Net-Zero Industry Act + Elections in Pol • Table.Briefings

Dear reader,

The Net-Zero Industry Act aims to enhance the appeal of Europe as a location for manufacturers of climate-friendly technologies. Negotiations for this initiative are progressing well: Negotiators in the European Parliament’s Industry Committee have reached an agreement on the outstanding points, and there is also movement in the Council. However, a significant sticking point has been and remains the treatment of nuclear power. Till Hoppe and Lukas Scheid provide an overview of the current status.

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell is finally completing his trip to China and will stay in the People’s Republic until tomorrow. During his visit, he aims to build persuasion and make it clear that Europe is not just an appendage of the USA, an assumption that is widespread in China, as analyzed by Finn Mayer-Kuckuk. Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson has also traveled to Beijing, where her discussions have focused on reducing methane. Learn more in the News.

Ahead of the elections this weekend, we turn our attention to Poland. Andrzej Rybak describes an uncompromising election campaign in which the PiS leader, Jarosław Kaczyński, even refused to participate in a TV debate with his challenger, Donald Tusk. Kaczyński is under pressure: According to a new poll, PiS leads among voters. Nevertheless, the opposition Civic Coalition has a realistic chance of replacing the current government.

Your
Sarah Schaefer

Negotiations on Net-Zero Industry Act are making progress

Negotiators in the European Parliament’s Industry Committee reached an agreement on the outstanding issues of the legislative proposal on Wednesday. The Net-Zero Industry Act is intended to facilitate investments in climate-friendly technologies in the EU. In addition, the Spanish Presidency of the Council has presented a new compromise document for discussion.

Table.Media has obtained the compromise proposals negotiated in the ITRE. They introduce several changes to the original proposal from the European Commission:

The list of eligible technologies should be significantly extended, and the special category of “strategic net-zero technologies” should be removed.
Eligible items should include essential precursor products, machinery, and so on, along the value chain of these technologies.
The objective should be to cover not only 40 percent of European demand in these technologies but also to achieve a 25 percent share of global production.
Member states should be able to designate dedicated support regions for net-zero technologies, known as Net-Zero Industry Valleys, where approval procedures for investors can also be expedited.
Strategic projects should have direct access to EU funds from the planned STEP financing platform.
In addition to the storage of captured CO2 (CCS), requirements for the transport of CO2 are also outlined.
The NZIA should go beyond net-zero technologies and include goals for reducing regulatory barriers for businesses in general by 20 percent by 2030 and 40 percent for SMEs and startups. A scientific advisory board should assist in this regard.

Vote in plenary at the end of November

In Parliament, it was stated that the compromise proposals negotiated by rapporteur Christian Ehler (CDU) were supported by the EPP, the Social Democrats and the liberal Renew group. However, the Greens and the Left did not support the proposals. The Industry Committee is expected to vote on them on Oct. 25, with plenary voting taking place during the November session. After that, final trilogue negotiations with the Council can begin, which should be completed in time for the European elections in June 2024.

Many Social Democrats also had difficulty with Ehler’s demands for a long time. Tiemo Wölken, the S&D group’s spokesperson on environmental matters, was particularly concerned about the broad definition of net-zero technologies, which also includes “nuclear fission and fusion energy technologies, including technologies for the nuclear fuel cycle”. The Commission, on the other hand, had classified certain nuclear technologies as net-zero, but did not place them on the list of eight particularly eligible “strategic” technologies, which include batteries, solar power, wind energy, and heat pumps, for example.

Countries have leeway

He was able to ensure, however, according to Wölken, that the member states could choose the technologies that could be considered for strategic projects on their territory based on the list. This allows for targeted industrial policy. “Furthermore, the principle remains: nuclear technology is not recognized as strategic at the European level,” said Wölken. As a result, there is still no European funding for nuclear energy.

The handling of nuclear power is also the main point of contention in the Council. The latest compromise proposal from the Spanish Presidency, which “Contexte” has obtained, essentially follows the Commission’s approach. However, France is pushing to classify nuclear technology as a strategic technology. Germany and several other countries reject this. This Friday, the Permanent Representatives of the Governments will discuss this.

Carbon dioxide storage is also controversial

In Parliament, in addition to the nuclear issue, the storage of CO2 was also a sticking point in the negotiations. In its proposal, the Commission established a target for the storage of captured CO2 (CCS) for the first time: from 2030 onwards, 50 million tonnes of CO2 are to be injected into storage sites in the EU each year. The Commission, however, left open how and under what conditions the CO2 should be transported to the storage sites. The ITRE is of the opinion that the member states should be responsible for establishing CO2 transport networks.

The member states should ensure that potential users of storage sites have access to CO2 transport networks and storage sites for captured CO2. This is intended to ensure that CO2 storage sites can realistically be made usable.

However, the Industry Committee notes that the need for CO2 transport should be minimized. This is intended to reduce the safety risk of such transports and the necessary investments by avoiding unnecessary routes to the storage sites. In practice, this means that captured CO2 from the vicinity of a storage site should be prioritized.

Elections in Poland: Opposition gains ground

Since the collapse of communism, Poland has not seen an election campaign as tough and intense as this one. Hatred and animosity are rampant, particularly on the side of the ruling PiS party, which has based its entire campaign on sowing fear of a “German” government under Donald Tusk’s leadership returning. PiS Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński has even refused a TV debate with his challenger, publicly labeling Tusk a “liar” and a “traitor”.

