The impasse over the formation of a government in the Netherlands is set to end today. The deadline for the negotiating group appointed by parliament to submit its proposal expires at midnight. It is very likely that the four parties involved will come together. These are the far-rightPVV of Geert Wilders, the long-standing liberal governing party VVD, led by Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, and the two newcomer parties – the NSC of ex-ChristianDemocrat Pieter Omtzigt on the one hand and the BBBof farmer activistCaroline van de Plas on the other.
Together, they will probably form the government in The Hague. It is already clear that none of the parties will provide the Prime Minister, but that an expert from outside will take over this office. What will his or her name be? Yesterday there was a rumor that the Social DemocratRonald Plasterk could take over. Plasterk coordinated the exploratory talks.
It is to be expected that the government program in the migration chapter will be rigorous in line with the election result. In terms of economic and social policy, it will be exciting: Wilders wants to run up debts and spend money, while Omtzigt is taking the classic Dutch line of consolidation.
The timetable envisages that, following the agreement, the political groups will be asked for their approval so that the future prime minister can be elected in the Tweede Kamer on Tuesday after a plenary debate – just under six months after the elections. So we should know by tomorrow morning at the latest which head of government from the neighboring country will travel to the next European Council.
Maia Punjikidze is not giving up hope just yet. It will take pressure from the street and Western partners to prevent the law on “transparency of foreign influence” from coming into force, says the former ambassador in Berlin and former Georgian foreign minister. As expected, MPs from the ruling Georgian Dream party pushed the so-called foreign agents law through the third reading in the parliament in Tbilisi on Tuesday, despite protests in the country. The EU-friendly President Salome Zurabishvili has announced that she will veto the Russian-style law.
The president has 14 days to do so, says Maia Punjikidze. The 64-year-old’s hopes are pinned on this small window of time in which the law could still be preventedfrom coming into force. After that, a simple majority would be enough for the ruling party to override the veto. Would Georgia then fall into the Russian sphere of influence? “Definitely, yes“, says the former foreign minister. The government argues that it is concerned with transparency. But NGOs, aid organizations and the media already have to disclose their income in annual tax returns and donors also have to open their books.
Russia shows what could happen next
The law on foreign agents is just the beginning, as the example of Russia shows, says Maia Punjikidze. Regardless of whether it is a political foundation, a charity organization or independent media: Anyone who receives more than 20 percent of their funding from outside the country will have to register as an NGO that “serves foreign interests”. The organizations would then be branded. The next step would be to exclude opposition members from elections or ban organizations, as is the case in Russia. Foreign donors would then withdraw, leaving the country increasingly isolated.
How did it get this far? Just a year ago, Georgia’s government withdrew a similar law at the last moment. According to Maia Punjikidze, the withdrawal at the time was a prerequisite for Georgia to be granted candidate status in December 2023. On the one hand, the government had signaled to the population that it was doing everything it could to move closer to the EU. Now, however, everything is being done to ensure that integration does not work out and the EU is putting its commitment on hold.
The pressure from Moscow on the ruling party to remain true to the line set by Russia is very great. The government in Tbilisi will end up telling its pro-European population that Brussels does not want Georgia in the EU at all.
Entry bans for members of parliament
Words alone would not be enough for the European partners to exert influence, says Maia Panschikidse. On Tuesday, Hungary and Slovakia also reportedly blocked a joint statement by the 27 member states that had been prepared by Josep Borrell’s services. The EU foreign affairs representative wanted to issue a statement on his own behalf in the evening to condemn the developments in Tbilisi and warn of negative consequences for the accession perspective. Georgia is also likely to be on the agenda at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers on May 27.
It will be important to find measures that do not punish the population, but only the government, says Maia Punjikidze. The former foreign minister sees one possibility in entry bans for members of parliament and their families who have spoken out in favor of the agent law. Opposition members of the ruling party use increasingly anti-European rhetoric, claiming that Europe stands for the wrong values, for example with regard to same-sex marriage or the liberalization of drugs.
Panjikidze: Do not get involved in discussions about retouching the law
At the same time, many of them own apartments abroad or have their children studying at European or American universities. Entry bans for the European Football Championships, for example, will also show MPs from the ruling party what it means to be isolated. An isolation that will soon threaten the entire country if the government blocks the European perspective.
It is important for Maia Punjikidze to emphasize that the European partners will not get involved in discussions about retouching the law on agents in the coming days. This is a trap set by the ruling party. Cosmetic adjustments would not change the aim of the law, which is to pave the way for a similar development to that in Russia and anchor the country in Moscow’s sphere of influence. There is nothing to embellish in the law, it simply has to go.
When MEP Gaby Bischoff (SPD) is campaigning on the streets of Berlin these days, passers-by keep asking her about the EU minimum wage directive. “People say: This is something very concrete from Europe for me. They think it’s good.” And this is exactly where the trade unionist wants to pick up after the election. “Many people have realized that we need a social Europe.” Many people are disappointed by the widening income gap. “That’s why so many people are falling for the populists”, Bischoff told Table.Briefings.
A recent Eurobarometer survey has given her a boost. Most recently, the fight against poverty and exclusion ranked first among the topics (33%) that respondents wanted to see in the European election campaign. This was closely followed by health (32%), even though the EU has little competence in both areas.
Right to switch off
In the new mandate, the Commission is expected to make proposals in the following areas:
Right to switch off and rules on teleworking. Social Affairs Commissioner Nicolas Schmit has launched a consultation with social partners in this area. Laws already exist in France, Spain and Belgium. Headwinds from industry and the member states are expected. An attempt to reach an agreement between the social partners failed due to resistance from the business community.
The SPD, CDU, Greens and Left Party also want to strengthen collective bargaining in Europe through a collective bargaining clause in the European Concessions and Public Procurement Directive. Money from Europe for public contracts should only flow to companies that pay according to collective agreements.
An extension of the AI regulations from the Platform Work Directive to all economic sectors.
Continuing work on previous dossiers
Dossiers are being continued: On the one hand, there is the EU talent pool, which aims to make it easier for European employers to connect with foreign skilled workers and thereby alleviatethe skills shortage in Europe. A Commission proposal is on the table and is being overseen in Parliament by Renew rapporteur Abir Al-Sahlani.
The Greens’ demand for a minimum income directive, as called for by MEP Katrin Langensiepen, is controversial. “What the minimum wage directive is for the fight against low wages, the European minimum income directive is for the social sector.”Her argument: “We have to show people that the European Union is creating concrete improvements for them.”
