Photo : Thomas Samson, AFP
07 September 2024, Saturday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #930
By Samruddhi Pathak
FRANCE
Prime Minister Barnier begins his term
On 05 September, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, announced the new Prime Minister of France, Michel Barnier. Meanwhile, the left-wing parties are preparing to protest against the decision of Macron, as the left-wing candidate, Lucie Castets, was not chosen as the head of the government. Castets said that she felt betrayed while Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed party, has called for marches and mass mobilisation all over the country. Barnier has begun work to prepare the budget for 2025 which needs to be put to vote on 01 October 2024. Barnier is facing a rocky start to his term as the left-wing bloc is already preparing to place a no-confidence motion in the parliament. During his first interview after assuming office, Barnier said that his government will not be just a right-wing government. He is rather looking to form a rainbow coalition. He said: “I have never been sectarian.” He also expressed his intention to reopen the pension reform bill for debate in parliament. He also showed intent to increase taxes as the country is facing a debt of 5.6 per cent of the GDP, which ideally should be three per cent of the GDP. He also said that he is open to implementing some far-right immigration policies. (Christophe Garach, “New French PM plans to reopen debate on pension reform,” BBC, 06 September 2024; Paul Kirby, “French PM Barnier gets to work as left prepares protests,” BBC 06 September 2024)
THE EU
Kosovo and Serbia urged to normalise relations
On 06 September, the EU envoy of Western Balkans urged Kosovo and Serbia to normalise their diplomatic relations. The envoy said that normalising relations would assist their candidature for EU membership as well. Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, and Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo, reached an agreement in March 2023 which could not be implemented further. The US and EU have urged both sides to implement the agreement. The agreement is called the Orchid Agreement which was drafted in North Macedonia. Kosovo was a Serbian province until 1999. It separated from Serbia after NATO’s bombing campaign in Serbia ended pushing Serbian forces out of Kosovo. The relations have been tense since then. Kosovo proclaimed independence in 2008 while Serbia does not recognise Kosovo’s independence. (“EU envoy urges Kosovo and Serbia to step up efforts towards normalising relations,” Euronews, 06 September 2024)
HUNGARY
Orban suggests tightening migration laws
On 06 September, in the Cernobbio Forum in Italy, Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister, spoke on the state of migration in the EU. When asked about Hungary’s agenda for the six-month EU presidency, Orban listed three priorities. It included, competitiveness, the war in Europe and migration. He compared Hungary’s conservative and Germany’s liberal approach towards migration, saying: “Never let them in.” Following this, Bence Rétvári, State Secretary of Hungary, said, “If Brussels wants illegal migrants, Brussels can have them,” suggesting sending migrants to Belgium. The European Court of Justice imposed a fine of EUR 200 million over suggesting transferring migrants to the heart of the EU. Thus, EU countries stand divided on the issue of migration. (“'We never let them in': Hungary’s PM Viktor Orbán demands new laws tackling migration,” Euronews, 06 September 2024)
ITALY
Raffaele Fitto becomes Italy’s EU Affairs Minister
On 06 September, the Government of Italy named its new EU Affairs Minister, Raffaele Fitto. Fitto is a leader of the far-right Brother of Italy party. However, he will need approval from the majority of the parliament to assume office. The Socialist and Liberal party is not in favour of the candidature, thus he will need to procure centre-right votes. Fitto will also have to come out clean due to his cases related to bribery in the past. In 2005, Fitto was accused of partaking in bribery during the regional elections. However, in 2017, the Supreme Court of Cassation cleared him of all the charges. In 2009 as well, Fitto appeared before Court in a case related to shorting the stocks of Cedis, a trading company, which led the company to bankruptcy. However, he was acquitted from charges in 2012. (“Italy's EU Commissioner pick Raffaele Fitto might face a rocky road to approval,” Euronews, 07 September 2024)
THE UK
Prime Minister Starmer visits Ireland
On 06 September, Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK, visited Ireland with an intent to reset ties with the country post Brexit. This is the first visit by a British Prime Minister to Ireland in the last five years. Starmer has come out as a more European Prime Minister to support the UK's involvement in European affairs. The UK's referendum to leave the EU in 2016 had strained bilateral ties between the UK and Ireland. During the press conference, Starmer said, “Our relationship has never reached its full potential, but I want to change that.” The spokesperson of the PM’s office in Britain said that the visit “marks a new era of cooperation and friendship between Britain and Ireland. Starmer will also meet Irish businessmen to boost bilateral trade. (“UK PM Starmer visits Ireland seeking to reset relations after election win,” Reuters, 07 September 2024)
MIGRATION
Opinion in Euronews highlights the plight of migrants in Poland
On 06 September, Euronews wrote about the misery that migrants, who cross the border from Belarus, have to face in Poland. In 2022, Poland also created a barrier on its border to avoid migrants from entering. Euronews wrote that the migration issue continues to polarise Polish people. In June 2024, there was an incident of stabbing of a soldier on the Poland-Belarus border area which led to tough scrutiny of Poland’s border security. Euronews talked to migrants living near the border areas and found that most of them live in constant fear of being mistreated by the police. (“Tensions in Poland over migrants escalate despite drop in attempted crossings from Belarus,” Euronews, 06 September 2024)