Photo : Reuters
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
FRANCE
12 French officials to exit orders Algerian government
On 14 April, Algeria ordered 12 French embassy officials to leave the country, amid the tensions between France and Algeria. According to France Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot: “The departure from Algeria is linked to the arrest of the three Algerian nationals in France.” Barrot added: “I am asking Algerian authorities to abandon these expulsion measures and if the decision to send back the officials is maintained, we will have no other choice but to respond immediately.” In early April, Barrot visited Algeria’s President Abedelmadjid Tebboune to mend the broken relationship between the two, and to build a partnership of equals. However on Friday, the French prosecutors indicted the three Algerians including a consular official, on suspicious involvement in the abduction of an opponent of the Algerian regime, Amir Boukhors in 2024, and are prosecuted against terrorist conspiracy, and they are placed under pre-trial detention. (“Algeria orders expulsion of 12 French embassy officials, reigniting tensions,” France24, 14 April 2025)
GERMANY
New coalition government abolishes the three year path to citizenship
On 11 April, Germany’s new coalition government which includes Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), will put an end to the three year path to citizenship for the immigrants. This after debate, comes as a part of the agreement. They seek to cease the quick path to citizenship, and change some of the factors regarding the citizenship, which include, a five year path to gain citizen status and dual citizenship is accepted. The five-year path will include continuous residence in the country, and an intermediate B1 level proficiency. They believe that the three year path is too small a time to receive German citizenship, which was executed by the previous government led by Olaf Scholz. The criteria to attain the citizenship then, was to learn advanced (C1) level of German, and show the achievements of the strong integration of society, either in the workplace or in school. (Wesley Dockery, “New German coalition to abolish 3-year citizenship path,” Deutsche Welle, 11 April 2025)
Germany receives less asylum seekers compared to pre-COVID period finds DW
On 10 April, reports on the widely used media, show that the number of people seeking asylum in Germany have declined. German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, released the data showing that France (40,871) has received the most number of asylum seekers followed by Spain (39,318) and then Germany (37,387). The EU Agency for Asylum(EUAA) shows the decline in the applications, which is evident from the recent reports published by Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Germany was always on the top to receive asylum seekers, but since COVID-19 there has been a decline in the numbers. The sustained downward trend is largely visible from the fewer applications from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey. The EUAA have told DW, “it was aware of the report in Welt am Sonntag, and the EUAA cannot confirm and comment on unauthorised data, and hence cannot confirm the data reported. Sarah Wolff, expressed her comment on the issue, saying “the causes for the decline in the asylum seekers is because they many factors, such as, seeking asylum in Europe is difficult, and the people have little to no information on the destinations.” Wolff uses the example of Afghanistan, by saying, “Its not that they dont want to come and apply for asylum, its that they cannot flee the country anymore, which makes t more difficult. Also, the backlogs or restrictions on the applications can impact the statistics and mask the reasons for sudden decline. Another example is Syria. It accounts for the largest share of asylum applications in Germany, which have declined recently.The overthrow of the Assad regime have led to the German government pausing all applications from Syria.”(Matthew Ward Agius, “Why are asylum applications in Germany and EU down?” Deutsche Welle, 10 April 2025)
US remains the topmost market for German products says report in DW
On 14 April, according to Germany’s Federal Statistics Office (FSO), the US has the largest market worldwide for German products which comes to a total of 10.4 per cent of total exports in 2024. Germany exported goods worth EUR 161.3 billion, which is recorded as the highest in the past 22 years. The US is a key foreign market for pharmaceutical goods, which come up to 23.8 per cent of German pharma exports that are worth EUR 27 billion. Apart from pharma, machinery, medical devices, aviation technology, and automobiles are some of the largest imports made by the US. Meanwhile, Germany imports goods worth EUR 91.5 billion from the US which creates a trade surplus of EUR 69.8 billion. After the tariff imposition by US President Donald Trump, there has been significant risk and uncertainty, that pose challenges to investments and trade. (Srinivas Mazumdaru, “US remains by far the top market for German exports,” Deutsche Welle, 14 April 2025)
SPAIN
Barcelona Zoo to provide care for elderly animals to age gracefully
On 14 April, the Barcelona Zoo provided care and nourishment for the ageing animals that cannot go back to the wild. Head of the Zoo’s mammal care, Pilar Padilla said: “Sending them back to nature would be an error, as they would likely survive.” Zoos in recent years, emphasizes the conservation of species, adaptation of the needs of ageing animals, and abolishing the display of exotic animals as a spectacle. With the breeding programmes, the zoo also wants to introduce fit animals and ensure the longevity of the animals with the help of advanced veterinary care. (Joseph Wilson. “Elephant retirement home: This zoo in Spain is helping elderly animals to age gracefully,” Euro News, 14 April 2025)