The election is about the future of democracy and Poland’s EU membership. With a third mandate for PiS since 2015, Poland could slide into authoritarianism. Furthermore, the party could lead the country out of the EU, as Kaczyński values unlimited power more highly than all the economic and financial benefits of EU membership.

PiS could miss majority

Over the past three years, the government has repeatedly shown that it is not willing to respect the EU’s common rules. Common migration policies or climate targets are difficult to achieve with Kaczyński at the helm. Warsaw prefers to forgo 35 billion euros from the EU recovery fund rather than restore the independence of the judiciary.

The fight for every vote will continue until Friday night. In the latest survey by the IBRiS market research institute for the daily “Rzeczpospolita” as of Oct. 12, PiS leads with 33.5 percent. However, the opposition is catching up, with 28 percent of voters intending to vote for the Civic Coalition, according to the poll. The Coalition of the Third Way, a merger of the Peasant Party PSL and the liberal-conservative Polska 2050, is at 10.9 percent, the Left at 10.1 percent, and the right-wing Confederation at 9.2 percent of the votes.

This means that PiS would have won 191 out of 460 seats, but even with the support of the Confederation (32 seats), it would not be able to form a government. The Civic Coalition led by Donald Tusk (155 seats), the Third Way, and the Left would have a total of 237 seats – six more than the required majority.

Record voter turnout expected

However, these survey results should be taken with a grain of caution. About 7 percent of Poles are still unsure which party they will vote for. Furthermore, the results of different institutes vary greatly. For example, IPSOS sees PiS leading with 39 percent and the Third Way with 8 percent. If the coalition fails to reach the 8 percent threshold, PiS could benefit – and might even achieve the majority. Another uncertainty is the Confederation: While they have consistently ruled out a coalition with PiS during the campaign, they could change their stance if the price is right.

On Sunday, 29 million eligible Polish voters are called upon to cast their ballots. According to the IBRiS survey, 59.3 percent of respondents said they will vote “definitely,” and 6 percent said “probably.” This could result in a voter turnout of 65 percent, higher than ever since the end of communism.

The opposition is deploying around 45,000 volunteer election observers at polling stations, as election fraud attempts cannot be ruled out. In recent years, PiS has overhauled the election authorities. The head of the state election office and all election commissioners were nominated by PiS. Similar to Donald Trump in 2020, Kaczyński might try to challenge an opposition victory as election fraud – he already did so in 2014 after losing local elections.

Questionable referendum

Official election results are likely to be available only on Tuesday because a questionable referendum is taking place simultaneously and must be counted. Opposition parties have recommended to their supporters to reject the referendum ballot as the questions are formulated in favor of PiS. If less than 50 percent of Poles participate in the referendum, it is deemed invalid.

President Andrzej Duda will likely first task PiS with forming the government as the election winner. However, without a majority, the right-wing populists led by Kaczyński will find it difficult to find a coalition partner. The Civic Coalition, the Left, and the Third Way stand a real chance of winning the election, and they have already largely agreed on the composition of government offices. Andrzej Rybak

Borrell’s message to China: ‘Take the EU more seriously!’

High Representative Josep Borrell travels to Shanghai and Beijing.

By

Finn Mayer-Kuckuk

Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, is in China until Saturday. He arrived in Shanghai on Thursday and immediately went on a series of appointments: He met with EU companies to hear their concerns and discussed with academics at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies. In the coming days, he has appointments in Beijing.

In view of the looming trade conflicts between China and the EU, the trip receives considerable attention. It was also eagerly anticipated: The trip was canceled in April due to illness and in July after Beijing canceled it. So, the mission was already off to a bad start.

Numerous issues raised

The atmosphere between China and the EU is bad for several reasons. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has taken the initiative to advance her de-risking strategy in several fields.

The EU is considering tariffs on Chinese EVs, which von der Leyen accuses of being sold below manufacturing cost.
Together with the United States, she considers tariffs on certain steel products.
She generally warns of dependencies, for example, in raw materials and
sees democracy in the EU threatened by Chinese interference.
Von der Leyen criticizes China for circumventing sanctions on Russia.

The planned tariffs have the potential to trigger a backlash from China. In the trade conflict with the US, China has not put up with any trade measure either and has responded with a roughly similar sanction each time.

Borrell: The EU is its own geopolitical player

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Borrell laid out some positions he intends to raise in China.

Europe takes China seriously, but China, on the other hand, should also take the EU seriously as a player in its own right.
The main issue here is the accusation, often voiced by China, that Europe is only acting at the behest of the US. “Europe takes China seriously and has no hidden agenda aiming at derailing its rise,” Borrell stresses. China should “stop looking at us through the lens of its relations with others.”
Borrell believes the Ukraine war has sharpened the EU’s foreign policy profile. It is no longer just an economic power, but sees itself more as a geopolitical actor.

In fact, “European independence” is a key phrase in China’s EU policy. It insinuates that Brussels and its member states are doing Washington’s bidding and have been antagonistic toward China in recent years. The implicit call for the EU to finally free itself from the US grip and turn “independently” back to China is also repeatedly brought up in high-level talks.

