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While the European People’s Party came first in the European elections, its candidate and current Commission President Ursula von der Leyen still cannot count on the support of the German coalition government, with the Liberals, in particular, setting high demands in return for their approval.

French President Emmanuel Macron is leaning towards endorsing Ursula von der Leyen for another term as president of the European Commission after her centre-right camp scored strongly in European Parliament elections, two sources told Reuters.

Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok will not attend the summit of the Bucharest Nine, a group of European countries on the eastern edge of NATO in Riga on Tuesday (11 June), Latvian president's office said.

On Sunday night, Emmanuel Macron called for snap elections. Can the president's sudden move halt the far right's rising success?

Americas Raytheon won a $38 million modification to previously awarded contract for an option exercise and the award of a technical refresh of DDG-1000 Class Total Ship Computing Environment Hardware in support of Zumwalt Test Facility Ship Mission Center, peripherals and spares hardware. Work will be performed in Manchester, New Hampshire; Nashua, New Hampshire; Portsmouth, Rhode Island; and San Diego, California, and expected to complete by May 2027. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DS, is the contracting activity. The US Army has issued a request for information (RFI) regarding a new large drone that can support large-scale combat operations. The unmanned aerial system (UAS) should fall under Group 4 or 5 (more than 1,320 pounds/600 kilograms), or the same category as the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1C Gray Eagle. It must be able to perform precision strike, surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and command-and-control missions. Middle East & Africa The Tunisian Armed Forces are set to enhance their training capabilities with a comprehensive upgrade of their primary training area at Ben Ghilouf. This development comes following the publication of detailed plans on the US government’s System for Award Management (SAM) website on May 15. The upgrade project is currently in its third […]

Business groups on Monday (10 June) have shown relief over the EU the continuous majority for centrist, pro-EU parties in the European Elections, calling on lawmakers to reach an agreement quickly.

The ANC's loss of a majority in South Africa mirrors that of other liberation parties on the continent.

The ANC's loss of a majority in South Africa mirrors that of other liberation parties on the continent.

Nigeria suffer defeat in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup while Jordan Ayew hits a hat-trick to inspire a comeback win for Ghana.

South Africa claim a nervy four-run win over Bangladesh that puts them on brink of reaching the T20 World Cup Super 8s.

Plusieurs personnes ont été tuées vendredi 7 juin dernier dans une attaque revendiquée par les rebelles ADF dans des localités en territoire Béni, dans le Nord-Kivu à l'Est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC).

A village with 9,144 solar panels about eight kilometers from Juazeiro, a city and municipality in Brazil's semi-arid Northeast region, hosts a failed electricity and income generation project, which for three years enabled investments in the urbanization and community development of the 1,000 resident families. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

By Mario Osava
JUAZEIRO, Brazil , Jun 10 2024 (IPS)

“I feel like a mother who lost her son to drugs, to vice, destroying himself,” says Lucineide da Silva, 56, mother of eight children and grandmother of 11.

With her lost son, she symbolizes a novel solar energy project that used the roofs of a village built by the government programme “My House My Life” in Juazeiro, a municipality with 238,000 people in the state of Bahia, in the Northeast region of Brazil.

The 174 two-story buildings, totaling 1,000 family housing units, turned into a small power plant, with 9,144 photovoltaic panels installed on their roofs. With an output of 2.1 megawatts and the capacity to supply 3,600 low-consumption homes, the installation generated electricity from February 2014 to October 2016.

In addition to self-supply, each family in the village earned income from energy surpluses sold to the local power distribution company. Of this income, 60 per cent was distributed among the villagers and 10 per cent went to equipment maintenance.

The remaining 30 per cent of the profits were invested in Morada do Salitre and Praia do Rodeadouro, the two complexes the unnamed village was divided into for community administration.

Lucineide da Silva helped install the solar panels, having been trained with other residents of the two complexes that make up the unnamed village in northeastern Brazil. Her efficient work and passion for the project earned her the nickname “Galician of the panels”. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

Energy for community cohesion

This income enabled residents to urbanize the town, with trees, clean streets, speed bumps for vehicles and security officers. Also, two community centers were built, offering medical and dental care, as well as computer and sewing courses.

