Photo : AP/ Euronews
30 September 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #948
By Samruddhi Pathak and Advik S Mohan
THE EU
Switzerland and Italy redraw borders due to glaciers melting
On 29 September, The Guardian reported a shift in historically drawn borders between Switzerland and Italy. Both countries will modify the border near Matterhorn peak, one of the highest summits in Europe. It lies between Switzerland’s Zermatt region and Italy’s Aosta valley. Europe is the fastest-warming continent. A joint Swiss-Italian commission agreed for the border changes in May 2023. The Swiss Federation has signed the agreement while Italy has not signed yet. Switzerland lost four per cent of its glaciers’ volume in 2023 and six per cent in 2022, the highest ever recorded. Climate scientists have said that the Marmolada glacier, the largest glacier in the Dolomites, could melt completely by 2040. In 2022, a part of the glacier collapsed claiming 11 lives. (Angela Giuffrida, “Melting glaciers force Switzerland and Italy to redraw part of Alpine border,” The Guardian, 29 September 2024)
AUSTRIA
People’s Party possesses dominant levels of influence
On 27 September, a personal anecdote published in Politico informed how the People’s Party or OVP stayed dominant in Austria. The author began through the background of how the OVP had governed Austria since 1987, and ran an effective deep state in the country alongside the opposition Social Democrats party. The author informed how, for decades, the OVP and Social Democrats gave out teaching positions, civil servant jobs and executive postings in state-controlled companies based on political affiliation, in a clientelist system known as Proporz. It is informed further how the OVP has adapted to the new political system, wherein other political parties like the Freedom Party and the Greens have gained influence. The author stated he witnessed the OVP's power and influence firsthand when ORF, the Austrian public broadcaster, invited him to appear on their live Sunday political talk show, Im Zentrum. The ORF has been subjected to political manipulation in the past, including by the OVP which had appointed members of its party to key positions in the ORF like general director or as an editor. The OVP appointed Roland Weismann, the current General Director of the ORF. The author informed how while on the debate at the talkshow, he stated the OVP was a political Cosa Nostra whose members were motivated solely by the desire to remain in power. According to the author, after the debate, the OVP criticized him as a left-wing agitator and alleged the ORF was biased during the debate. The author stated the heavy criticism by the OVP led to the Im Zentrum programme being cancelled by the ORF. The author also informed how Sonja Sagmeister, a senior correspondent at the ORF was transferred and then fired after a critical interview conducted with Martin Kocher, the Federal Minister of Labour and a senior figure in the OVP. Another example provided by the author was prospective plans by the OVP to criminalize the publication of internal correspondence relating to corruption unless it was made public by authorities. According to the author, the aftermath of the news debate with him and the other instances of targeting of journalists showed how the OVP wanted to retain control of the media. (Matthew Karnitschnig, “Austria’s Cosa Nostra,” Politico, 27 September 2024)
Elections 2024: Far-right elected into power
On 29 September, Freedom Party (FPO), Austria’s far-right party, was declared as the largest party in exit polls. FPO managed to win 28.3 per cent of votes, more than the current ruling party, People’s party (OVP), which got 26.3 per cent of votes. The error margin in exit polls is around one per cent. FPO’s victory marks another country voting far-right into power. However, both parties have failed to achieve a majority i.e., two third of the total seats. This election recorded the highest participation of voters with 78 per cent of the population voting. The dominant issues in the elections were migrations, asylum, flagging economy and the war in Ukraine. After the exit polls, Michael Schnedlitz, the general secretary of FPO, said, “the men and women of Austria have made history today.” FPO leader, Herbert Kickl, has aligned himself with Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orban. FPO was founded by former Nazi leaders. According to Euronew, the far-right has banked upon the frustration among voters over inflation after COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. (Paul Kirby and Bethany Bell, “Far right in Austria 'opens new era' with election victory,” BBC, 30 September 2024; Daniel Bellamy, “Exit polls indicate Austria's far-right party has won national election,” Euronews, 30 September 2024)
FRANCE
Former European Commissioner laments loss of French influence
On 29 September, an article in Politico informed Thierry Breton, the former European Commissioner for the Internal Market, had criticised the perceived loss of power and influence for France in the EU. Breton was withdrawn as the French nominee for the European Commission after Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission criticised it. According to Breton, French influence in the new Commission was highly diluted, and France was at the same level as countries like Italy, Spain and Romania. Breton accused von der Leyen of carrying out a pro-German agenda, and a centralization of power. He informed von der Leyen was referred to as an 'empress,’ and stated the Federal Government of Germany was using her to increase its own power in the EU. Breton warned the balance in Europe was at risk. He also admitted other countries like France were not vigilant enough about the situation and were weak. This had contributed towards their loss of influence. ( Giorgio Leali, “Breton slams ‘empress’ von der Leyen’s power grab and France’s loss of influence in EU/,” Politico, 29 September 2024)
