Central European Evening Report: "Global Developments: NATO's Proposed Military Support Fund for Ukraine and Croatia's Diverse Candidate Pool Ahead of Parliamentary Elections"

Politics 3 April 2024 19:00

NATO Considers 100 Billion Euro Fund for Military Support to Ukraine: In a move signaling a potential shift in NATO's approach towards Ukraine, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg hinted at a proposal involving the establishment of a 100 billion euro fund. Diplomatic sources revealed that the fund aims to provide substantial military support to Ukraine over the next five years. While Stoltenberg didn't delve into the specifics, he indicated that NATO ministers would deliberate on this proposal, with a final decision anticipated at the July summit in Washington. Moreover, Stoltenberg emphasized NATO's potential role in coordinating the delivery of weapons, which is currently largely undertaken by the United States. Amidst these discussions, Stoltenberg also expressed confidence in Ukraine's eventual NATO membership, suggesting that it's a matter of "when, not if."

Croatian Parliamentary Elections Witness Diverse Candidate Pool: Croatia gears up for parliamentary elections with a diverse array of candidates vying for seats in the Sabor. Data from the State Electoral Commission (DIP) paints a vivid picture of the candidates, with ages ranging from 18 to 95 years old. Notably, the upcoming elections showcase a surge in the age of candidates, averaging at 50.7 years—marking the oldest cohort in the past four electoral cycles. Moreover, the gender distribution among candidates remains skewed, with men constituting 58% compared to 42% women. The electoral landscape is further characterized by the emergence of 165 valid lists for the elections across 10 electoral districts in Croatia and the 11th electoral district for the diaspora. This marks a slight decrease from previous elections, reflecting a dynamic political landscape amidst changing demographics and evolving priorities.

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Declassified documents from CSAT/Romania - target of Russian hybrid actions, Georgescu's campaign - financed

4 December 23:55

The information presented by the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) at the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) on November 28, which were declassified on Wednesday, by President Klaus Iohannis indicate that the financing of the independent candidate Calin Georgescu's campaign on TikTok amounted to one million euros, that there were actions of a state cyber actor on the IT&C infrastructures supporting the electoral process and that Romania is a target for aggressive Russian hybrid actions.

Moldovan parliament to hold plenary meeting on 5 December; draft State Budget for 2025 on agenda

4 December 23:35

The drafts of the law on the state budget for 2025, the law on state social insurances and the law on the mandatory health insurance accounts for the next year will be considered at a parliament’s plenary meeting on 5 December.

UPDATE/PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR, national minorities agree to form coalition, document signed at Palace of Parliament

4 December 23:21

National Liberal Party (PNL) interim chair Ilie Bolojan announced on Wednesday that the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), the Save Romania Union (USR) and the national minorities, as pro-European political parties, have agreed to form a coalition, aimed stability and , as part of a joint resolution.

German chancellor rules out deploying troops to Ukraine

4 December 23:10

Olaf Scholz underlines that his government will refrain from actions that could trigger conflict between NATO, Russia

Migration Min Panagiotopoulos meets with German Interior Min Faeser

3 December 22:00

Migration and Asylum Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos on Monday received the German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

PresidentialElection2024/In questioning by EP lawmakers, TikTok denies foul play to sway voters to Calin Georgescu

3 December 21:30

Social media company TikTok defended on Tuesday before the European Parliament its measures to combat disinformation in the first round of Romania's presidential election, denying that it favored contender Calin Georgescu, who came in first place with 22.94% of the vote, news agency EFE reports.

MAE Spokesman Tarnea: Russia is using its communication space as a tool for hybrid warfare

3 December 18:00

Russia is using its communication space as a tool for hybrid warfare, whether it takes the form of propaganda or disinformation, Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) Spokesman Andrei Tarnea told AGERPRES on Tuesday.

Gerapetritis to participate in the Summit of Foreign Ministers of the NATO member states

2 December 23:00

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis will participate in the two-day Summit of Foreign Ministers of the NATO member states, which will be held on December 3 and 4 in Brussels, according to a foreign ministry announcement on Monday.

PresidentialElection2024/ CCR rejects request for cancellation of first round of voting, second round - on December 8

2 December 22:16

The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) rejected on Monday the request of Cristian Terhes, candidate in the presidential elections, to cancel the results of the first round of voting, with the second round to be held on December 8.