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Elections in Belgium: a hectic day of delays and lack of electoral supervisors

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Elections are a key moment in the democratic life of a country. On this day, no fewer than 8 million voters across Belgium were called to the polls. On the whole, the day went off without a hitch at most polling stations, but there were a few hiccups that disrupted the smooth running of the process. Here’s a detailed look back at election day, marked by technical challenges in Brussels and organizational problems in Wallonia.

Delays at polling stations in Brussels

Residents of the Brussels commune of Evere had to be patient. From early morning onwards, an interminable line stretched out in front of the polling station, and some voters found themselves waiting much longer than expected.

“I arrived at around 8.10am, it’s now 8.43am, and it’s not really moving fast,” confided one voter.

The cause of the delay? An administrative error linked to an envelope containing the wrong codes needed to open the polling stations.

A technical envelope error

A polling station assessor explains the situation:

“This morning, we were waiting for this envelope to be able to switch on and start up the entire polling station. We received it on time, but it turned out to be the wrong one, so we didn’t have the right codes to start up.”

This confusion delayed the opening of polling stations, testing the patience of voters, some of whom were present well before 8am.

Lack of assessors in Wallonia

While in Brussels it was the technology that was lacking, in Wallonia, notably in Maurage, the problem was quite different. This polling station had to postpone its opening due to staff shortages. Two assessors were missing, a major challenge for the organizing team.

A multi-tasking mother

One of the team members, a mother, explained the difficulty of finding support on this election day, which also coincided with an important personal moment.

“Dad works, and the parents are sick. We’re hoping there will be a volunteer willing to help out to take the mental and physical load off our shoulders. It’s a special day because it’s also my daughter’s first birthday, so we’ll be celebrating her first birthday by doing the elections.”

Despite these challenges, the president of the polling station doesn’t give up and tries to recruit volunteers from among those present. After several attempts, he finally found the missing assessors.

A race against time to find assessors

In La Louvière, the process of recruiting assessors proved particularly complex. The departments responsible for the elections were faced with a veritable race against the clock to assemble the necessary teams.

“On Tuesday, we had 630 assessors out of the 1,100 who had registered. So we had to rush at the last minute to be able to recruit again,” explained a local official.

Fortunately, despite these difficulties, the polling stations in Maurage finally found the two missing assessors, enabling them to open the stations and welcome voters in good conditions.

Conclusion

Although the election day was a success overall, it did highlight a number of organizational shortcomings, both technical in Brussels and logistical in Wallonia. Nevertheless, the mobilization of our teams in the field and the solidarity of our volunteers enabled us to overcome these obstacles, guaranteeing a smooth voting process for the majority of voters. However, these incidents underline the importance of better anticipation and preparation for the organization of elections in the future, to avoid such problems recurring.

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Africa

The European Union and Morocco: Navigating Trade Relations and Geopolitical Issues

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The European Union and the Agreements with Morocco: An In-Depth Analysis of Recent Developments

The European Union (EU) has recently taken crucial decisions regarding its fisheries and agriculture agreements with Morocco, a matter that raises complex economic, political and legal issues. These agreements, which allow European vessels access to Moroccan waters and facilitate the import of Moroccan agricultural products into the European market, are essential for both parties. However, they are also marked by tensions linked to the Western Sahara issue.

Legal background to the agreements

The fisheries and agriculture agreements between the EU and Morocco have been renewed several times since they were first signed. However, their legitimacy has been called into question, notably following rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In 2016, the CJEU annulled a fisheries agreement, arguing that it failed to comply with international law, particularly with regard to the rights of the Saharan people. The Court stressed that the resources of Western Sahara cannot be exploited without the consent of its people, leading to a re-evaluation of existing agreements.

Morocco’s position and international support

Morocco has championed an autonomy initiative for Western Sahara, proposing a solution that would allow the territory to enjoy a degree of autonomy while remaining under Moroccan sovereignty. This initiative has received the support of over 100 nations, including major geopolitical players such as the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Germany and Spain. This international support is crucial for Morocco, as it strengthens its position on the international stage and enables it to legitimize its actions regarding the Western Sahara.

Morocco maintains that the proposed autonomy is the best solution for ensuring stability and development in the region. The Moroccan authorities maintain that this initiative could encourage dialogue and cooperation between the various stakeholders, while guaranteeing respect for the rights of local populations.

