标签： Europe

In a significant political move, Ivana Bacik, the leader of the Republic of Ireland’s Labour Party, has called for the Irish and British governments to establish a definitive timeline for a border poll on Northern Ireland. Speaking at the party’s annual conference on Saturday, Bacik emphasized the importance of a ‘unity referendum,’ while cautioning against hasty execution. She stressed the necessity of setting a ‘clear time frame’ to ensure a structured and thoughtful process. The Good Friday Agreement (GFA) stipulates that a referendum must be conducted if the Northern Ireland secretary believes a majority would favor Irish unification. However, the criteria for such a determination remain undefined. Bacik’s appeal adds to a growing chorus of political voices advocating for preparations for a border poll. Earlier this year, Irish President Catherine Connolly pledged to leverage her influence for a united Ireland. Similarly, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long recently urged the Northern Ireland secretary to outline the conditions for initiating a referendum. Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar also highlighted the need for Dublin to commence planning for such a pivotal event. The discourse surrounding a potential unity referendum underscores the complex and evolving dynamics of Ireland–UK relations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a comprehensive restructuring of state-owned energy companies following a significant corruption scandal that has rocked the nation’s energy sector. Anti-corruption investigators revealed that approximately $100 million (£76m) has been embezzled, sparking widespread outrage in a country already grappling with severe power outages caused by Russian attacks. In a post on X on Saturday, Zelensky outlined plans for a full audit of the financial activities of these companies and a renewal of their management. The state nuclear company, Energoatom, which is central to the scandal, will see a new supervisory board appointed within a week. Several individuals implicated in the scandal have close ties to Zelensky, adding complexity to the situation. The scandal emerges as Russian assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, including substations supplying nuclear power plants, intensify. Zelensky has instructed government officials to maintain continuous communication with law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies. He also called for the swift appointment of a new head of Ukrhydroenergo, a hydropower company, and reforms for oil and gas giant Naftogaz and the Gas Transmission System Operator. The scandal has already led to the resignation of two ministers and sanctions against a former business partner of Zelensky. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap) disclosed that a 15-month investigation has implicated several government members, including Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, and businessman Timur Mindich, a co-owner of Zelensky’s former TV studio Kvartal95. Zelensky has reiterated his commitment to full cooperation with the anti-corruption investigation, emphasizing the importance of transparency and integrity in the energy sector. However, the scandal has cast doubt on Zelensky’s dedication to combating corruption, especially after he signed a law in July limiting the independence of Nabu and Sap. Although he later reversed this decision, the incident drew criticism from European allies, including France and Germany, and prompted G7 ambassadors to seek discussions with Ukrainian leadership.

In a groundbreaking event, representatives of Syria’s civil society convened in Damascus on Saturday for open discussions, facilitated by the European Union and the transitional government. This marked the first time such dialogues, previously held in Brussels, took place within Syria. The discussions addressed critical issues including sectarian tensions, ethnic divisions, and the casualties from various conflicts. The event, titled “The Day of Dialogue,” signifies a pivotal moment nearly a year after the fall of the 54-year Assad family rule, which was overthrown by insurgent groups in December. Historically, these meetings were boycotted by Bashar Assad’s government, but the current transitional authorities and civil society actively participated this time. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani emphasized the significance of hosting these talks in Syria, stating, “The meeting that used to be held to talk about Syria is now being held in Syria.” He highlighted the solid partnership between Syria’s civil society and the EU. Michael Ohnmacht, the EU delegation’s chargé d’affaires, noted the participation of 500 individuals from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, calling it a positive step toward an inclusive future for Syria. Despite these advancements, Syria continues to grapple with sectarian violence, as seen in recent clashes in the coastal region and Sweida province, which resulted in hundreds of deaths. These incidents underscore the ongoing challenges in a 14-year conflict that has claimed half a million lives. Social Affairs Minister Hind Kabawat stressed that the dialogue marks the beginning of change and rebuilding, emphasizing the importance of partnership between the state and civil society. During sessions on transitional justice and the fate of the missing, Syrians demanded answers on unresolved issues, including the disappearance of over 130,000 people under Assad’s rule. Ethnic minorities, such as Kurds, shared experiences of decades-long state discrimination, while others highlighted violence against women from minority sects. Mazen Darwish, a prominent Syrian activist, acknowledged the end of Assad’s rule but cautioned against assuming a smooth future, urging Syrians to seize the current opportunity for change.