Such benefits helped build a real community, with a sense of belonging and social organization, the stated goal of the project, developed by the company Brasil Solair and financed by the Socio-environmental Fund of the Caixa Economica Federal, a state bank with social purposes.

“It’s the best of the My House My Life villages I know,” assured Toni José Bispo, 64, despite his criticism of the solar project. “I had no benefit, the panels break the tiles, better take them all off as a neighbor did,” said the food merchant, who built a store in the front yard of his house.

A Community Center built by one of the two complexes in the city of Juazeiro, with income from the sale of electricity. Computer and sewing courses, apart from doctors and dentists, were other benefits of the small photovoltaic power plant installed in the village in northeastern Brazil. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

The useless photovoltaic panels have caused widespread complaints since October 2016, when the state-owned National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) cancelled the license to operate the small power plant.

The project had been launched with a license from Aneel, with a three-year deadline for it to comply with the specific regulation for distributed generation, up to five megawatts and carried out by the consumers, who can produce energy for self-supply and not for sale.

Brazilian regulation only allows “prosumers” (consumer producers) to deduct from their electricity bill the amount of energy generated and supplied to the distribution network, which is the basis for the development of community or distributed electricity. Certain types of association, such as cooperatives, allow this benefit to be shared, but without commercial purposes.

With the non-compliance by Brasil Solair, a company that disappeared from the market, and Caixa Economica Federal, the 9,144 photovoltaic panels remain for the last eight years a sad reminder of the project that was to be the inspiration of other My House My Life communities, which since early 2019 has provided 7.7 million homes.

Toni José Bispo’s small store, set up in front of his home, as is typical of the northeastern Brazilian town, has caused strong competition in a community with low demand and income. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

Social decay

The town, with an estimated population of almost 5,000, is evidently in decay. Aging, fading walls, broken or missing roof tiles, garbage in the streets that was not noticeable during IPS’ previous visit in June 2018, are the most apparent signs. Some panels also appear damaged.

Violence and drug trafficking are other side-effects that can be attributed, at least in part, to the impoverishment of the local community.

Nicknamed “the Galician of the panels” because she excelled in their installation, Lucineide da Silva is “proud” of working on the project, as one of the trained villagers, and dreams of its restoration.

“We have many poor families. Solar energy would help them with their expenses, to have air conditioning to counter the heat, that is strong here”, he said.

“This complex is better than others, it gets top marks, but if the project were active it would be a reference for everyone”, said Da Silva, who rejected offers to continue installing panels, because she would have to work far away. She prefers to take care of children and senior citizens.

Gilsa Martins was an administrator in one of the two complexes organized for community management. She failed in her attempt to restore the photovoltaic energy and income generation project, but did not lose hope of giving back to her community the benefits of distributed generation. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

Gilsa Martins, who was a community administrator of the Morada do Salitre complex during the good years while the project was active, and the bad ones that followed, still hopes to restore it. At 66, she is willing to “return to Brasilia” to negotiate with the government, as she has done in the past.

The useless photovoltaic panels have caused widespread complaints since October 2016, when the state-owned National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) cancelled the license to operate the small power plant

“Everything is deteriorating as a result of the neglect we are subjected to, with no support from the public administration,” she lamented. The computer and sewing courses are cancelled, and without the income from the solar power plant “we no longer have dentists or doctors here, since the public authorities don’t contribute anything,” she added.

The numerous stores in residential front yards reveal a lack of income sources. Many try to survive with informal businesses in a local market with insufficient demand. “Too much competition and not enough buyers,” Bispo said.

“The local population is sustained by the jobs offered by the irrigation districts, including young people who finish high school, but they have no opportunities in nearby commerce and industry,” he explained.

Juazeiro is at the center of an irrigated agriculture hub, with water from the São Francisco river pumped to seven irrigated districts or perimeters where the government settled small, medium and large farmers, and to large independent farms that stand out as the largest producers of mango and grapes for export.

Hired workers commute daily on buses from these companies and from the districts, generally subject to the seasonality of the fruit. “They are our salvation,” said Martins.

