Photo : Argentine Presidency Press
18 November 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #988
By Neha Tresa George
FRANCE
President Macron visits Argentina amid G20 summit
On 17 November, Politico reported on French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Argentina. According to an official from the Elysee Palace, Macron intended to convince Argentina’s President Javier Milei to adhere to "the priorities of the G20" and contribute to the international consensus.” President Milei was reported to be restricting talks on the final G20 communique for the summit scheduled to be on 18 and 19 November. This followed Argentina’s withdrawal from the COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan. On the meeting, Macron said that he would talk about “trade, agriculture and the G20 summit with Milei.” Besides, he would discuss “the defence of farming and farmers” about the “Mercosur mega trade deal between the EU and South American nations” which France opposes. Milei has always favoured an alliance with the US and becomes the first foreign leader to visit Donald Trump since his success in the elections. Argentina also announced that it was considering withdrawing from the “Paris Climate Agreement.” (Clea Caulcutt and Joe Stanley-Smith, “Macron in Argentina to soothe would-be G20 wrecker Milei,” Politico, 17 November 2024)
Protests stem against the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement
On 16 November, Le Monde reported on the EU- Mercosur agreement between the EU and the South American trade bloc which includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia. The agreement if signed would be the most significant trade deal between the parties as it nullifies all the custom duties on trade. With this, the EU aims to increase the exports of European goods which face high tariffs in these countries. The deal also includes substantial beef import quota. Although it was concluded in 2019, several countries have criticised it leading to a delay in its implementation. However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is keen to push for its implementation in 2024. Meanwhile, the French farmers have expressed their discontent with the deal. The unions were mobilising their people for protests across all regions. The main point of contention is the duty-free South American goods, especially beef which would result in massive competition in the market. The farmers termed it as “unfair” as the farms in South America are larger, the health and environmental standards are less strict and the labor costs are lower. Besides the farmers, the French political party members have also pointed out that the agreement failed to meet "the democratic, economic, environmental and social criteria set by the Assemblée Nationale and the Sénat." Although Macron was in support of the agreement initially, he altered his stance later in retaliation to the environmental policies of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's then-president against climate change. To veto the agreement in the EU, France would need the approval of at least four member states together, blocking the majority. Besides, countries like Germany and Spain have been pushing for the deal. (“EU-Mercosur: Why the French have opposed this free trade agreement,” Le Monde, 16 November 2024)
Marine Le Pen pushes for “judicial leniency” amid trials against misappropriation of funds
On 17 November, an editorial in Le Monde reported on the trial against the Rassemblement National (RN) party's leader, Marine Le Pen. She had been launching an intense communication campaign against the judiciary since the prosecutor’s request was granted. Five years' imprisonment, of which three years would be a suspended sentence, an EUR 300,000 fine; and a five-year ban on holding office have been requested against her. On this, Le Pen said: “It’s a political death sentence.” The 27 defendants in the case were not able to contest the charges of misappropriation of public funds by party co-founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, and then by his daughter Marine from 2004 to 2016. With her political capital, Le Pen is trying to influence the justice system. The verdict is expected to be announced in early 2025. However, the primary question was over the immediate enforcement of the ban on holding office. This would in turn prevent Le Pen from contesting in the 2027 elections. (“Far-right fake jobs trial: Marine Le Pen's malign offensive,” Le Monde, 17 November 2024)
BELGIUM
Energy Minister condemns the President of Azerbaijan for praising fossil fuel reserves
On 15 November, Belgium’s energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten condemned the statements of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev which “glorified fossil fuel reserves.” She referred to it as “inappropriate” for a country that was hosting COP29, an international climate conference. In his opening speech at the COP29 summit, Aliyev referred to the country’s oil and gas resources as a “gift of God.” In response, Van der Straeten noted that as a president, Azerbaijan must be an honest broker as most of the representative countries faced climate consequences due to fossil fuels. She added that this would undermine the chances of reaching an agreement on “financing climate action.” She also praised French Ecological Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher, who cancelled her trip to Baku after Aliyev condemned France and the Netherlands for holding overseas territories. (Zia Weise and Suzanne Lynch, “Azerbaijan leader’s fossil fuel praise an ‘abuse’ of COP29, Belgium says,” Politico, 17 November 2024)
