Photo : Alberto Pezzali/Pool/Reuters
07 June 2022, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #221
Partygate scandal comes to a halt as Johnson wins no-confidence vote
By Ashwin Dhanabalan
A watershed moment for Johnson
On 06 June, UK’s prime minister Boris Johnson faced a no-confidence vote due to the partygate scandal held during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Partygate refers to the alcohol-fueled parties at Johnson’s Downing Street office as the UK was under strict COVID-19 restrictions. At the no-confidence vote, 41 per cent of lawmakers voted against Johnson while 59 per cent supported him. Thus, giving Johnson an impetus to continue as UK’s prime minister till the 2025 elections.
Johnson further mentioned that winning the vote would help him unite the government and work towards strengthening the economy. He added: “I think it’s a convincing result, a decisive result and what it means is that as a government we can move on and focus on the stuff that I think really matters to people.”
Is this the end of the party gate scandal?
The partygate scandal-related investigations have not ended as there were likely more events around Downing Street that have not been uncovered. But, Johnson can't face another no-confidence motion for 12 months under the Tory party rules, which gives him adequate time to prepare. Johnson was also able to play a crucial role in the War in Eastern Europe which led to him gaining favor from the Conservative party stalwarts. Moreover, the war in Ukraine diverted the people’s and the government’s attention toward Russia’s invasion and with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the partygate scandal has been shadowed.
What lies ahead for Johnson
First, fissures within the party. The current no-confidence vote shed light on the previous votes against Margaret Thatcher in 1989 and Theresa May in 2018. Both resulted in a split and weakened Conservative party as oppositions within the party were brought to the forefront in the votes, even though both won the no-confidence voting. Similarly, in the case of Johnson, 41 per cent voted against him, which compared to May’s votes of 37 per cent was on the higher side.
Second, domestic concerns. Johnson would have to now focus on issues with Brussels over Northern Ireland, COVID-19-related backlogs, and disruptions. Furthermore, rapidly increasing inflation of nine per cent has led to higher energy prices. The demand for affordable housing are issues that Johnson’s government would have to tackle.
Third, reviving alliances. The war in Ukraine has given Johnson's government the opportunity to launch back the UK in Europe post BREXIT. The UK’s deployment of additional troops and equipment along NATO’s borders and its pledge of USD 1.6 billion hints toward the UK’s long-term plans for Europe.
References
“UK’s Boris Johnson says 59% backing is a ‘decisive’ win,” Reuters, 07 June 2022
Elizabeth Piper and Andrew Macaskill, “Damaged, UK’s Boris Johnson scrapes win in party confidence vote,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Boris Johnson to remain as UK PM after securing the backing of Conservative MPs,” Euronews, 06 June 2022
Simon Tisdall, “Boris Johnson is using Ukraine crisis to launch a British comeback in Europe,” The Guardian, 15 May 2022
War in Ukraine: Day 103
By Rishma Banerjee
The War on the Ground
On 06 June, the regional governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Gaidai said that the situation in Sievierodonetsk was again tipping in Russia’s favour. Amidst intense escalation, Ukraine had managed to launch a counterattack and reclaim some of the territories in the city. Gaidai said, that even though neither parties are willing to withdraw, Ukraine has enough forces to eventually repel the Russian troops. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the same issue saying that Russia might have a numerical advantage in Sievierodonetsk, but Ukraine too has “every chance” of fighting back. He also mentioned that the situation will become truly problematic for Ukraine if Russia manages to break through in the eastern region of Donbas.
The mayor of Mykolaiv city, Oleksandr Senkevuch said that after Kyiv, explosions were heard in the city. He announced this on his official Telegram channel.
The prime minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal informed that the government is working to officially recognize English as a language of business communication. He said that this will hopefully promote business development, help with their chances of an EU membership and attract more investments.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 06 June, the Interfax news agency reported that the US-backed broadcaster Radio Free Europe, also known as Radio Liberty has been fined RUB 20 million. This is because Radio Liberty refused to delete reports about civilian deaths, which Moscow alleges has fake information. Radio Liberty also had a website, which after a series of fines has now declared bankruptcy. The hearing of its appeal against bankruptcy is scheduled for 08 June.
President Vladimir Putin signed a decree by which the families of the members of Russia’s National Guard who passed away in the Ukraine conflict will be given RUB 5 million as compensation. The National Guard also known as the Rosgvardia answers directly to Putin and was created in 2016 to combat terrorism and organized crime.
