Photo : Yannis Kolesidis/EPA
21 November 2024, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #991
By Neha Tresa George
FRANCE
Protesting farmers lift a blockade after discussions with Prime Minister Barnier
On 20 November, Le Monde reported that the French farmers had lifted a blockade after discussions with Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Hard-line farmers' union Coordination Rurale (CR) lifted its roadblock for heavy trucks on the A9 motorway, which links southwestern France with Spain's northeast. They were protesting for decent pay and a prospective FTA between the EU and some of the Latin American countries. Their decision to maintain the blockade was altered by Barnier’s expression of support to them. He confirmed that he understood their side and was working to uphold his commitments towards them. The farmers were earlier protesting for the low prices of their produce and environmental regulations. It was then triggered by the prospected Mercosur-EU deal. (“French farmers lift border blockade,” Le Monde, 20 November 2024)
GREECE
Labour unions protest against the rising cost of living and meagre wages
On 20 November, The Guardian reported on the strike carried out by employees from the public and private sector in Greece. The nationwide 24-hour strike aimed to put pressure on the government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis against the increasing cost of living. The labour unions asked for “dignified wages” against the backdrop of increasing consumer costs and increasing income inequalities. The strike was expected to affect the functioning of government offices, schools, hospitals and public transport, including train services and island ferries. The union leaders have blamed the government for its failure to contain the increasing inflation thereby pushing the people to low standards of living. According to the leader of the main private sector union GSEE, Yannis Panagopoulos: “The cost of living is sky high and our salaries rock-bottom, while high housing costs have left young people in a tragic position.” Although Mitsotakis has recently increased the minimum wage from EUR 900 to 950, the labour unions claim that it was not enough. The living standard crisis faced by Greece was in contrast to its economic progress in this decade. (Helena Smith, “Greece faces general strike as workers protest cost of living squeeze,” The Guardian, 20 November 2024)
TURKEY
Bids to chair COP31 in 2026 amidst Australia’s attempts
On 20 November, The Guardian reported on the contest between Australia and Turkey to hold the UN climate talks in 2026. Australia is planning to hold the COP31 along with the Pacific nations that were most affected by climate change. At COP29, Australia was attempting to play a primary role along with Egypt by mediating the complex negotiations over the final deal. Australia’s climate change minister, Chris Bowen said that he was respectful of Turkey’s attempt to chair the COP31 but mentioned the prospects of involving the Pacific nations who were excited about the upcoming opportunities. Australia has the support of 23 out of 29 countries out of a Western European countries group. Meanwhile, Turkey has reasserted its bid in recent days. According to a media outlet based in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had told the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese that Turkey would not withdraw the candidacy. (Adam Morton and Fiona Harvey, “Australia and Turkey in standoff to be host of crucial 2026 climate talks,” The Guardian, 20 November 2024)
REGIONAL
Undersea cable sabotage undergoes thorough investigation
On 20 November, CBS News reported on the investigation of the sabotaged undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. A maritime tracking service Vessel Finder showed a Chinese-flagged cargo ship called the Yi Peng 3 in the vicinity of the area where the cables were damaged. Since the ship was docked in Danish waters, the military also confirmed its presence near the vessel. Vessel Finder tracking data showed a Danish navy patrol ship close to the anchored cargo vessel. On the sabotage, Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian President denied any Russian involvement in it. He said that it was "quite absurd to continue to blame Russia for everything without any grounds." Peskov added that Ukraine could be the reason behind the sabotage. Since Finland and Germany have also confirmed the damage of a cable between the countries, a thorough investigation was being carried out. A Swedish company Arelion also confirmed that one of its subsea cables were damaged. They are in constant communication with the Swedish authorities and military regarding the issue. (Emmet Lyons, “Undersea cables cut or damaged, leading European nations to investigate possible sabotage,” CBS News, 20 November 2024)
Marine Le Pen condemns judiciary over her trial
On 20 November, Politico reported on the statements made by Marine Le Pen on her trial and the 2025 budget. She condemned the prosecutors for sentencing her to “political death.” She claimed that her trial was being politicized to prevent her from contesting in the 2027 French Presidential elections. This is because if found guilty, she would face five years imprisonment along with a ban on holding public office for at five years. She said: “There’s real outrage … the public prosecutor’s office has created a disturbance of the peace with its demands.” According to her, the prosecutors’ demand in her case was a “political act” as they were not independent. She added that ineligibility to conduct for the upcoming Presidential elections would have irreparable repercussions on her political career. She also warned French Prime Minister and his government over the budget. She argued that the demands of her National Rally Party were not taken into consideration. She threatened him that her party would withdraw its support to the government. Barnier needed RN’s support to remain in control. (Victor Goury-Laffont, “Marine Le Pen accuses prosecutors of trying to sentence her to ‘political death,’ calls her trial ‘politicized’,” Politico, 20 November 2024)
The EU is at risk of economic slowdown and debt sustainability, warns ECB
On 20 November, Politico reported on the warnings issued by the European Central Bank (ECB) over the weak growth of the EU’s economy amidst tariffs imposed by the US. It has expressed its concern over “debt sustainability” and “policy uncertainty” in the light of current conditions. The major countries in the EU like France and Italy are faced with low growth with their public finances already stretched. ECB also noted that several business companies were going bankrupt with the low growth rates coupled with rising interest rates. The US Presidential elections have also complicated the economic condition of the EU countries. The upcoming President of the US Donald Trump has promised to impose tariffs of 20 per cent on all the exported European goods. ECB fears that such a move would push the EU into a prolonged economic slowdown. (Carlo Boffa, “Lack of growth threatens revival of eurozone debt crisis, ECB warns, Politico, 20 November 2024)
Ford aims to cut jobs in the EU amidst significant losses in recent years
On 20 November, Deutsche Welle reported on the new job cuts proposed by the US automotive company Ford company in the EU. Due to the significant losses in recent years, the company plans to cut 4000 jobs in Europe by 2027. It said that it would cut 14 per cent of its European workforce with some 2,900 job cuts in Germany by the end of 2027. Another 800 jobs are due to be cut in the UK and 300 in other EU nations. The company’s European vice president for transformation and partnerships Dave Johnston said that difficult yet decisive decisions had to be made in light of the economic competition and CO2 regulations faced by Europe’s automakers. The companies are facing competition from China’s cheap EVs. Moreover, they are at risk of billions of fines if failed to meet the new carbon regulations of the EU, set to be implemented in 2025. Ford is also putting pressure on the German government to improve the market conditions for the promotion of European EVs. (Ford looking to cut thousands of jobs in Europe,” Deutsche Welle, 20 November 2024)
The EU Parliament approves the final list of executives
On 20 November, Politico reported that European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen’s executive was set to function from 01 December with the Parliament approving the list of the commissioners. Von der Leyen had selected six executive vice presidents (Estonia’s Kaja Kallas, Italy’s Raffaele Fitto, Romania’s Roxana Mînzatu, France’s Stéphane Séjourné, Spain’s Teresa Ribera and Finland’s Henna Virkkunen) to manage the “regular” commissioners. The selection of Fitto from the European Conservatives and Reformists of Italy was condemned by the Socialists and Democrats group in the bloc. However, they gave in at the end and approved the list. (Gregorio Sorgi, “Von der Leyen eyes major reshuffle to boost control over EU budget,” Politico, 20 November 2024)