Earlier, Prime Minister Mark Rutte was against the decision of resigning and subsequently dissolving the coalition government. He insisted that there is a need to have political stability in the wake of the pandemic. However, the coalition parties believed that a political backfire was bound to happen, and the consequences were unavoidable after the release of the parliamentary report. [2] 

It was only after this that in a press conference the Prime Minister said: “We are of one mind that if the whole system has failed, we all must take responsibility, and that has led to the conclusion that I have just offered the king, the resignation of the entire Cabinet.” [3]

With this statement, he confirmed that he and his government take full responsibility for the scandal and submit their resignation to King Willem-Alexander van Oranje. [4] 

At the same time, he reaffirmed that although he has resigned, he will play the role of the government’s role until the next general elections scheduled on March 17 this year. As per many political experts, there is a likely shift to the Dutch social policy left after this scandal. Nonetheless, one cannot deny that respite the resignation, and the Prime Minister has instead been able to escape relatively untouched successfully.

What Is the Child Benefits Scandal?

In the Netherlands, childcare is private. Under the tax department’s earlier policies, parents had to pay for childcare, but they did get subsidies that depended on their income. However, after Mark Rutte took over as the Prime Minister in 2010, several changes were made to the anti-benefit fraud laws. These measures were further taken in 2013 after authorities reported illegal methods used by Bulgarian crooks to collect such payments. [5]

With the policies’ changes, the tax department was given more power to make sure that such misuse of benefits does not occur. Also, this allowed the tax department to compensate for the seized funds.

However, things soon started going downhill when the negatives of these laws started impacting the Dutch citizens. Several parents lost both benefits and were further asked by the authorities to repay the child benefits that they had received in the past. It affected over 26,000 families, of which 10,000 households were forced to repay benefits. It led to bankruptcies, divorces and unemployment among those people. [6] Even when the citizens contacted the authorities with their grievances, there was no genuine response. [7] 

These complaints soon started piling up and finally in 2017, the government-appointed an official to look into these complaints. On a thorough check, it was observed that a disproportionate number were of immigrant parents who lost the child benefits. When the need for further information was required for evidence gathering, the parliamentary inquires got only a little information from the ministries with most of the information blacked out. However, one thing was exact, and civil servants had cut child benefits to families from 2013 to 2019. [8]  

By the end of 2019, an estimated amount of € 500 million, about €30,000 ($36,300) for each family was set aside. [9] Also, the current scheme was decided to be expanded. and expanded compensation was set aside when the government accepted its mistake, although payments were not made. [10]

The final nail in the coffin was the parliamentary report, [11] that brought out the government had falsely accused several parents of tax defrauding. It is a grave injustice done to the people of the Netherlands. In a separate investigation, the Dutch Data Protection Authority concluded that tax inspectors had discriminated against citizens with dual nationality. [12] 

In November, a report [13] ranked the Netherlands government is considered a leading global tax haven for large corporations. So the government chasing the individuals for such small amounts thus did not go unnoticed.

Families Reaction to This Scandal

Several families have been affected by these mishaps on the government’s side. So, they are suing the government. Ornaldo Kadir is an attorney who is currently representing over 600 families stated that it was predominantly immigrant Dutch citizens that were target due to the method of ethnic profiling. It used a particular algorithm that characterized immigrant dutch citizens of dual nationals to be a fraudster. Not only that, but even missing signatures were considered as a parameter by the tax authorities to brand the people as frauds. It was not only an injustice but also a violation of the constitution. [14]

Way Ahead

Several ministers such as Health Minister Tamara Van Ark, Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra, and former Tax Minister Menno Snel and opposition Labour Party leader Lodewijk Asscher have been named court documents.