Technically, the whole thing could be based on the minimum wage directive, Langensiepen told Table.Briefings. The EU only sets a target, for example that the level of social security in the EU should be poverty-proof in relation to wages in the respective countries. How exactly do the countries achieve this? For example, through a tax-financed model or social insurance – that should be left to the countries themselves.
In some cases, there is fierce opposition not only from individual member states, but also from the ranks of the Conservatives, Christian Democrats and Liberals. The issue could still have a chance: The Greens are positioning themselves as partners in the next unofficial coalition in Parliament. And could make a corresponding initiative a condition for this.
Housing shortage moves into focus
The issue of affordable housing is also cropping up in this election campaign. “It is one of the major social fault lines in our society“, says MEP and Left Party Chairman Martin Schirdewan. He would therefore like to revisit the regulation on short-term rentals and renegotiate deterrent penalties for violations. “We also need an exception in competition law for investments in affordable housing.” There are reasons in competition law why social housing construction is collapsing throughout Europe.
Tailwind comes from an unexpected source. Enrico Letta, the Commission’s special representative, pointed out in his report on the functioning of the internal market that the lack of affordable housing poses a threat to the internal market. Rental prices in the EU have risen by 22.1 percent since 2010. Letta is calling for an affordable housing task force and a broader definition of “social housing” in the provisions on services of general economic interest. The definition is currently too narrow and hinders state housing policies.
Liberals: focus on free movement of workers
The Liberals would like to see as few initiatives as possible. Their focus is on the free movement of workers and the recruitment of new skilled workers, such as through the EU talent pool, which is to be expanded based on the Canadian model. The FDP would prefer to repeal the Platform Work Directive.
There could be movement on works council bypassing in European stock corporations, Societas Europaea or SE companies. “My aim is for SE co-determination to become Tesla-proof“, says CDU social politician Denis Radtke. German companies, for example, can currently avoid mandatory co-determination on the supervisory board for companies with 500 or more employees if they adopt the legal form of an SE beforehand with fewer employees. Car manufacturer Tesla, for example, has been criticized by IG Metall for circumventing German co-determination by choosing the legal form of an SE.
Extension of the ELA mandate
A reform of the European Labor Authority (ELA) could also be on the agenda. “The ELA needs teeth”, continued Radtke. The evaluation of the authority should be completed by August. This will be followed by a possible new mandate – the Parliament wants the ELA to be given more powers and better staffed. There has been a motion for a resolution on this from Parliament since January.
Social Democrat Bischoff also wants to get the reform of the regulation on the coordination of social security systems over the finish line. The revision was proposed by the Commission back in 2016, but even after 18 trilogues, no agreement could be reached.
Momentum decreases
The EU has long been accused of neglecting the social dimension. However, according to Laura Rayner from the European Policy Center (epc), this is no longer the case. The past five years have been the “most successful years ever for employment and social affairs at European level“, even if there is still a lot to be done, Rayner tells Table.Briefings.
The Minimum Wage Directive and the Platform Work Directive in particular have attracted a lot of attention. However, the prospects for the European labor market and social policy have dimmed. In the speeches of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the topic of competitiveness has recently taken a more prominent place – she rarely emphasizes the role of the collective bargaining parties for Europe.
Business Europe has rejected many social and labor market policy initiatives – most recently, for example, the La Hulpe Declaration. Instead, the association emphasizes that reducing bureaucracy and strengthening the economy must take priority. Another challenge for social politicians is that the parliament is likely to move to the right. epc analyst Rayner nevertheless predicts: “I don’t think there will be any major steps forward in social Europe and the implementation of the social pillar in the coming years. But not much progress either.”
Arbeitnehmerrechte
Translation missing.
News
US special tariffs: Why a tariff race with China is now looming
As expected, the US government will impose special tariffs on a wide range of Chinese products. On Tuesday, the government announced in Washington that tariffs on electric cars will be raised from 25 to 100 percent. Lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other battery parts will be subject to 25 percent tariffs instead of the previous 7.5 percent. Washington is doubling the tariff rate on solar cells and semiconductors to 50 percent. Tariffs will also be imposed on certain critical materials, port cranes and medical products such as cannulas and protective masks.
With this move, the US further fuelled the trade conflict between the two superpowers. China is flooding the global markets with artificially cheap exports at the expense of domestic manufacturers – this is how the White House justifies the measures. The United States has been lamenting an enormous trade deficit with China for decades. However, Chinese electric car manufacturers, in particular, largely avoid the US market anyway, precisely because of geopolitical tensions. Other companies, such as the solar manufacturer Longi Green Energy, have invested in the USA: Working with the US company Invenergy, Longi founded a joint venture called Illuminate USA, which has been manufacturing solar modules in Ohio since February, although the Chinese co-owner keeps this information somewhat hidden on its website.
Criticism and skepticism in China and Europe
In advance, Beijing reacted to the special tariffs with harsh criticism and announced it would “take all necessary measures” to defend its own interests. A new tariff race is looming, which could also affect the EU. “The EU will now follow suit, because the French have already got the argument ‘now the avalanche is rolling towards Europe’ in the drawer with (French President, ed.) Macron,” car expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer expects. In an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, Macron described punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs as a “no-brainer.” He said it was not about geopolitics: “What we want is just reciprocity.” The EU currently imposes tariffs of ten percent on electric cars, while China imposes between 15 and 24 percent.
Conversely, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson jointly expressed their opposition to EU punitive tariffs against Chinese EVs in Stockholm on Tuesday. Scholz pointed out that “currently at least 50 percent of imports of electric vehicles from China are from Western brands that produce there themselves and import them to Europe.” This is what distinguishes Europe from America. Kristersson also expressed his disapproval: “We don’t want to dismantle global trade, that’s a stupid idea.”
Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, fears that the EU economy will suffer. “We could pay a large part of the price, as it is possible that Chinese e-vehicles, for example, will find their way into the EU more easily.” This move would add an “inglorious chapter to the America First saga.” He added: “The US is taking its decoupling strategy from China to the next level and is thus strengthening its confrontational approach.” These extra tariffs should primarily satisfy a small section of voters who could be decisive in November’s presidential elections. ck/rtr
Geopolitics
Trade
Trade war
Renewables guidance: What they mean for Chinese wind turbine manufacturers
On Monday, the EU Commission published recommendations and guidance on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). They focus on accelerated planning, the designation of acceleration areas for renewable energy and the auction design. In addition, a platform has been renewed on which the member states publish information on their tenders.
