Photo : Denis Balibouse/Reuters
08 August 2024, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #905
By Samruddhi Pathak
THE UK
Protests escalate as far-right groups and counter-protest demonstrators gather
On 07 August, several demonstrators holding slogans “refugees are welcomed here” and “say no to racism” gathered in many cities to protest against the far-right rioters. In Liverpool, counter-protests gathered around the asylum-seekers’ office to support immigrants. In London, peaceful rallies were seen protesting racism. In Bristol, 1,500 counter-protesters had gathered and similarly, in Newcastle too, 1,000 people had gathered to condemn racism. 2,000 people had also gathered in Brighton to protest racism. BBC interviewed some counter-protesters who called the riots as: “This is violence. They are thuggers.” This reflects a clear division in the society on the acceptability of immigrants. The previous seven days in the country were marked by the worst riots in the UK in the past 10 years. On 07 August, many businesses, hotels and restaurants owned by immigrants were closed due to riots. The government had deployed heavily around the targeted areas and the police have been provided with riot gear. Two groups clashed in Plymouth following a series of protests, however, the police stated that more community level engagement will be organised by the municipalities. The police force affirmed measures taken at the local level to prevent escalation of violence. (“Joe Stanley-Smith, “Thousands gather in anti-racist protests after warnings of more far-right violence in UK,” Politico; 08 August 2024; Lucy Manning and Mallory Moench, “Anti-racism protesters rally after week of riots,” BBC, 08 August 2024; “Police reassurance amid further protest rumours,” BBC, 08 August 2024)
Rise in anti-Semitism says BBC
On 08 August, the BBC reported a record high number of anti-Semitic incidents from January 2024 to June 2024. The Community Security Trust recorded 1,978 incidents of hate directed towards Jewish individuals, out of these 121 were incidents of direct assault and 83 involved serious property damage. The number is almost double of that in the first half of 2023 i.e., 964. The Chief Executive of the Trust said that the numbers are unprecedented and the Trust will continue to protect the British Jewish community. The Home Secretary of the UK, Yvette Cooper, said that the numbers are “appalling” and there is no place for hatred in the UK. Conservative Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly said that the incidents have increased after the Hamas attack on Israel on 07 October 2023. (“Big rise in antisemitic incidents in UK - charity,” BBC, 08 August 2024)
BULGARIA
President calls for seventh parliamentary election in three years
On 07 August, President Rumen Radev announced a parliamentary election due to a lack of support for the current Government to form a coalition. Since the anti-graft protests in 2020 against the coalition government formed by the centre-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) Party, Bulgaria has had an unstable parliament. In the recent election, GERB became the largest party in the country. Another biggest party is the Continue the Change (PP) Party. Bulgaria continues to face a stalemate since 2021 barring it from joining the Eurozone and operate freely in Schengen area. The elections is scheduled in the upcoming two months. (“Bulgaria heads to another snap election after parties fail to form government,” Reuters, 08 August 2024)
ITALY
Government passes legislation to promote green energy
On 07 August, Italy passed a legislation to promote ease of doing business in the green energy sector of the country. This is done to meet the decarbonisation goals of the country. The Government plans to increase the solar energy generation capacity of the country to 50 gigawatts by 2030. Under the new legislation, solar power projects with below 10-megawatt capacity will not need clearance from the Government. The approval process has also been reduced. However, installation of solar power plants on agricultural land is prohibited under the new law. This move has been criticised by Renewable developers and supported by agriculture lobby groups who are key supporters of the current Government. Companies have urged the Government to look at agri-voltaic projects to allow them to use agricultural land for PV installation. However, the Government has yet to pass the bill in its bicameral parliamentary houses. (“Italy cuts red tape on green energy, clamps down on illegal plants,” Reuters, 08 August 2024)
POLAND
Climate ministry to build desalination plants to improve water condition
On 07 August, the Climate ministry of Poland and mining companies announced the drafting of a plan to build desalination plants to improve the water quality of Oder River. In 2022, there was a mass death of fish in the river due to bad water pollutant levels. It was announced as an ecological catastrophe. As per environmentalists, the main reason was water salinity in the river where coal mines disgorge saline water. It feeds golden algae which is toxic for aquatic life. Thus, the main issue was industrial waste which led to algae bloom. Since the river runs through the Germany-Poland border, Germany has often accused Poland of neglecting industrial standards and its failure to stop dumping. The cost of building a desalination installation is around USD 300 million, which is very expensive. (“Poland drafting plan to reduce Oder river salinity, minister says,” Reuters, 07 August 2024)
SPAIN
Catalan separatist leader to be arrested on return to Barcelona
On 07 August, Carles Puigdemont announced his return to Barcelona after his exile for seven years. The leader was in a self-imposed exile and likely to be arrested on his arrival to Barcelona. Catalonia police have said that they will be following the court's order and arresting him when they see him. His political party, Junts, is ready to welcome him. Puigdemont was actively involved in the succession bid of 2017 where Catalan demanded independence from Spain. The Supreme Court of Spain had ruled the independence referendum as illegal. Even before his arrival, Spanish politicians have revolted against his entrance in the Parliament calling him a fugitive. The current coalition Government in Spain relies on Junts party for passing legislation. Thus, the government cancelled legal proceedings against him, yet the Supreme Court order of his arrest still remains. (“Exiled Catalan separatist Puigdemont faces likely arrest in highly publicised return to Spain,” Reuters, 08 August 2024)
SWEDEN
Far-right individual charged for burning of Quran
On 07 August, a far-right man was charged for burning the holy Quran on multiple occasions in 2022. The Swedish Prosecution Authority did not name the person but Swedish media has identified the person as Rasmus Paludan. Paludan has been associated with Islamophobic activities in Denmark and Sweden. In 2023, more than 500 incidents of Quran burning had taken place and the Government banned Quran burning in December 2023. Puladan’s organised Quran burning in April 2022 instigated a Muslim person to attack a Swedish couple in Brussels. Quran burning incidents also, briefly, sabotaged Sweden’s bid to join NATO and also worsened its relations with Turkey. (“Danish far-right extremist charged over Quran burnings,” Politico, 08 August 2024)
TURKEY
Foreign Minister announces joining South Africa against Israel in the ICJ case
On 07 August, the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, announced, in Cairo, that Turkey has submitted intervention in South Africa’s case that accuses Israel of genocide in Palestine. Thus, Turkey will also be joining the case with SA. South Africa filed the case in December 2023 accusing Israel of breach in Genocide Convention. Almost 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in attacks since October 2023. After SA had filed the case, Israel’s Foreign Minister called the country a “legal arm” of Palestine. Last month, in July, Erdogan Tayyip, President of Turkey, threatened Israel with sending NATO troops to fight them. The ICJ statute allows such intervention and similarly, even Spain and Ireland have said that they will join the case. (“Turkey joins South Africa’s genocide case at ICJ against Israel,” Politico, 08 August 2024)