The Leader of the Opposition Labour Party, Lodewijk Asscher who held the Social Affairs Minister, office from 2012-2017 has also stepped down from his current position due to the “unheard justice” done to people the Netherlands. It was his resignation that forced Prime Minister Mark Rutte to revisit his position on the issue. Eric Wiebes, Economic Affairs Minister, also resigned and stated that he would not be a part of the current guardian government. [15]

With the general elections scheduled in March, the current child benefits scandal is likely to significantly less impact Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s popularity. According to polls, it is expected that his People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy is likely to win a fourth term if he gets the largest share of votes. In other words, Mark Rutte’s VVD party is ahead of the far-right leader Geert Wilders’s party. If he wins, Prime Minister Mark Rutte would continue as the government’s head by forming a new coalition. [16]

With this scandal, the Netherlands in the third European country to be caught up in a political crisis. Earlier, Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte had to resign due to falling in the majority after their coalition party led by Renzi backed out and also the government in Estonia had to resign due to a corruption scandal.

References

[1] Erdbrink, Thomas. “Playing by the Rules: Dutch Leader Offers a Sober Contrast in a Brash Era.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 June 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/05/28/world/europe/rutte-dutch-netherlands.html.

[2] Schaart, Eline. Mark Rutte Pulls Plug on Dutch Government, PLANS Immediate Return. 15 Jan. 2021, www.politico.eu/article/dutch-government-resigns-over-childcare-benefit-scandal/.

[3] Press, Associated. “Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and His Entire Cabinet Resign over Child Welfare Scandal.” Free Press Journal, 15 Jan. 2021, www.freepressjournal.in/world/dutch-prime-minister-mark-rutte-and-his-entire-cabinet-resign-over-child-welfare-scandal.

[4] “Dutch PM Mark Rutte and His Entire Cabinet Quits over Welfare Scandal.” Hindustan Times, 17 Jan. 2021, www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/dutch-pm-mark-rutte-and-his-entire-cabinet-quits-over-welfare-scandal-101610900452800.html.

[5] “Netherlands Uncovers $120m ‘Bulgarian Fraud’ Benefits Scam.” BBC News, BBC, 25 June 2013, www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-23043543.

[6] “Dutch Government Resigns over Child Benefits Scandal.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 15 Jan. 2021, www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/15/dutch-government-resigns-over-child-benefits-scandal.

[7] Berg, Stephanie van den. “Dutch Government Quits over ‘Colossal Stain’ of Tax Subsidy Scandal.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 15 Jan. 2021, www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-politics-resignation-idUSKBN29K1IO.

[8] Amaro, Silvia. “Dutch Government Resigns after Childcare Benefits Scandal.” CNBC, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2021, www.cnbc.com/2021/01/15/dutch-government-resigns-after-childcare-benefits-scandal-.html.

[9] “Dutch Rutte Government Resigns over Child Welfare Fraud Scandal.” BBC News, BBC, 15 Jan. 2021, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55674146.

[10] “Dutch Government Faces Collapse over Child Benefits Scandal.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 14 Jan. 2021, www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/14/dutch-government-faces-collapse-over-child-benefits-scandal.

[11]www.tweedekamer.nl/sites/default/files/atoms/files/20201217_eindverslag_parlementaire_ondervragingscommissie_kinderopvangtoeslag.pdf.

[12] Markus, Niels. “Belastingdienst Werkte Zeer Kritische Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens Tegen.” Trouw, 17 July 2020, www.trouw.nl/binnenland/belastingdienst-werkte-zeer-kritische-autoriteit-persoonsgegevens-tegen~b69beed9/.

[13] The State of Tax Justice: Tax Justice in the Time of COVID-19. Nov. 2020, The_State_of_Tax_Justice_2020_ENGLISH.pdf.

[14] “Dutch Government Quits over ‘Colossal Stain’ of Tax Subsidy Scandal.” Mint, 15 Jan. 2021, www.livemint.com/news/world/dutch-government-quits-over-colossal-stain-of-tax-subsidy-scandal-11610728718467.html.