China’s fixation on the US

This view may be related to the fact that China is generally highly fixated on the United States as the dominant superpower it aspires to challenge. In this simplistic worldview, the EU, as a militarily insignificant player, joins either the US or China. The assumption in China that Europe is only an appendage of the US is so prevalent that it is hardly questioned.

Borrell now explicitly opposes this way of thinking. From the Commission’s perspective, Beijing vastly underestimates how much Europe thinks about the world – and how much resentment exists in Europe towards the US.

Simson urges Beijing to reduce methane emissions

Kadri Simson, the Estonian EU Commissioner for Energy, has called on China to commit to targets for expanding renewable energy and reducing methane during talks in Beijing. In Beijing, she met with Zhang Jianhua, Director of China’s National Energy Authority. These were the first in-person EU-China talks in the energy sector since 2019.

Simson urged China to join a global plan to reduce methane emissions and commit to tripling its renewable energy capacity by 2030. The discussions also covered commitments to carbon neutrality, although Simson did not demand more ambitious efforts from China in this regard. She stated, “I believe that it will be possible to decarbonize much earlier than 2060, but every government has the right to choose its own path,” referring to China’s net-zero target, which is a decade later than the EU’s 2050 goal.

This meeting comes just weeks before the UN Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai, where major players, including China, the US, and the EU, will negotiate critical issues related to climate change. rtr/jul

Environmental committee softens Euro 7 standards

The Environmental Committee (ENVI) aims to relax the Euro 7 emission standards compared to the Commission’s proposal. A coalition of ECR, EPP and Liberals supported this position in the vote on Alexandr Vondra’s report, against the opposition of the Left, Socialists, and Greens. The vote was surprisingly clear, with 52 in favor, 32 against, and one abstention. It is expected that the far-right ID group and several independent MEPs also voted in favor of the compromise proposal.

The Parliament is following the Commission’s proposed emission standards for cars. Lower emission limits will be applied to buses and heavy-duty vehicles. It also supports retaining testing conditions and slightly longer transition periods. The position of the Parliament is challenging for commercial vehicle manufacturers, as it proposes reducing nitrogen oxide emission limits for heavy-duty vehicles by about 60 percent compared to the existing standards.

Trilogue negotiations could proceed swiftly

A plenary vote on Vondra’s report is scheduled for Nov. 8. A majority vote is expected. As the positions of the Council and the Parliament are not far apart, a quick agreement during the trilogue is anticipated in early 2024 under the Belgian Council Presidency. To secure the support of Liberals, concessions on emission limits have been made by Conservatives and Christian Democrats. The transition periods proposed by the Parliament are also shorter than those in the Council’s position.

Jens Gieseke (CDU), shadow rapporteur of the EPP, was involved in negotiating the compromise. He criticized, “Just a few months ago, Greens and Social Democrats decided on a ban on internal combustion engines by 2035. It’s absurd to now force the automotive industry into significant investments in an outdated technology with strict Euro 7 rules.” This would overwhelm manufacturers and significantly increase prices for consumers.

Michael Bloss (Greens), on the other hand, is disappointed: “This is a failure that endangers people’s health and sets back the European automotive industry. Instead of Europe, China is now setting the standards, which is industrially dangerous. If European cars can’t keep up in China, the European automotive industry will lose its largest market. Europe must lead and become a trendsetter for quality again.” mgr

Shipping: Industry casts doubt on achievability of climate goal

The international shipping industry is expected to be climate-neutral by around 2050, but a survey commissioned by the SMM Shipbuilding Trade Fair reveals doubts within the maritime sectors about achieving this goal. According to the study, 46 percent of surveyed shipowners expressed skepticism that this could be implemented within the given timeframe, as reported by the Hamburg Messegesellschaft. Shipbuilders and suppliers also had similar levels of skepticism, with 45 percent and 40 percent respectively.

The reasons for these doubts are diverse. Shipowners primarily cited a lack of alternative fuels and suitable technology, while shipbuilders mentioned the lack of investment readiness by shipping companies. Suppliers pointed to high costs as a barrier to success.

‘Certain perplexity’

This survey reveals “a certain perplexity in the maritime industry regarding which propulsion technology will prevail and which alternative fuels will be available in sufficient quantities,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach, Head of Maritime and Technology Trade Fairs at Messegesellschaft, which hosts SMM every two years in Hamburg. The survey was conducted in May and June of this year, with over 1,000 decision-makers from 71 countries participating. They represented a spectrum of exhibiting companies and professional visitors to SMM.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency, is responsible for global regulations. In July of this year, its members agreed, after lengthy debates, that international shipping must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by around 2050 in the fight against climate change. International shipping is responsible for about 3 percent of global CO2 emissions. dpa

Glyphosate preliminary vote: no majority in SCoPAFF

During the pre-vote on the future of glyphosate, there was no qualified majority for or against the Commission’s proposal. Germany, as well as France and Italy, reportedly abstained in the vote in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food, and Feed (SCoPAFF). The positions of other EU member states are still unconfirmed.

A similar voting pattern is expected in the SCoPAFF vote scheduled for today. The Commission’s proposal to reauthorize the controversial herbicide for another ten years is on the table.

