Keywords: Japan; economy; stimulus package; emergency state; COVID-19;
On 7 April, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe declared a state of emergency in seven prefectures amid widespread coronavirus infections. He also announced a record economic stimulus package of around $990 billion.
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Keywords: USA; WHO; World Health Organisation; Funding; Suspended;
President Donald Trump on 14 April announced that the U.S. will withhold funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) for 60 to 90 days. A report assessing the organisation's response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to be created in this time and its conclusions may be critical in determining whether the funding cut is extended. For years, the U.S. has been the largest donor to the WHO budget (in 2019, its dues and voluntary contributions amounted to more than $400 million of the organisation’s $2.4 billion-a-year budget). The decision is part of a Trump administration strategy to tag WHO with shared responsibility for purportedly concealing information about the epidemic in China.
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Keywords: South Korea; COVID-19; pandemic; parliament; elections;
President Moon Jae-in’s Democratic Party won the parliamentary elections held on 15 April in South Korea, winning 60% of the seats. The election results and the highest turnout in 28 years (66%) resulted from the positive social assessment of the authorities’ actions to stem the COVID-19 pandemic and the efficient organisation of the elections in difficult conditions. The ruling party’s win will provide a boost to Moon’s reform policy drive until the end of his term in 2022.
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Keywords: Germany; Constitutional Court; ECB Policy; CJEU Judgment;
In a judgment issued on 5 May, the German Federal Constitutional Court (CC) questioned the procedures in decisions by the European Central Bank (ECB) regarding the purchase of eurozone bonds. The judgment, however, concerns not only monetary policy - crucial to combating the current economic crisis - but also the division of competences between the EU and its Member States.
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Keywords: EU; Western Balkans; Summit; pandemic; COVID-19;
The summit of the EU and the Western Balkans, which was to take place in Zagreb, was held on 6 May by teleconference. It focused on Union assistance to the Balkans in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. This reveals not only the need of the moment but also the weak dynamics of the EU enlargement process.
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Keywords: Germany; regulator; derogation; Nord Stream 2; gas;
German regulator BNetzA on 15 May rejected the application by the Gazprom-owned company Nord Stream 2 AG (NS2AG) for a derogation for Nord Stream 2 (NS2). This meansNS2 has not been granted exceptions from the main rules of the EU’s Gas Directive. As a result, Gazprom will have limited control over the pipeline, which must function in line with EU law (as Poland and others have argued). However, NS2AG plans to appeal the decision. If unsuccessful in court, Gazprom and the Russian authorities might try to circumvent the Gas Directive.
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Keywords: Eurobonds; EU; Germany; France; Economy;
On 18 May, France and Germany presented their initiative to finance economic recovery in the EU after the COVID-19 crisis by issuing joint bonds. This is a chance for a breakthrough in the ongoing dispute over support methods for pandemic-hit economies. France and Germany also sent a political signal: the Elysian alliance still wants to play a leading role in the EU.
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Keywords: USA; Open Skies; Treaty; Withdrawal;
On 21 May, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies (OST), a multilateral agreement that allows confidence-building observation flights over the territories of its parties. The U.S. has accused Russia of repeated violations of the treaty. The validity of the accusations aside, the withdrawal will be used by Russia in propaganda and may be a factor pushing some European states to develop an independent approach to arms control with Russia.
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Keywords: China; economy; policy; strategy; goals; 2020;
In a government work report presented on 22 May during a session of the 13th Chinese parliament, Premier Li Keqiang did not specify the 2020 economic growth target, the first time that has happened since 1990. The reason is the uncertain global economic situation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government plans to increase economic stimulus measures to primarily stabilise the labour market.
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Keywords: Russia; Ukraine; gas; transit; deal; Nord Stream 2; EU; policy;
An agreement on the future of gas transit via Ukraine was reached by the Ukrainian and Russian parties on 30 December and it should be seen as a success of Ukraine and the European Commission. The application of EU rules means a more transparent gas transit system to the European Union. The successful outcome of the negotiations for Ukraine also strengthens Poland’s arguments about the need to apply transparent EU rules to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline (NS2).