[15] Kok, Laurens. DPG Media Privacy Gate, 14 Jan. 2021, www.ad.nl/dossier-vertrek-asscher/kabinetsval-dichterbij-blijven-zitten-terwijl-asscher-wel-zijn-conclusies-trekt-is-lastig-uitlegbaar~aff58082/.

 [16] CBS News. “Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and His Entire Cabinet Resign over Child Welfare Scandal.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 15 Jan. 2021, www.cbsnews.com/news/dutch-government-cabinet-mark-rutte-resign-child-welfare-scandal/.

The post CHILD BENEFITS SCANDAL AND COLLAPSE OF DUTCH GOVERNMENT appeared first on WISER WORLD.

However, the 2^nd February verdict was enough for the Russians to come out in support of him. Thousands of supporters of Alexei Navalny poured onto the streets and marched towards central Moscow. These protestors clashed with police in body armour who was also armed with staves to control the protest. According to OVD-Info, an independent monitoring group state that over 1,000 protestors were arrested across the country the following day. [3]

It is indeed a controversial decision as Navalny is one of the most prominent Kremlin critics and Vladimir Putin’s foe. It is not the first time that some Kremlin critic is being put behind bars. Mikhail Khodorkovsky [4] and chess world champion Garry Kasparov [5] are some of the people who were forced to leave Russia in fear of their lives for criticising Putin. However, Boris Nemtsov was not that lucky as he was shot dead in Kremlin, 2015. [6] It makes Alexei Navalny the last critic of the Kremlin to be standing alive and on Russian soil.

During the court visit, one could not miss noticing Alexei Navalny’s wife, Yulia. The verdict included the deduction by the judge of 10 months from the originally designated three-and-a-half-year sentence as Alexei Navalny had already spent that duration in house arrest. Yulia stepped out after the court session when Navalny smiled and shrugged his shoulders and yelled: “Don’t be sad! Everything is going to be all right”. [7] She waved back with Navalny’s two lawyers, Vladimir Kobzev and Olga Mikhailova. They have approached the European Court of Human Rights but to no avail. [8] However, all of these come as no news as Alexei Navalny is a nobody but one of the rising figures in Russian politics and a massive challenge to President Vladimir Putin.

Who Is Alexei Navalny?

Alexei Navalny is a lawyer turned activist. He is a very prominent critic of President Putin and his administration. However, to several Russians, he is not just a challenger to President Putin but is instead considered a contender to the leadership position. President Putin is a former KGB colonel who intends to continue controlling Kremlin for a few more decades. On the other hand, Navalny is seen as a revolutionary leader. 

Navalny is a rising figure who has been a symbol of protest against President Putin’s grey bureaucratic hold and his colleagues from KGB in the Kremlin. Navalny is seen as an opponent by several Russian elites. He worked as an organiser for the liberal Yabloko faction in 2007. However, he was kicked out of the party in 2007 for participating in a march with radical nationalists in Moscow. [9] 

He came second in the mayor elections of 2013 with 27% votes, although he alleged that it was due to the authorities’ ballot-rigging. Even though Sergei Sobyanin won the election, it cannot be denied that it was the first official challenge given by Navalny to President Putin. [10] As a result, alleged corruption allegations were put on his to debarred from the 2018 elections. Not just him, even his allies are frequently prevented from holding any office. Now, in the Duma elections that will take place in September 2021, he and his allies want to challenge the United Russia party. [11]

At the same time, Kremlin is getting ready to keep him away from one of the other reasons. Earlier as well, he has been jailed because of his connection to protests. He has also been convicted twice for financial misdeeds, although he claimed that they were politically motivated. Not only that, but he has also had significant eye damage due to a disinfectant thrown onto his face. [12]

How Is Alexei Navalny a Challenge to President Vladimir Putin?

