Photo : AP/Euronews
25 November 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #994
By Neha Tresa George
GEORGIA
Protests gather outside the parliament against the election results
On 25 November, Euronews reported that the Georgian protestors gathered in front of the Georgian parliament before the first session of the newly-elected parliament. The opposition party members also expressed their discontent and boycotted their parliamentary activities. The leader of the Unity National Movement coalition, Khatia Dekanoidze said that the ruling of the Georgian Dream Party did not have the legitimacy to govern the Georgian people. The ongoing protest is due to the claim that the election results were rigged to promote a pro-Russian government. The people condemn the party to be increasingly authoritarian and pro-Moscow. The President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili also rejected the election results and intended to move to the constitutional court. (“Georgian protesters rally in Tbilisi ahead of first session of newly-elected parliament,” Euronews, 24 November 2024)
FRANCE
President Macron commemorates the Strasbourg liberation in WWII
On 23 November, Euronews reported on the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Strasbourg's liberation during World War II. France’s President Emmanuel Macron remembered the day by attending various ceremonies. He examined troops and paid his respects to General Philippe Leclerc, who headed the French troops into the city in 1944. As part of his memorial tour, he also visited Bruche Valley and the Natzweiler- Struthof concentration camp near Strasbourg, the only Nazi camp in France. He also called for honouring the victims of the Second World War. (“Macron marks 80th anniversary of the liberation of Strasbourg during WWII,” Euronews, 24 November 2024)
POLAND
Law and Justice Party announces historian Nawrocki as presidential candidate
On 24 November, Euronews reported that Poland's conservative Law and Justice party chose Karol Nawrocki as its candidate for Presidential elections scheduled to be held in August 2025. Nawrocki is a 41-year-old historian who has led the Institute of National Remembrance since 2021, a state body that stores archives and researches the crimes of World War II and the communist era. He said: “I am ready to become your president. I am ready because I have been with you all my life. I am next to you I know Poles and I understand your needs. Yes, I am one of you.” The party chose him over popular politicians like former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. If the party had chosen others, the corruption scandals during their time could have been a major threat to their election campaigns. The Law and Justice Party was trying to regain their position after they lost to the Civic Coalition of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Meanwhile, Tusk announced that Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski would be his party’s presidential candidate. (“Polish opposition party chooses historian Karol Nawrocki as presidential candidate,” Euronews¸24 November 2024)
SPAIN
Protestors demonstrate against spiking housing rents in Barcelona
On 24 November, Euronews reported on the protests happening in Barcelona over the surge in housing rents. The protestors took to the streets by holding sign boards saying: “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living" and “The people without homes uphold their rights.” They were demanding a 50 per cent cut in the rents. According to the protestor’s organization, over 126000 participated while police claimed it to be 22000. The protestors also threatened to go on a “rent strike” and stop paying their rent if no measures were taken. Earlier, the Spanish government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez organised a “housing summit” with government officials and real-estate owners which was boycotted by Barcelona’s Tenants Union boycotted. The latest development undertaken by the government was a rent cap mechanism that could be applied to areas branded “highly stressed.” The government has also promised to remove the city's 10,000 "tourist apartments" by 2028. The housing crisis in Spain was peaking with Spaniards spending 40 per cent of their income on rent compared to the EU’s estimated average of 27 per cent. (Tens of thousands protest high rents in Barcelona,” Euronews, 24 November 2024)
THE UK
USAF reports three unidentified drones over air bases
On 24 November, the United States Air Force (USAF) reported on the identified drones identified over the three air bases in the UK. It said that between 20 and 200 November, “small UAVS” were detected over Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk, eastern England. However, the aims of the drones remained unclear. USAF said: “The UASs were actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure.” It also assured to monitor their airspaces and continue working with other countries to confirm the safety of air spaces. (“Unidentified drones seen over UK airbases — US Air Force,” Deutsche Welle, 24 November 2024)
REGIONAL
EU Foreign Policy Chief announces support of EUR 200 million to Lebanon
On 24 November, Euronews reported on the visit of the EU’s Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell to Lebanon amidst wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Borrell said that the EU was set to provide EUR 200 million to help the Lebanese military deploy additional troops to the south of the country. Upon speaking with the Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, he also called for a ceasefire and more pressure on Israel and Hezbollah. He said: “As the European Union we are supporting the Lebanese people, the Lebanese army and the Lebanese institutions.” A prospective agreement between the countries would require the withdrawal of Hezbollah and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon according to the principles of the UNSC resolution. Borrell also expressed his support for the ICC’s arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and Hamas' military chief for the war in Gaza. (“EU to allocate over €200mln to Lebanese military as ceasefire talks continue,” Euronews, 24 November 2024)
Storm Bert affects Ireland and the UK causing outage in 60,000 houses
On 23 November, winter storm Bert hit regions across the UK and Ireland causing strong winds, heavy rain, snow and ice. The weather forecasters referred to it as a “multi-hazard” event. The weather led to airports, roads, ferry and train routes being closed. It also led to the death of two people in southern and northern England. The heavy rains causing flood made some roads impassable. The storm also led to an electricity outage in some 60,000 properties overnight. Extreme snow was also reported in Scotland and northern and central parts of England. (“Storm Bert wreaks havoc across UK and Ireland,” Deutsche Welle, 23 November 2024)