Coalition in Berlin is divided

The traffic light coalition in Berlin is divided on the issue of whether glyphosate should be reauthorized. Depending on their perspective, the coalition parties interpret the coalition agreement differently. The FDP relies on a clause stating that the approval of plant protection products should be based on “scientific criteria”. According to them, this is ensured by the green light from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

If there is no qualified majority in today’s SCoPAFF vote, the EU Commission would have to hold a vote in the Appeal Committee in the coming weeks. If the Commission’s proposal fails to get a majority there, it can reauthorize glyphosate without the approval of SCoPAFF.

Aligning with the preferences of the French government

To facilitate a decision by EU member states in the Appeal Committee and avoid being at odds, the Commission could further adjust its proposal to align with the preferences of the French government. One option could be to shorten the reauthorization period.

Whether Paris will be convinced is uncertain. While French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau is considered “pro-glyphosate“, the French government has come under pressure internally. This week, it was revealed that a French family whose son was born with a birth defect is being compensated by the fonds d’indemnisation des victimes de pesticides (FIVP). has

S&D faction seeks to exclude three Slovak members

Socialists in the European Parliament aim to exclude three Slovak members. If the S&D faction follows this proposal, Monika Beňová, Robert Hajšel and Katarína Roth Neveďalová would be removed from the faction. This would reduce the S&D faction from 143 to 140 members and increase the number of non-affiliated members from 49 to 52.

The reason for the expulsion is a decision by the socialist European party family (SPE). The SPE Executive Board decided to suspend the membership of the Slovak parties SMER and HLAS. SMER leader and party founder Robert Fico is currently forming a government in Slovakia for the fourth time.

The European party family criticizes that Fico’s SMER is forming a coalition with the far-right Slovak National Party SNS. Additionally, concerns have been raised about how Fico and other party leaders have expressed themselves regarding Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the rule of law and the LGBTQ community. According to the party family, there is no longer room for both parties in the socialist party family. mgr

Disinformation on X: EU Commission launches investigation

The EU Commission has announced an investigation into the short messaging service X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding disinformation. It will examine whether X, owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, complied with EU regulations on illegal and harmful online content, the Brussels authority stated. X has not yet issued a statement on this matter.

Just three days ago, the Commission warned the company to take action against illegal content related to the Hamas attack on Israel. The Commission gave X a 24-hour ultimatum to provide a “quick, accurate, and comprehensive response” on the issue. Following this warning, X claimed to have deleted hundreds of user accounts with links to the radical Islamic Hamas. Linda Yaccarino, X’s CEO, stated, “We will continue to respond promptly to requests from law enforcement agencies around the world, including EU member states.”

European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton has also turned his attention to TikTok. There are indications that TikTok is being used to spread illegal content and fake news related to the attacks on Israel, as stated in a letter published by Breton on X. Because the platform is widely used by children and adolescents, TikTok is especially obligated to protect them from violent content. A similar letter had been sent to the Facebook conglomerate Meta before. rtr/dpa

Andreas Glück – European politician and part-time surgeon

Andreas Glück, a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) is part of the ENVI and ITRE committees.

“We don’t need a little bit of Europe everywhere; we need a strong Europe in the right places,” said Andreas Glück when he was nominated for the upcoming European elections. In an interview with Table.Media, the FDP politician emphasizes that when it comes to detailed regulations on species protection or building efficiency, he prefers to trust the competence of member states, regions and municipalities. Unlike many “regulation-oriented” politicians, he does not aim to “subsidize what is desired and tax or prohibit what is undesirable”.

For example, in the procurement of medications, the European Union should collaborate more closely, and data exchange between member states needs improvement. These examples are not coincidental but are from the healthcare sector. Andreas Glück is, by profession, a surgeon and continues to work four hours a week in a hospital, stating, “I treat the patient who fell while skiing in South Tyrol without having seen the X-rays or knowing which medications have already been prescribed.”

More trust in a white coat

Being both a doctor and a European politician, Glück juggles both professions to bridge the gap between people’s daily lives and the decisions made in Brussels or Strasbourg. He first ran for the European Parliament with this goal in mind in 2019.

The FDP politician is a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). “It comes from Europe; nothing can be done about it” – as a member of the city council in his hometown Münsingen and later in the Baden-Württemberg state parliament, he often heard this phrase. “I didn’t want to accept that.”

Both as a doctor and as a politician, the key is to explain complex issues in a way that people can understand without oversimplifying to the point of distorting the truth. In this regard, Glück often experiences how distinct the perception of these two professions can be. “When I wear the white coat and talk to a patient, they believe me a lot. But when I wear a suit, people initially don’t believe me at all because many think that all politicians are dishonest.”

Improving the EU through critique

How does he gain the trust of voters? “I tell them: Don’t believe that I entered politics because I think everything there is so great,” says the 48-year-old. He criticizes the European Union quite a bit but not to destroy it, but to improve it. He inherited this stance from his family. His father was already a member of the state parliament and, interestingly, a specialist in surgery.