Alexei Navalny gained prominence by using social media to reach out to people regarding matters concerning Russian politics. He makes videos on the Russian elites’ various details that they would like to keep in the dark. Navalny has over 2.5 million Twitter followers and about 6 million YouTube followers. He uses these social media platforms to expose the truth about the sources of the Russian elites’ wealth. One such video is that of President Putin’s secret Black Sea palace. [13] The video has garnered over 110 million views. Several other anti-corruption videos are made by him that tend to hit these Russian elites’ personal lives and big-shot names in Kremlin. [14] Thus, Navalny is no new to raids, lawsuits, threats, and jail stint. 

Alexei Navalny is evident in his objectives if he comes to power- to end corruption by state officials. Rampant state corruption has been one of Putin’s governance highlights, and President Putin is right in the centre of it stashing billions of dollars from strategic enterprises. It led Navalny to become a shareholder activist in 2007. He used his financial knowledge to purchase several shares of state-run firms that have a suspicious background. [15]

He has several foundations based out form other countries to expose the corruption taking place in the Russian power centre. Moreover, he is not a one-person army. Several people are ready to fight this menace in Russia. Vladimir Ashurkov and Leonid Volkov is the director of the London based anti-corruption foundation [16] and is an aide of Navalny in Lithuania. [17] 

So, President Putin has the state machinery in his realm as his tool to keep control over his critics. However, Alexei Navalny uses social media and his dark humour as a tool to keep up with other people. Many have come and gone, but Alexei Navalny is still standing. He has done something that no one could do before- get under President Vladimir Putin’s skin. He has been brave and has stood firm even when put in the worst of situations. President Putin so far, been unable to break him.

That is the reason why Kremlin has been trying to eliminate him for a year with different methods. Jail, lawsuits, raids, threats. Nothing has worked so far. So, the Kremlin decided to use the shadiest method under their belt to silence him once and for all. Last year, Navalny was poisoned in Siberia by an undercover team of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) spy. They had applied “Novichok Nerve Agent” in the internal parts of Navalny’s underpants. It had earlier been used in 2018 on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal in Salisbury. [18] However, Alexei Navalny was able to survive due to timely hospital treatment. Navalny was even able to expose the FSB assassins. [19]

With this attempt, the Kremlin finally thought they had got rid of Navalny. Even though he survived, they assumed that he would not return to Russian soil from Berlin, where he was recovering. Nevertheless, Navalny again proved them wrong when he flew back to Moscow on 17^th January. It was seen as a direct challenge to President Putin. It was then he was detained from the passport control at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport within hours of his arrival. [20]

His lawyer Olga Mikhailova told the Echo of Moscow radio station that she could not meet her client. In other words, Navalny was denied legal representation. [21] All of this culminated into street protests in over 100 towns and cities in Russia. [22] From Crimea to Vladivostok on the Pacific, the streets were flooded with supporters. Protestors even gathered in- 50C in Yakutsk to show solidarity with their hero. [23]

International Condemnation of Alexei Navalny’s Arrest

Not just Russians, but there has been an international outcry for human rights violation by both USA and European diplomats and leaders in this case. NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden who is now a Russian citizen, Jack Sullivan, Joe Biden’s incoming national security adviser, and even Mike Pompeo are prominent names who voiced their opinion against the state brutality on Alexei Navalny. Not just them, but even US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, have described this act as being “deeply concerning”, “cowardice”, and a “bitter blow” to the rule of law in Russia respectively. [24]

In a video conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a statement from Berlin- “We consider this expulsion unjustified and think it is another facet of the things that can be seen in Russia at the moment that are pretty far from the rule of law.” [25]

Showing solidarity with Germany, Poland, and Sweden, Macron stated, “I think this was a huge mistake even for Russian stability today.” Sweden’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mats Samuelsson said that “it considers this entirely unjustified, which we have also conveyed to the Russian side”. Stockholm “strongly rejects Russian claims that the diplomat took part in a demonstration in Russia” and “reserves the right to take appropriate response measures,” he said. [26]