The recommendations also detail the less favorable treatment of Chinese technology providers in tenders for renewables. According to the Guidelines on State Aid for Climate, Environmental Protection and Energy and the Temporary Crisis Technical Assistance Framework (TCTF), member states can set requirements for 30 percent of the tender criteria other than price. This includes, for instance, cyber security criteria for components, which are also required by the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA).
Manufacturers must document data security
The current recommendations affect the wind industry in particular: “One criterion could be the security-by-design of digital networks in wind turbines.” In the staff working document, the Commission also urges EU member states to make uniformly high efforts. It encourages member states to adopt robust cybersecurity rules to ensure that the EU’s weakest links are not exploited.
According to the recommendations, foreign turbine manufacturers must conduct risk assessments and document how they handle data and where it is stored. “Chinese companies could certainly set this up after a transition phase, but they do not currently accept this requirement,” says the wind industry. “This could therefore lead to exclusions in the future.” ber
Aid
China
Cybersicherheit
Net Zero Industry Act
Wind power
Hydrogen: How Germany wants to cooperate with Belgium and the Netherlands
Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands want to cooperate even more closely in the development of a European hydrogen market. The hydrogen councils of the three countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday. “It aims to create a platform for cooperation between industries, governments, universities, research institutes and civil societies to promote innovation and sustainability in the hydrogen sector”, reads a joint press release.
“Belgium and the Netherlands will be important hubs for transporting hydrogen to German industry. This also includes the harmonization of regulations and the implementation of common infrastructures for import, purchase and transport“, said Tom Hautekiet, Chairman of the Belgian Hydrogen Council.
The objectives of the MoU are the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive and joint initiatives in market and technology development as well as in the areas of policy, regulation and communication with stakeholders. “The Memorandum of Understanding represents a new milestone in our joint efforts towards a sustainable energy future. We will use our expertise and resources to make significant progress in the introduction and integration of hydrogen technologies”, said Katherina Reiche, Chairwoman of the National Hydrogen Council. ber
Grüner Wasserstoff
Withholding tax reform: What the EU finance ministers have agreed on
On Tuesday, the EU finance ministers agreed on the withholding tax reform known as “FASTER” during their Council meeting in Brussels. Today, cross-border investments are often subject to withholding tax on dividend and interest payments in one country, while the same income is subject to income tax in another country. EU states organize themselves bilaterally in order to avoid double taxation. However, this often leads to complex and lengthy processes that make cross-border investments more expensive and enable fraud.
In June 2023, the EU Commission presented a reform proposal aimed at harmonizing withholding tax across Europe. Following adjustments by the finance ministers, the directive looks like this:
It introduces a standardized, digital tax residence certificate that member states can issue to taxable investors.
It introduces two “fast-track” processes for member states with medium-sized and large capital markets, which are intended to accelerate the repayment of overpaid withholding tax.
It defines a uniform reporting standard for financial intermediaries such as banks and investment platforms, which should make it easier for tax authorities to detect fraud.
Exceptions for countries with small capital markets
In the Council of Finance Ministers, some smaller states had opposed the reform because they feared that the changeover would be too much of an administrative burden. The Czech Republic, among others, had argued that only member states with large capital markets should have to introduce the new fast-track processes. The compromise now states that member states whose capital market is smaller than 1.5 percent of the total EU capital market in terms of capitalization do not have to introduce the new processes.
The compromise was necessary, among other things, because it concerns a tax dossier for which unanimity is required. Parliament only has the right to be consulted. However, as the text has been changed since the last consultation, Parliament must be consulted again. The directive must be transposed into national law by the end of 2028, and the national rules must enter into force by Jan. 1, 2030 at the latest.
The withholding tax reform is also seen as an important prerequisite for the Capital Markets Union, as lengthy tax refund processes and double taxation make cross-border investments more expensive. The successful compromise is a small step forward for the Capital Markets Union, but with its exceptions it also shows how protracted and incomplete the reform efforts are. jaa
Steuerpolitik
Disinformation: How von der Leyen wants to protect democracy
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to take more decisive action against disinformation from abroad in a possible second term of office. To this end, the Commission should set up a European Democracy Shield. In her speech at the Democracy Summit in Copenhagen, she warned that “our democracies are being hijacked by the henchmen of authoritarians”. The fundamental principles of our democracies are under attack like never before. “I am particularly concerned about the rise of foreign interference and manipulation in our societies, our democracies and our elections.”
In recent weeks, “swarms of negative disinformation” could be seen. As an example, she cited a video that falsely claimed that a tuberculosis epidemic was imminent because Ukrainian soldiers were in French hospitals. It was not just about fakes and fabricated content, but also about exerting influence and creating chaos.
‘A specialized structure to combat foreign interference’
Disinformation or malicious interference are nothing new, stated von der Leyen. However, the technologies used for this are advancing faster than society can adapt and react. “So now is the time to take our measures to the next level.” Europe must be as ambitious as the threat requires. “If I am elected President of the Commission”, she said, she would propose a European Democracy Shield as “one of the key priorities of the next Commission“. This Democracy Shield should focus on the biggest threats from foreign interference and manipulation.
Von der Leyen named the recognition and detection of information manipulation as an element of the European democratic shield, which requires free media and public knowledge. However, this also requires better information and threat intelligence by the various intelligence services at national level. It is important to create new joint capabilities at European level .
“I believe that Europe now needs its own specialized structure to combat foreign interference”, said von der Leyen. “It will poolthe necessary expertise and network and coordinate with existing national agencies.” Another element is the Digital Services Act. The EU must be “very vigilant and uncompromising” when it comes to enforcement. vis
Digital Services Act
Influencers: How the Council wants them to take responsibility
The EU wants to hold influencers more accountable. To this end, the Council adopted conclusions on Tuesday “to support influencers as creators of online content in the EU”. Europeans are spending more and more time online. This means that influencers “have a greater influence than ever before on how we perceive and understand the world“, said Flemish Minister Benjamin Dalle, who is responsible for youth and media, among other things. To ensure that this influence is positive, the EU must “support” influencers.
The measures aim to strengthen the media literacy and responsible behavior of influencers while ensuring compliance with the relevant legal obligations.
Commission to strengthen media literacy
In its conclusions, the Council states that influencers play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and personal views, especially among young people. Online communities foster a sense of belonging and social engagement. However, their influence also poses risks such as cyberbullying, disinformation and unhealthy comparisons that can affect the mental and physical health of minors.
