|
By Neha Tresa George and Abhiruchi Chowdhury
REGIONAL
The EU delay to implement Deforest Regulation law sparks concerns
On 13 November, Deutsche Welle reported on the delay in implementing the landmark EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) law. It was a means to counter the forest reduction due to the cutting and degradation of trees as propounded by a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The law was based on the idea that the EU importers would have to prove that their supply chains for products like coffee, chocolate, leather, paper, tires and furniture would not lead to deforestation in any other parts of the world. Companies that failed to meet the requirement had to face fines up to four per cent of their turnover. The law was part of the European Green Deal and was adopted by the Parliament in 2022. However, the EU was considering to delay its implementation to 2025. Some MEPs have expressed their dissatisfaction over this delay. According to some of the studies in the EU, a delay for another year would lead up to the loss of about 2,300 square kilometres. Meanwhile, agriculture and environment ministries of Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden have approved of this delay citing various reasons. Some of them were the unreadiness of the companies and the unavailability of digital tools to implement this law. Nevertheless, Ghana and Ivory Coast being the world’s largest cocoa producers were ready for the law. In response to the delay, about 120 Ghanaian and Ivory civil society along with some farmer organisations wrote a letter to the EU, citing their concerns. The final decision on the implementation of the law would only be taken on 14 November by the European Parliament. (“Why the EU might delay a law to slow deforestation,” Deutsche Welle, 13 November)
European Commissioner concerned over usage of Chinese infrastructure in critical telecom
On 13 November, the new European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen expressed her dissatisfaction over the usage of China’s Huawei and ZTE as part of critical telecom infrastructure by several EU member states. According to her: “The majority of communication in Europe is transmitted through high-risk applications. A few countries have imposed rules on the high-risk vendors.” She added that this would be met with a revision of the Cyber Security Act in 2025, following a discussion with member states. Along with that, she warned the member states to take the issue seriously as these telecom companies were considered to be high-risk. (Cynthia Kroet, “New EU tech chief to discuss 5G security measures with national governments,” Euronews, 13 November 2024)
FRANCE
Uncertainty looms over Marine Le Pen’s political career as prosecutor calls for five year ban
On 13 November, Euronews reported that Marine Le Pen who leads the National Rally party and stood for Presidential elections in 2017 and 2022 against Emmanual Macron, is under scrutiny for using “EU parliamentary funds” to remunerate “party staff”. If the charges against her are substantiated, she could face five years of prison time and might have to pay fines up to EUR 1 million. Also, if proven guilty, she would become ineligible to contest for presidency in 2027. She, however, maintains that the charges are “politically motivated” and that the duties of “parliamentary aides” also consist of engaging in “political activities.” (Oman Al Yahyai, “Marine Le Pen denies EU funds misuse as 2027 presidential ambitions remain uncertain,” Euro News, 13 November 2024)
MPs reject the proposed draft budget for 2025 due to new taxes and fiscal battering
On 12 November, Le monde reported on the rejection of the draft budget bill proposed by Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government. It was a heavily amended bill with new taxes by the opposition. There were 362 votes against the budget from the Assemblée Nationale. The Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said: “A majority of MPs rejects both fiscal battering and the impossibility of France living up to its European commitments.” The lawmakers had altered Barnier’s earlier EUR 60 billion plan to correct the public finances with 40 billion in spending cuts and 20 billion in new tax receipts. The rejection would call for another revised budget. (“French MPs reject massively amended 2025 budget,” Le Monde, 12 November 2024)
GERMANY
Volkswagen enters into a joint venture with the US EV company Rivian
On 13 November, Deutsche Welle reported on the joint venture between German car manufacturer Volkswagen and the US EV manufacturer Rivian. The value of the venture was estimated at USD 5.8 billion. It was expected to be based on Rivian’s “advanced software and electric vehicle technology.” At the launch of the venture in California, VW Group CEO Oliver Blume said that the first models were expected to be produced in 2027 followed by rollout with Audi, Scout, Porsche, and other brands. These companies aimed to “create next generation software-defined (SDV) platforms.” Its operations will be primarily in Palo Alto along with Europe and North America. However, both VW and Rivian are facing challenges due to their losses recorded in this year. (Germany's VW and Rivian launch joint electric car venture,” Deutsche Welle, 13 November 2024)
President Steinmeier approves the early election timeline
On 11 November, Deutsche Welle reported that Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier agreed to the early elections following the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition. He said that the election timeline on 23 February was “realistic.” A statement from the President’s office read: “The head of state "welcomes the fact that the parliamentary groups have agreed on a roadmap towards a vote of confidence" on December 16" and "considers February 23, 2025, to be a realistic date for new elections.” In addition, Steinmeier confirmed that he would dissolve the Parliament if Scholz failed to win the confidence vote. Apart from that, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) announced that it would prepone its national party conference to January rather than March following the early elections. (“President calls German early election plan 'realistic',” Deutsche Welle, 11 November 2024)
SLOVAKIA
New amendment to forbid use of minority languages in public
On 13 November, Euronews reported that an amendment that would forbid on using minority languages in public has been proposed in the Slovak parliament. The amendment if becomes a law would forbid using of minority languages such as Hungarian in places like “public transport and post offices.” People who fail to comply would be liable to pay fines that could go up to EUR 15000. Previously, in 2009, the Slovak parliament passed a “similar amendment” which made Slovak compulsory for “civil servants.” The same led to a diplomatic tussle with Hungary who in the past had raised concerns on the treatment of people who speak Hungarian in Slovakia. Eight per cent of the population in Slovakia is Hungarian and forms Slovakia’s largest minority. The opposition parties and members in Slovakia have predicted that the proposed legislation might draw condemnation from the EU, bring down its competitiveness and incur losses to businesses. (“Slovakia’s draft language law sparks fears over rights of Hungarian minority,” Euro News, 13 November 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Government to introduce land border checks from 09 December
On 11 November, Euronews reported that the Netherlands government, following the footsteps of Germany, is planning to put more “land border checks” to manage the problem of “irregular migration.” Netherlands Migration Minister Marjolein Faber confirmed that border checks would be put in place from 09 December. Previously, the migration minister also conveyed to the EU that it did not want to remain a party to the “EU refugee obligations.” The EU permits its member nations to put up border checks temporarily if there is a “serious threat.” However, checks should be introduced only if no other option is available and should not remain for an indefinite period. (“Netherlands joins Germany in implementing extra border checks,” Euronews, 11 November 2024)
|