The Bolsa Familia, a government income transfer program, also “protects many unemployed mothers. That’s why we don’t go hungry here,” he said.

But people complain about inadequate transportation. They only have one bus to commute to the city of Juazeiro, the municipal capital, eight kilometers away. It is a common adversity among My House My Life communities, usually located far from the city and its urban infrastructure and services.

A roof with solar panels and transformers installed on a neighboring building. This equipment is going to waste since the small power plant was shut down in 2016. Brazilian restrictions on distributed or community generation make its restoration difficult. Credit: Mario Osava / IPS

Solar roofs

Complaints against photovoltaic panels are also widespread, assured Martins. “Many complain of holes in the roof and blame them on the panels, others want them removed,” he said.

“Since the panels were installed I’ve had leaks in the roof, draining down the walls. Then they spread to one room and the corridor, then to two rooms. My husband plugged them with cement. We have already lost a bed and a closet,” explained Josenilda dos Santos, 37 and with five children.

She remembers having received income from electricity only for three months, 280 reais (about 120 dollars at the time) the first time and only 3 per cent of that the last time. “I will take all of them off, since they are useless, they only heat the rooms,” she concluded.

“The sun, like water, is a common wealth, but only capital appropriates it. Solar roofs for decentralized electricity generation can generate income for the population and reduce poverty, especially in the countryside,” according to Roberto Malvezzi, a local activist with the Catholic Pastoral Land Commission.

The failure of the My House My Life pilot project hinders a promising path, in addition to wasting 9,144 panels already installed on the roofs.

Following the French parliament's surprise dissolution announced by President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday [9 June], political manoeuvering has already started to form coalitions that could win the upcoming legislative election.

Spain’s deputy prime minister and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, announced this Monday that she was leaving the leadership of the left-wing Sumar platform, a junior partner of the Socialist Party (PSOE/S&D) in the executive, after the very poor result in Sunday’s European elections, although she continues in her position as minister.

(B2) Oubliés le discours de la Sorbonne, les cérémonies du 6 juin, les grands et beaux discours, le président français apparait aujourd’hui largement affaibli. Non seulement en France, mais aussi dans les couloirs européens. En cause, sa propre décision de dissoudre l’Assemblée nationale.

Une décision incompréhensible…

Quand il arrivera à la réunion des leaders au G7 dans les Pouilles, le 13 juin, puis au Conseil européen, le 17 juin, l’accueil que recevra Emmanuel Macron ne sera sûrement plus le même qu’avant le 9 juin. La France restant la France, il sera reçu avec élégance. Mais pour l’influence, c’est autre chose. Le président français aura fort à faire pour convaincre de la pertinence de son choix de dissoudre l’Assemblée nationale. Décision jugée inconséquente pour l’équilibre européen et surtout incompréhensible !

… que rien ne justifiait

Le résultat de la liste Renaissance (14%) est certes très mauvais : deux fois moins que le Rassemblement national et à quasi-égalité avec la liste du PS (envoyant le même nombre de députés au Parlement européen : 13 élus). Mais ce résultat était attendu et, d’une certaine manière, anticipé. Ce n’est pas la première fois qu’un parti de gouvernement boit la tasse dans un vote européen (élection ou référendum). Cela n’a jamais entraîné une telle crise politique. D’autant que les centristes français gardent un poids notable dans leur groupe (la première délégation) et comptent nombre de personnalités bien au fait des dossiers (N. Loiseau, P. Canfin, C. Grudler, etc.) qui permettront de compenser un effectif plus faible.

… transformée en crise politique majeure

En dissolvant l’Assemblée nationale, le président se tire une balle dans le pied. Il ouvre une période d’incertitude. Ce que la plupart des Européens détestent. Nul ne sait si la France sera gouvernable demain, quel sera le profil de la future assemblée, et donc du futur gouvernement. Ou plutôt chacun pressent que cette assemblée pourrait très bien être bleue foncée à l’image du Rassemblement national. Jamais le parti d’extrême-droite n’ayant été aussi proche du pouvoir. Nul ne peut prédire ce que sera l’avenir après le 7 juillet. Macron jouera-t-il le jeu de la cohabitation ou préférera-t-il remettre en jeu son mandat de président ? et démissionner ?