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Keywords: USA; secretary; Minsk; visit; Belarus; energy; foreign policy;
On 1 February, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Minsk. He met with President Alexander Lukashenka and Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makei. It was the first visit by an American secretary of state to Belarus in 26 years. Pompeo’s visit demonstrates U.S. interest in cooperation with Belarus, including in the energy sphere.
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Keywords: Austria; Christian Democrats; Greens; government;
In Austria, the first government of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Green Party has been formed. Its swearing-in on 7 January marked the end of the transitional cabinet, functioning since May last year, of Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein and the return to this position of Sebastian Kurz, the ÖVP leader. Significant differences between the coalition partners—mainly on the subject of migration - required essential programme compromises. The Greens’ entry into the government will translate into even more ambitious Austrian climate policy.
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Keywords: Spain; left-wing coalition; formation; government; PSOE; UP;
On 7 January, the Spanish parliament supported forming a government led by Pedro Sánchez under the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) and left-wing Unidas Podemos (UP). This marks the end of a 10-month-long period of temporary government and the beginning of the first coalition cabinet since 1939. However, achieving the new government’s programme will depend on support from separatist parties, something that can weaken the government’s position in the country and in European politics.
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Keywords: Taiwan; elections; president; parliament; China; foreign policy;
President Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which opposes mainland policy, won re-election and secured a majority in the legislature in the presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan on 11 January. The results mean failure of the PRC’s policy towards Taiwan, signal a decrease in Taiwan's dependence on mainland China, and dismissal of the prospect of reunification under China’s “one country, two systems” principle.
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Keywords: Iran; Ukraine; airliner; downing; causes; consequences;
After the start of an investigation, on 11 January 2020, the government of Iran officially admitted its forces had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian International Air passenger plane (Flight PS752) three days earlier, killing all 176 passengers and crew. The tragedy occurred during the escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran and happened a few hours after an Iranian ballistic missile attack on American bases in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani. The shooting down of Flight PS752 may have a serious impact on Iran’s image and international position and the government’s internal legitimacy.
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Keywords: Russia; government; reconstruction; foreign policy;
On 15 January, the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech to both houses of parliament, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the cabinet resigned. Medvedev is succeeded by Mikhail Mishustin, the former head of the Federal Tax Service (FTS). The reconstruction of the government will not change Russian policy, as the president remains responsible for policymaking until the end of his term in 2024.
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Keywords: USA: China; trade; foreign policy; dispute;
The United States and China concluded a preliminary trade agreement (“phase-one deal”) on 15 January. Both sides consider it a success. China has agreed, among others, to increase purchases of U.S. goods by $200 billion in two years and the U.S. will refrain from raising customs duties on imports from China. The scope of the contract is narrower than originally planned by the Trump administration.
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Keywords: USA; Peace Plan; Israel; Foreign Policy;
The U.S. plan for Israel and Palestine will not lead to peace. If implemented without negotiations with the Palestinians, it will violate international law. In the short term, it will instil Israeli occupation and weaken American mediating capabilities. In the long term, it may, however, result in greater European efforts towards a just peace.
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Keywords: EU; ICT: 5G; infrastructure; security; guidelines;
The European Commission (EC) has published a “toolbox” of rules to guarantee the security of 5G infrastructure in Europe. They are intended to minimise the risks of espionage and leaks of sensitive data. The document is the result of an agreement between the Member States on cooperation criteria with contractors for 5G construction in the EU but it does not exclude any particular entity from the development of fifth-generation telecommunications infrastructure.
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Keywords: USA: India; Foreign Policy; Donald Trump;
The first state visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to India on 24 - 25 February confirmed the importance of India as a key strategic partner of the Americans, despite the unresolved trade disputes. Trump also aimed to win over some voters in the November presidential election among the Indian diaspora in the U.S.
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