After witnessing a person collapsing at a music concert and feeling helpless as a young man, he decided to serve in civilian service in the emergency medical services. He later became an emergency paramedic and studied medicine. In his spare time, if he has a quiet moment, Glück enjoys playing the guitar or piano. Otherwise, the father of two spends his free time motorcycling. Janna Degener-Storr

EUROPE.TABLE EDITORS

Till
Hoppe

Charlotte
Wirth

Falk
Steiner

Timo
Landenberger

Corinna
Visser

Lukas
Knigge

Eric
Bonse

Sarah
Schaefer

Manuel
Berkel

Lisa-Martina
Klein

Markus
Grabitz

Stephan
Israel

Claire
Stam

Dear reader,

The Net-Zero Industry Act aims to enhance the appeal of Europe as a location for manufacturers of climate-friendly technologies. Negotiations for this initiative are progressing well: Negotiators in the European Parliament’s Industry Committee have reached an agreement on the outstanding points, and there is also movement in the Council. However, a significant sticking point has been and remains the treatment of nuclear power. Till Hoppe and Lukas Scheid provide an overview of the current status.

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell is finally completing his trip to China and will stay in the People’s Republic until tomorrow. During his visit, he aims to build persuasion and make it clear that Europe is not just an appendage of the USA, an assumption that is widespread in China, as analyzed by Finn Mayer-Kuckuk. Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson has also traveled to Beijing, where her discussions have focused on reducing methane. Learn more in the News.

Ahead of the elections this weekend, we turn our attention to Poland. Andrzej Rybak describes an uncompromising election campaign in which the PiS leader, Jarosław Kaczyński, even refused to participate in a TV debate with his challenger, Donald Tusk. Kaczyński is under pressure: According to a new poll, PiS leads among voters. Nevertheless, the opposition Civic Coalition has a realistic chance of replacing the current government.

Your
Sarah Schaefer

Negotiations on Net-Zero Industry Act are making progress

Negotiators in the European Parliament’s Industry Committee reached an agreement on the outstanding issues of the legislative proposal on Wednesday. The Net-Zero Industry Act is intended to facilitate investments in climate-friendly technologies in the EU. In addition, the Spanish Presidency of the Council has presented a new compromise document for discussion.

Table.Media has obtained the compromise proposals negotiated in the ITRE. They introduce several changes to the original proposal from the European Commission:

The list of eligible technologies should be significantly extended, and the special category of “strategic net-zero technologies” should be removed.
Eligible items should include essential precursor products, machinery, and so on, along the value chain of these technologies.
The objective should be to cover not only 40 percent of European demand in these technologies but also to achieve a 25 percent share of global production.
Member states should be able to designate dedicated support regions for net-zero technologies, known as Net-Zero Industry Valleys, where approval procedures for investors can also be expedited.
Strategic projects should have direct access to EU funds from the planned STEP financing platform.
In addition to the storage of captured CO2 (CCS), requirements for the transport of CO2 are also outlined.
The NZIA should go beyond net-zero technologies and include goals for reducing regulatory barriers for businesses in general by 20 percent by 2030 and 40 percent for SMEs and startups. A scientific advisory board should assist in this regard.

Vote in plenary at the end of November

In Parliament, it was stated that the compromise proposals negotiated by rapporteur Christian Ehler (CDU) were supported by the EPP, the Social Democrats and the liberal Renew group. However, the Greens and the Left did not support the proposals. The Industry Committee is expected to vote on them on Oct. 25, with plenary voting taking place during the November session. After that, final trilogue negotiations with the Council can begin, which should be completed in time for the European elections in June 2024.

Many Social Democrats also had difficulty with Ehler’s demands for a long time. Tiemo Wölken, the S&D group’s spokesperson on environmental matters, was particularly concerned about the broad definition of net-zero technologies, which also includes “nuclear fission and fusion energy technologies, including technologies for the nuclear fuel cycle”. The Commission, on the other hand, had classified certain nuclear technologies as net-zero, but did not place them on the list of eight particularly eligible “strategic” technologies, which include batteries, solar power, wind energy, and heat pumps, for example.

Countries have leeway

He was able to ensure, however, according to Wölken, that the member states could choose the technologies that could be considered for strategic projects on their territory based on the list. This allows for targeted industrial policy. “Furthermore, the principle remains: nuclear technology is not recognized as strategic at the European level,” said Wölken. As a result, there is still no European funding for nuclear energy.

The handling of nuclear power is also the main point of contention in the Council. The latest compromise proposal from the Spanish Presidency, which “Contexte” has obtained, essentially follows the Commission’s approach. However, France is pushing to classify nuclear technology as a strategic technology. Germany and several other countries reject this. This Friday, the Permanent Representatives of the Governments will discuss this.

Carbon dioxide storage is also controversial

In Parliament, in addition to the nuclear issue, the storage of CO2 was also a sticking point in the negotiations. In its proposal, the Commission established a target for the storage of captured CO2 (CCS) for the first time: from 2030 onwards, 50 million tonnes of CO2 are to be injected into storage sites in the EU each year. The Commission, however, left open how and under what conditions the CO2 should be transported to the storage sites. The ITRE is of the opinion that the member states should be responsible for establishing CO2 transport networks.

The member states should ensure that potential users of storage sites have access to CO2 transport networks and storage sites for captured CO2. This is intended to ensure that CO2 storage sites can realistically be made usable.

However, the Industry Committee notes that the need for CO2 transport should be minimized. This is intended to reduce the safety risk of such transports and the necessary investments by avoiding unnecessary routes to the storage sites. In practice, this means that captured CO2 from the vicinity of a storage site should be prioritized.

