By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
REGIONAL
Second Day of the EPP Congress in Valencia: Four takeaways
On 30 April, the second day of the European People’s Party took place in Valencia, Spain. There are four takeaways from the conference. The first is that they have welcomed Manfred Weber as the EPP’s President. He was elected unopposed with 91 per cent favouring him. This gives him control over the ascendant EPP, which includes President Ursula von der Leyen and 13 commissioners, along with the 188 MEPs in the European Parliament. The second includes the shift in the party as they lean more towards the right. EPP correspondent Meabh McMahon picked up on the crowd's enthusiasm over the speeches from delegates like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris, or Taniaste. Simon Harris urged his fellow party members to reach out across the aisle for cooperation with other pro-European parties. The third takeaway is about the denunciation of the Green Deal. Several leaders have called it disastrous, unnecessary, and a deal being nonsense. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called on to prioritise the economy of various countries. The last takeaway is the incoming of Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz. (Jeremy Flemming-Jones, “The EU’s biggest political party met in Valencia – what we learned,” Euronews, 30 April 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
NATO increases its patrol in the Baltic Sea to protect under-sea cables
On 01 May, a Belgian-led NATO group is patrolling the Baltic Sea near Estonia. The Baltic Sea has seen an increase in activity since the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine. It is also to be considered that NATO has important telecommunications cables under the sea. NATO said in January, the increase in the military presence and innovation in the Baltic Sea is mainly to protect the infrastructure from sabotage at the Helsinki Summit. There have been cases of cable damage between Lithuania and Sweden, Germany and Finland, and Estonia and Finland. To avoid such incidents, NATO has sent a small fleet for surveillance using maritime drones and an enhanced surveillance operation called Baltic Sentry, which involves the maritime patrol. (“Belgian-led NATO group patrols Baltic Sea near Estonia amid sabotage fears,” Euronews, 01 May 2025)
CROATIA
MPs in favour of the law to remove graveyard inscriptions and plaques placed in 1990s
On 01 April, Croatian MPs voted in favour of the new legislation called the Graveyard’s Law, which replaces the policy with new rules. The new law demands the removal of graveyard inscriptions and plaques placed during the 1991-1995 conflict, as they supposedly do not align with the constitutional order. According to the legislation, any citizen can report a tombstone, plaque, or other monuments that could be problematic. If found to be at fault, the plot owners or relatives will have 30 days to change the inscription; if not abided by, a fine of EUR 1000 to EUR 5000 is to be imposed. The Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, released a statement on the outgoing laws regarding the inscriptions and symbols made during the peaceful reintegration period could offend the people’s sentiments. The law particularly targets the gravestones made after May 1990, when the Socialist Republic of Croatia inaugurated the first multi-party parliament, and also its independence from Yugoslavia. The ethnic Serbs, who were the largest minority community according to the 1991 census, have unanimously declared to part ways with the Republic of Serb Krajina. In April 1991, an armed rebellion escalated into war between the Croatian armed forces and the Yugoslavian People’s Army. But in 1995, the Croatian Army ended the war by pushing out the Serb forces from the territory. The new law also removes all memorials of the enemy forces or celebrating the enemy forces. The Serb minority representatives have blasted the new legislation by stating that the communal issue is becoming a political one. SDSS Party’s Milorad Pupovac criticised the law, and said: “Croatia was pockmarked with Serb nationalist graveyards, which he said was not true.” (Aleksandar Brezar, “Croatia's new 'graveyard law' stirs Serb minority's sentiments” Euronews, 01 April 2025)
THE UK
The Football Association bans transgender women to participate in football
On 01 May, the Football Association (FA) has barred transgender women from playing in women’s football, which is to be executed from 01 June 2025. The FA said: the subject matter is complicated, and they always believed that there have to be changes made to the law, science, and the policies of the foundation of football. FA released a statement: that all transgender women are being contacted and will be made aware of the current regulations, and it will be difficult for the people who want to play, however, they were informed as to what roles they can participate in and stay involved in the game. Before the above revelation, the Supreme Court had ruled out the fact that transgender women are not women and, according to the law, a woman is defined based on an individual who is biologically female. The Scottish Football Association also plans to implement a similar ban for the season. (Kieran Burke, “Transgender women barred from English women's football,” Deutsche Welle, 01 May 2025)
REGIONAL
EU’s calls for dialogue after the India-Pakistan tensions
On 30 April, the EU calls for restraint and a dialogue between India and Pakistan, as tensions rise over Kashmir. This was released after the recent Pahalgam attack, where more than 24 people were shot dead. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed the Indian Armed Forces to decide on the mode, targets, and the timing to respond, whereas Pakistan has released alarms, where they could expect attacks from India within 36 hours. EU spokesperson Anour El Announi said: It is important to show restraint and avoid any military, political, or legal measures that could rattle the regional stability, and the EU hopes to open communication channels between the two regions. EU President Ursula von der Leyen said: The vile attack has taken the lives of many innocent ones, and India has an unbreakable spirit. Europe stands by your side. Visiting fellow at the Center of Strategy, Defence and Security, at Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Dr Claude Raksitis, has explained the EU's stance between India and Pakistan. He pointed out that the EU is not a big player like the US and China, and they are already occupied with the war in Ukraine. (Anchal Vohra, “India-Pakistan tensions: Where does the EU stand?” Deutsche Welle, 30 April 2025)
Several rallies held across Europe marking May Day
On 02 May, more than thousands of people participated in the May Day rallies that took place all across Europe. The International Labour Day, or May Day, marks the struggles and the achievements of the people across the world. May Day was started in North America in 1886, where violent protesters in Chicago, otherwise referred to as called Haymarket Affair, witnessed a huge death toll and several injured after a peaceful rally. In 2025, France had thousands of people participate in the protests, which were called for by the unions across the country. They have called for stronger protection, higher wages, and equality. In Spain, the workers' union from the Far-right party VOX and the traditional workers' union staged demonstrations in Madrid. The rally was led by Santiago Abascal, where they fought for the rights of the labourers. They waved Spanish flags and criticised the government, complained about the blackout, low salary, and working overtime. In Greece, thousands of workers gathered in Athens. Several staged their rallies outside the parliament buildings, waving their flags and chanting anti-government slogans. (Malek Fouda, “Tens of thousands of people took part in May Day rallies across Europe,” Euronews, 02 May 2025)