Photo : AP Photo/Peter Dejong
06 June 2024, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #853
FRANCE
Investigators detain man suspected of making explosive devices
On 05 June, the French counterterrorism investigators detained a dual Russian-Ukrainian citizen on suspicion of planning a violent act leading to an explosion which seriously injured himself. According to the prosecutor's office, "Products and materials intended to manufacture explosive devices" were discovered in his hotel room in the Roissy-en-France town, near Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. The case was being dealt under specialist anti-terror prosecutors and France's domestic intelligence agency General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) unlike regular cases. Since, France condemns the man as a Russian spy targeting French military equipment for Ukraine, French investigations and security concerns have been raised. (‘French counterterrorism police detain Russian-Ukrainian man,” Deutsche Welle, 05 June 2024)
GERMANY
Defence Ministry prepares for operational readiness
On 05 June, in a parliamentary session in Germany, Boris Pistorius, the Defense Minister emphasised on the need to strengthen its armed forces, the Bundeswehr, to operational readiness by 2029. To provide deterrence, along with finances, materials and personnel, he believed that a new form of military service with certain obligations was necessary. The German Cabinet approved a new concept document for military and civil defence, outlining responsibilities for the Bundeswehr, aid organizations, and civil defence authorities in disasters and wars, addressing cyber threats and hybrid warfare. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, promising support for the defence industry stressed the need to produce all weapons and ammunitions saying: "Russia's attack on Ukraine in violation of international law has presented the whole of Germany with a new security policy reality." Germany planned to purchase 20 Eurofighter jets from Airbus and two additional frigates as part of its "Zeitenwende" defence policy. Germany is already stationing troops in Lithuania to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is awaiting a permanent brigade in 2027.(Richard Connor, “German defence minister calls for war readiness by 2029,” Deutsche Welle, 05 June 2024)
SLOVAKIA
Slovak Prime Minister appears first on social media after the shooting
On 06 June, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico posted a video on Facebook expressing his views on the opposition parties and the assassination attempt. This was his first appearance since he was shot four times on May 15 following which he had undergone two lengthy surgeries. In his first comments, he thanked the medical staff who treated him after the surgery. He also referred to the attacker as a “lone wolf” or “some madman” " but "a messenger of the evil and political hatred" fostered by the political opposition. He also added that he forgave him and he hoped to return to work at the end of June. In his 14-minute video, he criticized the opposition parties for their aggressive and hateful politics. He also suggested that he was targeted for his differing views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which conflicted with that of Europe’s. He was against the sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia with a deteriorating relationship with Ukraine. He also ended his military aid for Ukraine after being sworn in last October. (“Slovakia: Robert Fico makes first comments since shooting,” Deutsche Welle, 06 June 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Government to inaugurate the European parliamentary vote
On 06 June, voters in the Netherlands began to cast their vote for the European parliamentary elections while Ireland and the Czech Republic will vote on Friday. The other member states are expected to vote over the weekend. Geert Wilders, a member of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) was among the first senior politicians to vote. Since his party, PVV gained much popularity by becoming the biggest party in the Dutch national parliament six months ago, he intended to build upon that. He also demanded to give powers back to the national capitals with less interference from the EU which would give them more autonomy over issues such as migration. He called for an alliance of far-right parties to weaken the conventional coalition of Christian Democrats, Socialists, pro-business Liberals, and Greens. According to his statement after the voting: “You also need to have a strong presence in the European Parliament and make sure that, if necessary, we will be able to change the European guidelines in order to be in charge of our own immigration policy and asylum policy.” The elections are commencing amid the fear of a far-right wave in the bloc. (“EU elections: Netherlands kicks off 4-day parliamentary vote,” Deutsche Welle, 06 June 2024)
REGIONAL
Youth support far right with the Greens losing ground
On 06 June, Politico reported that the European parliamentary elections will see a rise in young voters supporting the far right in the EU. Similar to the Green wave in 2019 in which climate-focused parties made a record high of 74 seats, the far right is gaining popularity among youth in 2024. VOX in Spain, Chega in Portugal, Vlaams Belang in Belgium and the Finns Party in Finland are far right parties in the EU with a rising youth support. According to a recent Ipsos survey, 34 per cent of French voters under 30 said they would support right-wing populist Jordan Bardella from the National Rally (RN) party. The Greens were the next most popular choice. However, Josse de Voogd, an electoral researcher observes that: “younger voters are more volatile, while older voters stay with traditional parties.” Additionally, he believed that the younger people saw migration, globalisation and diversity policies in the current peroids, unlike the older ones, who grew up when religion or the left-right axis on economic issues was dominant. (Ella Joyner, “Will young voters boost far right in EU elections?,” Politico, 06 June 2024)