In its conclusions, the Council proposes a number of measures to the Member States and the Commission. For example, it encourages member states to engage with influencers and their representatives to ensure that they are aware of their role in the media world and the legislation that applies to them. The Commission should use EU media education funds and programs to strengthen media literacy and responsibility.
He also advises supporting self-regulatory bodies or mechanisms such as a code of ethics or similar initiatives. And it calls on member states and the Commission to involve influencers when it comes to media policies that could affect them – including the increased use of AI. vis
Digital Services Act
Dispute over Brenner Pass: What the Commission says
Austria is obstructing the free movement of goods in Europe on the Brenner Pass with measures against truck traffic. This is the conclusion reached by the EU Commission in its reasoned opinion. On the A 12 and A 13 highways, the Tyrolean government has imposed night-time driving bans, truck dosages and driving bans on Saturdays.
The Commission has thus upheld a complaint by theItaliangovernment. In its opinion, the Commission also states that non-Austrian companies are being hit harder than domestic companies. Italy is now free to take legal action against the measures before the European Court of Justice.
CSU transport politician Markus Ferber: “The Commission makes clear what many of Austria’s neighboring countries have been suffering from for years. Austria is blocking the free movement of goods in Europe.” mgr
Verkehrspolitik
Forest fire risk: How Europe is preparing
This year, Brussels will provide 556 firefighters from 12 countries as part of the Rescue EU program to support local fire departments in fighting forest fires. They will be stationed in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain and are equipped with their own fleet of 28 aircraft and four helicopters. Together with the Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC), the aim is to detect forest fires early and fight them quickly in order to minimize damage.
According to the EU Commission, more than half a million hectares of forest fell victim to fires in the EU in 2023 – an area twice the size of Luxembourg. This year, the aim is to be better prepared and to increase investment in forest fire prevention in the future: The Commission will provide 600 million euros in EU funds to finance an additional 12 fire-fighting aircraft and 9 helicopters.
But the EU is not the only party involved in coordinated firefighting. Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine are also participating in the civil protection mechanism. The aim is to strengthen European solidarity as well as resilience against natural disasters. luk
Climate & Environment
Forest
Wald
New think tank: Heiko Thoms takes over chairmanship of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics
Last Monday, the supervisory board of the new think tank Brussels Institute for Geopolitics (BIG) met for the first time. The think tank has set itself the goal of promoting geopolitical thinking in the EU. “To be successful in this new age of conflict, Europe must learn to think and act in terms of power, interests and strategy“, reads the BIG’s mission statement. It continues: “To maintain its democratic openness internally, Europe must strengthen its external stance by practicing Kant internally and Machiavelli externally.”
State Secretary Heiko Thoms, who is responsible for financial market policy, European policy and international financial policy at the German Federal Ministry for Financial Affairs, will take over as Chairman of the BIG Supervisory Board. “It is urgent and important to further sharpen the geostrategic thinking of political players in the EU and in the member states”, Thoms told Table.Briefings. “For Germany in particular, with its open economic model, a geopolitically strong and well-positioned EU is essential.”
Support from Scholz, Macron and Rutte
Thoms, who is taking on the role of Chairman of the Board in a private capacity, hopes that the EU will be able to better define and assert its interests in the future thanks to the work of BIG. The think tank was initiated by the writers and EU experts Hans Kribbe and Luuk van Middelaar and was founded in 2022 with the support of Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Mark Rutte.
In addition to France, Germany and the Netherlands, it is also supported by four other member states and the corporate members Airbus, Merifin and Raiffeisen Bank International. jaa
Europapolitik
Translation missing.
Heads
Hanna Veiler – Commitment to young Jewish life in Europe
“For most Jews, there are two wars that affect us biographically”, says Hanna Veiler.
These are turbulent times for Jewish students in Germany. On Yom HaSho’a, the Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Day, of all days, Hanna Veiler, the chairwoman of the Jewish Student Union (JSUD), was named “Woman of Europe” at the age of just 26. At the same time, protests against Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza are taking place at German universities, with anti-Semitic slogans being shouted. They join the protests at US universities, which have now become so large that President Joe Biden has intervened. Veiler says: “We live in a time when Jewish students don’t get a break.”
Hanna Veiler is being honored with the European Movement Germany Award for her commitment to young Jewish life in Europe. She is committed to ensuring that being Jewish in Germany is not only defined by the Shoah and current threats. Instead, according to Veiler, there must be positive opportunities for young Jews to identify themselves.
Jewish students no longer dare to go on campus
A particular focus of her work on the JSUD board is post-Soviet Jewry. She recently organized a trip to one of the last remaining post-Soviet Jewish communities in Europe. After all, 90 percent of Jews in Germany come from the former Soviet Union, half of them from Ukraine. “For most Jews, it is two wars that affect us biographically“, says Veiler.
Since Oct. 7 and the protests at universities, the work of the Jewish Student Union has changed dramatically. “The climate at universities is becoming increasingly intolerable for Jews”, says Veiler. She reports of Jewish students who no longer dare to go to their campus. “It is above all the social space of the university that Jewish students now avoid.” Veiler is also active in the European Union of Jewish Students. The picture there is similar: In recent weeks, Jewish students have been attacked in Amsterdam and anti-Semitic slogans have been chanted in Vienna.
‘Helplessness prevails at many universities‘
Hanna Veiler is disappointed with German universities. In recent months, it has become clear to her that the institutions are primarily concerned with their reputation. “Many universities are helpless when it comes to anti-Semitism.” There are no protocols, no schedules, no structure for dealing with anti-Semitism.
In her opinion, an outbreak of anti-Semitism at German universities was to be expected. Left-wing anti-Semitism in particular had long been closely linked to academic structures and had been ignored for far too long. For this reason, the JSUD, in cooperation with regional Jewish associations, published a brochure at the beginning of the winter semester shortly after Oct. 7, warning against attacks.
In the course of the pro-Palestine protests, there are also repeated arguments about freedom of expression. Veiler says: “Of course, I’m not accusing everyone who is fighting now of being anti-Semitic, but at the end of the day, this is damaging to the Jewish community and Jewish students on campus.” This raises the question of why the protesters are unable to demonstrate against the Israeli military operation without being anti-Semitic. This wave of anti-Semitism is occurring at a time when Jewish life in Germany was on the upswing, says Veiler. “All these processes of emancipation, visualization and Jewish self-image were simply set back ten years.” Leonard Schulz
The impasse over the formation of a government in the Netherlands is set to end today. The deadline for the negotiating group appointed by parliament to submit its proposal expires at midnight. It is very likely that the four parties involved will come together. These are the far-rightPVV of Geert Wilders, the long-standing liberal governing party VVD, led by Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, and the two newcomer parties – the NSC of ex-ChristianDemocrat Pieter Omtzigt on the one hand and the BBBof farmer activistCaroline van de Plas on the other.
