Photo : AP Photo/Michel Euler
11 December 2024, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1008
By Samruddhi Pathak
REGIONAL
EU countries halt asylum applications of Syrians following the fall of Assad
On 09 December, Politico reported on the European countries’ plan to deport Syrians from their countries following the fall of Syria’s dictator Bashar Assad. Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, the UK and Germany halted asylum applications from Syria. Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said: “I have instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly return and deportation program to Syria.” Following the US’s decision to list Syrian rebel factions, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under terrorist organisations, these countries altered their migration policies, closing all their borders to asylum seekers. Meanwhile, this decision was considered hasty by the refugee rights and aid organisations. According to them, Syrian refugees had the right to seek asylum amidst uncertainties in their country. Even ahead of the fall of Assad, European countries found it difficult to manage the refugees. Germany saw the most number of asylum seekers from Syria in 2024. The governments seek to have a better relationship with Syria, paving the way for the deportation of Syrians. (Seb Starcevic, Dan Bloom, Nektaria Stamouli and Andrew McDonald, “Austria prepares to deport Syrian migrants after Assad regime falls,” Politico, 09 December 2024)
FRANCE
Macron to appoint a Prime Minister in the next 48 hours
On 10 December, Agence France-Presse reported that Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, aims to name the new Prime Minister in 48 hours. The president invited leaders from all the political parties except leaders of the far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) and hard-left party La France Insoumise (LFI). Macron is determined to not announce any upcoming elections until the end of his term. Meanwhile, the political turmoil in France remains. The Greens party have ruled out joining a "national interest" government, while the Socialist party leaders have said they would only serve under a left-wing Prime Minister. Even the budget for 2025 has not been passed yet. The budget deficit of France is six per cent of its GDP, much higher than the EU average of three per cent. (“Macron aims to name prime minister 'within 48 hours',” Le Monde, 10 December 2024)
GEORGIA
Protests in Georgia enter its 13th day
On 11 December, protests in Georgia will last 14 days. Protests have been happening in Tbilisi against the ruling party, Georgian Dream. The police have detained more than 300 protesters and have been using tear gas against them. The Georgian government formally applied for EU membership in March 2022 after Russia attacked Ukraine. Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023. Georgians had celebrated this on the streets of Tbilisi. However, the current government suspended EU membership negotiations until 2028, and protestors are also questioning the freeness and fairness of the elections held on 26 October this year. (“Georgian anti-government protests enter twelfth night amidst intensifying policing,” Euronews, 11 December 2024)
SPAIN
Spanish fishermen protest against EU restrictions on fishing
On 10 December, the European Union announced new restrictions on the number of days allowed for fishing in the Mediterranean Sea. The new restrictions announced will reduce them from 130 to 27 days. The EU aims to protect biodiversity and fish stocks in the Mediterranean sea through these restrictions. Protesters argue that these cuts would harm Spain's economy and the fishing industry badly. They also believe the EU’s plan is based on flawed data and does not consider local fishermen’s concerns. The industry reportedly employs around 3,000 on board and generates a further 17,000 jobs indirectly. (“Spanish fishermen protest against EU fishing quotas,” Euronews, 11 December 2024)
SWITZERLAND
A Swiss campaign against gender-based violence end
On 10 December, a campaign against gender-based violence ended after 16 days. More than 300 organisations were a part of this campaign, and more than 10,000 participated. One of the participants said that addressing gender-based violence has become a societal emergency. The campaign aimed to demand better public support for women in distress and provide the victims with gender-based justice speedily. The campaign sparked after statistical data was released suggesting that one woman is killed every two weeks in Switzerland due to gender-based violence. (“Sixteen-day Swiss campaign against gender-based violence ends,” Swiss.info, 10 December 2024)
THE NETHERLANDS
Netherlands implements border controls to curb migration
On 08 December, the Netherlands deployed border checks at specific points where it shares borders with Germany and Belgium. Eijsden Faber, a member of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), which is a part of the ruling coalition, said that the border checks aim to reduce the influx of migrants that the Netherlands is facing. The current border checks are based on Article 25 of the Schengen Border Code, which allows an EU member to implement temporary border control measures in case of a “serious threat to public order or national security.” This means that the influx of migrants is treated as a matter of national security and a threat to public order in European nations. However, municipalities near the border have protested against the new measures as it would create hurdles for those who work cross country daily. (“Netherlands starts border controls to curb migration,” Deutsche Welle, 09 December 2024)
THE UK
British oil company to reduce its investment in renewable energy
On 10 December, British oil company BP announced that it would reduce its investment in renewable energy by 2030. It has collaborated with Jera, a Japanese company, on wind energy projects. A new venture called Jera Nex BP has been announced. Both companies will equally own it. This will be the British company’s most significant offshore business. Murray Auchincloss, the CEO of BP, said that the company is emphasising more than oil and gas to boost profits. Offshore wind is one of the primary renewable energy sources that Europe is counting on to decarbonise electricity production, but rising costs and supply chain issues have challenged recent projects. (“Oil giant BP to ‘significantly reduce’ investment in renewable energy for rest of decade,” France24, 10 December 2024)
REGIONAL
EU Commission plans to make EU strategically independent
On 10 December, the EU Commission discussed plans to make the European defence less dependent on the US. Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s first Commissioner for Defence and Space, told the press that democracies must unite against authoritarian regimes. Between February 2022 and 2023, 75 per cent of new orders for the EU defence sector came from outside Europe, according to the European Aerospace, Security and Defence Industry (ASD). During an interview, Guillaume de La Brosse, head of the defence industrial policy unit, said that the EU executive recognises defence industry dependency as a problem and is committed to ensuring a "strong transatlantic partnership" on defence. The EU Commission is currently working towards sourcing 65 per cent of the defence equipment from the continent itself. (Paula Soler, “EU seeks to reduce defence dependency on US over longer term, says Commission official,” Euronews, 10 December 2024)
European aviation industry suffers due to Russia-Ukraine war says Politico
On 11 December, Politico reported on the disadvantages due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The EU has made Russia a no-fly zone for European airlines. Passenger and cargo carriers are forced to take longer routes to avoid Russia. They are also forced to bear the costs of burning fuel and paying overtime for pilots and cabin crew. The struggle to profit from travel between Europe and Asia has led several airlines, including Lufthansa, British Airways and Poland's LOT, to suspend some routes. This led to overpricing of flights for customers. Most airlines are dropping their direct flight to China. Meanwhile, the number of Chinese airlines flights from Beijing to Europe has increased significantly. (Tamasso Lecca, “Flying over Russia: Chinese airlines win and Europeans lose,” Politico, 11 December 2024)
EU aims to combine green energy goals with industrial revival
On 10 December, Wopke Hoekstra, the EU Commissioner for climate change policies, said that the EU is weakening its green policies to resume industrial revival. Politico interviewed him about the EU's sustainability goals. The EU Commission has recommended that the bloc to reduce carbon emissions by 90 per cent to reach its goals of net zero emissions by 2050. However, a formal bill has not yet been passed in parliament. This year, the EU passed a law to alter existing deforestation laws that might increase deforestation. Hoekstra said that altering environmental laws in favour of industrial development is not an answer to environmental issues. (Zia Wiese and Barbara Moens, “Changing green rules won’t help industry, EU climate chief says,” Politico, 11 December 2024)