Reactions from the Polisario Front

In contrast, the Polisario Front, which claims independence for Western Sahara and is supported by Algeria, advocates a referendum on self-determination for the Saharan people. This position has historically enjoyed some international support, but is currently less popular in the current geopolitical context.

The difficulties of implementing a referendum are manifold. Analysts point out that issues such as voter registration, factional tensions and security concerns make it a complex option. Moreover, international support for the Polisario Front has waned in recent years, further complicating its position.

Economic consequences of the agreements

The fisheries and agriculture agreements are of vital importance to the Moroccan economy. The fishing industry, in particular, is an essential source of income and employment, especially in coastal regions. Access to the European market enables Moroccan fishermen to sell their products at a competitive price, while meeting the growing demand for seafood products in Europe.

At the same time, the agricultural agreement also opens up opportunities for Morocco to export agricultural products, promoting the development of Moroccan agriculture. For the EU, these agreements guarantee a stable supply of food products while supporting sustainable fishing, which is crucial in the context of growing concerns about food security in Europe.

Future challenges

The challenges facing the EU and Morocco are many. The need to reconcile economic interests with the requirements of international law and humanitarian concerns is paramount. The situation in Western Sahara continues to be a sticking point influencing EU negotiations and decisions.

The EU seeks to maintain advantageous trade relations with Morocco while respecting the principles of international law. The complexity of this situation calls for continuous and constructive dialogue between the various parties, in order to find lasting solutions that are acceptable to all.

Future prospects

In the future, the EU may consider modifications to its agreements to ensure their compliance with international legal standards while safeguarding its economic interests. Enhanced dialogue between the EU and Morocco will be essential to navigate these complexities. Morocco’s international support could also play a key role in future discussions, influencing EU decisions.

In summary, the EU’s decision on fisheries and agriculture agreements with Morocco represents a delicate balance between economic interests, legal considerations and humanitarian issues. Future discussions will need to take these various aspects into account to achieve sustainable solutions, while recognizing the international context that shapes this dynamic. The future of EU-Morocco relations will depend on the ability of both parties to overcome current challenges and cooperate constructively for the development of the region.

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Hungarian Patriots at stake, China police take the streets of Hungary

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The presence of Chinese police in Hungary is not just a fleeting event; it marks a potentially transformative moment in Hungary’s foreign relations and internal security strategies. As the collaboration between Budapest and Beijing deepens, analysts are closely monitoring how this shift will affect Hungary’s role within the European Union, where skepticism towards Chinese influence has heightened in recent years.

Critics of the partnership argue that it could lead to a normalization of foreign police presence on EU soil, which raises fundamental questions about the protection of individual rights. The EU has long upheld values of democracy and human rights, and the introduction of officers from an authoritarian regime like China’s presents a stark contrast to those principles. Human rights organizations within Europe are voicing their concerns, warning that normalizing such cooperation could embolden repressive practices in Hungary and possibly in neighboring countries as well.

Furthermore, this collaboration occurs against a backdrop of geopolitical tension, particularly as the West grapples with the implications of China’s global ambitions. The United States and its allies have been increasingly vigilant regarding China’s influence in Eastern Europe, viewing Hungary’s actions as a potential gateway for further Chinese penetration into the EU.

Hungary’s ongoing partnership with China is part of a broader trend wherein Central and Eastern European countries are increasingly looking to Beijing for investment and strategic alliances. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “16+1 initiative,” has drawn a mixed response from EU officials who worry that it undermines the union’s cohesive stance on issues such as human rights and security.

As public awareness of the implications of this collaboration grows, it remains to be seen how the Hungarian government will navigate the pushback from civil society and EU institutions. The coming months will be critical as Hungary assesses its commitment to longstanding democratic values in light of its evolving relationship with China.

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2024 Non-GMO industry calls for transparency and fair cooperation throughout the whole value chain

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Frankfurt/Main, More than 160 representatives from a thriving international Non-GMO industry and leading European associations from 23 countries and four continents met on 7th and 8th October 2024 at the ‘International Non-GMO Summit 2024’ in Frankfurt. Operators across the full Non-GMO value chain are united in battling the current challenges posed by the planned deregulation of New Genomic Techniques, as proposed by the EU Commission. The participants at the Summit gave a clear message for freedom of choice and transparency.