Together, they will probably form the government in The Hague. It is already clear that none of the parties will provide the Prime Minister, but that an expert from outside will take over this office. What will his or her name be? Yesterday there was a rumor that the Social DemocratRonald Plasterk could take over. Plasterk coordinated the exploratory talks.
It is to be expected that the government program in the migration chapter will be rigorous in line with the election result. In terms of economic and social policy, it will be exciting: Wilders wants to run up debts and spend money, while Omtzigt is taking the classic Dutch line of consolidation.
The timetable envisages that, following the agreement, the political groups will be asked for their approval so that the future prime minister can be elected in the Tweede Kamer on Tuesday after a plenary debate – just under six months after the elections. So we should know by tomorrow morning at the latest which head of government from the neighboring country will travel to the next European Council.
Maia Punjikidze is not giving up hope just yet. It will take pressure from the street and Western partners to prevent the law on “transparency of foreign influence” from coming into force, says the former ambassador in Berlin and former Georgian foreign minister. As expected, MPs from the ruling Georgian Dream party pushed the so-called foreign agents law through the third reading in the parliament in Tbilisi on Tuesday, despite protests in the country. The EU-friendly President Salome Zurabishvili has announced that she will veto the Russian-style law.
The president has 14 days to do so, says Maia Punjikidze. The 64-year-old’s hopes are pinned on this small window of time in which the law could still be preventedfrom coming into force. After that, a simple majority would be enough for the ruling party to override the veto. Would Georgia then fall into the Russian sphere of influence? “Definitely, yes“, says the former foreign minister. The government argues that it is concerned with transparency. But NGOs, aid organizations and the media already have to disclose their income in annual tax returns and donors also have to open their books.
Russia shows what could happen next
The law on foreign agents is just the beginning, as the example of Russia shows, says Maia Punjikidze. Regardless of whether it is a political foundation, a charity organization or independent media: Anyone who receives more than 20 percent of their funding from outside the country will have to register as an NGO that “serves foreign interests”. The organizations would then be branded. The next step would be to exclude opposition members from elections or ban organizations, as is the case in Russia. Foreign donors would then withdraw, leaving the country increasingly isolated.
How did it get this far? Just a year ago, Georgia’s government withdrew a similar law at the last moment. According to Maia Punjikidze, the withdrawal at the time was a prerequisite for Georgia to be granted candidate status in December 2023. On the one hand, the government had signaled to the population that it was doing everything it could to move closer to the EU. Now, however, everything is being done to ensure that integration does not work out and the EU is putting its commitment on hold.
The pressure from Moscow on the ruling party to remain true to the line set by Russia is very great. The government in Tbilisi will end up telling its pro-European population that Brussels does not want Georgia in the EU at all.
Entry bans for members of parliament
Words alone would not be enough for the European partners to exert influence, says Maia Panschikidse. On Tuesday, Hungary and Slovakia also reportedly blocked a joint statement by the 27 member states that had been prepared by Josep Borrell’s services. The EU foreign affairs representative wanted to issue a statement on his own behalf in the evening to condemn the developments in Tbilisi and warn of negative consequences for the accession perspective. Georgia is also likely to be on the agenda at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers on May 27.
It will be important to find measures that do not punish the population, but only the government, says Maia Punjikidze. The former foreign minister sees one possibility in entry bans for members of parliament and their families who have spoken out in favor of the agent law. Opposition members of the ruling party use increasingly anti-European rhetoric, claiming that Europe stands for the wrong values, for example with regard to same-sex marriage or the liberalization of drugs.
Panjikidze: Do not get involved in discussions about retouching the law
At the same time, many of them own apartments abroad or have their children studying at European or American universities. Entry bans for the European Football Championships, for example, will also show MPs from the ruling party what it means to be isolated. An isolation that will soon threaten the entire country if the government blocks the European perspective.
It is important for Maia Punjikidze to emphasize that the European partners will not get involved in discussions about retouching the law on agents in the coming days. This is a trap set by the ruling party. Cosmetic adjustments would not change the aim of the law, which is to pave the way for a similar development to that in Russia and anchor the country in Moscow’s sphere of influence. There is nothing to embellish in the law, it simply has to go.
When MEP Gaby Bischoff (SPD) is campaigning on the streets of Berlin these days, passers-by keep asking her about the EU minimum wage directive. “People say: This is something very concrete from Europe for me. They think it’s good.” And this is exactly where the trade unionist wants to pick up after the election. “Many people have realized that we need a social Europe.” Many people are disappointed by the widening income gap. “That’s why so many people are falling for the populists”, Bischoff told Table.Briefings.
A recent Eurobarometer survey has given her a boost. Most recently, the fight against poverty and exclusion ranked first among the topics (33%) that respondents wanted to see in the European election campaign. This was closely followed by health (32%), even though the EU has little competence in both areas.
Right to switch off
In the new mandate, the Commission is expected to make proposals in the following areas:
Right to switch off and rules on teleworking. Social Affairs Commissioner Nicolas Schmit has launched a consultation with social partners in this area. Laws already exist in France, Spain and Belgium. Headwinds from industry and the member states are expected. An attempt to reach an agreement between the social partners failed due to resistance from the business community.
The SPD, CDU, Greens and Left Party also want to strengthen collective bargaining in Europe through a collective bargaining clause in the European Concessions and Public Procurement Directive. Money from Europe for public contracts should only flow to companies that pay according to collective agreements.
An extension of the AI regulations from the Platform Work Directive to all economic sectors.
Continuing work on previous dossiers
Dossiers are being continued: On the one hand, there is the EU talent pool, which aims to make it easier for European employers to connect with foreign skilled workers and thereby alleviatethe skills shortage in Europe. A Commission proposal is on the table and is being overseen in Parliament by Renew rapporteur Abir Al-Sahlani.
The Greens’ demand for a minimum income directive, as called for by MEP Katrin Langensiepen, is controversial. “What the minimum wage directive is for the fight against low wages, the European minimum income directive is for the social sector.”Her argument: “We have to show people that the European Union is creating concrete improvements for them.”