Elections in Poland: Opposition gains ground

Since the collapse of communism, Poland has not seen an election campaign as tough and intense as this one. Hatred and animosity are rampant, particularly on the side of the ruling PiS party, which has based its entire campaign on sowing fear of a “German” government under Donald Tusk’s leadership returning. PiS Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński has even refused a TV debate with his challenger, publicly labeling Tusk a “liar” and a “traitor”.

The election is about the future of democracy and Poland’s EU membership. With a third mandate for PiS since 2015, Poland could slide into authoritarianism. Furthermore, the party could lead the country out of the EU, as Kaczyński values unlimited power more highly than all the economic and financial benefits of EU membership.

PiS could miss majority

Over the past three years, the government has repeatedly shown that it is not willing to respect the EU’s common rules. Common migration policies or climate targets are difficult to achieve with Kaczyński at the helm. Warsaw prefers to forgo 35 billion euros from the EU recovery fund rather than restore the independence of the judiciary.

The fight for every vote will continue until Friday night. In the latest survey by the IBRiS market research institute for the daily “Rzeczpospolita” as of Oct. 12, PiS leads with 33.5 percent. However, the opposition is catching up, with 28 percent of voters intending to vote for the Civic Coalition, according to the poll. The Coalition of the Third Way, a merger of the Peasant Party PSL and the liberal-conservative Polska 2050, is at 10.9 percent, the Left at 10.1 percent, and the right-wing Confederation at 9.2 percent of the votes.

This means that PiS would have won 191 out of 460 seats, but even with the support of the Confederation (32 seats), it would not be able to form a government. The Civic Coalition led by Donald Tusk (155 seats), the Third Way, and the Left would have a total of 237 seats – six more than the required majority.

Record voter turnout expected

However, these survey results should be taken with a grain of caution. About 7 percent of Poles are still unsure which party they will vote for. Furthermore, the results of different institutes vary greatly. For example, IPSOS sees PiS leading with 39 percent and the Third Way with 8 percent. If the coalition fails to reach the 8 percent threshold, PiS could benefit – and might even achieve the majority. Another uncertainty is the Confederation: While they have consistently ruled out a coalition with PiS during the campaign, they could change their stance if the price is right.

On Sunday, 29 million eligible Polish voters are called upon to cast their ballots. According to the IBRiS survey, 59.3 percent of respondents said they will vote “definitely,” and 6 percent said “probably.” This could result in a voter turnout of 65 percent, higher than ever since the end of communism.

The opposition is deploying around 45,000 volunteer election observers at polling stations, as election fraud attempts cannot be ruled out. In recent years, PiS has overhauled the election authorities. The head of the state election office and all election commissioners were nominated by PiS. Similar to Donald Trump in 2020, Kaczyński might try to challenge an opposition victory as election fraud – he already did so in 2014 after losing local elections.

Questionable referendum

Official election results are likely to be available only on Tuesday because a questionable referendum is taking place simultaneously and must be counted. Opposition parties have recommended to their supporters to reject the referendum ballot as the questions are formulated in favor of PiS. If less than 50 percent of Poles participate in the referendum, it is deemed invalid.

President Andrzej Duda will likely first task PiS with forming the government as the election winner. However, without a majority, the right-wing populists led by Kaczyński will find it difficult to find a coalition partner. The Civic Coalition, the Left, and the Third Way stand a real chance of winning the election, and they have already largely agreed on the composition of government offices. Andrzej Rybak

Borrell’s message to China: ‘Take the EU more seriously!’

By

Finn Mayer-Kuckuk

Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, is in China until Saturday. He arrived in Shanghai on Thursday and immediately went on a series of appointments: He met with EU companies to hear their concerns and discussed with academics at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies. In the coming days, he has appointments in Beijing.

In view of the looming trade conflicts between China and the EU, the trip receives considerable attention. It was also eagerly anticipated: The trip was canceled in April due to illness and in July after Beijing canceled it. So, the mission was already off to a bad start.

Numerous issues raised

The atmosphere between China and the EU is bad for several reasons. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has taken the initiative to advance her de-risking strategy in several fields.

The EU is considering tariffs on Chinese EVs, which von der Leyen accuses of being sold below manufacturing cost.
Together with the United States, she considers tariffs on certain steel products.
She generally warns of dependencies, for example, in raw materials and
sees democracy in the EU threatened by Chinese interference.
Von der Leyen criticizes China for circumventing sanctions on Russia.

The planned tariffs have the potential to trigger a backlash from China. In the trade conflict with the US, China has not put up with any trade measure either and has responded with a roughly similar sanction each time.

Borrell: The EU is its own geopolitical player

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Borrell laid out some positions he intends to raise in China.

Europe takes China seriously, but China, on the other hand, should also take the EU seriously as a player in its own right.
The main issue here is the accusation, often voiced by China, that Europe is only acting at the behest of the US. “Europe takes China seriously and has no hidden agenda aiming at derailing its rise,” Borrell stresses. China should “stop looking at us through the lens of its relations with others.”
Borrell believes the Ukraine war has sharpened the EU’s foreign policy profile. It is no longer just an economic power, but sees itself more as a geopolitical actor.

In fact, “European independence” is a key phrase in China’s EU policy. It insinuates that Brussels and its member states are doing Washington’s bidding and have been antagonistic toward China in recent years. The implicit call for the EU to finally free itself from the US grip and turn “independently” back to China is also repeatedly brought up in high-level talks.

