Photo : Agence France-Presse
By Samruddhi Pathak and Advik S Mohan
FRANCE
Protests spark in France after Barnier becomes Prime Minister
On 07 September, more than 1,00,000 people gathered across France to protest against Micheal Barnier becoming the Prime Minister of France. Barnier comes from the centre-right in the political spectrum of France, while the far-left had won the most votes. Prominent participants of the protests include worker union leaders and New Popular Front members. According to the Interior Ministry, more than 1,10,000 people participated in around 130 protests across the nation. Protestors used slogans like “stolen election” and “denial of democracy.” However, Barnier has said that he is open to forming a government with the far-left as well. As per BBC, Barnier might be able to defend himself in the no-confidence motion that the far-left will propose, as far-right parties can vote in his favour. On 08 September, Barnier visited a children’s hospital, emphasising his focus on public healthcare infrastructure while also stating that his government “will not perform miracles.” (“Thousands protest in France over Macron's choice of PM,” BBC, 08 September 2024)
Opposition targets Barnier over voting against gay rights twice
On 08 September, Jean Luc-Melenchon, leader of a far-left party La France Insoumise, pointed out Micheal Barnier’s, the new Prime Minister of France, stance on homosexuality. He highlighted that Barnier voted against decriminalisation of homosexuality twice, first time in 1980 and then in 1981. Barnier is a 73-year-old leader which the opposition is highlighting, given his conservative stance. Homosexuality was criminalised in France when Germany occupied the country in 1940. The law was not abrogated even when France was liberalised in 1944. The law was abolished only in 1982 with a vote of 278 against 202 in the National Assembly. France24 also points out the time gap of 40 years since the vote on homosexuality, considering the change that can occur in people over four decades. The Associated Press has emailed the prime minister asking him if he regrets his vote against gay rights in 1982. (“Critics blast new French PM Barnier for having twice voted against gay rights,” France24, 09 September 2024)
Nuclear power plant in Normandy to restart after shut down
On 07 September, France’s latest nuclear power plant, European Pressurised Reactor, shut down by itself the day it became operational in Flamanville, Normandy. The nuclear reactor was built by EDF, a state-owned energy company in France. The spokesperson of EDF said that the incident indicates sound working of the safety system and the reactor will restart after a few technical rechecks. The reactor is supposed to be a model for new generation nuclear reactors as per Emmanuel Macron. The reactor was built 12 years late and required four times the projected budget. It cost EUR 13.2 million while the initial projected cost was EUR 3.3 million. Reactors of similar designs have been previously constructed in Finland and China. However, the Finnish reactor had some faulty hydraulic pumps. The reactor is aimed to supply 1,600 MegaWatts of power which is enough to supply power to at least three million houses in Normandy. France is the only country that generates more than 50 per cent of its total energy requirement from nuclear reactors. (“France’s newest nuclear reactor shuts itself down,” France24, 08 September 2024)
GERMANY
Businesses fear far-right will drive away foreign workers
On 04 September, Politico reported that German businesses were fearing the economic implications of the rise of the far-right in Germany. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been rapidly rising in popularity, running on an anti-immigrant platform. However, the Bundesbank, the central financial bank of Germany estimates that the country will be losing more workers to retirement than gaining through immigration by 2026. Joachim Nagel, President of the Bundesbank stated that democracy, freedom and openness for individuals from other nations were central values. Before the European parliamentary elections earlier this year, German businesses like Deutsche Bank, Siemens and BASF had supported a national campaign called “We stand for values.” A study of businesses and employers’ associations by the Institute for Economic Research found that over 60 per cent of respondents believed that the AfD’s rise would make it difficult to recruit skilled foreign workers in the long term. While skilled foreign workers are required to run several sectors in Germany like the hospitality and nursing sectors, the AfD argues that Germany needs to focus upon making its native talent better. Leif-Erik Holm, economic spokesperson for the AfD stated that high immigration does not create economic growth. According to Holm, most of the immigrants arriving in Germany ended up in the social system, rather than in the labour market. The problem is exacerbated by the reluctance of the German population towards alternatives to immigration, such as increasing the number of working hours. Christian Sewing, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Deutsche Bank stated that Germany would witness more growth, only through changing its attitude to work. According to Sewing, Germans needed to work more and harder. (Johanna Treeck, Nette Nostlinger, Carlo Martuscelli and Elena Giordano, “German businesses fear far right success will scare off much-needed workers,” Politico, 04 September 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Joins Italy and Spain in anti-tourism protests
