Photo : Markus Schreiber/AP
17 December 2024, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1013
By Samruddhi Pathak
GERMANY
Snap elections to be held as Scholz loses vote of confidence
On 16 December, Bundestag, the parliament of the German Federation, passed a no-confidence motion against Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany. Thus, Olaf Scholz is no longer the chancellor of the German Federation. However, he is the acting head of state as the country until the next government is formed will remain active on an international level. New elections will be held in February and there will be significant time between the announcement of the elections and the formation of a new government. According to the latest survey, opposition’s candidate Friedrich Merz, from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, is ten points ahead of Scholz. Polls suggest that CDU has 32 per cent of the vote share. Meanwhile, Alternative for Germany (AfD) is ahead of Socialist Democratic Party, the party Scholz belongs to. On 17 December, Scholz visited Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of the German Federation, to propose dissolution of the Bundestag. 394 members voted against the government, 207 voted in favour and 116 abstained. (“German election: Scholz loses confidence vote,” Deutsche Welle, 16 December 2024)
Schools closed temporarily due to MPOX virus
On 16 December, the MPOX clade 1b variant was found to be present in all members of a family. Two children were found to be positive with MPOX clade 1b variant of the virus. The school is near the city of Cologne. The clade 1b variant has caused concern due to the increased risk it poses, however, MPOX is generally not very contagious. The World Health Organization has declared the virus a "public health emergency of international concern" due to its spreading in various parts of Africa where it has killed many people. However, there have been only a few reports of the disease in Germany and no casualties, so far. (“German school temporarily closed after mpox case reported,” Deutsche Welle, 17 December 2024)
FRANCE
Macron to visit Mayotte after being hit by a devastating cyclone
On 16 December, thousands of lives were affected by a cyclone in Mayotte, a French island in the Indian Ocean. Emergency workers are still rescuing individuals strangled. This was the worst cyclone in almost a century. He announced that he will be travelling to Mayotte in the coming days. He also announced national mourning for the victims. The cyclone that hit the region was cyclone Chindo. Cyclone Chido devastated large parts of East Africa on 14 and 15 December with winds of more than 200 kilometres per hour. (“Emmanuel Macron vows to visit cyclone-hit Mayotte,” Deutsche Welle, 16 December 2024)
François Bayrou strengthens ties with political parties
On 16 December, François Bayrou, the new Prime Minister of the Republic of France, met with Marine Le Penn to discuss formation of the new government. His appointment is being considered as a positive step by political thinkers amid the political turmoil that the country is facing. He is the sixth Prime minister under Emmanuel Macron, the President of France. Apart from getting all political parties on board, including the far-left and far-right parties, to remain in power, he also has to get the budget for 2025 passed by the National Assembly in the parliament. The former Prime Minister, Micheal Barnier, resigned from the post after a no-confidence motion was passed against him. The motion was backed by far-right and far-left as well. Barmier became the shortest serving Prime Minister with a tenure of 91 days. According to Euronew, Bayrou is planning to meet all parties except far-left party France Unbowed (LFI), which has refused to deal with. (“France's Le Pen hails 'positive' meeting with new PM Bayrou,” Euronews, 16 December 2024)
REGIONAL
Hungary and Slovakia vetoes proposal to impose EU sanctions in Georgia
On 16 December, sanctions were proposed by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas against Georgia. This is due to the crackdown the government is showing towards protesters demonstrating pro-EU sentiments. The sanctions were vetoed by Hungary and Slovakia. However, an alternative plan is being proposed by EU countries to impose travel restrictions on Georgian passport holders. This is the first proposal Kaja Kallas has proposed since he assumed office on 01 December. After the meeting ended, he said, “It's my first Hungarian veto but I can guarantee it's not the last.” To impose sanctions, a vote of all 27 members is required. Protests sparked after the ruling party announced suspension of talks regarding joining the EU until 2028. In December itself, other Baltic states also imposed sanctions on Georgia for using violence against the protesters. Protests have been going on for more than two weeks now. (“Hungary and Slovakia veto EU sanctions on Georgian officials as protests continue,” Euronews, 16 December 2024)
EU approaches the European Court of Justice over citizens’ rights
On 16 December, the EU decided to refer the UK to the EU Court of Justice after the UK failed to grant rights to EU citizens which it had promised under the Brexit deal signed in 2019. Currently, three million EU citizens dwell in the UK. During Brexit negotiations, the EU made the rights of Europeans already living in the UK one of its top three issues, along with the UK settling its budget bill with the European Union and safeguarding an open land border with Ireland. Keir Starmer, the Prime minister of the UK, himself a former international human rights lawyer, has promised to reset the Brexit deal. He called it botched while highlighting ongoing issues with touring musicians and the trade in food products. (“Brussels takes UK to court over EU citizens’ rights,” Euronews, 16 December 2024)