Editorial 29.11.24
‘Ireland votes in snap election’ & ‘Romania shock far-right win’
Several political stories dominate the bloc’s news today. There are ongoing discussions between China and several European countries over the cut undersea cables that Germany labelled “sabotage.” With the bloc attempting to move away from the claims of sabotage, an investigation has been launched into the recent damage to the two underwater communication cables linking four NATO nations. China has said it is ready to cooperate with the probe.
Reaction to the chaos that Romania’s presidential election found itself in continues to be reported across Europe. On Thursday, a top Romanian court ordered a re-count of first-round results amid allegations that TikTok boosted a little-known far-right candidate, in an act of interference.
Ireland is also heading to the polls as the snap election kicks off this Friday – results are expected over the weekend.
The latest Eurozone inflation figures reveal inflation is up to 2.3% in November. The news that Turkey has fallen into a recession dominates the news.
Romania’s presidential election was thrown into chaos Thursday as a court ordered a recount of first-round results and security officials alleged that interference via TikTok had boosted a little-known far-right candidate.
In sports, Spanish and French media cover the ongoing crisis at Real Madrid amid concerns for French captain Kylian Mbappe – who has struggled with his form since arriving at the legendary club.
China says ready to ‘work with’ Baltic Sea cut cables probe
China said on Friday it was ready to assist in a probe into the severing of two cables in the Baltic Sea. It comes after Sweden asked for Beijing’s cooperation in the probe into the rupture of two data cables on November 17-18 in an area where a China-flagged vessel had been sighted. Both cables were restored as of Friday morning, their respective operators said.
Stockholm urges Chinese cargo ship to return to Swedish waters for undersea cable investigation
Sweden urged the Chinese cargo ship Yi Peng 3 to return to Swedish waters on Tuesday to facilitate the investigation that opened following the recent damage of two underwater communication cables linking four NATO nations, several media report. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized that he is “not making any accusations” but wants to “seek clarity on what has happened.”
Germany and Finland investigate severed undersea cable
An undersea telecommunications cable linking Germany and Finland has been severed, raising concerns amid already heightened tensions in Europe. The 1,170 km (730-mile) C-Lion1 fibreoptic cable connects Helsinki and Rostock, but all fibre connections in the line have been disrupted, according to Finnish network operator Cinia.
‘Romania shock far-right win’
Romania’s top court asks for presidential election first round recount
Far-right, Moscow-friendly candidate Călin Georgescu dramatically won in the election’s first round — shocking the country’s political establishment. Romania’s Constitutional Court has requested the country’s central election authority to recount and check ballots from Sunday’s presidential election’s first round.
Romania orders election recount after shock far-right win
Romania’s top court on Thursday mandated a recount of votes in the first round of the country’s presidential election, where a far-right candidate scored a surprise victory. The Romanian Constitutional Court (CCR) “unanimously ordered the reverification and recounting of the voting ballots for the November 24 presidential election,” it said in a statement.
https://www.dw.com/en/romania-orders-election-recount-after-shock-far-right-win/a-70911174
Romania’s presidential election thrown into chaos after top court orders recount
Romania’s presidential election was thrown into chaos Thursday as a court ordered a recount of first-round results and security officials alleged that interference via TikTok had boosted a little-known far-right candidate. The moves came as the country braces for legislative polls plus a run-off vote between a far-right admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a pro-European centrist contender.
‘Ireland votes in snap election’
Ireland votes in snap general election
Voting began on Friday morning in Ireland’s general election amid a tight race between the incumbent coalition parties and the opposition party Sinn Fein. Over 3 million voters are registered to cast their ballot in an election that has been focused on the country’s cost-of-living and housing crises, the response to an uptick in immigration, and economic management for potential future trade shocks.
https://www.dw.com/en/ireland-votes-in-snap-general-election/a-70914602
The general election campaign is over and it’s time to face the music
At a rain-soaked train station in Dublin, with just hours left in the general election campaign, a first-time candidate is lamenting how little time they have left. The three weeks, they say, have been gruelling, but they know now what they didn’t know 21 days ago, such as the paradox of elections, and the experience is won through trial and error, and all you can hope for as the polls open is that you’ve left it all on the field.
Don’t forget the Tiger: Why Ireland’s economy is crucial to the election
Unlike many of its European peers, Ireland’s coffers are filled to the brim. Economists warn that the state must save – but winning elections doesn’t come cheap. When Ireland’s political leaders locked horns in a TV debate earlier this week, economic pledges emerged front and centre. Today, the country will vote in a general election, called early by incumbent Taoiseach Simon Harris.
Unlike its European neighbours, Ireland is going to the polls in a strong financial position. Unemployment is low, state coffers are full, and inflation is falling.
‘Inflation and recession’
Eurozone inflation up to 2.3% in November
Year-on-year consumer prices in the eurozone rose 2.3% in November, EU statistics agency Eurostat reported Friday. That is up from 2% in October, and also above the 2% target desired by the European Central Bank (ECB). However, the news is unlikely to stop the ECB from cutting interest rates as it focuses on addressing Europe’s sluggish growth.
https://www.dw.com/en/eurozone-inflation-up-to-23-in-november/a-70917892
Eurozone’s inflation rate rises to 2.3%: Should the ECB be concerned?
Annual inflation in the eurozone edged higher in November, matching expectations, while Germany reported its worst retail sales drop in two years, signalling broader economic challenges for the region. Eurozone inflation rose to 2.3% year-on-year in November, up from 2% in October, according to preliminary data released by Eurostat on Friday.
Turkey falls into recession as interest rates remain sky-high
Analysts believe rate cuts will begin early next year as high borrowing costs stifle investment and production. Turkey’s economy shrank 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the period from July to September, said the Turkish Statistical Institute on Friday. This comes after a decline of the same scale in the second quarter of the year, confirming that the economy is in recession. Turkey recorded 2.1% year-on-year growth in the third quarter, following a reading of 2.4% in the period from April to June.