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By Samruddhi Pathak
FRANCE
National Assembly approves special law to maintain core functions
On 17 December, the National Assembly of the Republic of France approved a special law aimed to maintain core state functions and prevent any interruption of public services. The French constitution allows the lower house to pass a special law in the parliament that rolls over the tax-raising and spending provisions in the current budget to ensure there is no government shutdown in the absence of a proper budget bill. The law comes after Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, named Francois Bayrou as Prime Minister. The Senate, upper house of the parliament, will approve the law to ensure functioning. (“French parliament avoids government shutdown by passing special budget rollover bill,” France24, 17 December 2024)
Curfew imposed in Mayotte
On 17 December, the French Government imposed overnight curfews in Mayotte, which was hit by cyclone Chido recently. The Interior Ministry of France has stated that the cyclone has killed thousands of citizens causing havoc. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, has said that he will soon visit the French territory in the Indian Ocean and even declared a national mourning for the victims. The curfew has been imposed to prevent looting, as per the Interior Ministry. The cyclone has affected 70 per cent of the habitants. Experts believe that the cyclone was fueled by climate change. Mayotte is the poorest region in France, with almost one-third of its population living without a proper roof and thus offered scant protection against the storm. (“France imposes nighttime curfew on cyclone-hit Mayotte in bid to prevent looting,” France24, 17 December 2024)
DENMARK
Anti-whaling activist freed after five months of jail
On 17 December, the government of Denmark freed Paul Watson, an anti-whaling activist after five months of jail in Greenland. The Ministry of Justice of Denmark rejected an extradition request filed by the government of Japan for Watson. According to Japan, Watson attacked one of its whaling ships in 2010 which he calls fabricated. He was detained from the port of Nuuk in Greenland after an arrest warrant was issued by the Interpol. Watson was a member of Greenpeace but was later removed due to multiple arrest warrants being issued against him. He founded his own Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022. He resides in France. He accuses Japan of carrying out illegal whaling operations. Japan, Iceland and Norway are the only three countries in the world to carry out for-profit whaling operations. In 2019, Tokyo withdrew from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which oversees the management of whaling and the conservation of whales, to resume whaling in its own exclusive economic zone. (“Denmark frees anti-whaling activist Paul Watson,” Deutsche Welle, 17 December 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Swiss youth are looking for vocational jobs less likely to be replaced by AI, says Swissinfo.ch
On 17 December, Swiss.info published a report regarding the changing job preferences of youth in Switzerland. The report said that youth thinks that creative jobs are likely to be replaced by generative AI like ChatGPT while manual work like bricklaying cannot be replaced. Professions that involve interpersonal roles like nursing, therapists and teachers are also becoming popular. Deloitte conducted a global survey and found that six in ten individuals of the Gen Z and Millennial generations, individuals born between 1981 and 2012, expect to re-train either in skills resistant to automation or in AI-related expertise which is increasingly in demand. ( Sara Ibrahim, “Swiss youth in vocational training seek jobs less prone to automation,” Swiss.info, 17 December 2024)
Swiss interests in scientific research and diplomacy in Djibouti
On 17 December, Swiss.info published a report on Switzerland’s strategy in the Gulf of Aden. Switzerland had taken part in an expedition carried out in the Gulf of Tadjoura where researchers found samples of the unique vegetation. The researchers think that the DNA analyses will help them discover the biological processes of these corals, which can be more resistant towards climate change than reefs in other parts of the world. Switzerland also has diplomatic objectives in the research as it wants to intertwine scientific research and diplomacy. The Red Sea region, with its many tensions, could also play an important geopolitical role in the future beyond coral reefs. Djibouti has the biggest American military base in Africa, similarly, other countries like China, France, Italy and Japan also have their military bases. Bab el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea, is one of the busiest sea lanes in the world. It is one of the most important trade routes between Europe and Asia. Nearly 25 per cent of the world’s shipping traffic passes through this waterway every year. Switzerland is an important player as many shipping lines and logistics firms are headquartered in Geneva and other Swiss cities. These firms are realising the impact of maritime security threats in the region. According to the report, Switzerland has used its humanitarian aid and development cooperation activities in the Horn of Africa to try and play a constructive role in stabilising the region. Its neutrality policy prevents the country participating militarily in the region; it has developed scientific and research based methods to interact with the Horn of Africa on a diplomatic level. (“How Switzerland is handling geopolitics in Djibouti,” Swiss.info, 17 December 2024)
REGIONAL
Politico reports on loopholes in EU’s climate policy