The Kremlin expressed discontent about Bulgaria, Montenegro and North Macedonia closing their airspaces off to Russia, ahead of foreign minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Serbia. It has been described by Moscow as a "hostile act.” The foreign ministry has blamed the West for this action, and Lavrov said that such an incident was "inconceivable" and "scandalous".
Russia’s interior ministry has placed investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov on the wanted list under an unspecified article of the criminal code. Soldatov, who is known for covering the Russian security agencies said on twitter that his bank accounts in Russia had been frozen too.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 06 June, a parliamentarian from Ukraine, Yevhen Yakovenko, was detained at Moldova’s border. As per the request of the International Criminal Police Organization, Yakovenko was placed in a detention centre. The Interpol has also said that the lawmaker was put on the list because of an accusation of bribery and corruption by Belarus.
The US ambassador to Moscow, John J. Sullivan said that Russia should not consider closing the US embassy there. He said that given the situation of the world now, the two of the biggest nuclear powers should continue their diplomatic talks. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov however said that while Russia is interested in bilateral talks with the US, given the current tension, such negotiations were ‘unlikely’.
The US secretary of state, Anthony Blinken spoke about the food-security crisis, and said that he has credible information that Russia has been “pilfering” grains from Ukraine’s stocks for profit. He possibly referred to an article by the New York Times which had forewarned about Russia doing a similar thing. Blinken said that this alleged theft was part of Russia’s scheme to destabilise Ukraine’s ability to export their crops.
A spokesperson from UK’s prime minister Boris Johnson’s office said that Johnson and Zelenskyy has spoken over the phone and provided a readout of the call. The two leaders discussed the rising food security crisis and about how to deal with Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s grains.
Italy’s foreign ministry issued a statement about Moscow’s accusations against Italian media. They have summoned Russia’s ambassador, as a protest against the allegation. The statement rejected the “insinuations” about their involvement in an “anti-Russian campaign.”
The Global Fallouts:
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 06 June, Charles Michel, the president of the European Council addressed the UN Security Council and blamed Russia for exacerbating the global food security crisis. He also alluded to Russia’s troops committing war crimes, especially perpetrating sexual violence in Ukraine, describing it as a “tactic of torture, terror and repression.” In response to these allegations, Russia’s UN ambassador staged a protest by walking out of the meeting. He later told Reuters that he could not stay because of the lies that Michel was distributing.
A United Nations Commission cited the conflict in Ukraine to make a projection about poverty in Latin America and Caribbean. The study, published by UN's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) said that poverty in these regions will rise to 33 per cent, which is a 0.9 per cent increase from 2021. They also issued a warning about the food security crisis, and that a “speedy recovery” looks unlikely.
UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is sending a mission to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russia’s control. Ukrainian workers in the plant are working under Russian orders, which IAEA says is a definite health risk.
References
“Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 104 of the invasion,” The Guardian, 07 June 2022
“Ukraine's position has 'worsened a little' in Sievierodonetsk fighting,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Russia says it will push Ukrainian forces back to defend against longer-range weapons,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Ukraine has 'every chance' to fight back in Sievierodonetsk, Zelenskiy says,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
Natalia Zinets, “Explosions heard in southern Ukraine city of Mykolaiv, mayor says,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Ukraine may give English status of business language -prime minister,” Reuters, 07 June 2022
Léonie Chao-Fong, Martin Belam and Samantha Lock, “Russia-Ukraine war latest: Sievierodonetsk sees ‘fierce street fighting’; Zelenskiy says peace talks ‘at level zero’ – live,” The Guardian, 07 June 2022
“U.S. broadcaster Radio Liberty fined $325,000 in Russia for 'fake news' – Interfax,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Russia to pay £65,000 to families of national guards killed in Ukraine or Syria,” The Guardian, 06 June 2022
“Russian foreign minister cancels Serbia visit after neighbours close airspace,” The Guardian, 06 June 2022
“Russia puts investigative journalist on wanted list,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Ukrainian lawmaker detained at Moldova's border,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
Guy Faulconbridge, “Don't close the embassy, U.S. ambassador tells Russia,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Blinken says reports Russia is 'pilfering' Ukrainian grain for profit are credible,” Reuters, 07 June 2022
