Photo : Manon Cruz/Reuters
By Abhiruchi Chowdhury
GERMANY
Chancellor Scholz confirms preparedness to undertake a confidence vote in 2024
On 11 November, Deutsche Welle reported that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had confirmed that he was prepared to undertake a “vote of confidence” in 2024 provided that it was acceptable to all the key parties. He earlier was looking at holding a confidence vote in January which would have paved the elections in March. The three-party coalition which headed the government saw a breakaway when Chancellor Scholz fired Federal Democratic Party Leader Christian Lindner. The opposition parties have warned that they will not allow the passing of any law by the present minority government. (“Germany’s Scholz says he is ready to hold confidence vote this year,” Deutsche Well, 11 November 2024)
GEORGIA
Georgian Dream party adamant about not cooperating with the EU
On 11 November, Politico reported that the Georgian Dream party criticized leaders of EU countries who raised suspicion over its victory in the elections held in October. A delegation from “France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Finland and Baltic countries arrived in the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi, however, “chair of Georgia’s parliament declined to hold talks with it. Michael Roth who heads the “Foreign Affairs” of Germany alleged that elections were not conducted in a “free and fair” manner and that his visit was to showcase support to those Georgians who wish to integrate in the EU. The “Secretary General of Georgian Dream,” Kakha Kaladze termed the European dignitaries as “ordinary pests.” Further, opposition parties in Georgia have demanded that the EU must not accept the current government in the country as legitimate. (Gabriel Gavin, “Georgian government blasts European delegation amid call for election investigation,” Politico, 11 November 2024)
PORTUGAL
Demonstrators “protest” in Lisbon and Porto against low “minimum wages”
On 10 November, Euronews reported that more than a thousand demonstrators rallied in Lisbon and Porto to register their dissent against low wages and demand better “housing and healthcare.” The protests were led by the General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP) whose Secretary General, Tiago Olivera pointed at hardships of the working class in accessing costly “housing” and “healthcare” as the main causes of worry. Portugal is placed in 12th position in terms of “minimum wage” in the European Union. The “minimum wage” for a month was highest in Luxembourg which is “EUR 2204” followed by Ireland and Netherlands which have set “EUR 1840” and “EUR 1829” as “minimum wages” respectively. Portugal has set its “minimum wage” per month as EUR 820.
(“Thousands protest in two cities in Portugal to demand higher wages and pensions,” Euro News, 10 November 2024)
RUSSIA
“The New Russian church could be used by Russia for covering future intelligence or sabotage operations” claims an editorial in Politico
On 11 November, an editorial in Politico titled “New Russian church raises suspicions in Swedish town” discussed the distrust raised over the newly built “Russian Orthodox Church” in Vasteras, Sweden. The editorial highlights the proximity of the church to a “strategic airport”, “energy” firms and “water treatment works” as the key reasons that have put the church in the ambit of suspicion of potentially housing spies who are involved in collecting sensitive data. The “Russian Embassy in Stockholm” has stayed silent on the issue while the church and members of the church have dismissed the speculations of their potential connection with Russian security agencies. The editorial mentions multiple instances such as the “arson attack” in UK’s “warehouse” in April for which European countries have blamed Russia for infiltrating spies in their respective countries. The editorial mentions the opinions of the experts who have advised that the authorities dealing with sensitive information and which are in proximity of the church must see the latter as a “significant vulnerability.” (Charlie Duxbury, “New Russian church raises suspicions in Swedish town,” Politico, 11 November 2024)
THE UK
Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Paris to commemorate “Armistice Day”
On 11 November, Euronews reported that the British Prime Minister was in Paris to celebrate the “106th anniversary of the Armistice” with his French counterpart Emanuel Macron. The celebrations are a tribute to remembering the time when “Allied” soldiers defeated the Nazi forces to free the occupied French land. The meeting between the two leaders symbolizes friendly relations between the two countries. The two leaders are anticipated to deliberate the Russia-Ukraine war. Israel-Palestine conflict and other key “foreign policy” matters. British Prime Minister Starmer informed that the UK government has set aside GBP 10 million to be spent on celebrating 80 years since the allied forces achieved “victory” in the continent and thereafter Japan conceding in the second world war. (“Armistice Day: Starmer and Macron celebrate Franco-British relations in Paris,” Euronews, 11 November 2024)
REGIONAL
New climate and tax commissioner determined not to push “EU climate targets”
On 07 November, Euronews reported that the newly chosen “EU’s climate and tax commissioner” Wopke Hoekstra confirmed that the discontinuation of “petrol and diesel” cars would be achieved by 2035. On the issue of imposing tax on “aviation fuel and air travel,” he stated that he was ready to hold a meeting with stakeholders who are prepared to deliberate upon it. On COP-29, he stated that the EU must be decisive in terms of demanding other countries such as the US and China to reduce their emission as the EU itself emits a mere 6 per cent of the “global emissions.” When faced with an argument from Alternative for Germany’s leader Anja Arndt who refuted claims of climate change, Hoekstra stated that “Europe is heating up twice as quickly as the world average.” Proponents of climate action had expressed satisfaction with Hoekstra’s intention to not alter “EU climate targets.” (Robert Hodgson, “EU climate chief gets green light for new Commission,” Euronews, 07 November 2024)