Photo : PetrDavidJosek-AP
NIAS Europe Daily Brief #11, 14 October 2021, Thursday
IN FOCUS
By Vaishnavi Iyer
Czech election results yield a loss to Babis' populism
Andrej Babis' ANO party seems to be losing the re-election bid. The billionaire Czech Prime Minister stood against two opposing coalitions that may win 108 out of 200 seats. The groups declared that they would not work with Babis. The opposition is set to begin coalition talks. A Reuters election tally saw ANO with 27.2 per cent and right coalition Spolu with 27.7 per cent, and the liberal Pirates and PirStan with 15.5 per cent. Thus, it is mathematically difficult for ANO to win the elections.
In office since December 2017, Mr Babis had sought another four years in power by pledging to further raise public sector wages and pensions, as well as criticizing the EU and migration. The recent Pandora Paper leaks contained Babi's name, to which he responded by saying that he has done nothing wrong or illegal. He insisted it was an attempt at manipulating voters. With anti-Eu rhetoric, Babis' aggressive campaign focused on denouncing EU carbon reduction targets and deploying anti-immigration policies. He also faced allegations of mismanaging the pandemic. Research by John Hopkins stated, the Czech Republic recorded 1.7 million infections and claimed 30,000 lives. This made it the country with the seventh-highest deaths per capita. The far-right German party, with a referendum on the EU exit, did not gain any new seats. Without a Bibis government, the party may lose its say in Czech politics.
Future Prospects
Populist leaders like Babis have seemed invincible in the past. This year too, the leader took an attempt for another four years. Such leaders have begun rising to power as a global trend. Most of Central and Eastern Europe are ruled by strongman leaders, defying democratic norms. This year, the opposition, with contrasting ideologies, joined to defeat Babis in an attempt to restore democracy. The wave is likely to spread around Europe to other regions of Hungary and Poland, where acts by similar leaders have threatened democracy. These leaders have reflected an anti-EU sentiment, forging unified countries. The Babis defeat indicates a "debatable" nature of the survival of populism.
Loss for LGBTQ Equality
While the elections indicate a populist loss, the remaining five parties are likely to form a new right-wing government. LGBTQ+ rights have only been advocated by the Pirate Party, with four MPs. The new conservative majority might be a regression on the LGBTQ+ community. Christian democrats and the SPD, which is an openly queer phobic party, are unlikely to advocate for legislation in favour of the community. The Czech Republic has withheld the EU push for depatholaization. The country continues the practice of forced sterilization of trans people. The new potential government seems unlikely to support hate crime laws, and access to healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community.
References
"Czech elections: PM Andrej Babis looks set to lose power," BBC, 14 October 2021.
Andrew Higgins, "Czechs defeat a populist, offering a road map for toppling strongmen," The New York Times, 14 October 2021.
"Czech voters decide on PM Babis's future in two-day election," Al Jazeera, 14 October 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews
NORWAY
Bow-and-arrow attack leaves five dead
On 13 October, the Norwegian security service said that they could not yet confirm the motives of the man who attacked the people of Kongsberg with a bow and arrows; alleging that the possibility of it being an 'act of terror' is not out of the question. Along with the bow and arrows, other weapons were also utilized. The suspect, who has been previously flagged a 'dangerous' Islamic extremist, was identified as Espen Anderson Bråthen. Along with the five fatalities, three others were injured via the 37-year-old's attack. Norwegian public broadcaster NRK revealed that Bråthen was given a six-month restraining order last year, forbidding him from approaching two family members as he had threatened to kill one of them. As of now, Bråthen is believed to have acted of his own will, and the attack has not been termed a 'terrorist attack'. Bråthen was arrested after a 'confrontation' and is yet to be formally charged. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre termed the attack "horrific". Bråthen is expected to be presented before the court on 15 October. (Jon Henley, "Norway bow-and-arrow attack 'appears to be act of terror'," The Guardian, 14 October 2021; "Suspect in Norway bow-and-arrow attack was flagged for radicalization," France24, 14 October 2021)
ITALY
Mandatory COVID pass for workers; a crisis of staff shortage looms
