Your Weekly Recap for 15–19 January.
Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:
- Wintery conditions impede daily life in Luxembourg
- Luxembourg politicians gear up for 2024 European elections
- Begging ban enters repressive phase amid continued objections
- Record-breaking win in Republican primary confirms Trump as de facto nominee
- Calls for calm after Iran, Pakistan trade strikes on militants
1. Wintery conditions impede daily life in Luxembourg
© Domingos Oliveira / RTL
The threat of black ice across Luxembourg on Wednesday triggered a red alert from the national crisis unit on Tuesday, leading to school closures amid calls for people to stay and work from home if possible.
- Thursday then saw significant amounts of snow, provoking numerous accidents as removal services struggled to clear about 3,000 km of roads.
- The phase of vigilance remains active toward the end of the week as temperatures are forecast to continue dropping over the weekend.
'Stay home' – On Tuesday evening, Luxembourg's national crisis unit triggered a red alert for the entire country on the following day. Schools thus remained closed while teachers and educators still ensured that children would be cared for during the day.
People were advised to stay home if possible, with those being able to work from home asked to do so.
Pretty as a picture – While Wednesday's black ice put a halt to life in Luxembourg, Thursday's snowfall represented another challenge for road services as people sought to return to work.
Despite provoking numerous accidents, the snow enabled children to finally get out their sledges and also allowed people to take some stunning images of Luxembourg.
2. Luxembourg politicians gear up for 2024 European elections
© AFP
Luxembourg's Nicolas Schmit, the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, is confirmed as the PES candidate for European Commission president in the upcoming elections, challenging Ursula von der Leyen.
Luxembourg's former Foreign Minister, Jean Asselborn, meanwhile announced he will not run in the European elections, citing a lack of motivation and energy but expressing willingness to support the LSAP.
An awareness campaign in Luxembourg, led by Minister Max Hahn, is encouraging the 47% non-Luxembourg resident EU citizens in the country to register and vote in the upcoming European elections.
Schmit backed for EC president – Nicolas Schmit, currently serving as the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, has been officially announced as the Party of European Socialists (PES) candidate for the position of European Commission president in the upcoming European elections. This decision places him in direct competition with the incumbent president, Ursula von der Leyen.
Schmit, a seasoned politician with a background in the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) and a track record in the European Parliament since 2019, has garnered significant support from prominent EU member states like Germany and Spain. His candidacy marks a crucial moment for the PES, which currently holds 141 seats in the European Parliament and is looking to strengthen its influence in European politics.
European champion retires – Jean Asselborn, a veteran Luxembourgish politician and former Foreign Minister, has decided not to participate in the upcoming European elections. Asselborn, known for his long tenure in Luxembourg's political scene and championing European values, shared through a Facebook post that he lacks the necessary motivation and energy to continue in a demanding electoral role.
Despite stepping back from the electoral fray, Asselborn remains committed to supporting the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP), indicating his willingness to help the party succeed in the upcoming elections. His withdrawal from the race marks the end of a significant chapter in Luxembourg's political landscape, given his extensive experience and influence.
Promoting civic engagement – In Luxembourg, an awareness campaign has been launched to encourage the participation of non-Luxembourg residents in the European elections. Led by Max Hahn, the Minister for Family Affairs and Integration, the campaign targets the nearly half (47%) of the country's population that is made up of non-Luxembourg residents, 81% of whom are EU citizens.
With only 13.2% of these residents currently registered to vote, the campaign aims to increase awareness and participation through various mediums such as posters, videos, and social media. The initiative stresses the importance of democratic involvement and aims to facilitate the registration process for eligible voters.
3. Begging ban enters repressive phase amid continued objections
Luxembourg City has begun enforcing a new ban targeting all forms of begging in specific areas, with police action against violators, raising concerns among affected individuals and activists over potential criminalisation of the homeless.
On the streets of Luxembourg City, those affected by the begging ban express frustration and fear of being pushed towards criminal activities, while street workers acknowledge the presence of organised begging gangs but note a distinction between these groups and individual beggars.
Luxembourg City's public prosecutor, Georges Oswald, asserts that simple begging is no longer a criminal offence under Luxembourg's Criminal Code due to a 2008 amendment, causing legal uncertainty and challenging the police's authority to enforce a begging ban.
Ban now enforced – In Luxembourg City, a new policy banning all forms of begging in designated areas has come into force. This measure, effective between 7am and 10pm, empowers police officers to take action against anyone found begging.
The ban, which does not differentiate between passive and aggressive forms of begging, has sparked concern among the homeless and activists. They fear this could lead to criminalisation of vulnerable individuals, especially since non-compliance with the ban could lead to legal penalties.
Out of options – The impact of Luxembourg City's begging ban is evident on its streets, particularly among those directly affected. Street workers distinguish between individual beggars and organised begging gangs, noting the latter's more aggressive tactics and periodic presence in the city.
The affected individuals express a sense of injustice and fear that the ban might compel them to resort to criminal activities for survival, as traditional means of subsistence like begging are now restricted.
Legal ambiguities – In a recent interview, Georges Oswald, the public prosecutor of Luxembourg City, highlighted a significant legal ambiguity regarding the status of simple begging in Luxembourg. He traced this issue back to a 2008 amendment to the Immigration Act, which inadvertently removed the provision criminalising simple begging from Article 563 of the Criminal Code.
