Editorial 12.11.24
Germany to hold snap elections in February
Politics dominate European news this morning, with reports that Germany will hold snap elections in February following the collapse of the coalition government.
The latest from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing fears over suspected “anti-Israeli” violence at football matches continue to fill the news sites.
Mazón is finalising a government reshuffle and is banking his political survival on the reconstruction of Valencia
Given that the response to his strategy was 130,000 people taking to the streets demanding his resignation, the president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón, has chosen to begin to admit errors and address the need to remodel the Valencian Government . Both decisions are aimed at focusing on the new tactic: relying on his political survival to rebuild the towns affected by the torrential rains that killed 214 people and pointing to Pedro Sánchez’s Government, at least, as jointly responsible for the disaster of the flood.
Thousands rally in Georgia to demand new election and push for EU integration
Thousands of opposition supporters rallied Monday in Georgia’s capital in continuing protests against the ruling party’s declared victory in the Oct. 26 parliamentary election amid allegations that Russia helped rig the vote. The protesters waved Georgian and European Union flags and gathered outside the Georgian parliament. They demanded a new parliamentary election under international supervision and an investigation into the alleged election fraud.
Germany set to hold snap elections on 23 February, reports claim
Germans are set to head to the polls on 23 February according to domestic media reports, after internal conflict left the country’s ruling coalition ruptured last week. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the head of the country’s largest opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friederich Merz came to an agreement that a no-confidence vote should be held on 16 December, with elections to follow in February of next year.
Burning tram, shouts of “Jewish ulcer” – violence in Amsterdam again
On Monday evening, Amsterdam was once again hit by violence with an apparently anti-Israel background. Video footage from the western suburb of Slotermeer shows people setting fire to a tram using fireworks. The cry of “Jewish ulcer” can be heard several times. According to the newspaper “NRC”, the passengers had previously got off the tram. Cars were also attacked with fireworks.
The tabloid newspaper ” Telegraaf ” reported that a group of young people actively sought conflict with the police and then fled on scooters, shouting slogans such as “Free Pelestine”. A passing cyclist was pushed off his bike and beaten. According to the report, a police helicopter was also deployed.
Italy’s commissioner hearing: Raffaele Fitto heads into showdown over EU’s regional funding
Keep your moccasins on and the espresso at the ready because things are about to get awfully Italian in Brussels.
Giorgia Meloni’s man, Raffaele Fitto, hits the auditorium to defend his expertise and diplomatic credentials while being considered for an executive vice president role overseeing some €400 billion in funding for poorer regions.
And things could get fiery. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already let it be known she wants the distribution of these so-called cohesion funds — which apply to various sectors including transport and agriculture — to be subjected to conditionality, something that’s already upset everyone from Polish farmers to Greek laborers.
Zelensky says Russia has stationed 50,000 troops in Kursk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine’s ongoing operation in Russia’s Kursk region is holding back an estimated 50,000 Russian troops, significantly impacting Moscow’s ability to launch attacks inside Ukraine.
In his nightly address, Zelensky said the operation aligns with Ukraine’s strategy to weaken Russia’s offensive capabilities. While some Western allies have questioned the feasibility of this goal, Zelensky continues to push its importance.