Photo : Salemi/The AP.
By Samrudhi Pathak
AUSTRIA
Neos Party quits coalition talks give hope for far-right Freedom Party
On 01 January, talks to form a new government in Austria ended after one of the prospective partners, the liberal Neos party, pulled out of negotiations. Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) General Secretary, Christian Stocker, has blamed "backward-looking forces" among the Social Democrats party for prompting the collapse of the talks. Neos party is also the party with least number of seats among three prospective ruling parties. The Neos party, People's Party and the centre-left Social Democrats party had been trying to form a three-party ruling coalition after the far-right Freedom Party won national elections in September 2024. Head of the Neos party, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, said that it had not been possible to make progress or agree on "fundamental reforms" and that she had informed the other party leaders that Neos members "won't continue" talks. The People's party and Social Democrats only have 92 seats together out of a total 183 seats. This leaves the Freedom party as the largest party in the parliament. (“Austria: Centrist Neos party quits coalition talks,” DW News, 04 January 2025)
GERMANY
2,70,000 call for fireworks ban to prevent violence
On 04 January, almost 2,70,000 citizens of Germany signed an online petition demanding a complete ban on fireworks. The petition was signed after five were reported to be dead due to fireworks used during a New Year celebration. Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz also emphasised on the need for new regulations in the usage of firecrackers. Former German justice minister and the general secretary of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), Marco Buschmann said that a ban would be "inappropriate" and serve as "collective punishment." Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said that new rules are needed, but spoke against an outright ban. The police union that started the online petition argued that the ban is necessary to prevent violence against police and emergency services and has demanded to replace private fireworks with organized events. (“Germany: Thousands sign petition for fireworks ban,” DW News, 04 January 2025)
Rise in renewable energy generation in 2024 in Germany
On 04 January, the Federal Network Agency released a report on energy usage of Germany. The report suggested that renewable energy accounted for 59 per cent of total electricity generated in the country in 2024. The leading source of energy was wind with 31.9 per cent and solar energy contributed with 14.7 per cent of total energy. Energy consumption in 2024 had increased by 0.9 per cent compared to 2023 while power generation had fallen by 4.2 per cent. 2024 is also the first full year in Germany without nuclear power generation. Germany aims to be climate neutral by 2045. (“Wind and solar power drive Germany's renewable energy surge,” DW News, 04 January 2025)
Germany’s unemployment rate rises
On 04 January, the Federal Employment Agency's (BA) of Germany released a report suggesting an increase in the unemployment rate in Germany by 0.1 per cent. According to the Agency, the unemployment rate stands at six per cent as of December 2024 in comparison to 5.7 per cent during the same time in 2023. The unemployment figure increased by 10,000 people in December from November. The number is less than 15,000 which experts had predicted in a poll conducted by Reuters. The Agency said that there were 654,000 job openings in December, 59,000 fewer than a year ago. This indicates a slowdown in labor demand. The Agency also reported that there were more people working reduced hours under a state wage subsidy program known as "Kurzarbeit." The latest figures showed that the annual average number of short-time workers in 2024 was around 320,000, compared to 241,000 in 2023. (“German unemployment rate sees small rise in December,” DW News, 04 January 2025)
MONTENEGRO
National Security Council discusses ways to curb illegal weapons
On 04 January, Euronews reported that Montenegro's National Security Council had called for an emergency session to discuss a new gun law and urgent actions to confiscate illegal weapons in Montenegro from 6,20,000 of its citizens. Montenegro has a deeply-rooted gun culture. State television broadcaster RTCG reported that Montenegro is sixth in the world when it comes to the number of illegal weapons per capita. After the mass shooting incident which killed 12 citizens. Gun laws have come under public scrutiny. Many citizens are angry at the authorities for being lethargic towards taking action to prevent such tragedies. There was another incident of mass shooting in 2022 where 10 citizens were killed. (Gavin Blackburn, “Montenegrin officials discuss curbs to illegal guns after 12 killed in mass shooting,” Euronews, 04 January 2025)
REGIONAL
Iran warns Italy to return the detained Iranian citizen
On 04 January, Iran issued the warning to the Italian ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadei, who was summoned by the Foreign Ministry. The meeting took place a day after Italy had summoned the Iranian ambassador due to the detention of the Italian journalist named Cecilia Sala in Tehran. The detention of the journalist came after Italy detained an Iranian engineer, Mohammad Abedini, on a US warrant in connection with a drone attack in Jordan last year that killed three American troops. The US Justice Department accuses him and another Iranian citizen of supplying Iran with the drone technology that was used in a January 2024 attack. A Foreign Ministry official of Iran, Majid Nili Ahmadabadi, told Paola Amadei that Italy's continued detention of Abedini was an "illegal act that is done based on the US demand and in line with the political and hostile goals of the country to hold Iranian nationals hostage in various points in the world." (Gavin Blackburn, “Tehran warns Rome bilateral ties at risk if detained Iranian not released from prison,” Euronews, 04 January 2025)