Photo : Reuters
05 September 2024, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #928
THE EU
Report on agriculture signals changes in farm laws
On 04 September, the EU published a report after seven months of dialogue between NGOs, farmers’ unions and lobbyists for industrial and organic agriculture. The report has been published after a need for fundamental changes in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. Ariel Brunner, director of BirdLife Europe, one of the environmental groups, said that the report would be a game-changer. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission chief, said that the report will serve as a roadmap for ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food.’ The report said that there will be a substantial annual increase in payments directly linking to environmental measures, which is currently 32 per cent. The negotiation process is highly praised by environmentalist groups. (“Agriculture report could signal dramatic change in EU farm subsidies,” Euronews, 04 September 2024)
DENMARK
Greta Thunberg arrested in Gaza protests
On 05 September, Deutsche Welle reported that Greta Thunberg was arrested in Denmark during a demonstration to call for an academic boycott of Israeli universities. She was escorted off the campus by the police at the University of Copenhagen. According to a police spokesman, she along with other students were condemned on charges of “forcing their way and blocking the entrance” into the university building. The University is one among the several educational institutions which had organised several protests against university cooperation with Israel. (“Greta Thunberg arrested at Gaza protest in Denmark,” Deutsche Welle, 05 September 2024)
FRANCE
Political parties in a stalemate to choose the next prime minister
On 05 September, France24 updated the report on the deadlock in national politics of France. France24 listed the probable names being considered for the position of prime minister. Xavier Bertrand, leader of the Union for a Popular Movement, was being considered for the post. Another name is Bernand Cazeneuve. He was the former prime minister of France from the centre-left Socialist Party. David Lisnard, the Mayor of Cannes, is also being considered for the post. Emmanuel Macron is under further pressure to appoint a head for the government since the draft of the 2025 Budget will also be placed in the parliament on 01 October. The left-wing coalition has emerged as the biggest alliance in the snap elections held in June. However, Macron has displayed hesitancy towards making a left-wing alliance leader as the prime minister. (“France still in political deadlock as Macron grapples with choosing prime minister,” France24, 04 September 2024)
Edouard Philippe announces to run for President in 2027
On 05 September, Edouard Philippe, former Prime Minister of France and the first prime minister under Emmanuel Macron announced that he would run for President in the 2027 elections. After his resignation in 2020, Philippe founded his own party Horizons which has largely supported Macron’s party. His announcement also comes at a time when Macron is struggling to find a head for the government. Meanwhile, Philippe said that he would support any prime minister picked from a political space ranging from the conservative right to social-democracy. (“French former PM Edouard Philippe launches 2027 presidential bid,” France24, 05 September 2024)
GERMANY
Foreign Minister visits Saudi Arabia as part of her Middle East tour
On 05 September, Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, landed in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, as part of her Middle East tour. This marked her 11th trip to the region since the war in Gaza, in 2023. She has scheduled her meeting with Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, her Saudi Arabian counterpart to discuss on the “dramatic situation in the Middle East.” They were also expected to discuss Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi strikes in the Red Sea. After the visit, Baerbock will travel to Jordan to meet the officials and coordinate the humanitarian aid in Gaza. After that, she is set to meet Israel Katz and Yoav Galant, Israeli foreign and defence ministers. She has also scheduled her visit to the occupied West Bank. (“Middle East: Baerbock begins tour amid stalled Gaza talks,” Deutsche Welle, 05 September 2024
IRELAND
Irish Fiscal Advisory Council warns over overspending
On 05 September, The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) warned the Irish Government of overspending leading to a fiscal deficit. In 2021, the government passed a National Spending Rule limiting spending growth to less than five per cent. IFAC said that in 2008-09, the over-expenditure of the government has led the country into financial crisis. The Council warned that overspending is causing unnecessary pressure on the country’s economy. Seamus Coffey, the chair of IFAC, said, “The Government continues to make big promises. This is driving up prices and making it harder for people to afford the basics.” The government will unveil the new budget on 01 October 2024. The budget is expected to have housing packages and doubling of child benefits. Such social budgeting will only increase the cost of living as per the IFAC. (“Ireland is running a budget surplus: Why has it been warned to stop spending?,” Euronews, 05 September 2024)
RUSSIA
Sanctioned Russian banker to serve on IMF board
On 04 September, The Moscow Times reported that Ksenia Yuadeva, a Russian banker facing sanctions had been named to the central board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Yudaeva is a former First Deputy Governor at the Central Bank of Russia and currently serves as an advisor to Elvira Nabiullina, the present Governor of the Central Bank. Yudaeva's appointment as Russian Executive Director at the IMF was confirmed by Aleksei Mozhin, the current IMF Executive Director for Russia. Yudaeva's functions at both the Russian Central Bank and the Otkritie Commercial Bank have subjected her to sanctions, as per the US State Department. The sanctions are also supposed to prevent her from entering US territory, freeze US assets and bar US companies and citizens from carrying out transactions with her. (“Sanctioned Russian Central Banker Named to IMF’s Board,” The Moscow Times, 04 September 2024)
SWEDEN
Foreign minister resigns
On 05 September, Tobias Billstrom, Sweden’s Foreign Minister announced his resignation from the parliament from next week. On the social media platform X, he posted: “It is with a mixture of sadness and pride that I have today informed the prime minister that I will leave the post of foreign minister at the opening of parliament next week.” He had been the foreign minister since 2022 during which Sweden denounced their military non-alignment and joined NATO. Through his unexpected decision, he also revealed his unwillingness to continue in politics. (“Sweden: Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom steps down,” Deutsche Welle, 05 September 2024)