France and Azerbaijan face tensions on overseas crimes
On 15 November, Euro News reported on the simmering political tensions between France and Azerbaijan against the backdrop of the COP29 summit. In his opening remarks, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev condemned France for carrying out “crimes” in its overseas territories. He said: “The lessons of France's crimes in these so-called overseas territories would not be complete without mentioning the regime's recent human rights violations.” According to experts, they were at odds due to France’s unwavering support to Armenia in its territorial conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. They refer to these tensions as “political” as France had provided diplomatic, financial, and even military aid to Armenia. In retaliation, France has accused Baku of meddling in the affairs of its overseas territories, especially New Caledonia. The experts claim that the “Baku inititative group” promote the independence aspirations of some pro-independence groups in the world. A report from France’s agency for monitoring foreign digital interference, VIGINUM pointed out Baku’s disinformation campaigns against France in social media. It also accused Baku for worsening the already problematic situation in New Caledonia. However, Baku has denied its involvement in these campaigns. (“Why are Azerbaijan and France at odds?,” Euro News, 15 November 2024)
FINLAND
Tops in the World Happiness Report 2024 for the seventh time
On 16 November, Finland was ranked first in the World Happiness Report of 2024 for the seventh time. An article in Deutsche Welle tries to find the reasons behind it. The country has five Happiness Ambassadors hired by the Finland Tourism Board. They are responsible for giving insights into the Finnish way of life in their own professions. Finland has a remarkable way of living conditions. The people have decent incomes and benefit from the welfare state and freedom. They have high levels of trust in government as there is little corruption. It was also found that the Finnish mindset “sisu” plays a great role in keeping up their happiness. It is the mentality to face things how they are positively and to not give up. These were some of the reasons found to have accounted for Finnish happiness. (“Why is Finland such a happy place?,” Deutsche Welle, 16 November 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Residents prepare to evacuate from Brienz village amid landslide risks
On 16 November, Deutsche Welle reported on the evacuation of the village of Brienz near Davos in the Swiss Alps following warnings of a landslide. Geologist Stefan Schneider said a 1.2 million cubic meters could hit the valley and bury the village. He added that in case of rainfall or rockfall, the speed could increase to 80 kilometers per hour (49.7 miles per hour) or more. The head of the military and civil protection office for the canton of Graubünden asked the people to prepare themselves as early as possible. He told them to take their valuables and evacuate from the village. Meanwhile, the villagers have expressed their fear and concern over evacuation. The majority of them, especially farmers with livestock were finding it difficult to make their own arrangements. The residents would receive insurance only in case of total loss. They complained that they lacked “emotional and existential security” with the ground beneath the village sliding down into the valley at the rate of 2.4 metres per year. Recently, it was also found that climate change was not the sole cause of this erosion. The Brienz village also had an earlier experience of landslide risk back in May 2023. (Jeannette Cwienk, “Amid landslide warning, Swiss village prepares to evacuate,” Deutsche Welle, 16 November 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Government diffuses tension overs alleged anti-racist remarks
On 16 November, Deutsche Welle reported that the ruling coalition of the Netherlands had calmed their tensions over alleged anti-racist remarks by the government ministers. The comments were made on the violence between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv teams after the Europa League football. The far-right Party for Freedom’s leader Geert Wilders condemned Moroccans for the attack on Israeli fans. He said: “We saw Muslims hunting Jews.” He added that the accused people should be deported and “prosecuted for terrorism.” Besides, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof said that the Dutch Moroccans had failed to integrate into the country. Amid these comments, the state secretary for benefits and customs at the Ministry of Finance Nora Achahbar of the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) party resigned for what she saw as polarisation and derogatory comments about immigrants. However, the government has diffused the tension in the coalition after her resignation. Schoof said: “There was and is no racism in the government.” The government would have lost its majority in the parliament if NSC had left. (“Dutch coalition survives crisis talks over offensive remarks,” Deutsche Welle, 16 November 2024)