“UK's Johnson and Ukraine's Zelenskiy discuss ways to end blockade of Ukraine’s ports,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Italy summons Russian ambassador over media coverage criticism,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“Russia's U.N. envoy storms out of Ukraine meeting over European statement,” Reuters, 07 June 2022
“Latin America, Caribbean 2022 poverty seen higher as Ukraine war bites -UN study,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
“IAEA chief working on mission to Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant,” Reuters, 06 June 2022
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan and Ashwin Dhanabalan
FRANCE
Tough competition between Macron and Melenchon in France’s overseas territories
On 06 June, according to a report by Reuters, France’s incumbent president Emmanuel Macron has been pushing to attract the votes of French voters overseas. 11 of the 577 seats in the parliament are reserved to represent the overseas voters. Even though it is a small number of seats, Macron and the left party led by Jean-Luc Melenchon will face intense competition to attract the voters. This comes as France holds its legislative elections in two rounds on 12 June and 19 June, but voting overseas will take place on 18 and 19 June. An IFOP poll also mentioned how Melenchon’s NUPES coalition would also give a strong competition to Macron’s Ensemble. (Layli Foroudi, “French overseas legislative vote points to duel between Macron and left,” Reuters, 06 June 2022)
GERMANY
Mercedes Benz recalls one million sold cars to check for brake defect
On 06 June, Mercedes-Benz announced that it will get in touch with its owners as it found the breaks to be damaged by “advanced corrosion.” In the recall, it is expected to bring back 993,407 vehicles, of which 70,000 includes from Germany. Due to the problem, it expects the hard braking to create a mechanical problem or the “brake booster.” Similarly, the company had a recall earlier to fix the “eCall defect. Since 2018, as per the EU rules eCall system in cars been mandatory which sends an alert and location for an emergency in case of an accident. (“Mercedes recalls almost 1m cars over faulty brakes,” BBC, 06 June 2022)
SWEDEN
No-confidence vote against justice minister Johansson
On 07 June, the no-confidence vote against the minister Morgan Johansson is said to not work out as the member of parliament Amineh Kakabaveh announced that she would refrain from voting on the motion. This would lead to a shortage of the required 175 votes to topple the minister and the government. The no-confidence motion was launched by Sweden’s center-right opposition parties against the minister for falling short of tackling gang crimes, waves of shootings, and murders. (“Swedish government likely to survive justice minister confidence vote,” Reuters, 06 June 2022)
THE UK
Welsh Government calls for action to counter racism
On 07 June, the Welsh government announced a new plan to counter racism in Wales. It first aims to surface, tackle institutional and systemic racism inside government by 2024, and later rework on the set goals and actions. The plan was drafted by a group of people who were selected from six various areas of racism experiences, the areas include “racism in everyday life, when experiencing service delivery, in the workplace, in gaining jobs and opportunities, the experience of a lack of visible role models in positions of power and the experience of racism as a refugee or asylum seeker.” According to the social justice minister Jane Hutt, the group is determined to ensure the plan does not stay a plan and becomes an action for minority people. (“'Call to action' to be anti-racist by 2030 - Welsh government,” BBC, 07 June 2022)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
New trials on fishing methods to avoid damage to the seabed
On 07 June, scientists from the southwest of England found lobsters and crabs to be attracted to lights. In a project with the fisherman, they used the lights as bait to catch the fish and new methods such as “modified pots dubbed scallop discos,” for fishing. If the experiments succeed, the method could be an alternative to stop the damage to the seabed for scallop hunting. (“Orkney part of 'scallop discos' fishing trial,” BBC, 06 June 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
UN leaders meet in Germany to discuss bringing the focus back to climate change
On 06 June, in the climate talks held in Bonn, Germany, the UN urged the countries to focus and “redouble” their work towards the prevention of environmental disasters. According to the UN's Climate Change head, Patricia Espinosa: “I appeal to all of you — especially in these difficult and challenging times — not to lose hope, not to lose focus, but to use our united efforts against climate change as the ultimate act of unity between nations.” She highlighted how the world is coping in the midst of the Ukraine crisis, food shortage, shooting energy prices, and pandemic recovery and stressed on moving forward toward climate promises. The upcoming COP27 which is scheduled to take place in Egypt will focus on bringing the promised plans to action. As per the conference in Bonn, the key issues will focus on supporting low-income and developing countries to come out from the effects of climate change. (“UN urges 'quick' negotiations at start of climate talks in Germany,” BBC, 07 June 2022)