Une faiblesse européenne

De manière quasi-automatique, le poids de la France va être réduit. A la fois pour des raisons psychologiques et politiques. Comment faire confiance à un président qui pourrait ne plus être en position de décider le lendemain, qui est démonétisé en quelque sorte. D’autant qu’Emmanuel Macron a commis une erreur politique notable. Trop confiant dans son aura, il a mené une campagne quasi-publique contre le renouvellement de Ursula von der Leyen, par presse interposée ou via le commissaire européen (1). Or l’Allemande — dont le parti, le PPE, a gagné quelques sièges — est bien partie aujourd’hui pour trouver les voix nécessaires au Parlement européen à sa reconduction. Et aucun candidat alternatif ne se présente vraiment.

Malheur au vaincu

Cramé, Thierry Breton va pouvoir faire ses valises (2). Un nouveau nom devra être proposé par Paris : un homme ou une femme (3). Mais quelle que soit la personnalité, au sein du futur exécutif européen, la France ne sera pas assurée de récupérer un portfolio aussi majeur (marché intérieur, électronique, défense et services) que celui détenu depuis 2019. Il va falloir choisir de façon subtile le bon secteur. D’autres pays, tels l’Italie ou la Pologne notamment, sont à la recherche d’une place plus importante.

Double solitude à Bruxelles

Cette bataille perdue se double d’un certain isolement au Conseil européen. Le Français avait déjà perdu la compagnie de son ami  luxembourgeois Xavier Bettel, il va perdre celles du Néerlandais Mark Rutte comme du Belge Alexander De Croo, sévèrement étrillé lors des élections belges et qui a présenté sa démission au Roi. Les « trois mousquetaires » libéraux sortis, la majorité au Conseil européen bascule au profit des conservateurs ou souverainistes devenus, après les démocrates-chrétiens, le second groupe en importance (lire : [Fiche-Mémo] Un Conseil européen à droite toute).

Un suicide politique ?

Autant dire que, dans un panorama déjà compliqué, l’annonce de la dissolution — qui apparait surtout guidée par une blessure d’amour-propre mal digérée — s’apparente à une faute, qui pourrait affaiblir durablement la position française. Effacées les belles propositions du discours de la Sorbonne et autres déclarations des cérémonies du débarquement aux côtés de l’Américain Joe Biden ou de l’Ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky. Ce véritable coup de poker, sauf réussite peu évidente, pourrait apparaitre alors comme un véritable suicide politique.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

1. Jamais en retard d’adresser une pique, par média interposé à la présidente de la Commission, Thierry Breton l’avait ouvertement critiqué, en mars dernier, sur twitter : « Est-il possible de (re)confier la gestion de l’Europe au PPE pour 5 ans de plus, soit 25 ans d’affilée? (quand) le PPE lui-même ne semble pas croire en sa candidate ». La presse a aussi été mobilisée par l’Élysée pour indiquer combien il serait difficile à l’Allemande d’avoir une majorité au Parlement ou imposer une alternative type Mario Draghi.
2. On voit mal en effet von der Leyen s’accommoder, à nouveau, durant cinq ans, de cette compagnie.
3. Par Emmanuel Macron ou encore avec le nouveau gouvernement issu des urnes.

French President Emmanuel Macron's surprise announcement on Sunday evening (June 9) that he was dissolving the National Assembly and calling early parliamentary elections has put a halt to debates on the long-awaited end-of-life bill.   

The European Commission opened a new foreign subsidies investigation into a commercial acquisition that would see UAE state-owned Emirates Telecommunications Group Company (e&), be in 'sole control' of the European telecom operator PPF Telecom, according to a press release.

Citizens in the EU Member States will elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, will meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They will decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term. The committees will then hold their first meetings to elect their respective Chairs and Vice-Chairs.
European Elections 2024 website
European Elections News
Fact Sheet: Electoral procedures for the European Parliament
AFET-SEDE-DROI calendar of meetings 2024
Meeting documents
Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Parmi les 4 500 espèces de cafards, la blatte germanique est la plus répandue sur la quasi-totalité de la planète.