China’s fixation on the US

This view may be related to the fact that China is generally highly fixated on the United States as the dominant superpower it aspires to challenge. In this simplistic worldview, the EU, as a militarily insignificant player, joins either the US or China. The assumption in China that Europe is only an appendage of the US is so prevalent that it is hardly questioned.

Borrell now explicitly opposes this way of thinking. From the Commission’s perspective, Beijing vastly underestimates how much Europe thinks about the world – and how much resentment exists in Europe towards the US.

Simson urges Beijing to reduce methane emissions

Kadri Simson, the Estonian EU Commissioner for Energy, has called on China to commit to targets for expanding renewable energy and reducing methane during talks in Beijing. In Beijing, she met with Zhang Jianhua, Director of China’s National Energy Authority. These were the first in-person EU-China talks in the energy sector since 2019.

Simson urged China to join a global plan to reduce methane emissions and commit to tripling its renewable energy capacity by 2030. The discussions also covered commitments to carbon neutrality, although Simson did not demand more ambitious efforts from China in this regard. She stated, “I believe that it will be possible to decarbonize much earlier than 2060, but every government has the right to choose its own path,” referring to China’s net-zero target, which is a decade later than the EU’s 2050 goal.

This meeting comes just weeks before the UN Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai, where major players, including China, the US, and the EU, will negotiate critical issues related to climate change. rtr/jul

Environmental committee softens Euro 7 standards

The Environmental Committee (ENVI) aims to relax the Euro 7 emission standards compared to the Commission’s proposal. A coalition of ECR, EPP and Liberals supported this position in the vote on Alexandr Vondra’s report, against the opposition of the Left, Socialists, and Greens. The vote was surprisingly clear, with 52 in favor, 32 against, and one abstention. It is expected that the far-right ID group and several independent MEPs also voted in favor of the compromise proposal.

The Parliament is following the Commission’s proposed emission standards for cars. Lower emission limits will be applied to buses and heavy-duty vehicles. It also supports retaining testing conditions and slightly longer transition periods. The position of the Parliament is challenging for commercial vehicle manufacturers, as it proposes reducing nitrogen oxide emission limits for heavy-duty vehicles by about 60 percent compared to the existing standards.

Trilogue negotiations could proceed swiftly

A plenary vote on Vondra’s report is scheduled for Nov. 8. A majority vote is expected. As the positions of the Council and the Parliament are not far apart, a quick agreement during the trilogue is anticipated in early 2024 under the Belgian Council Presidency. To secure the support of Liberals, concessions on emission limits have been made by Conservatives and Christian Democrats. The transition periods proposed by the Parliament are also shorter than those in the Council’s position.

Jens Gieseke (CDU), shadow rapporteur of the EPP, was involved in negotiating the compromise. He criticized, “Just a few months ago, Greens and Social Democrats decided on a ban on internal combustion engines by 2035. It’s absurd to now force the automotive industry into significant investments in an outdated technology with strict Euro 7 rules.” This would overwhelm manufacturers and significantly increase prices for consumers.

Michael Bloss (Greens), on the other hand, is disappointed: “This is a failure that endangers people’s health and sets back the European automotive industry. Instead of Europe, China is now setting the standards, which is industrially dangerous. If European cars can’t keep up in China, the European automotive industry will lose its largest market. Europe must lead and become a trendsetter for quality again.” mgr

Shipping: Industry casts doubt on achievability of climate goal

The international shipping industry is expected to be climate-neutral by around 2050, but a survey commissioned by the SMM Shipbuilding Trade Fair reveals doubts within the maritime sectors about achieving this goal. According to the study, 46 percent of surveyed shipowners expressed skepticism that this could be implemented within the given timeframe, as reported by the Hamburg Messegesellschaft. Shipbuilders and suppliers also had similar levels of skepticism, with 45 percent and 40 percent respectively.

The reasons for these doubts are diverse. Shipowners primarily cited a lack of alternative fuels and suitable technology, while shipbuilders mentioned the lack of investment readiness by shipping companies. Suppliers pointed to high costs as a barrier to success.

‘Certain perplexity’

This survey reveals “a certain perplexity in the maritime industry regarding which propulsion technology will prevail and which alternative fuels will be available in sufficient quantities,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach, Head of Maritime and Technology Trade Fairs at Messegesellschaft, which hosts SMM every two years in Hamburg. The survey was conducted in May and June of this year, with over 1,000 decision-makers from 71 countries participating. They represented a spectrum of exhibiting companies and professional visitors to SMM.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency, is responsible for global regulations. In July of this year, its members agreed, after lengthy debates, that international shipping must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by around 2050 in the fight against climate change. International shipping is responsible for about 3 percent of global CO2 emissions. dpa

Glyphosate preliminary vote: no majority in SCoPAFF

During the pre-vote on the future of glyphosate, there was no qualified majority for or against the Commission’s proposal. Germany, as well as France and Italy, reportedly abstained in the vote in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food, and Feed (SCoPAFF). The positions of other EU member states are still unconfirmed.

A similar voting pattern is expected in the SCoPAFF vote scheduled for today. The Commission’s proposal to reauthorize the controversial herbicide for another ten years is on the table.

