Photo : AP Photo/Bruno Fonseca
By Samruddhi Pathak
THE EU
Starts procedure to deduct EUR 200 million from Hungary's budget
On 18 September, The EU initiated the procedure to deduct EUR 200 million from Hungary’s annual EU budget. The decision was announced after Hungary missed its second deadline to pay the fine imposed by the European Court of Justice. The fine was imposed due to Hungary’s restrictions towards asylum seekers and had to be paid in a lump sum amount. Hungary missed the first deadline in August and the second one on 17 September as well. Meanwhile, Hungary is facing EUR 1 million fine for each day it delays. As a retaliation, Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, said that he will send buses for migrants from Hungary to Brussels voluntarily and free of charge. So far, no buses have been sent by Hungary. However, the statement was heavily criticised by Belgium and other EU members. Moreover, Hungary has also announced a new scheme under which would extend the National Identity Card to Russian and Belarusian citizens. The EU has raised security concerns over the decision. Hungary justified the decision by citing labour shortage as a reason. (Jorge Liboreiro, “Brussels moves to deduct €200 million fine from Hungary's EU funds, as country refuses to pay up,” Euronews, 18 September 2024)
Role of renewable energy lobby in the new European Council
On 18 September, Euronews reported on the influence behind Ursula von der Leyen’s, the President of European Parliament, choice of European Council. Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner of the Netherlands, was re-appointed as the EU climate commissioner. Meanwhile, the energy portfolio was taken by Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner of Denmark, and has been given the energy portfolio. Jørgensen’s appointment has rekindled the hope for the Green Deal, the flagship policy proposed by Leyen during her first term. Teresa Ribera, Spain’s environment minister, has been appointed as the executive vice president of transition to clean energy. Linda Kalcher, executive director of the think tank Strategic Perspectives, described the European Council members of climate and energy as a “dream team.” According to the report in Euronews, Leyen is confident that Denmark’s EU Commissioner will be able to handle the pressure from oil and energy companies to promote green energy policies in Europe. Hoekstra has even called lack of taxation on aviation industries as “absurd.” However, there are still speculations over who will represent the EU at COP26 in Azerbaijan in November. (Robert Hodgson, “Dream team’: Green groups breathe a sigh of relief on von der Leyen’s climate choices,” Euronews, 17 September 2024)
European leaders call for emergency meetings as flooding continues
On 18 September, Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, declared a state of natural disaster in flooded areas of the country. So far, more than five people have died due to floods in Poland. The Czech Republic also continues to deal with rising water levels in the Oder River. Four people who were swept away by the River on 17 September are still missing as per the police reports. In Hungary, the Mayor of Budapest said that this is the biggest flood in the last one decade that the city has faced. Sandor Pinter, the Interior Minister of Hungary, said that 12,000 troops are on standby to deal with any emergency that might arise. The water levels of the Danube river, the largest river in Europe that flows through ten countries, continue to rise. (“Poland declares state of natural disaster in areas affected by severe flooding,” Euronews, 18 September 2024)
FINLAND
Government proposes to withhold healthcare from migrants
On 18 September, The government of Finland, which consists of the right-wing Finns party and the National Coalition party, proposed to reverse a law passed in 2023 which enabled undocumented individuals to access healthcare and education in Finland. Doctors have urged the government to change plans to table such an amendment since it will cost lives. The government plans to cut spending and immigration through this amendment. Louise Bonneau, an advocacy officer for the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants said that healthcare is a basic human right and the amendment will compromise Finland’s commitment to equality and justice. (Miranda Bryant, “Doctors criticise Finland’s proposal to withhold healthcare from migrants,” The Guardian, 18 September 2024)
PORTUGAL
Government seeks the EU for assistance as wildfires spread
On 18 September, the Portuguese Republic asked the European Commission to activate their mechanism for Civil Protection to combat wildfires in the Aveiro district in western Portugal. So far, the national government has deployed almost 1,600 firefighters. However, since it requires more firefighters, under the Civil Protection mechanism, the EU will also deploy them. The government has issued an alert for the mainland cities as well. The wildfires continue to spread in the western region of Portugal. It has also resulted in death of one firefighter in Oliveira de Azeméis. (“Portugal asks EU for assistance as wildfire reaches residential area,” Euronews, 19 September 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Russia accused for switching from its neutrality stance
On 18 September, The Russian Federation accused Switzerland of shifting from its neutral stance as it imposed sanctions on Russia. In April 2024, Switzerland had frozen Russian assets worth of CHF 5.8 million. As per Sergei Guriev, former chief economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, said that sanctions cannot be classified as a punishment, rather it is a way to prevent wars. Even though the goal of the sanctions was to cripple the Russian economy. It has adapted to the war. This year the economy grew 5.4% in the first quarter and 4% in the second quarter. Françoise Tschanz, spokesperson of the Swiss Economics Ministry, said that Switzerland’s neutrality policy is limited to only military involvement. He said that despite the sanctions, Switzerland continues to be neutral since it is not militarily involved in the conflict. (Elena Servettaz, “Debunking Russian propaganda on Switzerland,” Swiss.info, 18 September 2024)