Way Ahead

Nonetheless, nothing seems to change the minds of the Russian officials in this case. To make matters worse, Kremlin went ahead with expelling EU diplomats on 5th February. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused diplomats of Sweden and Poland stationed in St. Petersberg and a diplomat of Germany stationed in Moscow of taking part in the protests on 23rd January to show support to Alexei Navalny. all the three diplomats were declared “persona non grata” and were ordered to leave shortly. [27]

These have further worsened the situation and the EU’s possible attempt to re-engage talks with Moscow that EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell was spearheading. In retaliation to this, on 9^th  February 2021, Germany, Poland and Sweden on Monday each declared a Russian diplomat in their country “persona non grata.” All the Russian ambassadors were told to leave the country immediately. [28]

Whatever is happening or will happen, one thing is for sure Alexei Navalny did not lose anything from his prison sentencing. Locking up Navalny for a long time is bound to make him a martyr.

In 2013, when he was arrested, a large crowd had gathered that forced the authorities to leave him. Since then, President Putin is stringent on dissent moves like this. Nevertheless, keeping him long now will surely increase the protest and may lead to political instability. If he is released now, he will be a massive challenge in the Duma elections scheduled in September 2021. Either way, it seems like Alexei Navalny’s win and a loss to the “Vladimir, the Underpants Poisoner.” [29]

REFERENCES

[1] The Moscow Times. “As It Happened: Navalny Sentenced to 2 Years and 8 Months in Penal Colony.” The Moscow Times, The Moscow Times, 3 Feb. 2021, www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/02/as-it-happened-navalny-sentenced-to-2-years-and-8-months-in-penal-colony-a72803.

[2] Times, The Moscow. “Russia to Try Navalny on WWII Veteran Slander Charges.” The Moscow Times, The Moscow Times, 5 Feb. 2021, www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/05/russia-to-try-navalny-on-wwii-veteran-slander-charges-a72841.

[3] Roth, Andrew. “Alexei Navalny: 1,000 Arrested after Protests over Jailing of Russian Opposition Leader.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 3 Feb. 2021, www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/02/russian-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny-jailed.

[4] “Mikhail Khodorkovsky Freed after Pardon from Vladimir Putin.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 20 Dec. 2013, www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/20/mikhail-khodorkovsky-freed-putin-pardon-russia

[5] Williams, Stuart. “Garry Kasparov Quits Russia.” Mint, 6 June 2013, www.livemint.com/Politics/7iTyaOSRom9xGeF2OmaYUI/Former-chess-champion-Garry-Kasparov-quits-Russia-over-fears.html.

[6] “Who Killed Boris Nemtsov? We Will Never Know.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 3 Mar. 2015, www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/02/boris-nemtsov-never-know-who-killed-moscow-vladimir-putin-russian-opposition.

[7] Feehan , Katie. “Russian Police Raid Navalny’s Offices after Wife of Putin’s Greatest Critic Flees Moscow for Germany.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 12 Feb. 2021, www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9252195/Russian-police-raid-Navalnys-offices-wife-Putins-greatest-critic-flees-Moscow-Germany.html.

[8] Staff, Reuters. “Russia Dismisses European Court of Human Rights’ Call to Free Navalny.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 17 Feb. 2021, www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny-court-release-idUSKBN2AH1XI.

[9] Coalson, Robert. “Is Aleksei Navalny a Liberal or a Nationalist?” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 29 July 2013, www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/07/is-aleksei-navalny-a-liberal-or-a-nationalist/278186/.

[10] “Alexei Navalny and the 2013 Moscow Mayoral Election | Princeton University Library.” Princeton University, The Trustees of Princeton University, 27 Jan. 2021, library.princeton.edu/news/general/2021-01-27/alexei-navalny-and-2013-moscow-mayoral-election.

[11] “Russian Presidential Election: Alexei Navalny Barred from Competing.” BBC News, BBC, 25 Dec. 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42479909.