On 16 December, Politico published an editorial based on the interview of Janez Lenarčič, former EU Commissioner on climate change. According to him, the EU relied too much on the top-to-bottom approach like raising the cost of fossil fuels rather than supporting industry and making climate-friendly alternatives affordable. The EU’s policy to tackle the social consequences of this approach is to allocate EUR 86 billion to help poor households cope with a new carbon price on car and heating fuels. Critics argue that the sum is insufficient to help the households and help the transition. He also said that there is a lack of incentive for the poor households and industrialists to make green transition. Even the EV demand in the EU has come down. Meanwhile, conservative groups in the EU parliament have advocated reversing of climate legislation towards deforestation rules, pesticide regulations and emissions standards for cars. Many EU governments are also demanding less strict green laws to maintain industrial competitiveness. Many businesses and farming associations are also lobbying against the green laws. (Zia Weise, “EU climate strategy risks Yellow Jackets-style backlash, ex-crisis chief warns,” Politico, 16 December 2024)
Trump to visit Germany before the national elections
On 17 December, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of the Federation of Germany, said that he hopes Doland Trump, President of the US, after he is sworn in as the President on 20 January 2025. National elections in Germany are likely to be held on 23 February 2025. Donald Trump has also invited Xi Jinping, the President of People's Republic of China, to his swearing in ceremony. Meanwhile, political parties in Germany have started drafting their manifestos. Political analysts suggest that Scholz’s meeting with Trump might change some discourse of the elections. There are debates on television lined up between Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz, the candidate from the opposition parties i.e, Christian Democratic party (CDU). The debate lineup has been criticised by the Greens party and Alternative for Germany (AfD) for inviting only two candidates for the debate. Scholz and Merz will debate each other on free-to-air channels ARD and ZDF on 09 February and again on private channel RTL on 16 February. (“German election: Scholz plans Trump visit before vote,” Deutsche Welle, 17 December 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
EU ministers meet over enlargement talks
On 17 December, an enlargement conclusion report was released after EU ministers met in Brussels. Turkiye and Georgia are reported to have received least approval due to democratic backsliding in the country. Meanwhile, Moldova and Ukraine were favoured by most. Regarding Georgia, the EU raised concerns regarding rule of law, fundamental rights, functioning of the judiciary and institutional independence. Georgia's overall failure to align with the EU's foreign policy and restrictive measures, including against Russia and Belarus, was another point of concern for ministers. Meanwhile, Turkiye problematic ties with Cyprus, an EU member, became an issue. Turkey is the only country in the world that recognises the sovereignty of the northeast portion of the island of Cyprus. Meanwhile, Ukraine was appreciated for high alignment with the EU foreign and security policy. Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia were rated fairly well as potential EU members. (Alice Tidey and Maria Psara, “EU affairs ministers rebuke Georgia and Turkey in enlargement conclusions,” Euronews, 17 December 2024)
Western naval stations to check ageing Russian oil tankers
On 17 December, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Estonia said that they will ask suspected shadow fleet vessels for proof of insurance as they pass through bodies of water such as the English Channel and Danish Strait. These countries were a part of the two-day meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force, a grouping of ten Ukraine-supporting nations, in Tallinn. Western countries have prohibited their companies from offering services such as insurance or financing to ships that offer crude oil over an agreed price cap of USD 60 per barrel. These countries accuse Russia of circumventing restrictions using a network of ageing whose poor condition could lead to oil spills or other disasters. This comes after two Russian oil tanker ships were severely damaged due a storm leading to the spilling of tons of oil. (Jack Schikcler, “UK, Denmark vow to ‘disrupt and deter’ Russia’s shadow fleet,” Euronews, 17 December 2024)
Erdogan urges the EU to focus on common interests such as Syria
On 17 December, after Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkiye, met with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU, Erdogan told the media, “There is a need, more than ever, for stronger and more institutional relationship between Turkey and the EU.” He pushed for better relations between Turkey and the EU and focused on Syria. Turkiye was an EU candidate in 1999 but the negotiations have been conclusive since then. The membership bid was also put on a standstill in 2018 due to deterioration in democracy of the country and high-level political dialogue has also been suspended since 2019. Turkiye has backed the Syrian National Army, an opposition group based in Northern Syria that took part in the offensive that toppled Assad. It is also a mediator between Western allies and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel force leading the transition of power. Turkiye hosts around 3.2 million Syrian refugees. After the meeting, von der Leyen announced a support of EUR 1 billion for Syrian refugees in Turkiye. The Wall Street Journal also published a report suggesting that the US officials are becoming wary of a possible Turkish invasion on Syrian Kurds, who are backed by Washington. (Jorge Liboreiro, “Erdoğan pushes for EU-Turkey upgrade after meeting von der Leyen to discuss Syria,” Euronews, 17 December 2024)
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