On 08 September, citizens of the Zeeland region in the Netherlands appealed to the Council of the State to curb tourism development infrastructure. According to NL Times, every third house in Zeeland is a vacation home. Noord-Beveland municipality houses around 8,000 citizens and is quiet throughout the year except during the tourist season when the city is flooded with traffic. NL Times found that the tourism in the city has peaked due to construction of a bridge that connects the island to the mainland Netherlands. Tourism has continued to rise since then. Residents of Noord-Beveland have approached a foundation called “Wij Zijn Noord-Beveland” to fight against tourism in the city. Such incidents were also seen in Spanish and Italian cities where the public was protesting against rising tourism and the pressure it puts on public healthcare and waste management systems. (“Zeeland residents want to take action against mass tourism,” NL Times, 09 September 2024)
Opinion highlights the need for circular economy
On 08 September, NL Times reported a severe shortage of earth materials that the Netherlands could face by 2050 if the country does not adopt a circular economy. NL Times talked to researchers in Leiden University working on gaps in government policies. They pointed out certain examples like demolition of windmills while they are operational, EV batteries being stuck into frame design where certain parts become irreparable, negligence of circularity during construction of homes, windmills and large batteries. Significant growth is expected in all these sectors. According to the NL Times, reusage is the only way to keep earth materials from being discarded. (“Netherlands must implement a circular economy or face severe shortages by 2050,” NL Times, 08 September 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Parliament scrapes pensions for former public servants
On 07 September, a committee in the Federal Assembly of Switzerland voted in favour of abolishing generous pensions provided to former ministers and federal judges. The bill was proposed and passed by the right wing party, People’s Party. Rémy Wyssmann, a leader of the People’s party, said that federal judges and ministers enjoy a privilege that other citizens of Switzerland do not. According to Wyssmann, former ministers and judges should be given the same treatment by the government as everyone else. Members who opposed that bill said that it might undermine the political freedom of former ministers post retirement. (“Swiss government pensions come under pressure in parliament,” Swissinfo, 08 September 2024)
THE UK
Prime Minister Starmer defends winter fuel cut
On 08 September, the BBC informed that Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK had defended his government’s decision to cut the winter fuel payment. Starmer made the remarks during an interview with BBC News; the first interview since he took office. The winter fuel payments of between GBP 200 and 300 for over 10 million pensioners in the UK was removed by Starmer’s government in July. The decision came under criticism from several quarters. The critics included the leaders of trade unions and members of Starmer’s own Labour Party. Sharon Graham, the Secretary-General of trade union Unite stated that the UK Government should not be taxing pensioners while leaving the wealthy untouched. However, Starmer stated that the condition of the UK’s finances had made the cuts necessary. He also accused previous governments of not making difficult decisions and confronting issues like the cost of winter fuel payments. The PM stated that he was convinced his government could deliver that change. However, he informed that this meant “do the difficult things now,” and make “tough choices.” The PM acknowledged that the winter fuel decision was unpopular. (Laura Kuenssberg, “PM defends ‘tough decision’ over winter fuel cut,” BBC, 08 September 2024)
UK faces the question of nuclear waste storage
On 09 September, the BBC informed that the UK was facing a dilemma regarding the dumping of its radioactive nuclear waste. Most of the radioactive nuclear waste of the UK is temporarily present in the nuclear site of Sellafield in Cumbria. Claire Corkhill, Professor of Radioactive Waste Management at the University of Bristol stated that the waste remains radioactive for 100,000 years. Corkhill also informed that the waste releases energy which can penetrate and damage the cells in human bodies. Sellafield faces a problem of overcrowding, which means that the UK Government will have to seek a new site for dumping the waste. The process of waste control in Sellafield is undertaken by 11,000 staff 24 hours a day, with an estimated cost of over GBP two billion per day. However, one of the oldest waste storage silos in Sellafield is currently leaking radioactive liquid into the ground. Additionally, Sellafield is home to older radioactive material, from the Cold War era. According to Corkhill, the nuclear waste present at Sellafield needs to be isolated from future generations and future civilizations. While the plan is to contain solid waste from Sellafield in permanent underground storage, there remains a question as to where to locate that facility. A few local communities such as Seascale close to the Sellafield site, and South Copeland have been considered for the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). However, there have been complaints from residents regarding the utilisation of their communities for dumping facilities. It is believed that construction of a GDF can begin only after all the studies are conducted, and there is a level of community support. It is also estimated that nuclear waste cannot be dumped before the 2050s. (Victoria Gill and Kate Stephens, “Which rural area will take the UK’s nuclear waste?,” BBC, 09 September 2024)