[12] Kramer, Andrew E. “Kremlin Critic Aleksei Navalny Says Attack Left Him Mostly Blind in an Eye.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 May 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/world/europe/russia-aleksei-navalny-opposition.html.

[13] Putin’s Palace. History of World’s Largest Bribe. 19 Jan. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipAnwilMncI.

[14] Don’t Call Him “Dimon”. 2 Mar. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrwlk7_GF9g.

[15] Schreck , Carl Schreck. “Russia’s Erin Brockovich: Taking On Corporate Greed.” Time, Time Inc., 9 Mar. 2010, content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1970475,00.html.

[16] AFP . “Alexei Navalny: Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Aides Push EU for New Russia Sanctions: World News – Times of India.” The Times of India, TOI, 9 Feb. 2021, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/navalny-aides-push-eu-for-new-russia-sanctions/articleshow/80767361.cms.

[17] Welle, Deutsche. “Navalny Ally Leonid Volkov: ‘Our Aim Is to Outsmart Putin’: DW: 15.02.2021.” DW.COM, www.dw.com/en/navalny-ally-leonid-volkov-our-aim-is-to-outsmart-putin/a-56573967.

[18] Harding, Luke. “’A Chain of Stupidity’: the Skripal Case and the Decline of Russia’s Spy Agencies.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 23 June 2020, www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/23/skripal-salisbury-poisoning-decline-of-russia-spy-agencies-gru.

[19] “’Do You Remember the Underwear’s Colour?’ – Navalny’s Call with Duped Spy.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 21 Dec. 2020, www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/21/what-does-alexei-navalny-say-the-duped-russian-spy-admitted-about-his-poisoning.

[20] “Alexei Navalny Detained at Airport on Return to Russia.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 17 Jan. 2021, www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/17/alexei-navalny-detained-at-airport-on-return-to-russia.

[21] AFP. “Alexei Navalny Lawyer Says Denied Access to Moscow Police Cell.” Hindustan Times, 18 Jan. 2021, www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/alexei-navalny-lawyer-says-denied-access-to-moscow-police-cell-101610962827751.html.

[22] Desk, Sentinel Digital. “The Russian Affair – Sentinelassam.” The Sentinel Assam, The Sentinel Assam, 17 Feb. 2021, www.sentinelassam.com/editorial/the-russian-affair-524975

[23] Troianovski, Anton, and Andrew Higgins. “Pro-Navalny Protests Sweep Russia in Challenge to Putin.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Jan. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/world/europe/russia-protests-navalny.html.

[24] Times, The Moscow. “World Reacts to Navalny’s Arrest.” The Moscow Times, The Moscow Times, 20 Feb. 2021, www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/18/free-navalny-western-leaders-tell-russia-a72637.

[25] Ap. “Relations between EU and Russia Worsen over Navalny Jailing.” The Economic Times, Economic Times, 6 Feb. 2021, economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/relations-between-eu-and-russia-worsen-over-navalny-jailing/articleshow/80717773.cms.

[26] Staff, Reuters. “Russian Court Made ‘Huge Mistake’ in Jailing Navalny -Macron.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 4 Feb. 2021, www.reuters.com/article/us-france-macron-russia-idUSKBN2A42NJ.

[27] PTI. “Relations between EU and Russia Worsen over Navalny Jailing.” The Week, The Week, 14 Dec. 2020, www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2021/02/06/fgn49-eu-russia-ld-navalny.html.

[28] Jordans, Frank. “EU Countries Expel Russian Diplomats in Navalny Dispute.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 8 Feb. 2021, apnews.com/article/eu-countries-expel-russia-diplomats-69e018425fa2d0bc9dde29aa1fad8c60.

[29] Rfe/rl. “’Vladimir The Underpants Poisoner’: Navalny Mocks Putin In Court.” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, ‘Vladimir The Underpants Poisoner’: Navalny Mocks Putin In Court, 2 Feb. 2021, www.rferl.org/a/russia-navalny-speech/31082857.html.