Marine Le Pen under trial for embezzlement
On 29 September, an article in Politico informed Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally party, faced a criminal trial which could impact her political ambitions. Le Pen and 26 other individuals including former French lawmakers face charges of embezzling European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016. According to prosecutors, Le Pen and the other individuals created a system whereby contracts for parliamentary assistants were awarded to individuals who worked on operations for the National Rally party rather than the EU. If found guilty, Le Pen faces the prospect of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to EUR one million. Another potential consequence could be a five-year ban on running for public office. The National Rally argued the cases against it resulted from cultural differences between France and the EU over what constituted an employee of a political party. Le Pen and her party are also likely to utilize the trial for their own political advantages. If Le Pen was found guilty, Jordan Bardella, the current President of the National Rally is the likely successor. However, Bardella also faces charges of having allegedly submitted falsified documents to investigators to show he worked on parliamentary affairs and not party business. ( Victor Goury-Laffont, “Marine Le Pen is on trial. A guilty verdict could doom her presidential ambitions,” Politico, 29 September 2024)
IRELAND
Rise in Chinese investments in the industrial sector
On 30 September, BBC reported about the rising Chinese investment in Ireland. Chinese companies have increased from 25 in 2020 to 40 in 2023. This will give Ireland the opportunity to reduce its dependence on the US for job creation. In May 2024, Dara Calleary, Ireland’s Minister of State for Trade Promotion appreciated how Huawei was contributing EUR 800 million per year to the Irish economy. Meanwhile, since 2018, WuXi, a drug manufacturing company, has invested more than EUR 1 billion in a facility in Dundalk, near the border with Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Ireland is presenting itself as a “gateway to Europe” for Chinese investments. For China, Ireland’s low corporate tax of 12,5 per cent is the main attraction. Although Ireland is diplomatically closer to China, it tries to portray itself as neutral between the US and China. The article discusses how Ireland strikes a balance between the two powers. (Padraig Belton, “Does Chinese investment benefit or damage Ireland?,” BBC, 30 September 2024)
PORTUGAL
Far-right calls for protests on immigration
On 29 September, the far-right party in Portugal, CHEGA party, called for protests against “uncontrolled immigration.” CHEGA is also Portugal’s third largest party. Protestors raised slogans like “expulsion of migrants who commit crimes.” Many citizens also blame migrants for the housing crisis in Lisbon. Tensions emerged during the protest when the protestors were passing by immigrant dominant areas. According to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, almost one tenth of the population of Portugal comprises migrants. There has been a rise of 33 per cent in the influx of migrants in Portugal. In June, the government tightened laws on immigration. (“Thousands in Portugal march against immigration in rally called by far-right party,” Euronews, 29 September 2024)
SERBIA
Politico writes on the political accomplishments of Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia’s President
On 30 September, Politico published an article on Vucic’s skillful balancing between the West, People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation. He has appealed to the masses through public gestures like cooking for army personnels and dining at restaurants. Meanwhile, he also refused to impose sanctions on Russia while he is also trading arms with the West. Serbia also claims Kosovo using support from Russia and China. Serbia’s strategic importance has further increased due to lithium mines. The next presidential elections in Serbia are due in 2027, however there are limited chances of Vucic coming to power due to his decision to go ahead with the lithium deal with the EU. (“Matthew Karnitsching, “Aleksandar Vučić has a clear strategy in his geopolitical chess game,” Politico, 30 September 2024)
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Main opposition wins one third of seats in the Upper house
On 28 September, the ANO, the main opposition party in the Czech Republic won a major regional election. It became the largest party in the Upper House of the Czech Republic, the Senate. The ANO, far-right party, won eight out of the 27 seats after the two-round election for a total of 81 seats. This is being defined as a big boost for the ANO party. National elections in the Czech Republic are due next year. Although the Lower House remains dominant in the Czech Republic’s legislative process, the Upper House has a significant role in appointing the judiciary and amending the constitution. (“Main Czech opposition party wins most seats in election for a third of Senate,” Associated Press, 28 September 2024)