Photo : Bernadett Szabo, Reuters
10 June 2025, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1154
By Merin Treesa Alex & Vaihali Chittrothu
FRANCE
Far-right leaders host a rally calling out for the EU’s migration policy
On 09 June, the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held a rally in Mormant-sur-Vernisson in France, showcasing the anti-immigration unity in Europe. The rally marked one year of Le Pen’s National Rally (RN), which achieved "their best-ever vote share in European elections." The rally features other key attendees like the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, the leader of Spain’s Vox party, and the former Czech premier Andrej Babis. Orban, in his speech, called the EU’s migration policy a threat to the culture and claimed that this "organised exchange of populations," and boasted about pushing back migrants. He added that he would not allow the migrants to destroy their cities. Le Pen described the EU as a graveyard of unfulfilled promises and wanted to take power over France and Europe. She advocated for France’s exit from the EU, but no longer, and called for reform from within to make the party more electable. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, called migration a threat to Europe. On the other hand, around 4,000 people from the left wing and trade unions gathered in Montargis and called the far-right leaders "racist and xenophobic." The meeting happened two years ahead of the next presidential elections, where President Emmanuel Macron cannot run again. But Le Pen’s candidacy was also uncertain due to her conviction in a fake jobs scandal. (“Le Pen pledges to 'take power in Europe' as far-right leaders rally in France,” France 24, 09 June 2025, “Le Pen, Orbán slam EU at far-right rally in France,” Euractiv, 09 June 2025)
The RN Party commemorate the 2024 results
On 09 June, the French National Party (RN) met in the village of Mormant-sur-Vernisson for a rally conducted by the far-right party, after a year of its victory in the European Elections. The celebration marks last year’s record-breaking results in the elections. The RN party gained a minority of the seats in the French Parliamentary elections and was intended to reach near the ranks of the Patriots for Europe, who secured 85 of the 720 MEPs sitting in Strasbourg. The RN won 120 of the 577 seats in the French National Assembly. The rally intends to demonstrate the union between Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. (Vincent Reynier, “Patriots for Europe leaders join far-right National Rally's 'Victory Day' fete in French village”, Euronews, 09 June 2025)
NETHERLANDS
Civilians conduct border checks, showcasing their dissatisfaction with the migration policy
On 09 June, Euronews reported that a group of Dutch citizens conducted border checks at the German-Netherlands border by wearing high-visibility vests and carrying lamps, as they are dissatisfied with the migration policy. This move by the people was praised by the right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders, who withdrew from the coalition government due to disagreement over the migration proposal. Prime Minister Dick Schoof decided to resign calling Wilders’ move as irresponsible and unnecessary. The snap elections are scheduled for 29 October 2025. Justice Minister David Van Weel criticised the citizens' actions and urged them to stop, stating that it is the police and border authorities' responsibility. The Dutch police warned that these checks were dangerous and posed a threat on the road. (Mathias Huber, “Dutch citizens carry out own border checks in pushback against migration policy,” Euronews, 09 June 2025)
SWITZERLAND
Mudslide in Blatten results in the evacuation of 30
On 09 June, a mudslide resulted in the evacuation of 30 people. In the previous week, a glacier collapse caused a landslide that consumed most of Blatten, located in the canton of Valais. This was caused due to heavy storms, resulting in the damage of a temporary emergency bridge in the upper Val de Bagnes. Swiss glaciologists expressed their worries about a thaw in recent years, caused by global warming. Switzerland has the most glaciers in Europe, and four per cent of total glacier volume disappeared in 2023, whereas in 2022. (Emma De Ruiter, “Dozens evacuated in Switzerland's Valais canton as heavy rain unleashes mudslide”, Euronews, 09 June 2025)
REGIONAL
Switzerland demands a stronger defence partnership with the EU
On 09 June, Member of the National Council of Switzerland Fabian Molina put forward a motion demanding that the government take concrete steps to strengthen security cooperation with the EU. The motion that comes from both houses of the parliament calls on the government to negotiate an agreement on security and defence with the EU, specifically to strengthen its cooperation with the European Defence Agency within the agreed framework. Molina added that this partnership will not include mutual assistance and stated that this agreement would help reduce dependence on the US. This was opposed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party member Jean-Luc Addor, who described the proposal as a hidden agenda, and it goes against their interests. (Katy Romy, “Switzerland mulls stronger ties with European defence structures,” EuroNews, 09 June 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
The EU proposes an agreement that aims to conserve marine life
On 09 June, France hosted the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice. Around 60 countries came together to sign the High Seas Treaty, which aims to protect and bring back 20 per cent of the marine ecosystems by 2030. The EU unveiled an agreement to sign a new ocean pact, which focuses on the marine industry and the ecosystem, with a new strategy to develop ports in Europe. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen promised to allocate EUR one billion for 50 projects around the world for scientists and conservationists. The Commission aims to legislate the pact by 2027. (Peggy Corlin, “European Commission chief von der Leyen unveils EU ocean pact at UN conference”, Euronews, 09 June 2025)
President Macron calls on the international community for an increase in climate funding
On 09 June, the French President Emmanuel Macron criticised the US for withdrawing from the climate funding. He said that the entire world should come together for an agreement at this time and expressed his concern over the declining support for international science due to the withdrawal, which was largely dependent on American contributions. Macron urged countries to commit to a moratorium on deep-sea exploitation, stating that it is “frenzied madness” to exploit unknown parts of the ocean. He announced that 30 world leaders have agreed to commit to this moratorium. The conference focused on threats to the oceans and aims to ratify the High Seas Treaty, which would protect international waters. (Jerry Fisayo-Bambi, “Macron slams US withdrawal of climate funding ahead of UN Ocean Conference,” Euronews, 09 June 2025)
UN Secretary General emphasises the protection of the oceans
On 10 June, Deutsche Welle reported on the UN Ocean Conference that took place in Nice, France. The conference aims to ratify a treaty that enables countries to establish protected marine ecosystems in international waters. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called the oceans the ultimate shared resource and urged the global leaders to protect them. Guterres also listed the major threats to oceans, such as rising sea levels, ocean acidification, plastic pollution, destructive fishing practices, and deep-sea mining. He warned that the ocean floor would be the “wild west” if deep-sea mining is not controlled. The treaty has been ratified by 50 countries, and 15 more have agreed to support the same. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the treaty is a “done deal” and called for a moratorium on sea mining, and said that it is an international necessity. Moreover, the US did not attend the conference, following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from international climate commitments. Furthermore, the UN needs an investment of USD 175 billion annually to meet its conservation goals. (Jon Shelton, “High Seas Treaty: UN's Guterres warns of 'wild west',” Deutsche Welle, 10 June 2025)