Photo : REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
IN FOCUS
By Padmashree Anandhan
Northern Ireland: Challenges post the resignation of the First Minister
On 03 February, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Paul Givan resigned. He belongs to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and was against the trade protocol signed during Brexit. The resignation comes opposing the EU checks in the Irish Sea on the goods transported from the UK. He said: “They have been impacted by the agreement made by the United Kingdom government and the European Union, which created the Northern Ireland Protocol.”
Explaining the issue:
The situation arose due to the party’s Agricultural Minister stopping the inspection of goods coming from the UK, which were subject to checking as per the Protocol. The DUP have been against the Northern Ireland protocol since the time it was signed, as it views the protocol to be compromising its position. It is because of the protocol, the DUP has to meet the rules of the EU in the border checkpoints.
Due to the power sharing system in Northern Ireland, the Deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill who belongs to the nationalist party Sinn Fein will by default have to give up her leadership. The leader of both parties called for elections to prevent political instability.
Three challenges: Domestic power sharing, Irish backstop, and people’s stance
First, the problem of power sharing. In Northern Ireland the First Minister must be from the Democratic unionist party [SCD2] and the Deputy First Minister from the nationalist party. This arrangement serves as the base to the political chaos in the region. In the upcoming elections this year, the polls indicate that the pro-Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein is asserted to take over DUP, hence threatening the DUP position as First Minister. On the other side, the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has been constantly threatening to devolve the government over the Brexit Protocol and the leader has resigned now. Political stability cannot be achieved unless both parties come to an agreement.
Second, Ireland backstop or Northern Ireland Protocol. The problem between the UK and the EU is another challenge in establishing peace in the region. Former UK’s Prime Minister Teresa May’s proposal of Ireland backstop aimed at avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland but at the cost of the UK coming under EU’s customs territory. Until an open border is achieved, the UK will not be able to vary its tariff rates and will have to follow the single market regulation even after Brexit. The backstop triggered debate and arguments. With a change of leader, current Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposed the Northern Ireland Protocol. Under the Protocol both the UK and the EU agreed to keep the UK outside the economic bounds of the EU, instead to have checkpoints on goods that entered from the UK. The agreement brought peace only to the powers outside (the UK and the EU), but the agreement was not accepted by the DUP and they continue to threaten the internal peace of the region.
Third, the people's stance. In terms of economy and standard of life, the Ireland backstop allowed the people of Northern Ireland to connect for trade, job opportunities with the rest of Ireland, the UK and the EU market. With the backstop not approved and replaced with the Northern Ireland Protocol in 2019, angered the people. In terms of governance, the domestic scenario has only worsened due to bad governance under the devolved government. It is because the relations between the DUP and the UK have been strained since the 2019 Protocol, the handling of the domestic issues is found to be biased with regard to the sectarian killings and divide which still persists in the region at various levels. The UK has also failed to look into human welfare. Under the Good Friday Agreement 1998, a provision was given where the constitutional status of Northern Ireland can change with the future polls from the people. Hence, with the living conditions worsening for the people of Ireland, a protest is highly expected to call for polls for a united Ireland.
References:
“Northern Ireland first minister resigns over post-Brexit trade rules,” Deutsche Welle, 04 February 2022
Lisa O'Carroll, “Northern Ireland first minister resigns over Brexit checks on goods,” The Guardian 03 February 2022
“Brexit: UK gives EU ultimatum over Northern Ireland protocol,” Deutsche Welle, 04 October 2021
“Irish backstop,” Institute for Government, 24 February 2020
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Ashwin Dhanabalan
PORTUGAL
Government approves lithium mining plans
On 05 February, the Portuguese government announced the approval of lithium mining plans in the country. But, the plans were met with discontentment from the municipality of Pinhel. Mayor of Fundão Paulo Fernades said: "It will never be possible, I would say, for the municipalities, but also for the administration and even for the government, that mining will take place in what is one of the main assets of agricultural production where there is such large investment." Portugal has around 60,000 tons of known lithium reserves. The company Savannah Resources said that, just the mine in Covas do Barroso could generate €1.3 billion and boost the country's economy. (Rebekah Daunt, "Portugal's government approves lithium mining despite growing concerns," Euronews, 05 February 2022)
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 70 years as monarch
