Border and Farmer Protests Spread Through EU
There has been a wave of protests in EU countries, both on their borders with Ukraine and in their interiors, since Polish truckers and farmers began protesting for the bloc to once again require permits for Ukrainian transport companies in late 2023.
The most recent protests began earlier this week in Romania and Germany, with Romanian truckers and farmers staging scattered blockades on national roads and the border crossing with Ukraine in Constanta, and German farmers almost bringing Berlin to a complete standstill over rising taxes and subsidy cuts. Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria joined in these types of protests in late 2023 also demanding the reinstatement of pre 2022 EU restrictions on Ukrainian trucking firms.
Source: PAP, Reuters, PolskieRadio
Poland Calls for EU Support to Ukraine, Limits on Agriculture Imports
Poland has reaffirmed its support of Ukraine’s struggle against Russia’s invasion to the European Commission, advocating for continued military, humanitarian, and certain economic aid, while at the same time cautioning against the influx of Ukrainian agriculture products into the EU.
Polish Ministers Czesław Siekierski and Krzysztof Hetman made the position clear in a video conference with European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, who declared the meeting “useful on EU support to Ukraine, including trade measures,” adding that the commission would “continue to support Ukraine’s economy while being mindful of concerns of Polish farmers in relation to Ukrainian agri-food imports.”
Source: PAP, PolskieRadio, bankier.pl
Local Elections Confirmed for 7th and 21st of April
PM Donald Tusk announced in a press conference yesterday that local elections have been officially been decided to take place on the 7th and 21st of April. According to Poland’s electoral code the elections would have to take place between March 31st and April 23rd. The decision was made to have the elections take place after Easter in order to encourage a higher voter turnout.
Source: IAR, PolskieRadio
Poland’s Hurkacz and Fręch Advance in Australian Open
Polish tennis players Hubert Hurkacz (No. 9) and Magdalena Fręch (No. 69) both advanced to the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday.
Hurkacz beat Australia’s Omar Jasika and will next face Czech Republic’s Jiri Mensik (No. 144) with Fręch also defeating Australia’s Daria Saville (No. 152). Iga Świątek (No. 1) will enter the tournament to face America’s Sofia Kenin later today. The Australian Open concludes on January 28th.
Weather
Today will be another day of chilly winter conditions, though we can expect to see a bit of sunshine periodically from noon to evening. The temperature will be between -8 and -4 degrees Celsius or 17 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit with moderate wins that will die down in the afternoon.
Bryce Buren/kł