“The Non-GMO sector is here to stay!”

On behalf of the organisers, Alexander Hissting, Managing Director of VLOG emphasised: “Non-GMO markets are economically very successful and are thriving with strong support from consumers. We are ready and willing to face current political and market challenges.“ The organisers are convinced that NGTs should be strictly regulated, just like all other GMOs. Hissting’s clear message: “The Non-GMO sector is here to stay!”

High-level political support, advocating freedom of choiceThe current Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) want to work towards a compromise in the revision of the EU‘s GMO legislation that ensures consistent labelling, coexistence and traceability in dealing with new genetic engineering techniques (NGTs). In his welcoming address, Dr. István Nagy, current President of the EU Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, stated: “I am convinced that the precautionary principle should be applied when new technologies are used and organisms produced with such techniques are released into the environment and the food chain. Furthermore, I consider it to be of the utmost importance to provide consumers with adequate information and to guarantee their freedom of choice.”

German State Secretary Silvia Bender criticised the European Commission’s draft regulation on NGTs, doubting that it sufficiently takes into account the interests of consumers, farmers and food processors: “The market for Non-GMO products has been growing for years and we want to preserve this added value. To do this, we need functioning coexistence measures, from seeds to consumer. Our goal is to find a compromise for a socially acceptable way of dealing with the new genetic engineering methods, and we are working on that,” Bender explained.

Call to strengthen critical voices in the EU: Keeping Europe GMO-free

Dietmar Vybiral from the Austrian Ministry of Health gave a detailed update on the current standstill with the negotiations around the planned revision of the EU’s GMO legislation. He explained that as Ministers at the EU Council could not yet agree on a “general approach”, trilogue negotiations between the three main EU institutions cannot start. Mr Vybiral called on those at the Summit to: “strengthen the critical voices in their respective governments to vote against a deregulation of NGTs.” He continued: “Austria has always stated that NGTs must be regulated as GMOs. Therefore, all NGTs products must have a proper risk assessment, must be labelled and have traceability assured – only this can ensure consumers’ knowledge and freedom of choice.”

The coordinator of the European DARWIN project, Odd-Gunnar Wikmark from the Norwegian research institute NORCE, reported on future-oriented research into reliable detection methods for NGTs. “It will be possible to develop detection methods for known varieties of NGTs. And we are confident that in time also untargeted detection methods will be developed.”

Hans-Peter Dejakum, representative of the premium wafers and chocolate producer Loacker from South Tyrol, believes in the high value of excluding GMOs from the company’s supply chains: “We are tracking consumer wishes in around 70 countries and we know that our customers truly want our Non-GMO products. In the last decade we have substantially invested to build up a credible Non-GMO value chain and we definitely want to continue this way.” Loacker exports its product with Non-GMO label to more than 100 countries worldwide.

Good availability of soy, rapeseed and corn – but even more potential

International experts in the field of raw material production and agricultural trade agreed that the most important regions for non-GMO commodities (especially soy, corn, rapeseed) currently have good market coverage – in Latin America (especially Brazil) as well as in Europe (especially Ukraine). There are also sufficient growth opportunities to further increase the availability of GMO-free feed and thus keep pace with rising demand. The supply of GMO-free goods is secured for this year and the next, explained Bertalan Kruppa, Donau Soja, Maxime Montserrat, Bunge and Daniele Marcomin, Agribusiness di Covolato in their presentations on the current situation on the international markets.

“Keep calm and carry on!”

Heike Moldenhauer, Secretary General of ENGA, concluded the Summit on behalf of the organisers, with a clear call to the Non-GMO industry present “to keep calm and carry on”. The battle for the right to continue to produce without GMOs is far from over, Moldenhauer stated: Currently there are hardly any New GMOs on the global markets – none in the EU, just a handful in countries where New GMOs have a non-regulated status. Therefore, markets will not be flooded with New GMOs in the coming years – as a glance at the companies’ development pipelines shows.

In addition, the exploration of audit strategies and research on detection methods and improvements in traceability have picked up speed. Moldenhauer is confident that significant progress will be reached to exclude New GMOs from Non-GMO value chains

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