Featured Image by – Elena Ignatyeva, AFP

The post ALEXEI NAVALNY: CRITIC OF KREMLIN appeared first on WISER WORLD.

Nevertheless, such a political crisis is not new to the country. Italy has always been at the centre of political turmoil for decades. It is quite evident with the fact that the country has seen about 60 governments since WWII. Conte and Renzi’s drift has been known to the public for a long time, and hesitation escalating was very much anticipated. So far, the drift was kept at bay by this centre-left coalition due to the coronavirus emergency. However, the pandemic situation has also now escalated, and it seems that it outlasted the political goodwill. [2]

Why Did the Problem in Italian Politics Start?

The reason for this drift started due to the approach of Conte and Renzi concerning financial matters. [3] Back in 2020, the GDP of Italy slumped by about 10% due to COVID-19. [4] Adding on to that, was a stimulus package that was given by the European Union (EU) worth €750 billion that was allocated to several EU nations. In July 2020, Italy was allowed to get the lion share of the EU stimulus package, amounting to over €200 billion (about $243 billion) in a grant and low-interest loans. [5] Because of such loans, Italy is now the second most debt-ridden economy after Greece. [6]

For weeks, Matteo Renzi had criticized the plan laid out by Conte to use the EU funds to use these handout purposes and less on serving the health needs. Even when the plan was improved on Tuesday night as per the request, Matteo Renzi was still not satisfied. Finally, the usage of €200 billion worth of that package was approved during the night of about 12th and 13th January 2021 by the lawmakers. However, the lawmakers of the Italia Viva abstained from voting on it. Also, two members of resigned including Elena Bonetti, the former minister for family and equal opportunities.  Both Conte and Renzi have a different opinion on how this recovery money given by the European Union should be used.

It increased the difference between Renzi and Conte, as the issue became a matter of political vote bank and both the centrists are competing for the same voters. [7]

Matteo Renzi’s move has been met with a mixed response, ranging from anger to confusion to chaos. One opinion poll even suggested about 70% of the Italians feel that this move by Renzi is not due to the difference of opinion, but rather for his political gain. Some experts also state that this move by Renzi may be due to him being side-lined by the coalition in recent times. [8] So, Renzi was doing nothing but using this opportunity to improvise on his political gains.

However, on Wednesday, Renzi argued in a news conference that dealing with the pandemic also meant “solving problems, not concealing them,” He has taken issue with Conte’s strategy for rebuilding Italy’s tattered economy.

Nonetheless, it cannot be denied that Matteo Renzi is a very well-known political figure in Italian politics and holds an even more crucial role in the current government headed by Giuseppe Conte.

Why Renzi Is Crucial to the Italian Government?

Italia Viva was formed by Matteo Renzi in September 2019, after he quit the centre-left Democratic Party. After the populist right-wing League Party’s departure, Renzi and his party played a significant role in forming the coalition government by Conte. The coalition government comprises the centre-left Democratic Party, Five Star Movement (MS5) and the left-leaning parliamentary group called Free and Equal.

According to recent polls, even though Renzi has only 3% public support, his party Italia Viva has 30 lawmakers in the lower house and 18 lawmakers in the upper house, thereby making them a junior coalition partner.

Way Ahead

Renzi had elected as the Prime Minister in 2014. So, he understands how the situation prevails while on that post and how politics needs to be done to rule the state. Not only that, but he also has been known for mediating conflicts among parties having varied political inclination- ensuring that the far-right parties are out of power by making sure that a coalition is created between populist and centre-left parties. 

