Photo : Clement Mahoudeau/AFP
11 July 2025, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1180
REGIONAL
Wildfires in southern France halts airport operations
On 07 July, a fast-moving wildfire broke out on the outskirts of Marseille, which suspended airport operations. The plane operations were halted from midday, and several flights were diverted to Nice or other regional airports. Strong winds drove the fire and spread across 350 hectares near Les Pennes-Mirabeau, and the northern edge of the city was threatened. The emergency services deployed 168 firefighters, and the authorities urged the residents to stay indoors, with their doors shut and avoid the roads. The Mayor of Marseille warned that the blaze was at the doors of Marseille, the residents in the 15th and 16th boroughs were being asked to prepare, but have not yet been evacuated. Furthermore, a separate wildfire near Narbonne had already destroyed 2,000 hectares and was still burning. European countries like Spain and Greece were also facing intense wildfires as record-breaking heat swept across Europe. (Roshni Majumdar, “France: Major wildfire near Marseille shuts down airport,” Deutsche Welle, 08 July 2025)
Volkswagen EV car sales on rise across Europe
On 09 July, Deutsche Welle reported that the Volkswagen Group sold 465,000 electric vehicles in the first half of 2025, which is a 47 per cent increase compared to 2024. Overall, global deliveries rose by 1.3 per cent, totalling 4.4 million vehicles. The company said that gains in South America and Europe were balancing out the impact of sales drops in the Chinese and North American markets. In Europe, EV sales were almost 90 per cent higher than in 2024, and in Germany, the company remained a market leader, with every second new EV registered belonging to the Volkswagen brand. However, sales in North America dropped in the second quarter after President Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on imported cars. In China, strong local competition led to a one-third drop in Volkswagen's EV sales. Luxury vehicle brands such as Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz also saw a decrease in sales due to continued weakness in the Chinese market.(Amy Stockdale, “Volkswagen reports electric vehicles sales surge in 2025,” Deutsche Welle, 09 July 2025)
Europe’s Naval Force reports missing of 19 crew members in the Red Sea attacks
On 09 July, a six-member crew was found in the Red Sea after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C, killing at least three and injuring several others. According to the EU’s operation Aspides, the ship had a crew of 22 sailors and a security team of three as well. The European Naval Force said that 19 crew members are still missing. The attack started on 07 July as the Greek-owned vessel was sailing towards the Suez Canal. The ship was reportedly struck by drones and armed men in small boats. The status of the ship remains unconfirmed, but reports suggest that it may have sunk. This attack follows another Houthi attack on 06 July against Magic Seas, which sank after the crew members were rescued. The attacks occurred 100 kilometres southwest of the Houthi-controlled part of Hodeida. The attacks were condemned by the US State Department, which called them an unprovoked act of terror that threatened regional maritime security and freedom of navigation. These attacks are the first major actions by Houthi since 2023, when the group began targeting ships in response to Israel's war in Gaza. (Rory Sullivan, “EU's Operation Aspides says six crew recovered from ship sunk by Yemen's Houthis,” Euronews, 09 July 2025)
FRANCE
Authorities raid National Rally headquarters following court verdict
On 09 July, French authorities raided the headquarters of the far-right National Rally (RN) party in Paris. The raid was part of an ongoing investigation into alleged campaign finance violations between 2020 and 2024. Authorities stated that the investigation is examining whether the RN party financed its campaigns through money laundering and the use of forged documents during the 2022 and 2024 elections. RN party president Jordan Bardella called the raid a “new harassment campaign” and said all campaign-related documents were seized. He described the investigation as an attack on pluralism and democratic transition, calling the operation unprecedented under France’s Fifth Republic. The investigation is still ongoing, and no charges have been formally filed. Former party treasurer Wallerand de Saint-Just stated that the party “did nothing wrong.” The raid came shortly after Marine Le Pen and other RN members were convicted of embezzling European Union funds, resulting in a five-year ban from holding public office for Le Pen. She has appealed the verdict and also challenged it at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Additionally, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched another investigation into the alleged misuse of €4.3 million in EU funds by the now-defunct far-right group Identity and Democracy, which included the RN.( Kieran Guilbert, “French authorities raid far-right National Rally party HQ in campaign finance probe,” Euronews, 09 July 2025)
GREECE
Government suspends asylum applications amid rise in arrivals from North Africa
On 09 July, the Greek government announced the temporary suspension of asylum applications for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa, after a sharp rise in arrivals of migrants from Libya. The island of Crete saw over 2,000 migrants landing during the weekend, which brought the total number of arrivals to over 10,000. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the parliament that the government is planning to build a detention centre on Crete and that migrants arriving illegally would be detained. The suspension is set for an initial three-month period and would only apply to those entering Greece via sea. Mitsotakis said that this emergency demands emergency measures, while also adding that traffickers must receive a clear signal that the sea route to Greece is closing. A fishing trawler carrying 520 migrants from Libya was intercepted overnight. The group was later transferred to a bulk carrier and rerouted to Lavrio port near Athens for detention. Greece is an important entry point into the EU for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The tighter patrols along the Turkish borders have made traffickers turn to the longer and riskier route from North Africa using larger boats. (Gavin Blackburn, “Greece suspends asylum claims for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa, PM Mitsotakis says,” Euronews, 09 July 2025)
POLAND
Border control checks to be tightened
On 07 July, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the reinstatement of border checks with Germany and Lithuania. The checks will take effect from 08 July. This action follows similar measures taken by Berlin in 2023 to curb human trafficking and illegal migration. The Prime Minister emphasised that Poland supports freedom of movement, but it must be through mutual efforts in border control to limit the uncontrollable “flow of migrants.” The checks will target only specific vehicles and will last for 30 days initially. the Interior Minister assured that regular travelers will not be affected by this. Poland and Germany share a 467 kilometers border within the visa-free Schengen Area. Tensions between both countries have grown after the far-right groups in Poland claimed that Germany has been pushing migrants into Poland, a claim that was denied by the German Chancellor. Chancellor Merz stated that no asylum seekers are being returned to Poland and that Schengen must not be abused by those promoting illegal migration. The Prime Minister said that Poland’s patience is wearing out. (Tamsin Paternoster, “Poland reinstates border controls with Germany and Lithuania,” Euronews, 07 July 2025)
TURKEY
PKK to limit arms ahead of the disarmament ceremony
On 09 July, Euronews reported on the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who appeared in a rare video message urging PKK fighters to “lay down their arms,” just days before a symbolic disarmament ceremony. Ocalan stated that the peace process had reached a stage that demanded practical steps, including disarmament in line with the expectations of the Turkish parliament and public trust. He emphasised a shift from armed struggle to democratic politics and called it a “historic gain.” This marked Ocalan’s first public appearance in over two decades. President Erdogan welcomed the development, expressing hope for progress in the peace process and warned against sabotage. As part of the first step, a group of 20–30 PKK fighters is expected to disarm in a symbolic ceremony in northern Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah. The PKK had earlier announced in May its plan to disband, following Ocalan’s February call. Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin also visited Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials on the ongoing process. The PKK has long been banned in Turkey and was officially outlawed in Iraq last year. (“Jailed PKK leader urges Kurdish militants to disarm before symbolic peace ceremony,” Euronews, 09 July 2025)