister and her Brothers of Italy party. While her support will be crucial for her nomination in Council, this would lead to the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Renew and Greens to turn away from her. A substantial support from the Greens would assure her victory, but she will have to fulfill a list of demands including commitment to the Green deal. This in turn, would upset her conservative voters who had earlier rebelled against key aspects of Green Deal such as the phaseout of the combustion engine and a nature restoration law. (Nicholas Vinocur, “Von der Leyen needs 361 votes to keep her job. Good luck with that.,” Politico, 03 June 2024)
Politico provides the timeline of the EU elections
On 31 May, Politico published a report on the entire process of the European elections. The new leaders who will take the EU forward until 2029 is expected to be elected on 07 June, with the results to be announced on 10 June. MEPs in the European Parliament are not officially part of pan-European political groups until they meet and agree on membership. After the election, deal-making will take place as groups will attempt to dominate national parties with small profiles. As the process of forming the Parliament takes place, the groups will also elect their new leaders at the first group meetings, which are set between 18 June and 03 July. On 17 June, EU leaders are scheduled to meet for an informal EU summit led by the European Council president in Brussels. Following this, in a European Council meeting scheduled on 27-28 June, the EU leaders would need to agree on a common President and other posts taking into account the balance between the different political groups, geographic diversity and gender balance. On 16 July, the European parliament’s new term would begin, starting with a vote on electing its President. The Parliament then will have to schedule a vote to confirm the European Council’s nominee for Commission President. If the first nominee is rejected, the Council must come up with a second within one month. A new President of the European Commission leads a transition team that creates the new executive after receiving the backing of the European Parliament. Every nation is assigned a portfolio, and the European capitals are responsible for selecting their commissioners. The Commission President heads the creation of portfolios and their distribution among commissioners. To form the new executive, each Commissioner-designate faces an enquiry by the European Parliament after which MEPs will hold a vote on the College of Commissioners as a whole, which is passed with a simple majority. (Barbara Moens and Eddy Wax, “Top jobs timeline: What happens after the European election,” Politico, 31 May 2024 )