Dublin casts doubt on UK’s latest NI border plan

The EU has yet to formally respond to the UK’s latest proposal for avoiding a ‘hard border’ on the island of Ireland, but the Irish government has already cast doubt on the plans. British Prime Minister Theresa May has argued that around 80% of firms would face no new customs checks between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, and others would be simplified. However, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has stipulated that neither the Irish government nor the EU were sure it would adequately shield the EU’s internal market. The proposal, he said, was a “starting point” for talks, not a solution.

Theresa May has ruled out the return of physical infrastructure on the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic after the UK leaves the EU, insisting that this commitment was “absolutely clear.” However, in deep contrast, Dublin and Brussels are yet to be convinced that this can be avoided if the UK sticks to its red line of leaving the EU’s customs union, unless Northern Ireland continues to abide by its rules and those of the single market.

 

Hard Irish border warning from George Mitchell

George Mitchell, former US senator and peace broker behind the Belfast Agreement of 1998, has warned that the peace process could be harmed if a hard border was reinstated between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit. He said border checks would not inevitably result in a return to violence. However, he warned that the risk of that happening was “high enough.”

Additionally, Mitchell warned, “The real danger for a hard border is not the immediate resurgence of violence although that certainly is a problem.” He noted that its result would be to ” go back to the days when stereotyping resumes, demilitarisation resumes and people turn innermost as opposed to outward and they lose the benefits that come from open borders.”

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Theresa May said an EU proposal for the Northern Ireland border would threaten the “constitutional integrity” of the United Kingdom.

 

Germany coalition deal: Social Democrats vote to join government

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will form her fourth government after the Social Democrats (SPD) voted in support of another grand coalition. The vote by nearly 500,000 party members marks a turning point after five months of deadlock since September’s federal election. Splits had emerged in the SPD between the leadership, which advocated entering government with the Christian Democrats, and its more radical youth wing, which wanted the party to regroup in opposition. In the end, 66% of members voted in favour.

Mrs Merkel, who has been in power for 12 years, congratulated her coalition partner, saying she “looks forward to working together again for the benefit of our country.” However it hasn’t been smooth sailing for the German Chancellor. After losing 65 seats in September’s federal election, she unsuccessfully attempted to form a so-called ‘Jamaica Coalition’ with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens. Continuing the existing coalition comes at a high price: the new finance minister will be a Social Democrat.

 

Italy election: Voters cast ballots in unpredictable contest

Italians are going to the polls after a heated campaign in which immigration and the economy were at the fore. The anti-establishment Five Star Movement, ruling Democratic Party and Forza Italia (Silvio Berlusconi’s right-wing coalition) are all confident about their chances. Berlusconi, four-time prime minister, cannot hold public office until 2019 due to a tax fraud conviction. Instead he has backed Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, as Italy’s next leader.

Over half a million migrants have entered Italy, mainly from Libya, since 2013. The large number of arrivals has caused frustration among many Italians, leading even mainstream politicians to shift to the right and adopt a tough rhetoric. Berlusconi has called the migration issue a “social time-bomb” and has pledged mass deportations. The campaign has been marred by violence by the far right, embroiled in clashes with anti-fascist counter protesters.

 

Another turbulent week for the Trump White House

The New York Times broke news of the resignation of the Trump Administration’s Director of Communications, Hope Hicks, on Wednesday. The reason for her departure raised eyebrows: colleagues said that “she had accomplished what she felt she could with a job that made her one of the most powerful people in Washington, and that there would never be a perfect moment to leave.” Hicks had been romantically involved with Rob Porter, another former White House aide, who had been forced to resign over allegations of domestic abuse from his two ex-wives.

It also emerged that Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and Senior Adviser to the President, has had his security clearance downgraded. In light of continued concerns over potential conflicts of interest, Mr Kushner will no longer top-level security briefings. Up to now he had been receiving them on an interim basis, pending background checks. The final decision was taken by Trump’s Chief of Staff, General John Kelly.