Technically, the whole thing could be based on the minimum wage directive, Langensiepen told Table.Briefings. The EU only sets a target, for example that the level of social security in the EU should be poverty-proof in relation to wages in the respective countries. How exactly do the countries achieve this? For example, through a tax-financed model or social insurance – that should be left to the countries themselves.
In some cases, there is fierce opposition not only from individual member states, but also from the ranks of the Conservatives, Christian Democrats and Liberals. The issue could still have a chance: The Greens are positioning themselves as partners in the next unofficial coalition in Parliament. And could make a corresponding initiative a condition for this.
Housing shortage moves into focus
The issue of affordable housing is also cropping up in this election campaign. “It is one of the major social fault lines in our society“, says MEP and Left Party Chairman Martin Schirdewan. He would therefore like to revisit the regulation on short-term rentals and renegotiate deterrent penalties for violations. “We also need an exception in competition law for investments in affordable housing.” There are reasons in competition law why social housing construction is collapsing throughout Europe.
Tailwind comes from an unexpected source. Enrico Letta, the Commission’s special representative, pointed out in his report on the functioning of the internal market that the lack of affordable housing poses a threat to the internal market. Rental prices in the EU have risen by 22.1 percent since 2010. Letta is calling for an affordable housing task force and a broader definition of “social housing” in the provisions on services of general economic interest. The definition is currently too narrow and hinders state housing policies.
Liberals: focus on free movement of workers
The Liberals would like to see as few initiatives as possible. Their focus is on the free movement of workers and the recruitment of new skilled workers, such as through the EU talent pool, which is to be expanded based on the Canadian model. The FDP would prefer to repeal the Platform Work Directive.
There could be movement on works council bypassing in European stock corporations, Societas Europaea or SE companies. “My aim is for SE co-determination to become Tesla-proof“, says CDU social politician Denis Radtke. German companies, for example, can currently avoid mandatory co-determination on the supervisory board for companies with 500 or more employees if they adopt the legal form of an SE beforehand with fewer employees. Car manufacturer Tesla, for example, has been criticized by IG Metall for circumventing German co-determination by choosing the legal form of an SE.
Extension of the ELA mandate
A reform of the European Labor Authority (ELA) could also be on the agenda. “The ELA needs teeth”, continued Radtke. The evaluation of the authority should be completed by August. This will be followed by a possible new mandate – the Parliament wants the ELA to be given more powers and better staffed. There has been a motion for a resolution on this from Parliament since January.
Social Democrat Bischoff also wants to get the reform of the regulation on the coordination of social security systems over the finish line. The revision was proposed by the Commission back in 2016, but even after 18 trilogues, no agreement could be reached.
Momentum decreases
The EU has long been accused of neglecting the social dimension. However, according to Laura Rayner from the European Policy Center (epc), this is no longer the case. The past five years have been the “most successful years ever for employment and social affairs at European level“, even if there is still a lot to be done, Rayner tells Table.Briefings.
The Minimum Wage Directive and the Platform Work Directive in particular have attracted a lot of attention. However, the prospects for the European labor market and social policy have dimmed. In the speeches of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the topic of competitiveness has recently taken a more prominent place – she rarely emphasizes the role of the collective bargaining parties for Europe.
Business Europe has rejected many social and labor market policy initiatives – most recently, for example, the La Hulpe Declaration. Instead, the association emphasizes that reducing bureaucracy and strengthening the economy must take priority. Another challenge for social politicians is that the parliament is likely to move to the right. epc analyst Rayner nevertheless predicts: “I don’t think there will be any major steps forward in social Europe and the implementation of the social pillar in the coming years. But not much progress either.”
Arbeitnehmerrechte
Translation missing.
News
US special tariffs: Why a tariff race with China is now looming
As expected, the US government will impose special tariffs on a wide range of Chinese products. On Tuesday, the government announced in Washington that tariffs on electric cars will be raised from 25 to 100 percent. Lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other battery parts will be subject to 25 percent tariffs instead of the previous 7.5 percent. Washington is doubling the tariff rate on solar cells and semiconductors to 50 percent. Tariffs will also be imposed on certain critical materials, port cranes and medical products such as cannulas and protective masks.
With this move, the US further fuelled the trade conflict between the two superpowers. China is flooding the global markets with artificially cheap exports at the expense of domestic manufacturers – this is how the White House justifies the measures. The United States has been lamenting an enormous trade deficit with China for decades. However, Chinese electric car manufacturers, in particular, largely avoid the US market anyway, precisely because of geopolitical tensions. Other companies, such as the solar manufacturer Longi Green Energy, have invested in the USA: Working with the US company Invenergy, Longi founded a joint venture called Illuminate USA, which has been manufacturing solar modules in Ohio since February, although the Chinese co-owner keeps this information somewhat hidden on its website.
Criticism and skepticism in China and Europe
In advance, Beijing reacted to the special tariffs with harsh criticism and announced it would “take all necessary measures” to defend its own interests. A new tariff race is looming, which could also affect the EU. “The EU will now follow suit, because the French have already got the argument ‘now the avalanche is rolling towards Europe’ in the drawer with (French President, ed.) Macron,” car expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer expects. In an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, Macron described punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs as a “no-brainer.” He said it was not about geopolitics: “What we want is just reciprocity.” The EU currently imposes tariffs of ten percent on electric cars, while China imposes between 15 and 24 percent.
Conversely, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson jointly expressed their opposition to EU punitive tariffs against Chinese EVs in Stockholm on Tuesday. Scholz pointed out that “currently at least 50 percent of imports of electric vehicles from China are from Western brands that produce there themselves and import them to Europe.” This is what distinguishes Europe from America. Kristersson also expressed his disapproval: “We don’t want to dismantle global trade, that’s a stupid idea.”
Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, fears that the EU economy will suffer. “We could pay a large part of the price, as it is possible that Chinese e-vehicles, for example, will find their way into the EU more easily.” This move would add an “inglorious chapter to the America First saga.” He added: “The US is taking its decoupling strategy from China to the next level and is thus strengthening its confrontational approach.” These extra tariffs should primarily satisfy a small section of voters who could be decisive in November’s presidential elections. ck/rtr
Geopolitics
Trade
Trade war
Renewables guidance: What they mean for Chinese wind turbine manufacturers
On Monday, the EU Commission published recommendations and guidance on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). They focus on accelerated planning, the designation of acceleration areas for renewable energy and the auction design. In addition, a platform has been renewed on which the member states publish information on their tenders.