Coalition in Berlin is divided

The traffic light coalition in Berlin is divided on the issue of whether glyphosate should be reauthorized. Depending on their perspective, the coalition parties interpret the coalition agreement differently. The FDP relies on a clause stating that the approval of plant protection products should be based on “scientific criteria”. According to them, this is ensured by the green light from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

If there is no qualified majority in today’s SCoPAFF vote, the EU Commission would have to hold a vote in the Appeal Committee in the coming weeks. If the Commission’s proposal fails to get a majority there, it can reauthorize glyphosate without the approval of SCoPAFF.

Aligning with the preferences of the French government

To facilitate a decision by EU member states in the Appeal Committee and avoid being at odds, the Commission could further adjust its proposal to align with the preferences of the French government. One option could be to shorten the reauthorization period.

Whether Paris will be convinced is uncertain. While French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau is considered “pro-glyphosate“, the French government has come under pressure internally. This week, it was revealed that a French family whose son was born with a birth defect is being compensated by the fonds d’indemnisation des victimes de pesticides (FIVP). has

S&D faction seeks to exclude three Slovak members

Socialists in the European Parliament aim to exclude three Slovak members. If the S&D faction follows this proposal, Monika Beňová, Robert Hajšel and Katarína Roth Neveďalová would be removed from the faction. This would reduce the S&D faction from 143 to 140 members and increase the number of non-affiliated members from 49 to 52.

The reason for the expulsion is a decision by the socialist European party family (SPE). The SPE Executive Board decided to suspend the membership of the Slovak parties SMER and HLAS. SMER leader and party founder Robert Fico is currently forming a government in Slovakia for the fourth time.

The European party family criticizes that Fico’s SMER is forming a coalition with the far-right Slovak National Party SNS. Additionally, concerns have been raised about how Fico and other party leaders have expressed themselves regarding Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the rule of law and the LGBTQ community. According to the party family, there is no longer room for both parties in the socialist party family. mgr

Disinformation on X: EU Commission launches investigation

The EU Commission has announced an investigation into the short messaging service X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding disinformation. It will examine whether X, owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, complied with EU regulations on illegal and harmful online content, the Brussels authority stated. X has not yet issued a statement on this matter.

Just three days ago, the Commission warned the company to take action against illegal content related to the Hamas attack on Israel. The Commission gave X a 24-hour ultimatum to provide a “quick, accurate, and comprehensive response” on the issue. Following this warning, X claimed to have deleted hundreds of user accounts with links to the radical Islamic Hamas. Linda Yaccarino, X’s CEO, stated, “We will continue to respond promptly to requests from law enforcement agencies around the world, including EU member states.”

European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton has also turned his attention to TikTok. There are indications that TikTok is being used to spread illegal content and fake news related to the attacks on Israel, as stated in a letter published by Breton on X. Because the platform is widely used by children and adolescents, TikTok is especially obligated to protect them from violent content. A similar letter had been sent to the Facebook conglomerate Meta before. rtr/dpa

Andreas Glück – European politician and part-time surgeon

“We don’t need a little bit of Europe everywhere; we need a strong Europe in the right places,” said Andreas Glück when he was nominated for the upcoming European elections. In an interview with Table.Media, the FDP politician emphasizes that when it comes to detailed regulations on species protection or building efficiency, he prefers to trust the competence of member states, regions and municipalities. Unlike many “regulation-oriented” politicians, he does not aim to “subsidize what is desired and tax or prohibit what is undesirable”.

For example, in the procurement of medications, the European Union should collaborate more closely, and data exchange between member states needs improvement. These examples are not coincidental but are from the healthcare sector. Andreas Glück is, by profession, a surgeon and continues to work four hours a week in a hospital, stating, “I treat the patient who fell while skiing in South Tyrol without having seen the X-rays or knowing which medications have already been prescribed.”

More trust in a white coat

Being both a doctor and a European politician, Glück juggles both professions to bridge the gap between people’s daily lives and the decisions made in Brussels or Strasbourg. He first ran for the European Parliament with this goal in mind in 2019.

The FDP politician is a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). “It comes from Europe; nothing can be done about it” – as a member of the city council in his hometown Münsingen and later in the Baden-Württemberg state parliament, he often heard this phrase. “I didn’t want to accept that.”

Both as a doctor and as a politician, the key is to explain complex issues in a way that people can understand without oversimplifying to the point of distorting the truth. In this regard, Glück often experiences how distinct the perception of these two professions can be. “When I wear the white coat and talk to a patient, they believe me a lot. But when I wear a suit, people initially don’t believe me at all because many think that all politicians are dishonest.”

Improving the EU through critique

How does he gain the trust of voters? “I tell them: Don’t believe that I entered politics because I think everything there is so great,” says the 48-year-old. He criticizes the European Union quite a bit but not to destroy it, but to improve it. He inherited this stance from his family. His father was already a member of the state parliament and, interestingly, a specialist in surgery.

After witnessing a person collapsing at a music concert and feeling helpless as a young man, he decided to serve in civilian service in the emergency medical services. He later became an emergency paramedic and studied medicine. In his spare time, if he has a quiet moment, Glück enjoys playing the guitar or piano. Otherwise, the father of two spends his free time motorcycling. Janna Degener-Storr