Photo : Eva Manez/REUTERS
11 November 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #982
GERMANY
"Germans love their discounters when they are buying from them and not selling them,” says an editorial in Politico
On 11 November, an editorial in Politico titled “German discounters crush fresh produce prices – and suppliers too” discussed how discounters such as Lidl and Aldi through their dominant role in the market coerce the food suppliers into selling their produce for “dumping prices.” It also highlights how procuring food produced at cheaper rates from the suppliers impacts the working conditions and rights of the labourers. It mentions Jorge Acosta who is the head of the “banana workers’ union” in Ecuador stating that cheap prices of food products give an excuse to the discounters for not paying heed to the “rights of the workers.” In addition to that, the cheap prices offered by the discounters are also impacting sustainable produce as the customers walking in these giants would not prefer to buy the costly food products that are produced through sustainable methods. (Nette Nostlinger, “German discounters crush fresh produce prices – and suppliers too,” Politico, 11 November 2024)
ICELAND
Melting glaciers increases the possibility of Volcano explosion
On 10 November, Deutsche Welle reported that the probability of volcano outbreaks might have gone up due to the “melting of glaciers” that has led to the formation of a greater amount of magma beneath Iceland. In 2021, it was reported that due to the piling up of “44 million cubic meters of magma” Askja volcano has enlarged by 4 inches in a span of a very short duration. Iceland could be an interesting place to test the hypothesis of whether melting glaciers increase the chances of volcanic explosions, Iceland has both glaciers and volcanos and there has been limited research on the same. (Nele Jensch, “Is climate change increasing Iceland’s volcanic activity,” Deutsche Welle, 10 November 2024)
SPAIN
Demonstration held in Valencia against the futility of authorities in coping with floods
On 10 November, Deutsche Welle reported that roughly 130,000 people held demonstrations in Valencia to express their anger over the authorities’ failure to combat floods. There were also reports of skirmishes between a group of protesters and police. Demonstrators demanded that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the regional head Carlos Mazon resign from their offices. Previously, Valencia also witnessed a group of demonstrators who threw “Mud on Mazon and Spanish king Felip VI” to mark their dissent. Valencia accounted for 212 deaths out of a total of 220 deaths in the country. Roughly 80 people are still not found in the search operations. (“Spain: Thousands protest in Valencia over floor response,” Deutsche Welle, 10 November 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Skirmishes in Amsterdam between police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators
On 10 November, Deutsche Welle reported that there were skirmishes between the police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Amsterdam. The former arrested 50 people. Previously, the government had imposed a “temporary ban” on pro-Palestinian demonstrations after the city witnessed skirmishes between football fans of Israel and the local population. Amid the skirmishes in Amsterdam, Israel has cautioned its citizens who are planning to see the football match between France and Israel. The National Security Council of Israel has recommended that Israeli citizens must refrain from going for sports events. The Police chief of Paris Laurent Nunez has however warned that the authorities would not stand any acts of violence in the venue of the match. (“Amsterdam police break up banned pro-Palestinian rally,” Deutsche Welle, 10 November 2024)
THE UK
“UK wants to sell itself as a global environment leader, but it got a BP problem,” says an editorial in Politico
On 11 November, an editorial in Politico titled “Britain hugs oil giant BP while preaching climate action” discusses the proximity in the relationship between British Petroleum, the Azerbaijan government and the UK government. The editorial mentions that COP-29’s host Azerbaijan receives maximum “foreign investment” from British Petroleum. The latter had put in efforts in Azerbaijan and played an instrumental role in creating capital generated from “oil and gas.” British Petroleum is uninterruptedly surveying drilling options in Azerbaijan and is estimated to invest a mammoth USD 11 billion by 2050 in new drilling areas. British Petroleum is also known to play a crucial part in the diplomacy of the UK. As per some analysts, British Petroleum has placed itself in an important position from where it can have cordial financial relationships with both UK and Azerbaijan. The editorial states that Azerbaijan’s need to move towards renewable energy sources is delayed by its close ties with British petroleum and the latter’s “fossil fuel interest” in the region. (Charlie Cooper, “Britain hugs oil giant BP while preaching climate action,” Politico, 11 November 2024)
REGIONAL
The EU divided initiating “joint debt” in ‘New Competitiveness Deal’
On 08 November, Euronews reported that the “New European Competitiveness Deal” which is referenced from former Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi’s analysis, has received patronage from leaders of the EU countries which aims to fix the dire state of economy in the region. It recommends that to increase the bloc’s competitiveness against the US and China. First, more investment in small and medium industries and new “start-ups”. Second, reduction in bureaucratic hurdles. Third, enhance the “single market.” Fourth, invest not less than 3 per cent of the GDP in Research and Development. Draghi advocated for the initiation of “Joint debt” because the bloc needs an extra EUR 800 billion per year to maintain its competitiveness. Germany and the Netherlands have however dismissed the measures in the deal which propose to introduce “joint debt” and alternatively suggested emphasising already prevailing frameworks such as the European Investment Bank and the bloc’s “multiannual budget.” (Jorge Liboreiro and Aida Sanchez, “EU leaders endorse ‘New Competitiveness Deal’ but skirt around joint debt” Euronews, 08 November 2024)
EU Foreign Policy head insists on not delaying climate action
On 11 November, Euronews reported that the EU’s Foreign Policy Head, Josep Borrell called for immediate action on climate change. He stated that the world must not delay its actions to fight the threat of climate change despite the change in the presidency of the United States. Azerbaijan would be hosting Cop-29 where the EU delegation would be led by “climate commissioner” Wopke Hoekstra whose objective is to promote the use of renewable energy sources in developing countries. The EU conducts roughly 25 per cent of the world’s funds on climate finance. The emissions from EU countries have gone down by 08 per cent in 2024 from the previous year and thus the bloc would be hoping to cling to the “leadership role” in fighting against climate change. It is predicted that the EU would not showcase high high-profile “presence” in Cop-29 unlike in Cop-28 which took place in Dubai. (Robert Hodgson, “World cannot wait on Washington for climate action, Eu foreign policy chief warns,” Euronews, 11 November 2024)
Mario Draghi recommends steps for the EU to take to compete against US and China
On 09 November, Mario Draghi presented a plan in a meeting with the European ministers on what steps the EU must take to compete with China and the US. The plan recommends five measures. First, the EU must infuse Euro 800 billion in “Research and development, infrastructure and defence.” This would account for 27 per cent of the EU’s GDP, an increase of five per cent. Second, the EU must form a common “capital market” and “regularize the issue” of “common bonds.” Third, the EU should look into ways to decrease its reliance on “Chinese Supply chains.” Fourth, the EU must facilitate the growth of “new tech companies” and “industrial firms” by increasing the ease of doing business. Fifth, it EU must take steps to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and smoothen the pathways involved in “decision-making.” (Bernd Riegert, “How can EU compete with US, China and other?,” Deutsche Welle, 9 November 2024)