With the decision of Renzi, there are only a few alternative options that can be viable for moving ahead in this situation. First, that Conte and Renzi come to a compromise by keeping the current coalition government. In other words, without escalating the situation, Conte needs to convince Renzi to support the government. It is still possible as Renzi is still. However, if this does not happen, the country would be on the brink of losing a government in the middle of a pandemic. Alternatively, the Conte government can go through a no-confidence motion. If he loses, the situation of Conte’s government will be like Schrödinger’s cat. In other words, Conte would only be left as the caretaker of the government, and he would also not have much power over Renzi. However, a coalition is still possible. After all, with a lack of public support, Renzi would not want to put his 48 lawmaker seats at risk. Nonetheless, if this not, the situation may move ahead in a different path.

Second, if the coalition government does not move ahead, then considering the pandemic, a government of national unity will be sought to be created by President Sergio Mattarella.

Third, the country could go ahead with the national vote. It would mean that the country may end up going into an election right in the middle of the pandemic. In case of an election, either Conte would win the third term as the Prime Minister, or the far-right wing parties would form the government. The far-right in Italian politics comprises of the League Party and the Brothers of Italy. They have been gaining support for the past few years and hold about 40% of the electoral vote. So, in case an election happens and the far-right wins, then there Italy will have the most anti-European government in Western Europe. [9]

In this way, one can state that Italy is currently in such a political situation that it will not be suitable for the nation if escalated. [10] Hence, sorting out the differences is the best possible way out of this situation.

References:

[1] Italy – COVID-19 Overview – Johns Hopkins. coronavirus.jhu.edu/region/italy

[2] Harlan, Chico. “Italy’s Government Falls into Chaos, Further Complicating the Covid Response.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 13 Jan. 2021, www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/italy-government-renzi-conte/2021/01/13/dd65f6bc-55c6-11eb-acc5-92d2819a1ccb_story.html.

[3] Roberts, Hannah. “Italy’s Coalition Fights for Control of EU Recovery Cash.” POLITICO, POLITICO, 5 Jan. 2021, www.politico.eu/article/matteo-renzi-giuseppe-conte-coalition-government-recovery-fund-cash-coronavirus/.

[4] Amaro, Silvia, and Sam Meredith. “Italy’s Government in Crisis after Former PM Pulls Support for Ruling Coalition.” CNBC, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2021, www.cnbc.com/2021/01/13/renzi-italys-government-in-crisis-after-former-pm-pulls-support.html.

[5] Speak, Clare. “How Italy Plans to Spend €209 Billion of EU Money.” Thelocal.it, 17 Sept. 2020, www.thelocal.it/20200917/more-growth-lower-tax-for-families-italy-sets-out-plan-for-spending-eu-recovery-fund.

[6] Samuelson, Robert. “Opinion | Why Italy’s Debt Matters for Everybody.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 24 May 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-italys-debt-matters-for-everybody/2020/05/24/12b2f310-9baf-11ea-ac72-3841fcc9b35f_story.html.

[7] Roberts, Hannah. “Italy’s Coalition Fights for Control of EU Recovery Cash.” POLITICO, POLITICO, 5 Jan. 2021, www.politico.eu/article/matteo-renzi-giuseppe-conte-coalition-government-recovery-fund-cash-coronavirus/.

[8] Bozza, Claudio. “Sondaggio: Crisi Di Governo Incomprensibile per Un Italiano Su 2. E per Il 73% Renzi Persegue i Suoi Interessi.” Corriere Della Sera, Corriere Della Sera, 13 Jan. 2021, www.corriere.it/politica/21_gennaio_13/crisi-governo-italiano-due-non-capisce-motivi-il-73percento-renzi-persegue-suoi-interessi-59b0ac42-5515-11eb-89b9-d85a626b049f.shtml.

[9] Zampano, Giada. “Giorgia Meloni Is Rising Star on Italy’s Far-Right Stage.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 18 Oct. 2019, apnews.com/article/fa37b62daab246f2a9ccb0887284aaee.

[10] “Italy’s Government in Crisis after Junior Coalition Partner Quits.” Euronews, 13 Jan. 2021, www.euronews.com/2021/01/13/italy-s-government-close-to-collapse-amid-row-over-covid-recovery-cash.

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