Photo : Giorgi Arjevanidze, AFP
16 December 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1012
By Samruddhi Pathak
GEORGIA
Protests escalate as Georgian Dream names their president
On 15 December, the ruling party Georgian Dream announced plans to appoint their new President Mikheil Kavelashvili, a far-right politician and former footballer. France24 interviewed some protesters who said President Salome Zurabishvili should stay in the office and guide the country through such a difficult time. On 14 December, an electoral college controlled by Georgian Dream is expected to elect Kavelashvili as president in an indirect vote in parliament boycotted by the opposition. Zurabishvili, meanwhile, has refused to step down and is demanding new parliamentary elections, paving the way for a constitutional showdown. With Zurabishvili refusing to leave office, opposition lawmakers boycotting parliament, and protests showing no signs of abating, constitutional law experts say that the vote will be illegitimate and Kavelashvili will see his presidency undermined from the day of appointment. (“Georgia crisis deepens as new far-right president set to be appointed,” France24, 15 December 2024)
FRANCE
François Bayrou named as the new PM
On 14 December, Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, named the new Prime Minister, François Bayrou. When Macron took the Presidential office in 2017, Bayrou was named the Justice Minister. In February 2024, he was also acquitted from a case about fraudulent employment of parliamentary assistants by his party, the judge ruling that he was owed the “benefit of the doubt.” Bayrou would be the sixth Prime Minister under Macron’s presidency. It is a critical time for France as its parliament has been without a government for almost 100 days. Bayrou has worked with former Presidents like Valery Giscard d'Estaing and Jacques Chirac. Bayrou also authorises a biography of the 16th- and 17th-century French king Henry IV. He also stood for the Presidential elections in 2002. However, he managed to win less than seven per cent of votes and was eliminated in the first round itself. (“François Bayrou, Emmanuel Macron's centrist ally and France's new PM,” France24, 14 December 2024)
GREECE
Migrant boat collapses killing five
On 14 December, five migrants died after the boat carrying them collapsed near Crete, a Greek island. 40 are missing while 39 survivors have been rescued. The Ministry of Migration reported that there has been an increase of 25 per cent in migration in Greece and a 30 per cent increase to Rhodes and the southeast Aegean. There have been quite a few incidents that have led to the death of migrants. In November, eight migrants, six of them minors, died north of the island of Samos, on a route frequently used by people smugglers. (“At least five dead, dozens missing after migrant boat capsizes off Greek island near Crete,” France24, 14 December 2024)
IRELAND
Israel announces closure of its embassy in Dublin
On 15 December, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that it was closing its embassy in Ireland, citing the Dublin government’s “extreme anti-Israeli policies” as a reason. The bilateral ties between Ireland and Israel have deteriorated after Ireland recognised Palestine as a state and backed a case in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip. Ireland has also been outspoken regarding its criticism of Israel since the Israel-Hamas war started on 07 October 2023. Gideon Saar, the Foreign Minister of Israel, said: “The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state.” In November, Simon Harris, the Prime Minister of Ireland, said the Irish authorities would detain Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, if he travelled to Ireland since the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for him. After Ireland recognised the Palestinian state, Spain, Norway and Slovenia followed the same suit. In November, Dublin accepted the appointment of a full Palestinian ambassador for the first time. (“Israel shutters Dublin embassy, accuses Ireland of ‘extreme anti-Israel policies’,” France24, 15 December 2024)
ITALY
Prime Minister grants citizenship to Argentina's President
On 14 December, Giorgia Meloni, the Prime minister of Italy, received Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, and gave him the news that his citizenship applications had been granted. Milei took part in a festival on 15 December organised by the Brothers of Italy, the party from which Meloni comes. Milei had announced harsh public spending cuts in 2023. He claimed Italian citizenship based on his ancestry. His grandparents migrated from Italy to Argentina in the early 20th century. He also stated that he was 75 per cent Italian. His sister, Karina Milei, has also received Italian citizenship. Riccardo Magi, a member of parliament from the opposition, said that granting citizenship to Milei was an “insult” and an act of “intolerable discrimination against so many young who will only get it after many years.” (“Italy grants citizenship to Argentine President Javier Milei,” Deutsche Welle, 14 December 2024)
RUSSIA
Tons of oil products spilt in the Black Sea in storm
On 15 December, two Russian tankers carrying tons of oil products split apart due to a sea storm. The incident took place in Kerch Strait. The vessels issued distress calls. One was also killed during the incident. Criminal proceedings have been initiated to investigate whether the crew failed to follow the safety measures. Both tankers have a loading capacity of about 4,200 tonnes of oil products. The Kerch Strait is a key route for exports of Russian grain and is also used for exports of crude oil, fuel oil and liquefied natural gas. More than 50 and equipment, including Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats, had been deployed to the area. Ukraine accuses Russia of keeping the Strait under its unilateral control while Russia denies it. (“Oil spill near Black Sea after two Russian tankers seriously damaged in storm,” France24, 15 December 2024)
SERBIA
Serbians protest against lithium mining
On 14 December, France24 reported about the anxiety among rural dwellers in Serbia due to lithium mining contracts that the government is signing. Many residents fear that lithium mines will replace their village in the coming years, leaving them homeless. Local protesters also complain that the process of raising their voice against the government has made them less productive towards their work and taken much of their time. The government, meanwhile, has looked the other way towards their plight. The protesters believe the kind of favouritism Australian mining company Rio Tinto is getting might cause an environmental catastrophe. Jadder region in western Serbia has the largest lithium deposit and of a higher quality as well. Demolition of some houses has already begun. Meanwhile, the profit earned from lithium mining would favour the offshore company more than to the local residents. (“Residents in rural Serbia rally against lithium mining project,” France24, 14 December 2024)
THE UK
Becomes the first European member of CPTPP
On 15 December, the Government of the UK announced that it has become the 12th member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. The accession treaty was signed by the Conservative Government in 2023. Most members have ratified the UK’s entry into the Partnership. Officials in the UK estimate that inclusion of the UK will boost the economy by EUR 2.4 billion per annum. After Brexit, the UK is trying to sign economic deals with other countries since its economy has also been struggling. The EU still makes up to 40 per cent of the total exports of the UK and over 50 per cent of the imports. Before the UK joined, CPTPP had 11 members i.e., Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Initially, the US was planned to be a member of the CPTPP. However, it withdrew after Donald Trump was elected as the president in 2016. China is also seeking a membership in CPTPP. The members of CPTPP contribute up to 15 per cent of the global GDP. The UK has signed several deals with Australia, New Zealand and Singapore since it left the EU. However, economists have said that Brexit’s economic loss dwarfs the impact of these deals. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary under the Labour Government, said the government will publish a trade strategy paper in 2025. (“UK joins Indo-Pacific trade bloc as first European member,” Deutsche Welle, 15 December 2024)