Babis’ win in Czechia is a huge victory for European conservatives– rmx.news Source Link Excerpt:
After four long years in the political wilderness, Andrej Babiš returns to presumably lead the Czech Republic after his blowout victory. In neighboring Hungary, Viktor Orbán was jubilant, celebrating the victory of his ally, while in Slovakia, Robert Fico also toasted to Babis’ huge win.
Orbán and Fico are grizzled veterans of the political wars within their own countries, and now Babis is being welcomed back into the fold. One cannot help but think back to the famous “Hangover” scene.
Orbán, long in the driver’s seat in Hungary, with a tired Fico smiling warily from the backseat, still recovering from an assassination attempt that nearly killed him last year, and Babis fist-pumping from the passenger seat. At least that is one way to imagine Babis’ comeback victory.
Hungarian media is also doing the victory rounds, with Magyar Nemzet writing that Babis’ “return will further strengthen the influence of patriotic leaders in the European Union.” The paper further wrote that “his result could create another opportunity to increase the influence of the V4 and Patriots in Europe.”
Thousands rally across Slovakia against austerity measures and pro-Russian policies– japantoday.com Source Link Excerpt:
The rallies took place in 16 major cities and towns, including the capital of Bratislava.
They latest wave of protests has been fueled by a trip by Fico to China where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin for the third time since the Russian all-out invasion of Ukraine. A package of austerity measures recently approved by the government further angered the protesters.
The government says the measures are necessary to cut a budget deficit that at 5.3% of GDP was the second highest last year among the countries using the common European currency, the euro. The deficit is expected to surpass 5% this year, exceeding the limit of 3% required by the European Union.
The measures include increases in health and social insurance, income tax for higher earners, and value added tax on some food products, as well as a possible reduction of national holidays.
Labor unions and other critics charged ordinary people will be hit most while businesses complain the measures do not include anything to boost the economy.
“The Slovaks are fed up with that,” Michal Šimečka, the head of the Progressive Slovakia party told the crowd at the Freedom Square in Bratislava.
Drone neutralised flying over government buildings in Warsaw, PM Donald Tusk says– www.euronews.com Source Link Excerpt:
Poland’s State Protection Service (SOP) has neutralised a drone flying that was flying over sensitive government locations in Warsaw, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a post on X.
Two Belarusian citizens were detained in connection with the incident and police have launched an investigation into the incident, Tusk said.
The incident comes at a time of heightened regional tensions following a string of airspace violations.
Poland says its airspace was violated in the early hours of Wednesday by a record 19 drones, believed to be from Russia.
In response, the Armed Forces of Ukraine said it would send a team to Poland to provide anti-drone training.
The Polish government has traditionally been a staunch supporter of Ukraine’s war effort.
Total support to Ukraine from Warsaw totals approximately €3.3 billion, in both military and humanitarian assistance.
Thousands rally in Serbia and accuse police of brutality at anti-government demonstrations – The Seattle Times Source Link Excerpt:
Thousands of student-led protesters chanted slogans against Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic at a rally in downtown Belgrade on Monday, accusing police of brutality during recent anti-government demonstrations that have shaken his populist rule.
The protesters demanded that police officers responsible for excessive use of force during months of unrest be punished, including for alleged rape threats against a female student.
The protests started in November when a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Serbia’s north, killing 16 people. The disaster ignited an anti-corruption movement led by university students alleging graft-fueled negligence as its cause.
Student Nikolina Sindjelic, who was detained last month during the protests, said she was beaten and sexually harassed during her detention. Sindjelic told the rally that the “entire state system has been directed against its own citizens.”
“They (government) beat us because they are afraid of us,” Sindjelic said in a speech outside the headquarters of a special police unit, whose commander she accused of rape threats. “They have hit us and they will hit us because they know it is all over (for them).”
Conservative MEP says Tusk surrendered on Mercosur deal– rmx.news Source Link Excerpt:
Last week, the European Commission adopted the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, but to enter into force, it must be approved by the EU Parliament and member states in a vote at the EU Council.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Wednesday that Poland would, of course, vote against it, but he also noted there would be insufficient votes to block the agreement, reports Do Rzeczy.
Ratification of the EU-Mercosur agreement requires the consent of the European Parliament and 15 states representing at least 65% of the EU population. Therefore, to reject the agreement, a so-called blocking minority—a coalition of at least four states representing 35% of the EU population—is necessary.
Law and Justice (PiS) MEP Waldemar Buda says Donald Tusk has simply waved a “white flag” on the matter.