On 06 February, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the platinum jubilee of her being the monarch of the UK. The 95-year-old Queen came to power at 25 years on 06 February 1952. She is the first British monarch to remain in power for this long. On the eve of her platinum jubilee, the monarch announced that the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla would be called “Queen Consort,” when her husband and heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles became king. This cleared up many doubts regarding the royal household’s consideration of Camilla, who was long vilified for her role in breaking up Prince Charles’ marriage with Princess Diana. The primary platinum jubilee celebrations will coincide with her coronation anniversary and are scheduled for early June 2022. (“Elizabeth II marks Platinum Jubilee with 'Queen Camilla' announcement,” France24, 06 February 2022; “Britain: Prince Charles′ wife set to become ′Queen Camilla′,” Deutsche Welle, 06 February 2022)
REGIONAL
Ukraine: Former Defense Chief alleges Russian troop buildup sufficient for invasion
On 06 February, former Ukrainian Defense Chief Andriy Zagorodnyuk stated that Russia had amassed enough troops along the border to capture either Kyiv or any other city. During his interview with The Guardian, Zagorodnyuk said: “Russia could now seize any city in Ukraine. But we still don’t see the 200,000 troops needed for a full-scale invasion.” Estimates place the Russian troops along Ukraine’s borders to be 135,000. (Luke Harding and Richard Luscombe, “Russia has enough troops ready to take Kyiv, says former Ukraine defence chief,” The Guardian, 06 February 2022)
Protestors condemn migrant deaths on the Greek-Turkey border
On 05 February, people in Istanbul took to the streets outside the Greek consulate to protest the deaths of migrants near the Greek-Turkish border. The demonstrations were organized by Turkish humanitarian groups and saw about 300 people holding up banners that said: "Close borders to racism, open to humanity." As reported by Euronews: "Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan has pledged to raise the alleged ill-treatment of migrants by Greece during his meetings with world leaders." Greece's Migration minister Notis Mitarachi said the death of the migrants was tragic but denied the claim that Greek forces had pushed back the migrants from the border. ("'Left to die': Protesters in Istanbul condemn migrant deaths near border with Greece," Euronews, 05 February 2022)
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Austria: Hundreds of avalanches cause nine deaths
On 07 February, The Guardian reported nine fatalities to have occurred due to more than 100 avalanches hitting the Western Tyrol region of Austria. The avalanches were caused due to the heavy snowfall being followed by warm weather leading to dangerous conditions. Although the pandemic helped reduced the number of deaths caused due to avalanches, Austria has witnessed deaths of around 20 individuals every year in recent years. (“Nine killed in three days after more than 100 avalanches hit Austria,” The Guardian, 07 February 2022)
France: Investigation declared over images of thousands of floating dead fish
On 05 February, Deutsche Welle reported a probe to have been declared by France and the EU following the photographs of thousands of dead fish floating in the Bay of Biscay emerged on Twitter. The images were uploaded by an environmental group called Sea Shepherd. The photographs garnered immense shock with French Maritime Minister Annick Girardin calling on the National Center for Fishing Surveillance to investigate the incident. The Pelagic Freezer-Trawler Association released a statement on 04 February stating that a tear in the trawler nets had caused the “involuntary release” of the fish into the sea. However, Sea Shepherd maintained that it was an attempt at discharging bycatch. Meanwhile, EU's Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius said: “We are launching an inquiry to national authorities of the fishing area and presumed flag state of the vessel, to get exhaustive information and evidence about the case.” (“France: Probe ordered after photos of masses of dead fish emerge,” Deutsche Welle, 05 February 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
President Macron visits his Russian counterpart in Moscow
On 07 February, French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow to try and de-escalate its tensions with Ukraine. Reuters reported: "He will follow up on Tuesday with a visit to Kyiv, staking a lot of political capital on a mission that could prove embarrassing if he returns empty-handed." France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is also set to travel with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock to Kyiv on 07 February to reaffirm the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine. Macron said he wanted to hold a joint press conference with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz by the end of January so that no one should ever "give up the dialogue with Russia." (Barbara Wesel, "Emmanuel Macron heads to Russia on mission to de-escalate," Deutsche Welle, 07 February 2022; Michel Rose, "France's Macron flies to Moscow in high-risk diplomatic mission," Reuters, 04 February 2022)
US troops arrive in Poland
On 05 February, the first set of 1,700-unit-strong US troop contingent arrived in Poland. The deployment comes as US President Joe Biden promised to send military support to Europe. Also, Russia sent two long-range nuclear-capable bombers on patrol over Belarus and called it a practice interaction with the Belarusian air force. Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin before the Beijing Olympics opening and reaffirmed his backing over Putin's standoff with the West. ("Ukraine crisis: First US troops land in Poland as Xi backs Putin," Euronews, 06 February 2022)