Italy is set to witness further unrest and market mayhem as it prepares to impose the mandatory requirement of COVID passes from 15 October. Termed the 'strictest vaccine mandate in Europe', the move is expected to create a crisis of staff shortages in several workplaces across Italy. The violation of the rule will see deviants being suspended as well as losing pay or being fined EUR 1500; employers will be fined if they leave the staff unchecked for law compliance. The green pass is encouraged with the motive of boosting vaccination rates, reducing infections, and basically avoiding another lockdown. An estimated 2.5 million Italians are yet to be inoculated; most of these are above the age of 50. Critics of the pass prepare to protest against the ruling soon. (Angela Giuffrida, "Italy braced for unrest as Covid pass becomes mandatory for all workers," The Guardian, 14 October 2021)
GREECE
Evia: After wildfires, flood and mudslides affect island
The Greek Island of Evia is now being affected by storms and heavy rains after being devastated by wildfires. It was only a week ago when regions across Greece were being devoured by fires. According to the national observatory, a third of the fire-stricken area was in northern Evia. More than 200 homes have been destroyed over the weekend with roads blocked and mudslides flowing into the sea. The Guardian reported: "The Mediterranean has been singled out as a wildfire hotspot, with forest fires erupting from France to Turkey over the summer." The series of natural disasters affecting the country has left them likening the events to that of a biblical catastrophe. (Helena Smith, "Fire-ravaged Greek island of Evia hit by floods and mudslides," The Guardian, 14 October 2021)
GEORGIA
Tbilisi: Thousands march in support of Saakashvili
On 14 October, approximately 50,000 demonstrators gathered in Tbilisi's Freedom Square and main thoroughfare Rustaveli Avenue. Calling on the release of Georgia's ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, the protesters chanted his nickname 'Misha!' while waving national flags. Saakashvili is said to have declared a hunger strike as his doctors remain concerned about his diminishing health. Saakashvili, the founder of Georgia's opposition United National Movement, had asked his supporters to rally against his primary opponent Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is also the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream Party. Saakashvili's treatment by Georgian authorities has raised concerns in the West with the US considering sanctions against those officials causing democracy to deteriorate. ("Tens of thousands of Georgians rally for release of ex-president Saakashvili," France24, 14 October 2021)
BREXIT
EU to tone down on Northern Ireland border controls
On 13 October, the EU proposed to cut down on the extended checks done on goods coming into Northern Ireland from the UK. This decision comes after the European Commission Vice President Maros Šefčovič's visit to Northern Ireland earlier this month. The proposal addresses the concerns raised by Northern Ireland officials. Following the release of the proposal, Šefčovič said: "I have listened to and engaged with Northern Irish stakeholders. Today's proposals are our genuine response to their concerns." On 12 October, the UK's Brexit negotiator Lord Frost had proposed plans for a completely new protocol to replace the existing one calling it "a better way forward"; this garnered a lot of criticism. The UK government is said to be 'studying' the latest EU proposal; observers claim that the proposal will not satisfy the UK's expectations. The UK and EU are expected to have 'intensive talks' in the coming weeks regarding the same. (John Campbell and Colm Kelpie, "Brexit: Most NI checks on British goods to be scrapped," BBC, 14 October 2021; "Brexit: EU proposes nixing most Northern Ireland checks," Deutsche Welle, 13 October 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
China warns UK Foreign Secretary over Taiwan statement
On 14 October, the new UK foreign secretary Liz Truss was warned by a Chinese spokesman to manage its "One China" stance "properly." The warning comes post a meeting UK had earlier in the week with China's primary aggravator Lithuania, and the other two Baltic states. China regards Lithuania to be its primary 'foe' considering its close ties with Taiwan. A joint statement released by them stated: "(we) remain principled on our shared values in the face of the systematic challenges posed by China." The Chinese embassy also commented on the developments: "China urges the UK to have a right understanding of the relevant issue, handle it properly, and refrain from creating new obstacles for the development of the China-UK relationship." (Stuart Lau, "China warns UK's Truss not to imperil ties over Taiwan spat," POLITICO, 14 October 2021)