The recommendations also detail the less favorable treatment of Chinese technology providers in tenders for renewables. According to the Guidelines on State Aid for Climate, Environmental Protection and Energy and the Temporary Crisis Technical Assistance Framework (TCTF), member states can set requirements for 30 percent of the tender criteria other than price. This includes, for instance, cyber security criteria for components, which are also required by the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA).
Manufacturers must document data security
The current recommendations affect the wind industry in particular: “One criterion could be the security-by-design of digital networks in wind turbines.” In the staff working document, the Commission also urges EU member states to make uniformly high efforts. It encourages member states to adopt robust cybersecurity rules to ensure that the EU’s weakest links are not exploited.
According to the recommendations, foreign turbine manufacturers must conduct risk assessments and document how they handle data and where it is stored. “Chinese companies could certainly set this up after a transition phase, but they do not currently accept this requirement,” says the wind industry. “This could therefore lead to exclusions in the future.” ber
Aid
China
Cybersicherheit
Net Zero Industry Act
Wind power
Hydrogen: How Germany wants to cooperate with Belgium and the Netherlands
Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands want to cooperate even more closely in the development of a European hydrogen market. The hydrogen councils of the three countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday. “It aims to create a platform for cooperation between industries, governments, universities, research institutes and civil societies to promote innovation and sustainability in the hydrogen sector”, reads a joint press release.
“Belgium and the Netherlands will be important hubs for transporting hydrogen to German industry. This also includes the harmonization of regulations and the implementation of common infrastructures for import, purchase and transport“, said Tom Hautekiet, Chairman of the Belgian Hydrogen Council.
The objectives of the MoU are the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive and joint initiatives in market and technology development as well as in the areas of policy, regulation and communication with stakeholders. “The Memorandum of Understanding represents a new milestone in our joint efforts towards a sustainable energy future. We will use our expertise and resources to make significant progress in the introduction and integration of hydrogen technologies”, said Katherina Reiche, Chairwoman of the National Hydrogen Council. ber
Grüner Wasserstoff
Withholding tax reform: What the EU finance ministers have agreed on
On Tuesday, the EU finance ministers agreed on the withholding tax reform known as “FASTER” during their Council meeting in Brussels. Today, cross-border investments are often subject to withholding tax on dividend and interest payments in one country, while the same income is subject to income tax in another country. EU states organize themselves bilaterally in order to avoid double taxation. However, this often leads to complex and lengthy processes that make cross-border investments more expensive and enable fraud.
In June 2023, the EU Commission presented a reform proposal aimed at harmonizing withholding tax across Europe. Following adjustments by the finance ministers, the directive looks like this:
It introduces a standardized, digital tax residence certificate that member states can issue to taxable investors.
It introduces two “fast-track” processes for member states with medium-sized and large capital markets, which are intended to accelerate the repayment of overpaid withholding tax.
It defines a uniform reporting standard for financial intermediaries such as banks and investment platforms, which should make it easier for tax authorities to detect fraud.
Exceptions for countries with small capital markets
In the Council of Finance Ministers, some smaller states had opposed the reform because they feared that the changeover would be too much of an administrative burden. The Czech Republic, among others, had argued that only member states with large capital markets should have to introduce the new fast-track processes. The compromise now states that member states whose capital market is smaller than 1.5 percent of the total EU capital market in terms of capitalization do not have to introduce the new processes.
The compromise was necessary, among other things, because it concerns a tax dossier for which unanimity is required. Parliament only has the right to be consulted. However, as the text has been changed since the last consultation, Parliament must be consulted again. The directive must be transposed into national law by the end of 2028, and the national rules must enter into force by Jan. 1, 2030 at the latest.
The withholding tax reform is also seen as an important prerequisite for the Capital Markets Union, as lengthy tax refund processes and double taxation make cross-border investments more expensive. The successful compromise is a small step forward for the Capital Markets Union, but with its exceptions it also shows how protracted and incomplete the reform efforts are. jaa
Steuerpolitik
Disinformation: How von der Leyen wants to protect democracy
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to take more decisive action against disinformation from abroad in a possible second term of office. To this end, the Commission should set up a European Democracy Shield. In her speech at the Democracy Summit in Copenhagen, she warned that “our democracies are being hijacked by the henchmen of authoritarians”. The fundamental principles of our democracies are under attack like never before. “I am particularly concerned about the rise of foreign interference and manipulation in our societies, our democracies and our elections.”
In recent weeks, “swarms of negative disinformation” could be seen. As an example, she cited a video that falsely claimed that a tuberculosis epidemic was imminent because Ukrainian soldiers were in French hospitals. It was not just about fakes and fabricated content, but also about exerting influence and creating chaos.
‘A specialized structure to combat foreign interference’
Disinformation or malicious interference are nothing new, stated von der Leyen. However, the technologies used for this are advancing faster than society can adapt and react. “So now is the time to take our measures to the next level.” Europe must be as ambitious as the threat requires. “If I am elected President of the Commission”, she said, she would propose a European Democracy Shield as “one of the key priorities of the next Commission“. This Democracy Shield should focus on the biggest threats from foreign interference and manipulation.
Von der Leyen named the recognition and detection of information manipulation as an element of the European democratic shield, which requires free media and public knowledge. However, this also requires better information and threat intelligence by the various intelligence services at national level. It is important to create new joint capabilities at European level .
“I believe that Europe now needs its own specialized structure to combat foreign interference”, said von der Leyen. “It will poolthe necessary expertise and network and coordinate with existing national agencies.” Another element is the Digital Services Act. The EU must be “very vigilant and uncompromising” when it comes to enforcement. vis
Digital Services Act
Influencers: How the Council wants them to take responsibility
The EU wants to hold influencers more accountable. To this end, the Council adopted conclusions on Tuesday “to support influencers as creators of online content in the EU”. Europeans are spending more and more time online. This means that influencers “have a greater influence than ever before on how we perceive and understand the world“, said Flemish Minister Benjamin Dalle, who is responsible for youth and media, among other things. To ensure that this influence is positive, the EU must “support” influencers.
The measures aim to strengthen the media literacy and responsible behavior of influencers while ensuring compliance with the relevant legal obligations.
Commission to strengthen media literacy
In its conclusions, the Council states that influencers play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and personal views, especially among young people. Online communities foster a sense of belonging and social engagement. However, their influence also poses risks such as cyberbullying, disinformation and unhealthy comparisons that can affect the mental and physical health of minors.