This unintentional deletion has led to conflicting interpretations between the public prosecutor's office and the Minister for Home Affairs, with Oswald asserting that simple begging is no longer a criminal offence.
Despite this, the Minister has issued directives to police for action against beggars, based on an outdated 1789 decree. This discrepancy has resulted in legal uncertainty and challenges to the police's enforcement authority, further complicated by the practical difficulties in prosecuting such cases, including the need for interpreters and the lack of permanent addresses for many beggars.
4. Record-breaking win in Republican primary confirms Trump as de facto nominee
Donald Trump secured a commanding victory in the Iowa caucus with 51% of the Republican vote, marking the largest win in recent history and solidifying his status as the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination.
In the Iowa caucus, Trump significantly outperformed his closest rivals, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, opening a substantial lead in the early stages of the 2024 presidential race.
Trump's success in Iowa reflects his continued strong support among Republican voters, despite facing multiple controversies and legal challenges, including a defamation trial and allegations of misconduct.
Contended yet favoured – Donald Trump's triumph in the Iowa caucus was a significant milestone in the 2024 presidential race as he garnered 51% of the Republican vote, the most substantial win in the modern history of the Iowa caucuses.
Trump's win in Iowa, a critical battleground that often sets the tone for the primary season, has cemented his position as the leading contender for the Republican nomination. This demonstrates his enduring appeal and strong base of support within the Republican Party despite the various controversies surrounding his candidacy.
Outperforming rivals – The Iowa caucus results revealed a clear gap between Trump and his primary rivals, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. Trump's substantial lead over these candidates underscores the challenge they face in gaining ground against his well-established and loyal voter base.
While DeSantis and Haley are significant figures within the Republican Party, with their own bases of support and political credentials, their performances in Iowa indicate that they have substantial work to do in order to rival Trump's popularity among Republican voters. This early stage of the 2024 race has shown that Trump's political influence and appeal to the Republican electorate remain strong factors in the primary contest.
Reinforcing narratives – Despite numerous controversies and legal challenges, including a high-profile defamation trial and ongoing scrutiny over past misconduct allegations, Trump's political momentum appears largely unaffected, as evidenced by his success in Iowa. This resilience points to a deep and committed support base that seems to overlook, or perhaps even be galvanised by, these controversies.
Trump has effectively used these challenges to reinforce his narrative of being an outsider battling against a so-called "deep state", which resonates with many of his supporters.
5. Calls for calm after Iran, Pakistan trade strikes on militants
© AFP
Iran and Pakistan exchanged air strikes on militant targets within each other's territories, escalating tensions and resulting in casualties on both sides.
The UN and the US have urged both countries to exercise restraint amid concerns over potential escalation between the heavily armed neighbours.
The conflict centres around the restive Sistan-Baluchistan province, with both countries accusing each other of harboring militants and conducting cross-border operations against separatist groups.
Military exchange – The recent military actions between Iran and Pakistan mark a significant escalation in regional tensions. Both countries conducted air strikes on what they claim to be militant targets within each other's borders, resulting in multiple casualties. The exchange began with Iranian strikes on Pakistani territory, followed by Pakistani retaliation.
This rare instance of direct military action across the border has raised serious concerns about the stability of the region, especially given the heavy armaments and military capabilities of both nations.
Calls for restrain – The response from the international community, notably the United Nations and the United States, has been one of deep concern and a call for restraint. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and spokespeople from the White House and the US State Department have all emphasised the importance of avoiding further escalation.
Contested region – The focal point of these tensions is the Sistan-Baluchistan province, a region that has long been a hotbed of unrest and conflict. It is unique in its demographic composition, being one of the few mainly Sunni Muslim provinces in Shiite-dominated Iran and has a history of unrest involving drug-smuggling, rebel activities from the Baluchi ethnic minority, and jihadist groups.
Both Iran and Pakistan have accused each other of allowing militants to operate from the other's territory, leading to these cross-border operations. The recent strikes are a manifestation of the ongoing struggle in this region, where separatist groups and other militants have been active for decades, often leading to violent confrontations.
The best of... 📚
- Business & Tech – ChatGPT maker OpenAI has said it will introduce tools to combat disinformation ahead of the dozens of elections this year in countries that are home to half the world's population.
- Science & Environment – The James Webb space telescope has discovered the oldest black hole ever detected, which was thriving so soon after the Big Bang that it challenges our understanding of how these celestial behemoths form, astronomers said Wednesday.
- Entertainment – The final season of 'Succession' dominated the Emmy Awards on Monday, scooping six prizes including best drama, at a nostalgic gala honouring television's past and present that was delayed by four months due to Hollywood strikes.
- Sport – Israel's athletes will join the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony in Paris despite security concerns, the country's Games boss told AFP on Thursday.
And in case you missed it... ⚠️
- Gare district – Police officers were deployed to the central railway station in Luxembourg City on Tuesday afternoon because of a "suspicious message", authorities announced.
- War in Ukraine – Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden pledged continued support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday.
- War in Gaza – In a rare display of unanimity, Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies collectively condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel and the resulting civilian casualties in Gaza amid intense debates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and calls for peace-seeking efforts.
- Chamber of Deputies – Citizens will be able to follow live online coverage of five different parliamentary committee meetings this year, starting from mid-April.
Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.