In its conclusions, the Council proposes a number of measures to the Member States and the Commission. For example, it encourages member states to engage with influencers and their representatives to ensure that they are aware of their role in the media world and the legislation that applies to them. The Commission should use EU media education funds and programs to strengthen media literacy and responsibility.
He also advises supporting self-regulatory bodies or mechanisms such as a code of ethics or similar initiatives. And it calls on member states and the Commission to involve influencers when it comes to media policies that could affect them – including the increased use of AI. vis
Digital Services Act
Dispute over Brenner Pass: What the Commission says
Austria is obstructing the free movement of goods in Europe on the Brenner Pass with measures against truck traffic. This is the conclusion reached by the EU Commission in its reasoned opinion. On the A 12 and A 13 highways, the Tyrolean government has imposed night-time driving bans, truck dosages and driving bans on Saturdays.
The Commission has thus upheld a complaint by theItaliangovernment. In its opinion, the Commission also states that non-Austrian companies are being hit harder than domestic companies. Italy is now free to take legal action against the measures before the European Court of Justice.
CSU transport politician Markus Ferber: “The Commission makes clear what many of Austria’s neighboring countries have been suffering from for years. Austria is blocking the free movement of goods in Europe.” mgr
Verkehrspolitik
Forest fire risk: How Europe is preparing
This year, Brussels will provide 556 firefighters from 12 countries as part of the Rescue EU program to support local fire departments in fighting forest fires. They will be stationed in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain and are equipped with their own fleet of 28 aircraft and four helicopters. Together with the Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC), the aim is to detect forest fires early and fight them quickly in order to minimize damage.
According to the EU Commission, more than half a million hectares of forest fell victim to fires in the EU in 2023 – an area twice the size of Luxembourg. This year, the aim is to be better prepared and to increase investment in forest fire prevention in the future: The Commission will provide 600 million euros in EU funds to finance an additional 12 fire-fighting aircraft and 9 helicopters.
But the EU is not the only party involved in coordinated firefighting. Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine are also participating in the civil protection mechanism. The aim is to strengthen European solidarity as well as resilience against natural disasters. luk
Climate & Environment
Forest
Wald
New think tank: Heiko Thoms takes over chairmanship of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics
Last Monday, the supervisory board of the new think tank Brussels Institute for Geopolitics (BIG) met for the first time. The think tank has set itself the goal of promoting geopolitical thinking in the EU. “To be successful in this new age of conflict, Europe must learn to think and act in terms of power, interests and strategy“, reads the BIG’s mission statement. It continues: “To maintain its democratic openness internally, Europe must strengthen its external stance by practicing Kant internally and Machiavelli externally.”
State Secretary Heiko Thoms, who is responsible for financial market policy, European policy and international financial policy at the German Federal Ministry for Financial Affairs, will take over as Chairman of the BIG Supervisory Board. “It is urgent and important to further sharpen the geostrategic thinking of political players in the EU and in the member states”, Thoms told Table.Briefings. “For Germany in particular, with its open economic model, a geopolitically strong and well-positioned EU is essential.”
Support from Scholz, Macron and Rutte
Thoms, who is taking on the role of Chairman of the Board in a private capacity, hopes that the EU will be able to better define and assert its interests in the future thanks to the work of BIG. The think tank was initiated by the writers and EU experts Hans Kribbe and Luuk van Middelaar and was founded in 2022 with the support of Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Mark Rutte.
In addition to France, Germany and the Netherlands, it is also supported by four other member states and the corporate members Airbus, Merifin and Raiffeisen Bank International. jaa
Europapolitik
Translation missing.
Heads
Hanna Veiler – Commitment to young Jewish life in Europe
“For most Jews, there are two wars that affect us biographically”, says Hanna Veiler.
These are turbulent times for Jewish students in Germany. On Yom HaSho’a, the Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Day, of all days, Hanna Veiler, the chairwoman of the Jewish Student Union (JSUD), was named “Woman of Europe” at the age of just 26. At the same time, protests against Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza are taking place at German universities, with anti-Semitic slogans being shouted. They join the protests at US universities, which have now become so large that President Joe Biden has intervened. Veiler says: “We live in a time when Jewish students don’t get a break.”
Hanna Veiler is being honored with the European Movement Germany Award for her commitment to young Jewish life in Europe. She is committed to ensuring that being Jewish in Germany is not only defined by the Shoah and current threats. Instead, according to Veiler, there must be positive opportunities for young Jews to identify themselves.
Jewish students no longer dare to go on campus
A particular focus of her work on the JSUD board is post-Soviet Jewry. She recently organized a trip to one of the last remaining post-Soviet Jewish communities in Europe. After all, 90 percent of Jews in Germany come from the former Soviet Union, half of them from Ukraine. “For most Jews, it is two wars that affect us biographically“, says Veiler.
Since Oct. 7 and the protests at universities, the work of the Jewish Student Union has changed dramatically. “The climate at universities is becoming increasingly intolerable for Jews”, says Veiler. She reports of Jewish students who no longer dare to go to their campus. “It is above all the social space of the university that Jewish students now avoid.” Veiler is also active in the European Union of Jewish Students. The picture there is similar: In recent weeks, Jewish students have been attacked in Amsterdam and anti-Semitic slogans have been chanted in Vienna.
‘Helplessness prevails at many universities‘
Hanna Veiler is disappointed with German universities. In recent months, it has become clear to her that the institutions are primarily concerned with their reputation. “Many universities are helpless when it comes to anti-Semitism.” There are no protocols, no schedules, no structure for dealing with anti-Semitism.
In her opinion, an outbreak of anti-Semitism at German universities was to be expected. Left-wing anti-Semitism in particular had long been closely linked to academic structures and had been ignored for far too long. For this reason, the JSUD, in cooperation with regional Jewish associations, published a brochure at the beginning of the winter semester shortly after Oct. 7, warning against attacks.
In the course of the pro-Palestine protests, there are also repeated arguments about freedom of expression. Veiler says: “Of course, I’m not accusing everyone who is fighting now of being anti-Semitic, but at the end of the day, this is damaging to the Jewish community and Jewish students on campus.” This raises the question of why the protesters are unable to demonstrate against the Israeli military operation without being anti-Semitic. This wave of anti-Semitism is occurring at a time when Jewish life in Germany was on the upswing, says Veiler. “All these processes of emancipation, visualization and Jewish self-image were simply set back ten years.” Leonard Schulz
